No.
It is that simple. No.
What you need is bar prep materials.
You need to learn the law and practice its application by answering sample questions, but you do not need a full-blown bar exam prep course.
You may choose to get the information and practice materials from a bar prep company, but it is not necessary that you get them there.
Simple Steps for Passing the Bar on Your Own
I have taken a full service national bar prep course [for Oregon bar], and I studied for the bar on my own [for California bar]. I can tell you with full confidence that you do not need to take a bar prep course to pass the bar exam.
Here are the three easy steps to follow to pass the bar on your own. (I’ll discuss these in detail in the remainder of this post.):
- Obtain bar prep materials in which you have confidence
- Create/obtain/follow a study schedule
- Study and practice conscientiously for 2-3 months before the exam
1. Obtain Bar Preparation Materials
There are two categories of bar materials that you will need: outlines/summaries of the black letter law and practice questions for all sections of the bar (i.e., essays, MBE, and performance test).
The important thing is that you believe in the materials you are using.
If you are wondering in the back of your mind whether the materials you are using are sub-par, then it is an added stress for the exam. So, keep that in mind as you review this list of self-study resources.
Obtain Outlines and Summaries of Black Letter Law
- Get old bar prep materials from a friend who just passed the bar;
- Buy used materials on craigslist, Amazon, or Ebay;
- Purchase the “books only” option from one of the large bar exam providers;
- Buy outline books;
- Buy outline books from lesser known providers (e.g., SmarterReview for NY and MBE);
- Obtain summary outlines and fill in additional details or new material as you practice essays and MBE questions
Obtain Practice Essay, MBE and Performance Test Questions
- Check your jurisdiction’s website for free sample questions and answers;
- Get a few free samples and then buy practice questions from the test creators (MBE website, MEE website, MPT website);
- Find a third-party provider of sample essay/PT questions and answers (e.g., BarEssays.com);
- Buy MBE practice books;
- Enroll in an online MBE prep course (e.g., Adaptibar)
2. Create or Obtain a Study Schedule
When you take a typical bar exam prep course, half your day is eaten up with needless lectures.
When you study on your own, you can use those extra hours to learn the law more deeply and to practice the application of the law to sample questions more often.
After all, the bar exam is a written test, requiring you to read and analyze text and then write text or fill in a bubble in response. Listening skills are not really necessary to pass the exam.
If you purchased preparation materials from a bar prep company, then it is likely they provided you with a study schedule. (If not, ask them for one.) Review the schedule and see if it will work for you. You can follow the schedule, or adapt it as necessary.
If you need to make your own schedule from scratch, read this post where I describe how I made my study schedule [go to second subheading] when I took the California bar exam. You can also see a copy of my schedule.
For more ideas what to include in your own study schedule, check out this post about how to spend the final two weeks before the bar exam.
3. Study and Practice Conscientiously
Every freakin’ bar exam blogger uses the cliche: “The bar exam is a marathon, not a sprint.” (I’ve probably used it sometime myself.) It’s a cliche because it is sort of true, but not really.
I think most people mean that it is a long road from beginning your bar exam studies until you finally take the test. But, ask any well-trained sprinter if he or she trains less than a marathoner. Answer: No.
To perform well on any task, you must understand the nature of what you will be asked to do, and then tailor your training for success on that task.
To study and practice well for the bar exam, for instance, does not mean just repeated reading of outlines and burning through 100 practice essays and 2000 MBE questions.
It means you will focus each day on the task at hand, will take the time to understand any concept you are having a hard time with, and you will review the areas that you see turning up repeatedly in your sample questions (because it is likely these same areas will show up again when you take the real bar exam).
It means you will practice enough (there is no set number) essays and performance tests until you can do them well and within the time limit.
It means you will practice a full-length bar exam so you will be ready for the two- or three-day endurance contest that is the bar exam.
It means you will practice under less-than-ideal conditions so that your concentration will not be broken if the bar testing center is loud or if something weird happens during the bar exam.
It means you will eliminate distractions (digital or otherwise) from your study area and focus on the task at hand.
It means you will take breaks during each day and during each week to allow your mind and body to rest from the effort of your studies.
It means, when the bar exam comes around, you will be as ready as anyone enrolled in a bar prep course.
It means you will pass the bar exam.
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