Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NLT
12 hours, 2 days, 2 Multistate Performance Tests, 6 Multistate Essays, 200 multiple choice questions, and 12 subjects…
The bar exam is VERY difficult, but I want to encourage you that it is not insurmountable.
As I write this post, just know I’m thinking of you. I understand that if you’ve stumbled upon this post you are likely a bar taker. I know that you are likely tired emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If you are a repeat bar taker, I also understand that some of you may be feeling levels of disappointment and shame that no one around you seems to understand. Just know I’m praying for you and I know you can do this!
Related Post: Returning to Law, Passing the Bar
The bar exam is nothing more than a game and you can win! I want to share with you a few tips that not only helped me pass the bar exam but helped me pass with a score high enough to be licensed in every UBE jurisdiction.
Disclaimer: As a Kaplan Ambassador I earn from qualifying purchases.
Things that helped me
1. Pray and Rely on the Lord
Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
When studying for the bar exam, it is easy to forget about your relationship with God, but I want to encourage you to resist that temptation. God should not be on the back-burner…ever. He should be your first resort in your study plan.
When I was studying, I told God EVERYTHING. I prayed about how angry, frustrated, and sad I was. I prayed when I felt hopeless. There were many days where I simply asked Him for help. And y’all He helped me even when I didn’t feel Him doing it.
Related Post: Don’t Panic, Just Pray
Take your burdens to the Lord. He knows this is hard for you, but He can use your weakness to show His strength. He will help you.
2. Ask for Help, Get a Tutor
I had an amazing Kaplan tutor who gave me the emotional support and study tactics that ultimately helped me pass the exam with a score high enough to be licensed in any UBE jurisdiction. Kaplan’s tutoring program pairs you with a tutor who will work best with your personality type and legal history. They do not simply assign you a tutor. Instead, you receive an initial consultation with a bar exam expert and they will match you with someone based on their assessment of your needs. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions and tell them exactly what you need.
3. Use Kaplan Bar Prep
Prior to using Kaplan, my studying was disorganized and a bit chaotic (as pictured below).
Kaplan Bar Review was a game changer for me! After using Barbri and a small box bar review, I was leery of bar prep companies and their claims. But when I tell you Kaplan changed everything for me! It did! Kaplan’s resources are so extensive that they accommodate just about every learning style. The questions adapt based on your needs and experts review your essays and provide feedback. Kaplan’s program kept me organized and helped me focus on daily goals. Plus, they also give us weekends and holidays off which are the perfect opportunities to rest.
If you choose to purchase Kaplan Bar Prep, I want to encourage you to follow the program. Do your best not to stray from the program by using resources from other programs. If you trust the Kaplan process and complete the assignments as assigned, you will substantially increase your likelihood of passing.
Use my referral link for Kaplan Bar Prep!
4. Community
Get around some people who really love you and who will pray for you.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:16 NLT
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT
There will be days that you feel lost and hopeless, but your support system will hold you up and push you forward. If you’re anything like me, law school was a traumatic experience and so was taking the bar. All of the stress can definitely take a toll on your mental well-being. You need people and don’t shy away from getting a therapist if you feel you need a professional’s point of view. I’ve had several friends get therapists help them work through the trauma of law school and taking the bar exam. It has helped them so much!
5. Put your head down and do the work
This point speaks for itself. In order to pass the bar, you have to put your anxiety and emotions aside and just do the work. When it’s study time, you do not have time to criticize yourself or allow your mind to go down rabbit holes.
You have to stay focused to meet the goal.
Related Post: Focus & Finish
This may mean you have to get off of social media or limit your time. When I was studying the third time, I limited my social media use, limited meaningless conversations, stopped blogging, and put away my emotions. I didn’t even tell some of my friends I was taking it again because that helped me focus on the exam and limited my anxiety about what people would think if I did not pass.
6. Write down truth and post it EVERYWHERE
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
When I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. I posted scripture and truths about who I am and what I can accomplish on bathroom mirrors, in journals, on doors, in my notes on my phone. Because I needed to remember who I was and not what school or this exam tried to say about me. I’ll share some of the scriptures I meditated on below.
And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.
God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NLT
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 NLT
Final Thoughts
Keep these tips in mind and apply them as you study. YOU WILL PASS THE BAR EXAM! If this post helped you or you know someone who needs it, please share this blog post with them. Wishing you the best.
Big hugs,
Ayanna
