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Bar Exam Success Guide

This guide will provide users with information on applying, studying, and preparing for the Bar Exam.

Before the Bar

Law students are well aware of the costs associated with their education. The bar exam comes with its own set of costs. Some employers will pay for all, or at least some, of these costs, so be sure to inquire with any future employers whether they are willing to contribute.

In this 'before' section, the highlighted costs are what happen before you take the bar exam. Be sure to also look through the 'after' section, to see the costs you will be faced with once you pass the bar exam.

All costs are current as of when this guide was written (April 2024). Check the websites for the most accurate information.

 

Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) $160 The MPRE is required in order to be admitted to the bar of any jurisdiction. Although it is not technically required before you take the bar exam, it is highly recommend you complete the MPRE prior to law school graduation. Currently, the MPRE fee is $160. Find more information at the website here.
Fitness Application Fee $0-$1,200

Different jurisdictions handle character and fitness differently, so consult your jurisdiction's bar exam website for complete information on this topic.

In Georgia, the Fitness Application must be completed prior to the completion of the Bar Exam application, about 7-8 months in advance of the anticipated test day. Costs vary, but the Fitness Application Fee is $450 for those who have not yet graduated law school, $750 for those who have already been awarded their first professional degree in law, and $1,200 for those who wish to sit for the one-day Attorneys' Examination. Check out the Deadlines and Fees information on the GA Bar Exam homepage.
Bar Exam Application Fee ~ $500

Applicants to the bar exam are required to pay an application fee. In Georgia, that is $400 for current law students plus a $98 fee to the NCBE. If you apply for the bar after you have graduated law school, the fee increases to $550 with the accompanying $98 NCBE filing fee. For more information, visit the Georgia Office Of Bar Admissions’ website.

Other states have varying application fees from $200 to $1,000. Be sure to visit the jurisdiction bar exam website to know the exact cost.
Bar Prep Course  $1,000-$3,000 Price varies depending on which course you enroll in, but expect to pay a couple thousand dollars for a commercial bar prep course like Kaplan, Themis, or BARBRI.
Laptop Fee $75 The default format of the bar examination is handwritten. If you do not indicate that you will use your own laptop, then you will have to handwrite the MPTs and Essays. Georgia also has an associated fee for handwriting the exam.
Parking ~ $40 You will have to pay for parking at your bar exam testing location both days of the exam. Parking is usually around $20 per day, but varies depending on the location.
Miscellaneous Study Supplies ~ $50 When you begin studying, you might realize that to study most efficiently, you need to buy other study supplies like binders, colorful sticky notes, highlighters, etc. The associated cost varies, but it is good to budget for whatever study supplies you might need.
Hotel Stay ~ $250 Many test takers choose to stay at a hotel closer to the testing site while they sit for the bar exam. If you want to stay at a hotel nearby, make sure to book your stay ahead of time as many hotels will fill up. This cost varies.
Total Cost $2,000-$6,000 This is an estimate. Plan ahead and check the relevant websites for a more accurate price estimate for your situation.

After the Bar

The costs do not stop once you have taken the bar exam. Below is a list of fees that you will face after you pass the bar exam:

Swearing in Fees ~ $100

You must be sworn into each court you wish to practice within. At minimum, you will want to be sworn into the below three courts to practice in Georgia. Each court will have its own swearing in fee.

Georgia Court of Appeals: $30

Superior Court of Georgia: $30 (This fee is waived if you attend the mass swearing-in at Georgia State University)

Supreme Court of Georgia: $30
Bar Card $200 In order to submit court documents, you will need a bar number and to get your bar number, you must purchase a bar card.
Beginning Lawyers Required CLE $95 Georgia requires all lawyers to take a required CLE within their first year of admission to the bar. Find more information here.
Required 6 CLE's During the First Year of Practice Cost Varies (Expect a few hundred dollars per year) You can check out CLE's and more information here on the State Bar of Georgia's website.
Joining Professional Associations Cost Varies Here is a list of local and voluntary bar associations you can join in Georgia.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the State of Georgia, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. Georgia State University College of Law and the authors of the works contained on this website do not assume or accept any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currentness, or comprehensiveness of the content on this website. The content on this website does not in any manner constitute the issuance of legal advice or counsel. The information on this website is intended to provide resources that may aid the research of the topics presented, and are in no way a comprehensive list of sources one should consult on the topics presented. Please note that case law, statutory law, and administrative law may be modified and/or overturned. Additionally, because the laws vary between jurisdictions, the laws referred to herein may or may not be applicable to the law within the reader’s jurisdiction.