How many weeks do you have to study for bar?

Asked by: Ken Larkin  |  Last update: December 24, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (42 votes)

Generally, students who are studying full time (e.g., 40-50 hours a week) should start studying, at a minimum, nine weeks ahead of the bar exam. You should spend the first seven weeks learning the subjects and completing practice questions. You should spend the last two weeks reviewing the law and taking timed exams.

How many weeks should you study for the bar exam?

Plan on spending approximately 40 hours per week over 8-10 weeks studying for the bar exam. During the few weeks of bar prep, treat your studies like you would treat a new, important job.

How long are most bar prep courses?

Most bar prep courses are around two months long, but you may want to spend more or less time studying depending on personal considerations.

How hard is it to study for the bar?

Studying for the bar is like drinking out of a fire hydrant. It feels never-ending. There's always more to know and it comes at you too quickly. The challenge is synthesizing the law into a coherent body so that you can apply the content you've learned to intelligently answer whatever question the exam throws at you.

When to memorize for the bar exam?

While there's no bright line rule for everyone, the short answer is: soon. Memorization can be accomplished within just one or two weeks before the bar exam, so don't worry if you haven't started. But the most effective way to memorize for the bar exam is to start three to four weeks before the exam.

GUIDE: How Long Is The Bar Exam? (+3 Tips For Test Day)

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Do most people fail the bar exam the first time?

Notably, the most substantial disparity occurred in July 2022, with 36 percent of CALS graduates successfully passing the bar exam as first-time applicants, while only 13 percent of graduates from unaccredited schools achieved the same outcome.

What bar exam is the hardest to pass?

Is The California Bar Exam Hard? Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.

Is 2 months enough to study for the bar?

If you're taking the February bar, usually right after the holidays – either last week of December or the first week of January, depending on when the bar is this year. So, it really depends, but most people study for eight to ten weeks full-time, unless there's a special circumstance.

Is bar exam harder than law school?

The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law. The bar exam's broader scope and depth of material make it more challenging for most candidates.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

Is 8 weeks enough for bar prep?

Suffolk strongly recommends that graduates take a minimum of six weeks (eight is better) to prepare for the bar examination.

How many hours does the average bar study?

How many hours should I study for the bar exam? A good general goal to set is 400 hours of study time. However, this may be more or less, depending on a few things: How well you did in law school, particularly your first year (the better you performed, the less work you will need to put in to pass)

Is barbri free for retakers?

The BARBRI Guarantee allows bar exam takers who do not pass the bar exam a free repeat of the same BARBRI Bar Review course prior to sitting the next exam cycle.

How much does BARBRI cost?

At the time of publication, BARBRI is offering the following plans and prices (which sometimes fluctuate): Self Pass: $1,999. Guided Pass: $2,699. Ultimate Pass: $3,999.

How many times can you take the bar exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

Is bar or CPA harder?

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is often considered more challenging than the NCLEX due to its comprehensive coverage of intricate legal subjects and a lower average pass rate of around 60%.

Which year of law school is the hardest?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

How hard is the bar exam without going to law school?

The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.

Can you study for the bar in 5 weeks?

Plan on roughly 400 hours of total study time. We recommend that students studying full-time begin 8-10 weeks (40-50 hours/week) before their exam. Those with extra responsibilities (e.g., job, children, etc.) should start studying as much as 4 months out (16-25 hours/week).

How far in advance should you study for the bar?

The typical recommendation is that you spend a total of roughly 400 hours studying for the bar exam. If you can manage full-time study of 40–50 hours per week, you should begin about 10 weeks before the exam date.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

Florida and California are the most challenging states to become a lawyer in terms of passing the bar exam. Their bar exams are considered the most difficult to pass. Those two states do not have reciprocity with other states regarding honoring those who have passed the bar exam in other states.

What is the hardest exam in the world?

The most difficult exam in the world is Gaokao Exam in China. Gaokao is an annual standardised test in China that is mandatory for admission to all of the country's Higher Educational Institutes. This article will be helpful for you, if you are exploring information about the hardest exam in the world.