Why is bar prep so hard?

Asked by: Dr. Eleanore Grant  |  Last update: October 5, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (35 votes)

The sheer volume of information is overwhelming so it puts a lot of pressure on students. That's why the Bar exam is designed to be difficult. Individuals who practice law must be able to navigate all of this information. The first thing you have to do is get into the proper mindset.

Is bar prep hard?

The short answer: yes. Administered nationwide across all states and U.S. territories, the bar exam is widely known to be a test with an extremely high degree of difficulty. For first time test takers, the nationwide pass rate for the bar exam recently climbed to 79.64%.

How intense is bar prep?

How to Prepare for the California Bar Exam. Preparing for this exam is not quick and easy. Instead, it requires focused, intense effort over a period of weeks or months, and can even be a project some applicants spend years completing.

How many hours of bar prep to pass?

It is typically recommended that you study for about 400 to 600 hours for the bar exam. That is a staggering amount, but there's a lot to do!. If you are studying full-time, again, you should study 40-60 hours per week for nine or ten weeks.

Why do most people fail the bar exam?

Students especially struggle with timing when it comes to the performance test portion of the bar exam. Students often fail to practice performance tests under timed conditions before they take the exam. Then, they are surprised on exam day when they run out of time.

The Bar Exam, Is It Really That Hard?

17 related questions found

Which state is the hardest to pass the bar?

Which State Bar Is Most Difficult? California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

What State has the Easiest Bar Exam to Pass in the Country? If we look at bar passage rates alone the answer is South Dakota, which had a 93% pass rate last year.

Is 2 months enough time to study for the bar?

If you can study for the bar full-time (meaning 40 to 60 hours a week), you might be able to start studying for the bar about nine weeks before taking the exam. In this scenario, three months should be enough.

Is bar prep 7 days a week?

Bar prep is from the day after graduation until the bar exam, mid-May to the end of July. During that time, you are a bit cut off from the outside world. Studying takes up your 9 to 5 or even longer, usually 6-7 days a week.

How long does the average person study for the bar?

While your study time, days and location are extremely flexible, passing the bar exam requires time and commitment. 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 do you stay calm during bar prep?

Find a method of stress release!

Many people find exercise a good outlet, but it can really be anything that helps you refocus your mind. Sudoku puzzles, knitting, cleaning, walking, or pretty much any other activity can take your mind of the exam and help you calm down.

What is the hardest subject on the bar?

Nevertheless, many future attorneys who have taken or are currently preparing for the bar exam seem to agree that the following three subjects are the most challenging:
  1. Real Property. ...
  2. Contracts. ...
  3. Civil Procedure.

Can I take a day off bar prep?

At critical points during the study period, you should schedule in study breaks. It is important to maintain consistent energy levels throughout your bar exam studies. Therefore, it is highly recommended to take days off even if you feel like it is counterproductive.

Should I work during bar prep?

You should not be working during bar prep (if you can avoid it). California Bar Attorney Exam Prep should be your full-time job and you should treat it as such (think 9 am – 5 pm studying with a 1-hour break).

How do you memorize bar prep?

Here are our tips:
  1. First, memorize one bar exam outline at a time. We'll say you start with Torts. ...
  2. Go to the next section of your outline. ...
  3. Take breaks. ...
  4. Review the whole outline all over again. ...
  5. Put the outline away. ...
  6. Get a good night's sleep! ...
  7. Consistently review the outline. ...
  8. Continue in the weeks to come.

Is the LSAT or bar harder?

The bar exam is like the final boss of a video game. After spending your entire academic career taking tests, this is the final, most difficult one you'll face. Unlike the LSAT, the bar exam does test your knowledge of the law itself. You'll be tested on a wide array of subjects.

How many essays do you need for bar prep?

We recommend that you spend approximately 1 hour per day writing practice essays. MEEs are thirty minutes each under normal timing conditions. This means that you should be writing 1-2 practice essays per day, or approximately 6-8 practice essays per week.

Is 5 weeks enough time to study for the bar exam?

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

How many hours a day is Barbri bar prep?

The course lasts 8-10 weeks, and the average student should expect to spend about 40 hours per week studying. Each week, you may study the specific days, hours per day, and time of day that work best for your schedule.

Is it easier to pass the bar the second time?

If you are on your second time taking the exam, you are more likely to pass than if you are on your ninth try (though we did just have a ninth-time taker pass so it is definitely possible!). The numbers given by the NCBE do not distinguish between second time takers and other repeat takers.

When should I stop studying for the bar?

Know When to Stop

When you find yourself returning to the same concept over and over again to little avail, it is likely interfering with your ability to reinforce other topics and learn new ones. It is essential to move on at this point.

How many hours a day did you study for the bar?

In general, we recommend you treat studying for the bar exam as if it was a full-time job. So if you study 9-5, five days a week (assuming you are studying efficiently!), you should be on track to pass the bar exam! However, there are a few factors to take into account that may change this recommendation.

What is the hardest US bar exam?

While Delaware has a higher cut score than California, California's bar exam is arguably the hardest in the country because more students take and fail the test.

What state has the lowest bar passing score?

Alabama, Missouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, and North Dakota all have the lowest minimum passing score for the Uniform Bar Exam, at 260. While these states enjoy the lowest grade to pass, it does not reflect their difficulty or challenges. The state with the highest number of passing lawyers was South Dakota, as of 2021.

What state requires the highest bar exam score?

The highest UBE score is a 273 (required in Arizona). The most common score is a 270, with major jurisdictions like Massachusetts and Texas requiring this score. You can find a link to the chart and map here. Please check the NCBE's website for the most up-to-date information.