Taking the bar exam is one of the most challenging experiences for aspiring attorneys out there. While many successfully pass each year a significant percentage do not. In fact 23.31% of applicants failed to pass in July of last year alone. This stat serves as a reminder of just how difficult this test can be.
Proper preparation is important but there are also aspects of the exam process that are rarely discussed ahead of time. Knowing about these less obvious challenges can make a significant difference in how you approach studying test day and the waiting period that follows afterward.
Subjects Are Not Tested Equally, So Study Strategically
Not every topic carries the same weight on the bar exam. While it may seem like every area of law has an equal chance of appearing that’s far from the truth. Many jurisdictions have patterns in what’s frequently tested and which subjects are rarely touched.
If you analyze past exams you will notice that certain areas such as constitutional law contracts and criminal law tend to be tested far more often than others. You need to focus on these high-yield subjects while still reviewing the less common ones. You don’t want to be caught off guard by an unexpected question tripping you up.
Recycled Questions Can Trip You Up
Many test-takers assume that because the bar exam is rigorous the questions will be entirely unique every time. However, that’s not actually the case. Past questions are often reused in slightly modified ways. So if you’ve been practicing extensively you might recognize a familiar pattern.
However, just because a question looks similar does not mean it has the same answer. One small word or a tiny factual difference can completely change the correct response. What this means is that you have to read carefully and avoid assuming you already know the answer.
You Need a Solid Lunch Plan
The bar exam is a grueling test process that takes place over the course of multiple days. While there are scheduled breaks no one is going to provide you with lunch. Some test-takers choose to bring their own food while others seek out restaurants nearby but no matter your choice you need to have a plan in place ahead of time.
Wasting time searching for food or dealing with long lines can add unnecessary stress so being prepared is key If your law school provides meals take advantage of that. Otherwise, a packed lunch can save you time and worry while keeping you full.
Your Emotional State Will Be Put to the Test
The stress of preparing for the bar exam does not disappear once you actually sit down to take the test itself. Many candidates experience waves of self-doubt anxiety and even exhaustion throughout the process.
The pressure builds as you move from one section to the next and by the end of the test period you may feel completely drained. Keeping yourself mentally and emotionally steady is just as important as mastering the material. Strategies like deep breathing, stretching during breaks and having a positive mindset can make all the difference in your results.
You’re Responsible for Your Own Supplies
Test administrators won’t be handing out pencils, erasers or any other materials you may need when test day comes round. Each jurisdiction provides a specific list of what’s allowed and what’s prohibited in the testing room. You have to be diligent about following the rules.
If you forget something, you will have to do without because borrowing from others isn’t permitted. Packing your bag the night before and double-checking your supplies in the morning can prevent yourself from becoming stuck in a sticky situation.
Difficulty Levels Vary With Each Administration
Every administration of the bar exam is different because the questions graders and passing rates fluctuate. Some test periods may see higher pass rates. Others may be notoriously difficult. Unfortunately by sheet luck of the draw you could be taking an exam that has a lower than average success rate.
While you cannot control which version of the test you receive you can prepare by looking at statistics from past years and understanding trends in your jurisdiction. Even if the exam is particularly challenging you are not alone and many others will be in the same situation.
Failing the Exam Is Not the End of the Road
No one wants to fail the bar exam, but it happens to even the brightest candidates and while it’s discouraging it isn’t a career-ending event. Many well respected lawyers and judges out there didn’t pass on their first attempt, and they went on to have successful careers later on down the line.
If you don’t pass it’s important to assess what went wrong adjust your study strategies and prepare for the next administration. The legal profession values persistence and determination so don’t let one setback define your legal path as a whole.
Waiting for Results Is Almost as Stressful as Studying
Once you walk out of the testing room the burden of studying may finally be lifted but a new kind of stress begins. The waiting period for your bar exam results is notoriously long. For weeks or even months afterward you’ll be left in limbo.
You will replay questions in your mind, wonder if you made the right choices and stress about whether you passed or not. This particular period of uncertainty is difficult for many test-takers and finding productive ways to keep your mind occupied is essential.
Some choose to dive into work or hobbies while others travel or spend time with loved ones—whatever you do try not to obsess over what you cannot change.
You Can and Will Succeed
Despite the difficulty stress and pressure associated with the bar exam, thousands of candidates pass every year. It’s not an impossible test by any stretch even if it feels like it at times.
With enough preparation along with having careful study habits and a focus on both mental and physical well being you can achieve success. Preparing for this exam will determine the outcome of your professional future—it’s a challenge but one that you’re fully capable of overcoming.
