Brian, Author at Make This Your Last Time

May 10, 2020February 13, 2023 - 10 Comments

Taking the Bar Exam Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

It’s socially acceptable to shit on math in America and law schools in general. It’s politically incorrect to dislike “travel” or “dogs.” And it’s considered weird to not sign up for an expensive bar review course when you’re studying for the bar exam.

Even though I have a lot to say about all of these, let’s stick to the topic and address that last one about bar review courses. Look at this article from Business Insider:

"If I tried to take the bar again, the cost for a class and the test itself could be up to $3,000, which I just can't afford — so I'm stuck with the debt of law school without the prestige of bar membership."

No, it doesn’t have to be this way just because you want to practice law!

You probably assumed that you NEEDED to go with a bar prep company after graduation. The question was framed as “what’s the best bar exam prep course” rather than “should I take a bar course?” You were bombarded with offers from the usual suspects (Barbri and the gang) since day one of being a law student.

So it’s not your fault that no one exposed you to the idea of alternate paths such as self-study. Also, there’s nothing wrong with using a course, as long as you use it properly.

It’s just that you don’t NEED a course (by default). You don’t NEED a tutor (unless you want personal guidance). Bar exam fees are high enough already.

You don’t have to spend $10,000 or $3,000 or anything close to that (besides registration fees) every time you take this test just for the chance to become a licensed attorney. (I’ll show you how below.)

"Simple math told me it was cheaper to take and retake the [bar exam] 3-4 times using ... 'non-traditional' decent-priced materials ... than to spend an outrageous $6,000 on the BARBRI Prep Course (also apparently not made for anyone working full time)."

I’m not wagging my finger saying you must or mustn’t enroll in a bar prep course. The right investments for you will pay off. I’m just saying you can think about it and consciously decide for yourself.

There is a way to pass the bar other than with big box bar prep courses.

Start by checking for any internal narratives you may have about what you need to spend your money on to prepare for the bar exam. (Below, I’ll share my take on how you only really need THREE things for preparation.)

I’ll help you reexamine the default assumptions born from “big bar” lobbying by answering these questions:

What are the costs of taking the bar exam?
What are the drawbacks of “big box” bar programs? What can you do instead to address these drawbacks?
What are the benefits of big bar courses?
Should you sign up for one? (It depends)
How do you prepare for the bar exam without a prep course or a big budget?

May 8, 2020April 17, 2022 - 2 Comments

How to Get 20/20 FORESIGHT for the 2020 Bar Exam

Welcome to 2020, where “social distancing,” “the new normal,” and “stay home” are the new meme phrases to replace “in this economy.”

But life and the bar go on relentlessly no matter the state of the planet.

It’s that time yet again. Results for the 2020 February bar exam are in for every state (pass rate in California 26.8% WTF?).

Anxiety squirting into your heart every time you thought of the moment of truth. Heart ricocheting around your ribcage as you check for your name on the pass list.

Waiting is the hard part. It’s even harder to get non-lawyers to shut up about obligatory “aww… you got this” and “I’m sure you passed” comments for weeks and months.

Well, I’m just gonna ask you. Did you pass?

April 27, 2020April 30, 2020 - No Comments

Getting on track if your bar exam is in September

The fog is clearing up in bar world. We wanted certainty. We got it.

Some of the more populated states are postponing the exam to September 9–10 or September 30 – October 1. Others are staying put in July. You can check the status of each state here.

In an interesting move, California is moving the exam to September 9 and is administering the exam remotely. Oh you, always such a rascal.

In any case, it’s happening. Things are moving, and so must you.

As the dust continues to settle, what should you do to keep your mind focused on track?

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020 - No Comments

Should the bar exam be designed more like the real world?

“Get rid of the MBE.”

“The MBE is objectively graded. The essays are subjective. The essays should be eliminated.”

“They don’t use multiple choice in the real world.”

With so many shifts already happening in the world, will the bar exam have to be redesigned?

We’re already seeing some states reschedule their bar exams to September, at least for 2020. Is this the impetus needed to finally bring reform to the bar exam in “the new normal”?

It’s a complicated issue.

Here are my personal thoughts on this. No substantive bar strategies or techniques in this post.

April 10, 2020May 15, 2020 - No Comments

Bar Exam Success Rules that Buck Tradition: Keeping Yourself Mentally Sane During Bar Prep

I’m excited to share this guest article by Jennifer Duclair, Esq., a Bar Exam Mentor who specializes in mindset mentoring for powerful bar exam results, and offers regular five-day challenges to set up your own study plan. Today, you’ll learn how to work with your mind, rather than have your mind work against you on your way to bar exam success.

Bar takers could do with less suffering and more enjoyment in this rite of passage to becoming an Esquire.

However, most bar prep rules were developed ages ago and haven’t been updated much since then. Here’s what to do to get away get from those methods that are so 1998, and do what really works today.