California Bar Exam | Make This Your Last Time

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 - No Comments

How a Full-time Working Father Passed the CA Bar Exam (by Streamlining Resources)

Michael was a part-time law student, an older test taker, and a full-time working father who had dreams of becoming an attorney.

💬 “I delayed my dream of becoming an attorney for decades for my family, my career, and just the thought of four years of part-time law school, plus this exam (and the financial and opportunity costs, because I would have to take less responsible or less demanding roles in my career to make this work).

I’m an older test taker, looking for a second career. I’m a full-time working father, with a family. I hate my current career and what it’s become, and need to become an attorney for my own sanity (although this choice for sanity may be questionable).“

Michael, 2024 July California Bar Exam passer

Busy guy! But the message here isn’t that anyone can pass simply by desiring it.

Yes, you are capable, but this ain’t some story about rolling down a rainbow that came out of a unicorn’s ass. You get what you fight for, not what you wish for.

💬 “Studying for this exam takes up so much time. It becomes all-life-consuming.”

Fortunately, I’m used to making dreams come true.

And dreams did come true for this family man when he passed the California Bar Exam on his second attempt in July 2024. The star today is Michael, and I’m pleased to debrief how he pulled it off.

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 - 5 Comments

Cara Passes the California Bar Exam with Everything Riding on Her Third Attempt

Cara passed the July California Bar Exam on her third attempt. The third time was the charm.

But the stakes were incredibly high. Her third try was the decisive attempt where her life would change completely depending on the results.

Everything was on the line, all of her hopes, fears, and dreams riding on this last attempt as a third-time repeater. She was also juggling full-time work while studying for the bar exam.

💬 “I knew when the 3rd time came around, it was my last time to take this exam. My new job was on the line and I knew if I failed, I’d be fired. This would have resulted in me having to move back to the East Coast where I was barred because I could no longer afford to live in CA without income. I had wasted my savings moving, the bar exam (i.e. materials galore and exam fees), and covering myself for the short period I was unemployed. My friends were relying on me, my boyfriend was relying on me, my family was relying on me, and my job was relying on me. I realized then that I had to make some big changes in how I approached the exam the third time, especially with what felt like insurmountable pressure.”

To transform her life in the direction she wanted, she transformed her approach first.

November 22, 2024November 27, 2024 - No Comments

Passing the CA Bar Exam as an Older Candidate

You don’t need to be a 20-something Zoomer studying in your parents’ basement to pass the bar exam.

You could be working full-time, a parent, from another country, or not even know what a Zoomer is.

Brendan, in his 50s, is a second-time passer of the California Bar Exam.

Age itself is not a defining factor in this:

I’m a little concerned that my humor resonated with a 66yo.

But I’m a firm believer that each of us is still the kid who wanted to be a grown-up (we have to GO BACK). So it’s totally fine and encouraged to get help and support from others no matter where you are in the process.

Let’s see if we can find some lessons from how Brendan approached his studies.

November 15, 2024December 4, 2024 - 3 Comments

Passing the California Bar Exam 20 Years Out of Law School

Heather graduated from law school 20 years ago. Then she passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam.

The last time she took the California Bar Exam was when it was a different format altogether and three days long (I took that shit twice, and it is no joke).

💬 “I’m a full time working mom, with 2 young kids at home, and diagnosed with ADHD. No one at work even knew I was taking the exam.”

💬 “I didn’t need the license for my job, but wanted to pass just for me. My 2 kids got to see the whole process, and were so excited to share in the joy when they found out I passed the California Bar Exam!”

Let me get this straight:

Graduated 20 years ago
Last exposure to the bar exam was several years ago at least
Probably forgot everything from law school
Full-time working mom with ADHD
Didn’t even need to pass and or flex on anyone (I will be flexing on her behalf)

And here you are wondering how you can get “motivated.”

Well, here’s how you can do it too.

July 19, 2024September 20, 2024 - No Comments

Scoring 85% on AdaptiBar in the Last Two Weeks of Bar Prep

Grace took the California Bar Exam in July but only passed in February after forming a strategy.

💬 “Despite my bad 1L grades, I still had secured a job in biglaw. Maybe as a result of that, the threat of something not working out didn’t really set in. . . . My heart wasn’t in it and I had no strategy.

After July 2023 results came out, I was hurt but not surprised.”

She approached bar prep on her second attempt differently and even ended up reaching up to 85-90% on AdaptiBar!

How did she do it?