The Cost of the Bar Exam Preparation Process

The Cost of the Bar Exam Preparation Process

The Bar Exam generally conjures up thoughts of intense studying and preparation for students. While studying and preparation are enormous considerations, the costs associated with the Bar Exam are no joke. Before students start Bar Exam preparations, they should evaluate the associated costs and how they plan to pay for them. Usually, students get so caught up in Bar Exam preparations that they are blindsided when costs begin to arise. This article will help you plan and prepare for common Bar Exam costs. From the application fee to the cost of bar prep courses, we’ve got you covered!

The Cost of the Bar Exam Preparation Process

Student Loans

Before we delve into the costs associated with the Bar Exam, it is important that we mention student loans. The vast majority of students attending law school take out student loans. Many expect their student loans to cover costs associated with the Bar Exam. This is simply not the case. Student loans are designed to cover the cost of law school tuition and the costs of living while in school. Student loans do not take into account almost any of the costs mentioned below.

Relying on student loans is not a dependable option for taking care of the costs associated with the Bar Exam. Many students are put into difficult situations when the end of 3L year arrives and student loans have been exhausted. Regardless of whether you rely solely on student loans or not, the best course of action is to budget early.

Application and Registration Fees

Application and registration fees are generally the first costs that students are faced with when beginning their Bar Exam journey. Depending on your state, registration for the Bar Exam can cost anywhere between $200.00 to $1,450.00! For example, in California, the cost to submit an application for the Bar Exam is $667.00. Students in California who plan to use a laptop to take the exam must pay an additional $153.00. Thus, the total to simply register for the exam in California is a whopping $820.00!

Another cost that students in some states should expect is the cost of moral character applications. Some states refer to moral character as character and fitness. Many states require that these applications be submitted and approved before a student can sit for the Bar Exam. Again, using California as an example, students should expect to pay $551.00 for the moral character application.

Therefore, going back to California as an example, the cost to take the Bar Exam is over $1,300.00.

The Costs of Bar Prep Courses and Supplements

Apart from the other reasons why bar prep courses are a big deal, the cost alone is reason enough. Depending on the provider, students can expect to pay between $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 for a roughly two-month course. Many bar prep courses offer different packages, options, and additional study items that can increase the cost. In addition to bar prep courses, many students find that bar prep supplements are necessary to pass the exam. Generally, these supplements can range from between $100.00 to $500.00.

It is common to ask future legal employers to cover the cost of a bar prep course. However, while many firms and companies will pay for bar prep courses, the majority do not pay upfront. This means that reimbursements for bar prep courses usually come after you start working.

Take the following example. Imagine you are taking the July exam and your company has agreed to pay for a bar prep course. You pay for the course in May, study until July, and then take time off after the exam to unwind. You may not be going back to work until September or October! Therefore, even if your firm or company is paying for a bar prep course, budgeting is still required.

If you’re interested in JD Advising’s awesome and affordable bar prep course – Click Here!

Rent and Living Expenses

Like we mentioned at the beginning, student loans are not designed to cover the time you spend outside of school. If you are a recent law school graduate taking the July exam, it may be time to budget. If you are taking time off work to prepare for the February exam, it may be time to budget. Remember, Bar Exam = budget.

Many students do not live at home when studying and preparing for the Bar Exam for a number of reasons. This means that they need to figure out a way to pay rent for the months they are studying. In addition, students should prepare for the everyday expenses that arise. These include gas, food, entertainment, etc.…

Lastly, while students hope to get a nearby testing center, some are forced to take the Bar Exam elsewhere. It is not uncommon to hear about students taking the Bar Exam in other parts of their respective states. This means that students should be prepared to pay for airline costs and hotel accommodations.

• Looking to Pass the Bar Exam?

  Free Resources:

  • 🌟Bar Exam Free Resource Center: Access our most popular free guides, webinars, and resources to set you on the path to success.
  • Free Bar Exam Guides: Expert advice on the MBE, the MEE, passing strategies, and overcoming failure.
  • Free Webinars: Get insight from top bar exam experts to ace your preparation.

  Paid Resources:

  • 🏆One-Sheets: Our most popular product! Master the Bar Exam with these five-star rated essentials.
  • Bar Exam Outlines: Our comprehensive and condensed bar exam outlines present key information in an organized, easy-to-digest layout.
  • Exclusive Mastery Classes: Dive deep into highly tested areas of the MBE, MEE, MPT, and CA bar exams in these live, one-time events.
  • Specialized Private Tutoring: With years of experience under our belt, our experts provide personalized guidance to ensure you excel.
  • Bar Exam Courses: On Demand and Premium options tailored to your needs.
  • Bar Exam Crash Course + Mini Outlines: A great review of the topics you need to know!

  🔥 NEW! Check out our Repeat Taker Bar Exam Course and our new premier Guarantee Pass Program!