Part Two: How Foreign Attorneys Can Successfully Conquer the Bar Examination

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Welcome to the second part of our THREE PART SERIES on how foreign attorneys can successfully conquer the bar examination.  If you missed the first part on Substantive Planning, you can find it here. Now we address preparing for the actual exam and your commitment to passing the bar exam.

PART 2 – YOUR COMMITMENT TO PASSING THE BAR EXAMINATION

Whether you are studying full-time or if you can only study part-time – you have to commit in  order to pass the bar exam!  We know this is easier said than done.  Most students need to feel the pressure of deadlines and wait until the month before the bar exam to really begin studying.  Guess what?  For foreign attorneys and LL.M students, one month, even two months before the bar exam is too late to successfully conquer the bar exam.  There is just too much information to be learned in such a short amount of time.

We would love to say: “Quit your job in order to study full-time for the bar exam!” However, we know that is not realistic for everyone.  Many of you have bills to pay, a family to support, etc.  If your only option is to study part-time, you need to make a serious commitment to the bar examination.  As suggested in our first post in this series, consider starting earlier than your bar review course.  Begin in April for the July exam or November for the February exam.  Generally, expect to spend 3-4 hours minimum every night during the work week (Monday through Friday) and then 8-10 hours each day on the weekend studying for the bar exam.  During the month of the bar exam, expect to increase your study hours during the evenings and on weekends. Anticipate taking two weeks off prior to the week of the bar exam to allow yourself the greatest chance of passing the bar exam.  Those two final weeks before the bar exam are crucial for memorization.

STUDYING FOR THE BAR EXAM WILL BE HARD AND YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE SACRIFICES!

Be strategic.  Don’t start a new job and then try to prepare for the bar examination.  Don’t schedule a physical move and then try to take the bar examination.  Don’t plan your wedding the month before or after the bar examination.  While there is nothing wrong with starting a new job, moving to a new city, or planning your wedding – you don’t want any additional stress while studying for the bar examination.

Don’t over-commit.  Yes, we understand that life doesn’t stop while you are studying for the bar examination.  Birthdays, holidays, your cousin’s baby shower, etc.  Start limiting your outside commitments and remember, balance is key.

Be consistent.  Studying for the bar exam is not a hobby.  This is not something you can do once a week or even one day on the weekend.  Structure and repetition are keys to mastering the material tested on the bar examination.

Ask for help.  You will need support from your family and friends.  Explain to them before you begin this process that passing the bar examination is important to you and ask for their help!  This can be help with meal planning, watching your children, etc.  Even encouragement is necessary during this process.

Commitment is key to conquering the bar examination.  Up next, the final post in the series: How hard can the bar exam be?  I’m already an attorney…

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