Passing the Bar Exam

By: Kandice Thorn

We have reached the end of the semester and finals are rapidly approaching.  But for many students, beyond finals looms an even bigger challenge: the bar exam. 

If you have done any research at all, you know that the pass rate for foreign-qualified bar takers in NY is quite low, hovering consistently around 40%.  What can you do to improve your chances?  Below are a few tips that can help you beat the odds. 


1.  Expect to put in long days, every day, between finals and the bar exam.  Two months is a long time, but you have a LOT of material to learn during that time.  There is no way to cram it all in the last few weeks.  You need to be working consistently long days.  Maintain a sense of urgency throughout the entire study period and treat every week as though it were your last week to study.

2.  Immerse yourself in English--even more than you already have.  The bar exam requires rapid reading and writing in English.  Speaking English all or most of the time between now and the bar exam will improve your English skills and leave you better equipped to digest and answer the questions quickly in the exam.

3.  Follow the bar review program.  Everyone who takes the bar should be signed up for a bar prep course.  There are many options out there: BarBri, Kaplan, LLM Bar Exam, Pieper.  Each course has its own unique approach, but one thing they all have in common is that they should give you a "program" or a schedule for reviewing the topics, taking simulated tests, etc.  Follow the program.  They are experts and will not lead you astray.  They will focus you on the topics that are most frequently tested and will help you achieve maximum efficiency.

4.  Encourage each other.  When things get tough, look to each other for support and encouragement.  Keep each other focused and push through to the end. 

In short, there is no magic to passing the bar exam.  Hard work, long hours, and diligence will get you there.  Good luck to all!