How to Prepare for the Bar Exam Before Graduating Law School

Five Things to Do to Prepare for the Bar Exam Before Graduating From Law School

It’s no secret that preparing for the bar exam is a significant undertaking.  But, there’s a lot you can do during your law school career that can make the transition from law school studying to bar exam studying just a bit easier.  Read on as we discuss five things to do to prepare for the bar exam before graduating from law school!

Five Things to Do to Prepare for the Bar Exam Before Graduating From Law School

Take the MPRE

Most jurisdictions require that students complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and achieve a particular score before that student can practice law.  You can take the MPRE, though, while you’re still in law school!  This not only allows you to check something off of your to-do list early, but it also allows the bar exam to be your sole priority in the months immediately following graduation.  Most students couple the MPRE with their professional responsibilities or ethics course, but you can take it on any of the test dates during your 2L or 3L year of law school! Most commercial bar prep vendors have MPRE courses available free of charge, so sign up and get studying!

Select a Bar Exam Prep Course

Preparing for the bar exam is a complex task that covers many subject areas and employs a strategy that differs from other exams you may have done in the past.  To effectively prepare for the bar exam, it’s essential to choose a comprehensive bar exam prep course that aligns with your learning style.  Many commercial vendors offer sample materials or course demos so you can get a sneak peek at what their full bar prep courses look like.  Sampling free MPRE courses can also be a great way to see how different vendors approach instruction.  As you explore your options, keep in mind that what works best for your peers might not be the best fit for you.  So, make sure you consider your learning style when selecting a course!

Take Advantage of Bar Prep Readiness Programs at Your Law School

Many law schools offer courses specifically designed with the bar exam in mind.  Other law schools have plenty of supplementary programs available to help students get a head start with bar prep.  These resources are tailored to help you understand the bar exam structure and provide strategic advice on preparing. Engaging in these programs can give you an edge and offer insight and guidance on where you might need to focus your efforts when preparing for the bar exam.  If you don’t know the difference between terms like MPT, MEE, and MBE, these resources are a must!

Apply to Take the Bar Exam

This might seem like a no-brainer, but the actual application process to take the bar exam sneaks up on many students.  In most jurisdictions, this is something that must be completed before graduation! Applying for the bar exam involves submitting materials for character and fitness evaluations.  These materials might take a while to track down, especially if you have lived in multiple states or had a lengthy career before becoming a law student.  Make sure to keep track of application deadlines for the jurisdiction where you want to be licensed.  If you’re taking the bar exam in a different location than your friends, you might find yourself navigating an entirely different application and deadlines!  Your law school might assist by offering notary services, having a date/time where you can be fingerprinted on-site, or by providing informational sessions on the application process.

Get a Head Start on Bar Prep

Getting a head start on bar prep can take a few different forms.  For some students, it’s getting their hands on practice questions as soon as possible.  If that sounds more stressful than helpful, some options aren’t quite as cumbersome.  For example, when was the last time you thought about your 1L  Torts class?  Reading through your outline or going through some notes can provide a valuable refresher on subjects you may not have interacted with in a while.  This can help reduce the number of surprises you encounter as you start your bar prep program!

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