Early Bar Prep: How to Make an Early Bar Prep Schedule

Early Bar Prep: How to Make an Early Bar Prep Schedule

Early bar prep can be beneficial for some students. Other students really do not need an early bar prep program (or are intimidated or overwhelmed by the thought of it!) In this post, we discuss a few things:

• whether you need early bar prep,
• what you should do during early bar prep
• how to make an early bar prep schedule 

As noted above, early bar prep is not for everyone. However, some students find it very beneficial to spend some time beginning their bar prep early.

Early Bar Prep: How to Make an Early Bar Prep Schedule

Do I Need Early Bar Prep?

Not everybody needs to start bar prep early. If you did well your first year of law school and if you are a good test-taker, you may not need early bar prep. Some students are intimidated by the idea of starting bar prep early and are afraid of burning out or having too many obligations their last semester of law school.

However, early bar prep can also be very helpful. It can reduce anxiety. It can help you get a head start on some of the tougher subjects and skills you need to master before the bar exam. And, it can increase your chances of passing the bar exam.

Early bar prep might be right for you if you:

• Graduated near the bottom of your law school class
• Struggled a lot in your first-year courses
• Struggle with standardized exams (e.g., you struggled on the LSAT)
• Did not take a lot of bar exam-specific courses in law school
• Plan on working (or if you have a similar time-consuming obligation) during bar prep
• Are anxious about the bar exam and simply desire to get a head start
• Have failed a bar exam in the past

What should I do during early bar prep?

There are a few things that you can get started on “early.” Here are some examples:

• Review subjects that you learned during your 1L year. These are the most highly tested subjects on the bar exam, so “previewing” them before you begin bar prep can put you at a great advantage. (We also have MBE one-sheets if you are looking for a resource to guide you on these subjects!)
• Take classes that will help you pass the bar exam. All of the first-year courses and any class that builds on what you learned your 1L year will be helpful. For example, and Advanced Torts or Advanced Contracts class will be beneficial. Other classes such as Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law are very helpful. So are classes like Family Law, Wills & Trusts, Secured Transactions, Corporations, Agency, and Partnership. Taking some of the classes for the more difficult subjects is very helpful.
• Practice skills that will help you during bar review. For example, figure out how you learn. Are you a visual learner, auditory learner, or a different type of learner? Try different techniques to memorize your law school outlines. Knowing your learning style will help you both in law school and on the bar exam. You will also have a great strategy going into the bar exam.
• Take a bar review course. If your school has a bar review course, consider taking it. It may help you learn the structure and style of essays and multiple-choice questions ahead of time.
• Read some helpful tips on our blog about a general bar exam approach. Here are 10 MBE tips that you should review sooner rather than later! However, our blog is full of other great tips as well.
• Consider printing essays from your state bar’s website (or National Conference of Bar Examiners’ website if your state bar administers the Uniform Bar Exam) or accessing MBE questions and getting exposed to those.
• Sign up for our free early bar prep course! Learn tips and strategies for the bar exam in just 5 minutes per day!

Dedicate some scheduled time each week to begin preparing. If you wish to start bar prep while you are still taking classes, you will need to set aside a certain time every week or every day to do so. Some students prepare for an hour in the morning before classes. Others set aside time on days of the week when they don’t have classes. You will need to make it a part of your routine if you plan to prepare effectively.

How to Make an Early Bar Prep Schedule

Step One: Decide what will benefit you the most. For example, if you will be most benefitted by taking law school classes, you do not need a separate early bar prep schedule. If you plan on reviewing material independently, then you will need a separate schedule.

Step Two: Decide when you will begin your early bar prep schedule. The best time frame for most students to start is some time during their last semester of law school.

Step Three: Consider how long you can commit to each week and block it off in your calendar. A few notes:

• Be realistic. If you have challenging classes your last semester, you may not be able to dedicate very much time to early bar prep.
• Don’t overburden yourself or you may burn out.
• If you have limited time, consider what will be the most effective for you personally. For example, if you struggle with standardized tests, memorization, and skills, you may want to work on this. Or you may find it more helpful to review certain areas of law.

Example of an Early Bar Prep Schedule

This schedule starts six weeks early and incorporates four hours of early bar prep each week. This is just one example of a schedule – yours may look very different!

Week 1:  Saturday, early April: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Review Civil Procedure outline from 1L year
• Practice memorization techniques 

Week 2: Saturday, mid April: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Review Civil Procedure outline again
• Print Civil Procedure essay questions from the Bar Examiners website
• Practice three essay questions

Week 3: Saturday, mid April: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Review Criminal Law outline from 1L year
• Practice memorization techniques
• Briefly review Civil Procedure outline and essay comments 

Week 4: Saturday, late April: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Review Criminal Law outline again
• Print Criminal Law essay questions from the Bar Examiners website
• Practice three essay questions
• Practice 10 multiple-choice questions

Week 5: Saturday, early May: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Review Evidence outline from last semester
• Make flashcards of hearsay exceptions and exclusions
• Practice 10 multiple-choice questions

Week 6: Saturday, mid May: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Practice multiple-choice questions for Evidence, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure
• Print and practice three Evidence essay questions from the Bar Examiners website
• Make bar exam study schedule beginning next week and review course materials

If you have any questions about early bar prep, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We are happy to answer any questions!

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