3 answers
Jorge
Student
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What makes the BAR exam so difficult?
I'm considering becoming a defense attorney in criminal justice and want to prepare myself for what's to come.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jorge !
Great question. You are someone who has a good sense of being prepared and that is a great trait to have as a future attorney !
By the time you are ready to take the Bar exam in the state that you will practice in, you will have learned everything you need to know for the Bar exam. You will have gained the knowledge, sharpened your critical thinking and analytical skills and you will know The Law. That being said, it is my opinion that 80% of why the Bar exam MAY BE difficult for some people is this: it is the final step which determines whether or not a person becomes an actual Attorney. I think it's the anxious and stressful feelings and worry that probably causes it to be a difficult thing. And I can totally understand that. The students made a huge investment all those years and now it's down to this one exam.
I found some videos on You Tube of people who have taken the Bar exam presenting their points of view about it. It's great that there are these presentations available which provide insight and things to consider. Everyone will have their own unique experience preparing for and taking the Bar and you will too. My viewpoint is to try to learn relaxation techniques that work for you and approach the exam focusing on the information and knowledge you have. Also, it costs hundreds and in some states thousands of dollars to take the Bar, so that can add to feeling worried and anxious.
There are also study books that you can buy to help study for the Bar exam when you are ready. I left the link below for you.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
HERE IS WHAT TAKING THE BAR EXAM IS REALLY LIKE [VIDEO] https://youtu.be/ohqFI8hhVaU?si=-AsfBZILsD5r6u1O
IS THE BAR EXAM REALLY THAT HARD ? [VIDEO] https://youtu.be/bMxJWCPv2qc?si=3bG9egyUEBBpyq_Q
HOW HARD IS THE BAR EXAM ? [VIDEO] https://youtu.be/-sfxdyjOKWQ?si=vXyOLMelLsNjdkWC
NINE SURPRISING WAYS PEOPLE FAIL THE BAR EXAM [VIDEO] https://youtu.be/Ta2PidELWKY?si=ICeND7A4FVr_KhfK
HOW TO PASS THE BAR EXAM: 5 SURPRISING TIPS [VIDEO] https://youtu.be/zRfJD2nhwBs?si=BQ8l5VX10l3G_gEx BOOKS THAT PREPARE YOU FOR THE BAR EXAM https://jdadvising.com/three-bar-exam-books-need-pass-bar-exam/
Great question. You are someone who has a good sense of being prepared and that is a great trait to have as a future attorney !
By the time you are ready to take the Bar exam in the state that you will practice in, you will have learned everything you need to know for the Bar exam. You will have gained the knowledge, sharpened your critical thinking and analytical skills and you will know The Law. That being said, it is my opinion that 80% of why the Bar exam MAY BE difficult for some people is this: it is the final step which determines whether or not a person becomes an actual Attorney. I think it's the anxious and stressful feelings and worry that probably causes it to be a difficult thing. And I can totally understand that. The students made a huge investment all those years and now it's down to this one exam.
I found some videos on You Tube of people who have taken the Bar exam presenting their points of view about it. It's great that there are these presentations available which provide insight and things to consider. Everyone will have their own unique experience preparing for and taking the Bar and you will too. My viewpoint is to try to learn relaxation techniques that work for you and approach the exam focusing on the information and knowledge you have. Also, it costs hundreds and in some states thousands of dollars to take the Bar, so that can add to feeling worried and anxious.
There are also study books that you can buy to help study for the Bar exam when you are ready. I left the link below for you.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Mitchell Barker
Retired attorney
22
Answers
Nampa, Idaho
Updated
Mitchell’s Answer
Hello Jorge.
First of all, be aware that in most states the majority of people who take the bar exam pass it, and do so on their first try (yes, you can take it again and again if you don't succeed the firs time). It's not easy, but it's doable. I think a lot of it is a matter of confidence. I totally concur with the answer and advice given by Michelle, so I won't repeat what she said.
Some of the best ways to prepare for the bar are as follows:
Force yourself to do a lot of writing. I don't know where you are in your education, but take classes that force you to write a lot, and to be critiqued and graded on your writing. About two thirds of the bar exam involves essay writing.
Learn critical thinking. If you are in high school, take AP (advanced placement) classes and study hard to do well in them. In college, don't take just the easy classes and those required to graduate in your major.
You don't have to have any particular major in college to get into law school or do well when you eventually take the bar exam. But you should consider majoring in something that requires writing and critical thinking.
I think the best way to prepare for the bar exam is to pay attention, take careful notes, and in every way try to do the best you can in law school. They teach you what you need to know in most all of the subjects tested on the bar exam. It's great preparation.
First of all, be aware that in most states the majority of people who take the bar exam pass it, and do so on their first try (yes, you can take it again and again if you don't succeed the firs time). It's not easy, but it's doable. I think a lot of it is a matter of confidence. I totally concur with the answer and advice given by Michelle, so I won't repeat what she said.
Some of the best ways to prepare for the bar are as follows:
Mitchell recommends the following next steps:
Jonathan Ezor
In-house attorney
1
Answer
West Hempstead, New York
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
First, treat preparing for the bar like a job. It needs to be a full-time effort for the weeks leading up to the exam. Rely on your family and friends to take care of other things for you while you study. Even if you've learned the material in law school, you need to re-learn those areas that will be tested, and how they will be tested.
If at all possible, take a professional bar preparation course. There are a number out there, and they use different methods, so choose the one that works best with your learning style. Those courses are not only teaching you the material of the bar exam, but how the test works. If the cost of the course is an issue, see if your law school or local bar association offers scholarships or if there is other financial aid available.
Finally, don't worry more than you have to about passing, since all you have to do is *pass.* Ask yourself this: have you ever truly studied for an exam and, unless you had some last minute crisis, gotten less than a D- on a curve? That's what you need for the bar exam: no less than a D- on a curve. If you put in the work, and get the help of a bar preparation course, your chances of passing are very good.
Wishing you every success!
Look into the bar prep courses for the state(s) in which you'll be taking the bar exam.
Check out financial aid opportunities well in advance.
Prepare your support network in advance that you'll need to focus exclusively on preparing for the bar, and that you'll need help.
Don't worry too much.
If at all possible, take a professional bar preparation course. There are a number out there, and they use different methods, so choose the one that works best with your learning style. Those courses are not only teaching you the material of the bar exam, but how the test works. If the cost of the course is an issue, see if your law school or local bar association offers scholarships or if there is other financial aid available.
Finally, don't worry more than you have to about passing, since all you have to do is *pass.* Ask yourself this: have you ever truly studied for an exam and, unless you had some last minute crisis, gotten less than a D- on a curve? That's what you need for the bar exam: no less than a D- on a curve. If you put in the work, and get the help of a bar preparation course, your chances of passing are very good.
Wishing you every success!
Jonathan recommends the following next steps: