Retaking the bar exam might not have been part of your initial plan after law school, but your ability to adapt, persevere, and improve will define success throughout your career. At this moment, you might be asking yourself, “What should I do differently this time around?” We’d love to share some thoughts with you based on nearly 60 years of bar prep experience talking to students who have been right where you are.
First, take a moment. Let yourself acknowledge your effort, process the disappointment of failing the bar exam, and then reset. The bar exam is one of the hardest professional tests you’ll face. You are not alone in this journey, nor are you starting from scratch.
You now have something invaluable — a strong foundation you didn’t have before, and a greater understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. You can do this. Armed with new strategies and focused preparation, you’ll approach your next bar exam attempt with the confidence that comes with knowing what to expect and being prepared to achieve a better outcome.
Here are three fundamental truths to guide you toward success when retaking the bar exam.
Three Truths for Bar Exam Retakers
Truth #1: Study Broadly
Law students are wired to go deep, whether it’s dissecting case law or debating complex hypotheticals. But when it comes to the bar exam, depth does not guarantee success. The bar exam rewards breadth over depth.
The key isn’t to master every nuance in one area of law. It is to have a broad, surface-level knowledge across the many areas being tested.
Think of it like this: rather than focusing on the one or two subjects you excel in, aim to do just enough in each area likely to be tested to get you above the passing threshold. Every question you answer correctly, across all topics, pushes you closer to passing.
Remember, just because some obscure rule might appear doesn’t mean it will. Prioritize the high-probability topics and fill in gaps in your weaker areas during your study sessions.
View more learning strategies for bar exam success.
Truth #2: Scoring High on the MBE is About Strategy
The reputation of the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) as an overly “tricky” or “impossible” test has changed. Modern MBEs are much more straightforward, but they still demand strategy.
When solving MBE questions, treat them like mini essays with multiple-choice answers already provided. Use a step-by-step approach to work through the hypothetical and eliminate the incorrect answers methodically. It’s vital to trust your systematic approach and resist overthinking. You’ll hone your skills in reading the fact pattern, identifying the legal issue, and applying the most likely rule or principle.
Explore BARBRI’s approach to MBE problem-solving and get additional bar exam study tips.
Truth #3: Measure What Really Matters
The bar exam isn’t graded like law school exams — it is pass/fail, pure and simple. That means chasing a perfect score isn’t the key.
How then do you know if you’re doing well enough in enough areas while you’re studying? The goal is to measure your percentile rank: how your practice scores stack up compared to others who will take the same exam. It’s not about getting 90% correct; it’s about being in a strong position relative to the score distribution or curve.
Learn more about the bar exam curve.
With BARBRI, you’ll know where you stand before you sit for the bar exam thanks to our AdaptiBar MBE Simulator and the most accurate Pass Predictor in the market. MBE Simulator is a cutting-edge supplemental bar prep tool that helps you understand bar exam sample questions with clear explanations and a real-time data dashboard, so you always know exactly how you are doing.
Having the most accurate Pass Predictor comes with prepping the most students for the bar each year than all other bar prep programs combined. The knowledge you gain with these innovative tools will help you refine and focus your studies where they are needed the most to reinforce confidence for exam day.
Additional Tips for Retaking the Bar Exam
Beyond these three truths, there are some essential steps to incorporate into your retake strategy to help you achieve bar passage:
Create a Consistent Schedule
Treat bar exam preparation like a full-time job. Set a realistic study schedule that includes structured breaks and time for self-care. With BARBRI Bar Review’s adaptive online Personalized Study Plan, you get exam prep that allows you to create a customized study calendar based on the days you choose to study.
Connect with a Mentor or Study Coach
You don’t have to do this alone. BARBRI has a history of helping students achieve their dream of passing the bar. Experienced attorneys and support professionals are available to answer your questions and guide you along the way, so you’ll be equipped for success.
Leverage Expert Resources
A trusted bar prep program like BARBRI can help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of every study hour with personalized tools and user-friendly supplements tailored to your needs.
Take a deep breath, recalibrate your approach, and reimagine yourself walking out of the exam room ready to pass. You can do this!
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