Make This Your Last Time

“Why is bar prep so expensive? Can I study on a budget? Big box bar review courses are a scam!” You cry out into an echo chamber.

It’s socially acceptable to dunk on math in America. 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.

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

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

Or how about this Reddit post:

Luckily, you’re already in the right place if you want strategies to maximize your chances of passing the bar exam.

Do you notice the insidious assumptions above?

First, you might assume you should pass if you do “everything you’re supposed to.” This is not true. I’m at least one example of someone who followed the plan exactly and failed the first time.

Second, you might assume that you NEED to enroll with a bar prep company to pass the bar exam.

The question gets framed as “what’s the best bar exam prep course?” rather than “should I take a bar course?” After all, 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, at the same time, there’s nothing wrong with using a course, as long as you use it properly.

Huh, not everything is black and white in this world. Go figure.

It’s just that you don’t NEED a course (by default). You don’t NEED a tutor (unless you want personal guidance). In fact, nowadays, you can ask AI to explain the law like you’re a child! 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, unless you want to victimize yourself to make the news.

Again, I’m not wagging my finger saying you must or mustn’t enroll in a bar prep course. I’m just saying you can think about it and consciously decide for yourself.

That could involve using a course to guide your studies. That could involve developing your own curriculum. The right tools, approaches, and investments for you will pay off.

The point of bar prep isn’t transcribing video lectures or completing a course 100%. It is to learn how to answer questions.

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 just THREE things for effective bar 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?

Continue reading “Taking the Bar Exam Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive”