You may experience mixed emotions as you wrap up your final semester in law school – overwhelmed by your bar exam-related to-do list, excited to finish law school, nervous about your last round of finals, and filled with a sense of accomplishment as you near graduation.
And then, there is the anticipation of bar preparation and the bar exam, which is a positive feeling for some, terrifying for others, and provides a mix of anxiety and excitement for the rest.
Follow these three tips to manage your expectations and time, set yourself up for success and reduce stress as you apply and prepare for the bar exam.
Stay on top of the licensure process
Bar licensure and application requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some parts of the process can (or must) be completed before you may sit for the bar exam – sometimes requirements can be completed well in advance of bar study and other times they may need to be addressed during bar preparation. In some jurisdictions, portions of the licensure process occur after you take the exam.
Pay special attention to aspects of the process where timing is critical:
Application/Registration: The deadlines for applying or registering for the July bar exam vary widely – with timely filing cut-offs in some jurisdictions as early as November (eight months before the exam) to extended deadlines in other jurisdictions as late as June (less than eight weeks before the exam). However, most jurisdictions have timely filing or registration deadlines between February and May. Use any extra time in law school to your advantage and strive to complete the bulk of your application prior to the start of your bar studies. This will help eliminate the stress of dealing with tedious administrative tasks during bar prep. Plus, you will save money if you meet “timely” deadlines (jurisdictions charge more for “late” filing).
Character and fitness: Most jurisdictions begin their Character and Fitness evaluation when you apply or register to take the exam. Again, if possible, it’s best to complete this process before you begin studying for the exam. But investigators often have follow-up questions, so timely and thoroughly respond to any inquiries related to your evaluation, especially in the handful of jurisdictions that require you to receive Character and Fitness certification before you’re eligible to sit for the bar exam. Delays in these jurisdictions can push your evaluation well into your bar study period and cause additional stress as you anxiously wait to hear whether you will receive clearance to sit for the exam.
Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE): Almost every U.S. jurisdiction requires a passing MPRE score as part of its licensure process, and most jurisdictions permit you to obtain your passing score before or after you take the bar exam. If your jurisdiction requires a passing score before you take the bar exam, achieve a passing MPRE score no later than the March administration prior to the July exam. If your jurisdiction allows you to attain a passing MPRE score after you take the bar exam and you plan to take the MPRE this August, mark the MPRE registration deadline on your calendar (June 8, 2023) and set a reminder now so you don’t miss it while you’re entrenched in your bar studies. And use a free course like Helix MPRE to prepare.
Knowing which licensure-related items you need to complete before, during, and after bar preparation will help you plan accordingly and feel in control of the process.
Know what to expect during bar prep and on the bar exam
Bar preparation and the bar exam are much different than your experience in the law school classroom and during finals. Before you dive into your bar studies, learn what to anticipate so you have a framework to shape your mindset and expectations.
First, consider how you will prepare. Understand the format of your commercial bar course, including how substantive content and practice opportunities are delivered. Additionally, know the daily, weekly, and overall time commitment needed to complete the bulk of the program. Typically, a recommended study schedule will be provided for your course. Skim that before you begin studying to understand the daily and big-picture demands on your time.
Whether you’re taking the Uniform Bar Exam or a state-specific exam, there are similarities in what to expect on exam day across jurisdictions. Typically, a dozen or more subjects are eligible for testing on multiple exam components. Each component has a time limit and a different format (usually essay, performance test, and/or multiple-choice). Some subjects are guaranteed to be tested, other subjects may be tested on more than one component of the exam, and each component of the exam may have a different weight toward the overall score on the exam.
Plus, the bar exam is not open book, so you will need to memorize and quickly recall the law. Familiarize yourself with the subjects eligible for testing, components of the exam, time limits, and scoring weight for each component to help you manage your expectations and study strategies.
Personalize your study plan
Whether you create your own study plan or use the study schedule provided by your bar prep program to guide your coursework, it’s imperative that you customize your plan to account for your personal life and other responsibilities.
This means calendaring everything – your study blocks, personal appointments, meals, time for breaks, quality time with friends and family, exercise, and so on. The best way to stay on track during bar prep is to start good time-management habits from day one and practice them through the bar exam. Life happens, and you will likely have to adapt, but the more you have planned up front, the easier it will be for you to pivot when needed.
Stay on top of the licensure process, understand the expectations, and follow through on your personalized study plan. This will help you anticipate your needs and time constraints, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success. You can do this!
