One of the most common questions bar exam takers ask is: When should I start studying?
Start too early, and you risk burnout or forgetting key material. Start too late, and you may find yourself overwhelmed and stressed.
Finding the right balance is crucial.
The typical bar exam study timeline
Most students begin preparing about 10 weeks before the exam, dedicating around 40 hours per week to studying. Many treat bar prep like a full-time job, studying Monday through Friday — and often on weekends.
However, this traditional approach doesn’t work for everyone. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may benefit from starting earlier and spacing out your study schedule.
Should you start studying early?
Consider beginning your bar exam prep earlier if:
You have full-time obligations (such as work, childcare or other commitments). Starting early allows you to distribute your workload more evenly, making studying more manageable.
You struggled during your first year of law school. The bar exam heavily tests 1L subjects. If you found those courses challenging, giving yourself extra time to master the material can be beneficial.
You didn’t take key bar exam subjects in law school. If you skipped courses like Evidence, Business Associations (Corporations, Agency & Partnership), Criminal Procedure, Secured Transactions, Wills & Trusts or Family Law, an early start can help you fill those knowledge gaps. (Missing just one or two of these isn’t a major issue, but if you missed several, extra time can be helpful.)
You experience high levels of anxiety. If starting early would ease your stress and help you feel more in control, it may be a good strategy.
How to effectively start bar prep early
If you decide to start studying early, consider lightening your schedule in other areas. For example, if you want to begin bar prep during your final semester of law school, try to avoid taking an overly intensive course load.
Here are a few effective ways to get ahead:
Enroll in a bar review course early. Many bar prep companies offer six-month or even 10-month study plans, giving you access to lectures, outlines and practice questions well in advance.
Take bar-tested courses in law school. Prioritizing subjects like Evidence, Business Associations and Criminal Procedure can help you build a strong foundation. Not only are these subjects tested on the bar exam, but they can also be difficult to learn if you are covering them for the first time during bar prep.
Improve your legal writing skills. Many law school classes focus on substantive knowledge, but strong legal writing can also boost your bar exam success.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to bar exam prep.
While the standard 10-week study period works for many, others benefit from a longer timeline.
The key is to know yourself, evaluate your circumstances and choose a plan that sets you up for success.
