It’s not uncommon to encounter setbacks after taking the bar exam. The test is renowned for its rigor, and even the most diligent student might find themselves searching online for "what to do after failing the bar exam."
If you've recently learned that you’ll be joining the ranks of those retaking the bar exam, you're not alone. Plenty of now distinguished attorneys have faced this moment and used it as a catalyst for future success.
So, what happens next after you fail the bar exam? As you move forward, remember to take a deep breath and pause. The past few months have likely been a whirlwind of emotions and you need to give yourself time to process all those feelings. Like those before you, your resilience will help you come back more confident. We’re here to help you refocus and provide a few tips for retaking the bar exam to ensure the next time will yield different results.
Don’t underestimate the foundation you’ve created
You haven't returned to square one. All the hard work leading up to the first bar exam has laid a solid foundation — the foundation for your successful retake with BARBRI. Remember, reattempting the bar exam means reinforcing the knowledge you've already acquired.
Do an honest assessment of your last bar exam attempt
Reflecting on your approach after having failed the bar exam is vital. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, sit back, and ask yourself the tough questions:
- How much of your bar prep course did you complete?
- Did you focus more heavily on one area of the exam vs. another? On certain subjects?
- Did you allow time in your study plan to take care of your mental and physical wellbeing? (Self-care is so important now and always!)
- Were you present and actively taking notes during lectures?
- Did you allow yourself to truly practice and assess, or were you a little too worried that you didn’t know enough to get started?
- Did you actively write out and self-analyze practice essays against model answers?
- Did you submit essays for feedback?
Know your strengths and weaknesses
If your state releases exam information that can help you understand how you did on each component of the exam, particularly if it’s broken down by subject, be sure to get that information and use it as your starting point. Did you do well on the MBE but weren’t as strong on written portions, or vice versa? Were you rock solid in Constitutional Law but scored low in Real Property? That’s valuable information you can use to celebrate your wins and adjust where needed.
If it’s possible, look at your percentile rank by subject area to learn how you did versus others who took your exam. First, look at your state’s overall exam pass rate and subtract from 100. For example, if your state has a pass rate of 65%, subtract 65 from 100. This means that 35% of the people who took your exam did not pass.
In this scenario, look at the subjects in which you were above the 35th percentile and those in which you were below. Any that are below the 35th percentile are your areas of opportunity as you go into your next round of studying.
Understanding your performance can drastically improve your odds when retaking the bar exam. You can now tailor your study plan to enhance your weak spots and fortify your strengths — a critical step when retaking the bar exam.
Learn more about the bar exam curve and percentile rank.
Let the three "A"s be your guide
Once you have what you need from your self-evaluation, it’s time to focus on what will get you to your passing score on the next bar exam. You can overcome this moment and be a better attorney for it.
Use the three “A”s as your guide: Acquire, Apply and Assess.
Acquire. You can acquire new knowledge from your notes by actively listening to lectures. You will be astounded by how much more you get out of the materials now by really think about what’s being said.
Apply. When you work practice questions, carefully review the explanatory answers for each answer choice. Grapple with and learn from each question to understand why you got that specific question right or wrong.
Assess. As you put pen to paper and start writing practice essays and performance tests, compare your answers to the model answers and study the differences. Your percentile rank by subject can provide good insights as to where you are doing well and what areas may need more of your attention.
Evaluate your study habits for optimal learning
Reflect on what worked during law school and consider supplemental tools such as AdaptiBar or CriticalPass and/or private tutoring. Maybe a more balanced schedule could help you study smarter, not harder as you move forward.
Watch our webinar replay, “Retaking the bar exam”
If the bar exam didn’t go as planned, it's time to shift gears. Watch our webinar replay for comprehensive strategies and personalized guidance from BARBRI President Mike Sims to support your studies. Believe in your ability to pass, as many have before you, with the help of our actionable tips for retaking the bar exam We’re here to help you change your narrative from "failed the bar exam" to "passed with flying colors."
The BARBRI Guarantee allows bar exam takers who do not pass the bar exam a free repeat of the same BARBRI Bar Review course prior to sitting the next exam cycle. Learn more.
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