Before you graduate, your dean of students, a professor, or common sense will tell you that the bar exam is a test not to be taken lightly, that you should take your bar exam preparation seriously. But until you dive into the depths of the sample bar exam essays and practice questions, it’s very difficult to really understand how challenging and absorbing the bar exam can be.

Generally speaking, studying successfully for the MBE and the state bar exam is an immersive process; it requires dedication, focus and time management. It involves more than you’re used to in law school, where simply showing up in class (while IMing classmates or playing games on Facebook) can still get you an “A.” Attending a daily barre review class or participating in a structured online barre preparation course, memorizing barre review materials, and taking practice barre exams is just a starting point. The hardest part of studying is figuring out the best approach that will allow you to study most effectively and adapt your study habits to retain a lot of information in a short amount of time. You have to balance an increased workload with the need to eat healthy and exercise.

This article will provide upcoming bar exam candidates with constructive advice that other law students have found helpful when studying for the bar exam. The most important thing you can do is honestly assess your study style during law school, build on the positive habits, and be disciplined enough to eliminate the negative ones, before embarking on your study marathon that summer. Remember, you want this to be a one-time deal and it’s never too early to start preparing.

(1) For 1L and 2L: Prepare during Law School

It’s never too early to start preparing for the bar exam during your law school career. Many law students regret not taking more law classes during law school. Some law students even actively avoid bar-related classes because they assume they will only learn the necessary subjects during the formal bar review course. What they don’t realize is that it’s not easy to learn topics like wills, trusts, and estates in the course of a day or two that you’re likely to cover. Your law school probably doesn’t require you to take every bar course as a graduation requirement, and it’s certainly possible to pass the bar exam if you avoid taking these courses. But studying a barre subject a second time, by definition, makes it more familiar. Bottom line: It will be easier for you when you start studying a subject that you already have a foundation with.

We suggest you consider enrolling in the following classes during law school:

Multi-state subjects:

royal property

Contracts

Commercial Sales (UCC Article 2)

Evidence

Constitutional Law I and II (a First Amendment class would be helpful)

Criminal law (most law students we surveyed report that this topic is particularly easy to learn during bar review)

criminal procedure

mistakes

state subjects (varies depending on your state, but will generally cover topics like):

Trust and Estates

State Civil Procedure

State Constitutional Law

family law

State Criminal Procedure

Business Associations | corporations

(2) The bar review course

So you’re thinking, “I’m not a 1L or 2L. I’m a 3L about to graduate. I need a plan of attack now!” We believe that taking a Bar Review class is essential to your summer curriculum. Some choose not to, but if you’re reading this article, you’re probably not one of them. There’s bar/bri and PMBR (which have been around for a long time and have helped many law students pass the bar exam). But also consider the many competitors to the traditional Bar/Bri and PMBR, which students are finding very useful and effective. MicroMash, Supreme Bar Review and AdaptiBar are examples of this. Do some research, because everyone learns differently. One course’s methods of teaching bar subjects may be more effective than others.

(2)(a) For those who intend to stay with conventional conference-style bar review courses (Bar/Bri, PMBR, Kaplan):

If you decide to do Bar/Bri and PMBR, attend all the classes and live in the moment. This sounds simple. But many students are tempted to log on to the Internet and check email. Stay focused because literally every minute over the summer is crucial and it’s important to maximize your time while in class. Make sure you get to classes on time, because they start sharp at 9:00am (they can differ from city to city) and since they are recorded on video, the teacher doesn’t wait for anyone! Note that in larger law schools, there will be a ‘live’ room and everyone else will be forced to go to alternate rooms where you will see the lecture on video. So if you think it’s beneficial to see the bar review teacher in person, rather than on a screen, make sure you get to your class earlier.

It is strongly recommended that you not be embarrassed to use BarBri and PMPR’s “Telephone Help Desk” call features for any important questions you may have regarding the material. Bar review topics get confusing, especially when you start comparing federal law to specific state laws on a given topic (e.g. evidence). Also, it’s almost impossible to ask questions during the actual class (or impossible if you’re watching the video).

