When should I start Studying for the bar exam?

by Dustin on


We’re nearing mid-December and you are thinking, “Bar prep time is around the corner.  Should I start studying now?”

That depends on you and what form of bar prep you will be using!  For those using established bar prep programs, the program start dates usually officially begin the first week of January.  Sometimes there will be online practice questions or lectures to listen to the week before.  Do these if assigned to.

Should you do any bar exam studying beforehand to help you get ready?

Personally, I was so freaked out about the bar, I was actually thinking of re-purchasing supplements from first year and diving through those over winter break, so I would feel ready when barbri rolled around in January.  Good thing I came to my senses first.

1)      If you are signed up with a bar prep program

If you are with a bar prep program make sure you get all their books in hand or available online right away.  Once you have their books, it might be a good idea at least to thumb through the books to see what is in there and get an idea of what the program is all about.  You may also want to do some light studying and outline reading.  There is no need to dive in and do hardcore exam prep until January.  After all, they made a schedule for you that begins in January for a reason.  If they felt you should be studying beforehand, they would have told you to.

It also could be somewhat of a hindrance to dive in and begin any hardcore studying before your program begins.  You are going to be developing habits of study, taking practice tests, and doing multiple choice questions.  The bar exam style is different from law school finals, and you want to make sure you’re approach is the way the bar prep program tells you, so you develop those habits correctly from the start.  Going about studying without their advice may put you into a mindset and approach you’re going to have to change later.

Also, you want to make sure you maintain your energy levels.  Six to seven weeks of prep should be plenty.  You don’t want to spoil that early, fresh energy on practicing or memorizing things you don’t really need.  Further, if you start too early, you might forget the early materials and need to spend extra time reviewing.

Instead, I would focus on arranging everything in your life that is not the bar.  Know where you’re going to live, where you’re going to study, what happy food you’re going to be munching on, what tv shows you’re going to keep watching, where you’re going to work out, and what you’re going to tell your significant other when they keep wondering why you’re coming home so late (please tell him you’ll be coming home late before bar prep begins!).  You want to keep these ‘off-the-field’ distractions to a minimum when bar prep time rolls around.

2)      If you are not signed up with a bar exam prep program

If you’re not signed up with a bar prep program, it’s important you make a plan of attack that includes what you need to accomplish by the end of each week.  This should be done by December at the latest.  If your personalized schedule states you should start early, then go for it!  For those of you buying the barbri books, use the barbri paced schedule.

In conclusion:

Winter Bar Exam

December

1)      Thumb through bar materials and/or light study and review

2)      Do online practice that is assigned from a bar prep program

3)      Handle all outside business

4)      Create a plan of attack if you don’t have one

January

1)      Begin studying

If you have any feedback or suggestions that could be helpful for others, comment below.  Thanks!

Summer Bar Exam

April

1)      Thumb through bar materials and/or light study and review

2)      Do online practice that is assigned from a bar prep program

3)      Handle all outside business

4)      Create a plan of attack if you don’t have one

May

1)      Begin studying

 

We wish you success in passing your bar exam!
“This name appears on the pass list”

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