Bar preparation can be confusing… Let’s take a look at how you can get started today.
📖 What is bar prep about? What am I even supposed to do?
People call it different things: bar review, bar preparation, studying for the bar exam…
If you ask me, it’s right in the name — preparation.
In other words, we’re not here to simply “study” or “review” things. We’re here to prepare to pass the bar exam.
This, of course, includes studying and memorizing rules. That’s just the cost of entry. It’s a given.
It also includes things like time management, mental and emotional fortitude, juggling other responsibilities like work or family, learning the law, learning how to apply the law, and learning how to learn.
The word “preparation” is loaded with these different micro-actions, and it can take many different forms depending on where you start and what you need. It’s more involved than simply going through the motions of a bar review program. Ultimately, you’re the one doing the learning.
But you’re also not alone! Come join our active community of bar takers in the private Make This Your Last Time Facebook group. Having at least one other person who “gets” you will make bar prep more manageable.
📚 Resources to get you started
Here’s a live discussion I held on the things you need to get started on bar preparation. Some things covered: first things to do, scheduling, resources, how to focus on important things.
And here’s a quick list of guides and resources you can check out to get a head start on your preparation right away:
✅ MBE
My 5 Rules for Passing the MBE: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/5-rules-for-passing-mbe/
✅ Essays
How to Systematically Identify Issues in an Essay (Without “Issue Spotting”): https://makethisyourlasttime.com/issue-checking-not-issue-spotting/ (important)
✅ Sign up for my weekly coaching emails (and get a quick guide). Let me know where to send it to you.
✅ Suggested Supplements (good for 2023+): https://makethisyourlasttime.com/resources/
✅ Watch me speak in the Bar Study Motivation Podcast: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/bar-study-motivation-podcast/
✅ Download all the past essays and PTs and selected answers for California Bar Exam + links to several years of MEEs and MPTs and their selected answers: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/past-bar-exam-essays-pts/
✅ Free Graded Essay Answer Bank (2013 and after, mostly for CA essays): https://makethisyourlasttime.com/essay-bank/
I need more of your old essays. Any jurisdiction welcome!
If you’re studying for the California Bar Exam, visit BarEssays for more real graded essays. Let me know where to send you a $25 discount code.
✅ Stories of Transformation of people who passed the bar exam: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/bar-exam-success-stories/
❓ FAQs
✅ Which bar prep should I take?
Barbri if you have to choose one. Themis is an alternative.
✅ Lectures?
Only if you’ve made a conscious decision about it. You’ll forget 99% of it. Bootcamp-style videos reviewing practice exams and such are OK.
Here’s the best way to use a bar review course effectively: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/best-way-to-study-for-the-bar-exam-with-a-bar-prep-course/
✅ I failed. Where do I start?
Clarity is power. Here’s why you need a create your own study plan: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/plan-bar-exam-study-schedule/
✅ Why did I fail?
Could be one or many reasons. Sometimes there is no reason. Your score report is a good place to get an initial bearing.
See my score analyses if you’re a CA bar taker: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/california-score-analyses/
✅ Is it because I took the February exam? I heard it’s harder!
It’s less about when you took the exam. See why here: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/why-are-bar-exam-pass-rates-lower-in-february/
✅ What are some things that repeaters did differently to pass?
Here’s my list: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/5-things-i-did-differently-to-pass-bar-repeater/
And regrets of other bar takers:
https://makethisyourlasttime.com/learning-from-their-regrets/
https://makethisyourlasttime.com/the-barbri-regret/
✅ Which supplements should I get?
Check the Suggested Supplements link for a quick list of the most effective supplements: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/resources/
✅ I already got everything. What next?
Use them (again). They’re only as effective as their wielder.
✅ Do I have enough time?
Make the time. You can learn a lot even within two weeks. 10+ weeks is better. 3-4 months is ideal.
✅ Lean Sheets or Magicsheets?
Magicsheets, duh. Ask around if you’re not sure.
✅ What study tools do you offer?
👉🏻 Magicsheets: condensed attack outlines
👉🏻 Approsheets: essay approach checklists and flowcharts
👉🏻 Passer’s Playbook 2.0: tools and techniques for effective bar prep
👉🏻 Mental Engines: mini-course on mental and emotional organization for bar takers
See all my premium study resources and samples here: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/products/
These resources are tailored toward the California Bar Exam and Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), but you can still use them and supplement with other materials outside these jurisdictions.
✅ Should I get AdaptiBar for the MBE? It’s kind of expensive.
There’s no rush. You can always get it later. If you’re on the fence, take a look at my balanced review: https://makethisyourlasttime.com/adaptibar-review/
Here’s a $40 discount code for AdaptiBar.
✅ Should I get BarEssays if I’m studying for the CA bar?
I recommend it. Standard subscription should be fine.
Here’s a $25 discount code for BarEssays.
🤑 Do you have coupon/discount codes?
Yup! Here’s what I have:
👉🏻 10% ($40) off AdaptiBar (supplement for MBE) and all AdaptiBar products
👉🏻 $25 off BarEssays (supplement for California essays)
On the fence? Here are my reviews:
👉🏻 AdaptiBar review
👉🏻 BarEssays review
▶ Next step
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