Note: Kaplan recently started his conference style bar review course to compete with Bar/Bri. We have received several reports, since the July 2009 bar exam, that Kaplan’s materials had errors and that the practice questions were, in her opinion, inadequate. It seems that they are solving the problems. DISCLAIMER: This is not the opinion of the author.

(2)(b) For those who intend to take online courses (Adaptibar, MicroMash, etc.):

Comfort is a double-edged sword. Some law students may not have the discipline to get out of bed early in the morning with the lure of a few more hours of sleep and the knowledge that they can start learning at any time of day (rather than at night). a certain time every morning). Or you may be tempted to take a day off and double it the next day. If you choose an Internet or DVD bar review course, set your alarm clock and continue with the program.

The great benefit of online bar review is the ability to tackle difficult topic subcategories head-on. For example, when studying for law school using a lecture/book style course, you will only see a certain number of evidence questions related to double hearsay and only occasionally. If that particular subcategory of evidence is giving you trouble, the BEST way to handle it is to (a) review the course material and then (b) ask as many practice questions as you need to get 10 double-heard questions. (in a row) correct. Most online courses will identify your particular problem areas for you and provide you with this highly beneficial and, in the author’s opinion, most efficient and least stressful method of ensuring you have a firm understanding of each topic on the bar.

(3) Ask practice questions and sample essays

At the beginning of your bar review, it would not be atypical for the bar study to take 10-12 hours per day. As you approach the bar exam, you’ll find yourself up numerous nights realizing you’ve been at it for 14 hours, literally studying from sunrise to sunset with short breaks just to eat and, with good luck showering!

Remember, there are so many questions that the bar exam can throw at you. The more you practice (essays and questions), the more you will “learn the formula”.

The practice questions are thought-provoking, but misleading. It is imperative that you ask at least 50 in-depth questions daily. Part of being successful on the exam is choosing the “least incorrect” answer from the four “incorrect” answer options by utilizing process elimination techniques.

There is something special about writing. A really useful trick is to make sure you don’t neglect rehearsals. Try to do at least 1 rehearsal a night from the first day of studying for the bar exam, and increase the number of rehearsals as the bar exam approaches and your study routine improves. Do not passively read responses to sample essay answers. Make a continuous chart, by topic, of frequently tested areas, and then study that chart. This helps for both essays (obviously) and multiple choice questions.

Another source of bar exam failure is those recent law graduates who work while studying for the bar exam. Personal finances are always a concern. But if possible, the author strongly recommends against working while studying for the bar exam.

Although it seems hypocritical, the author also urges you to maintain some quality of life. While partying is out of the question during the two months or so he’ll spend studying at a bar, having a (singular) beer once a week won’t hurt. It is important to limit the consumption of alcohol (and, of course, drugs). Exercising regularly is a must. Taking an hour break to walk, jog, or lift light weights can be invigorating and will definitely help the study process. Sleep is also important. Studies show that his brain needs enough sleep to better process the barrage of information that he will learn, understand and memorize each day.

The Bar Association will be a very stressful time in your law school career. The goal is to make sure it doesn’t become traumatic. It’s hard to understand how mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging it is until you actually experience it for yourself. But remember: try to keep the exam in perspective and if things get worse, you can take the exam again. Look at these highly successful and powerful people who tried the bar and failed… but have never failed in life: 1) John F. Kennedy (failed 3 times), 2) Florida Governor Charlie Crist ( failed twice), 3) Democrat Kevin A. Callahan (failed 10 times), and 4) New York Senator Hillary Clinton (failed DC bar 1 time).

The author sincerely believes that if you are smart enough to get into law school and graduate, you are smart enough to pass the state bar exam. All it takes is two months of dedication. It really is a hazing process. But, you are not alone and once you pass, you will be looking at your funded study time bar, albeit many years later. GOOD LUCK