Five Reasons People Fail the Bar
As a Bar Exam tutor, and previous legal instructor I can quickly distinguish between the students that will pass the Bar Exam, and those who will fail. It’s no secret, the Bar Exam can be a rattling experience. The added pressure of #Oneanddone or succumbing to a very public failure doesn’t put examinees at ease either.
There are multiple reasons that perfectly smart, capable, and talented lawyers-to-be fail the bar exam. The key is to figure out why examinees don’t pass the Bar Exam so that you avoid the pitfalls. Below are the top five reasons I see students fail the Bar Exam:
- Examinees didn’t follow a study plan. A common reason for failing the bar exam is not having—or failing to follow—a study plan. A good study schedule is key. There is a lot of material tested on the bar exam, so being able to devote enough time to learning each subject and practicing test questions is critical. Creating a solid plan will help relieve your anxiety as you will always know whether you are on track. Remember it’s okay to deviate from your Commercial Bar Course Schedule, and tailor it to your individual needs.
- Examinees didn’t focus on the highly tested areas of law. Studying for the Bar Exam in the same way as in law school is a recipe for disaster. Trying to dive into every detail and nuisance can seriously hurt your chances of passing the exam. If you concentrate on the little things, you will not know the thoroughly tested areas of the law on the exam, and this could put you at risk of failing.
- Examinees self-sabotage during bar prep. You need to provide space for yourself to relieve stress, rest, re-energize, and talk to another human being now and then. Prepping for the Bar Exam doesn’t have to be a marathon of grind and punishment. Nourish yourself, banish thoughts of self-sabotage, and motivate yourself in healthy ways.
- Examinees don’t manage time well enough. One question left unanswered is enough to fail you—especially an MPT. It is not enough to just know the law. You also have to make sure you have enough time to show the grader you know it! Practice, under timed conditions.
- Examinees failed to review the answer explanations. You shouldn’t try to race through as many practice questions as possible. Slow down and review the explanations your MBE answer choice, regardless of whether it was correct or incorrect. Likewise, with essays and MPTs you should be studying your written answer alongside the model answer.