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Written by Jennifer Summers
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Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:25 |
Preparing for the bar exam can be one of the most stressful experiences you've had since applying to law school. If you're planning to take the bar exam within a month or two after graduation, you need to create a plan that helps you stay focused on passing it the first time. Even though you can take the test again, passing it first time will allow you to move on with your career and decrease the amount of stress in your life.
Obtaining All Necessary Paperwork
When you apply to take the bar exam, you will receive materials pertaining to the exam in the mail. These materials will include study guides, lists of possible topics seen on the exam, and instructions on what to bring with you, the location of the exam, and other information that will be necessary for you to take the exam. Obtaining these materials at least four months in advance should be enough time for you to create a solid study plan.
After you receive all the paperwork, you will need to carefully follow the instructions and make sure that all paperwork, fees, and other information is turned in by the assigned due dates. If not, you may not be permitted to take the exam on the dates you want.
Make Travel Plans and Graduate Law School
If you will need hotel accommodations for the exam, make sure you reserve a room at a nearby hotel as soon as possible. Plan to stay three or four days. The same applies when renting a car or purchasing airline tickets. Planning as far in advance as possible will reduce your stress.
Before you begin studying for the bar exam, make sure you concentrate first on completing your finals and graduating law school. Many students make the mistake of ignoring what they need to do in the immediate future by concentrating solely on the bar exam. Take time to relish in the fact that you made it through law school before turning your attention to passing the bar exam.
Because you will need at least two months to study adequately, make sure you have a place to live and study. You may want to move in with your parents or close friends who can give you the time and space you need. If you're working, plan on taking as much time off as you can before the exam and during the dates of the exam.
Reducing outside stress as much as possible will help you remain focused on preparing for the exam.
Creating a Study Plan
After reviewing the materials you receive for the exam, create a list of books and study materials that will be the most beneficial to your success. You can use a variety of resources including lecture notes, old exams, books from the law library, and specialized study materials prepared by the Bar Association. Look online for additional resources as well.
Keep in mind that bar exam study guides found in bookstores do not include all the information you need to know in order to pass the exam, so be sure to use other resources as well. Create a list of areas you feel confident about as well as a list of areas you need to review. These lists should be as specific as possible. If there are areas you did not study in law school mentioned, make sure you review books, outlines, and other materials beforehand so you're not caught off guard during the exam.
Your study plan depends on the difficulty of your state bar's difficulty. You should include at least 3 to 4 (6 to 10 if in a difficult state) hours of studying per day until the day of the exam. Talking with law professors, other students, and lawyers can help you get a better idea of what will be on the exam. The bar exam materials sent to you will include sample MBE questions, essay questions, model answers, and other materials. Take the time to thoroughly answer and review all sample essay questions in your study materials as these will prepare you for unexpected questions that may come up during the exam.
Try to break your study time into segments where you focus on one set of laws at a time. Once you've mastered a section, move on to the next until you can recite answers quickly and easily.
Maintaining Emotional and Physical Stamina
The bar exam is a three day event in most states that will test not only your body of knowledge, but also your emotional resolve. While studying for the event, make sure you're eating and exercising so your body will be prepared for sitting for long periods of time during the exam. Participating in fun activities that can take your mind off your studies is encouraged as well. Make sure to visit with friends, avoid discussing the bar exam at these times, and focus on the present.
Even though the two months leading up to the bar exam will be stressful, frustrating, and emotionally overbearing at times; you must maintain a healthy outlook on the rest of your life. Surrounding yourself with friends, family, and others who are supportive and nurturing is essential if you want to perform well during the exam.
Once the exam is over, take a few days to unwind and relax. Regardless of the outcome, know that you tried your best and that you were able to complete an exam that many others cannot. If you studied hard enough and reviewed all the materials sent to you, your chances of passing are very high.
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