Bar Exam Success Guide

Law students have required courses they must take in order to graduate; beyond those courses, there is little guidance offered by way of what course subjects will be most valuable for the bar examination.

When considering what courses will be most valuable in preparing for the bar examination, think not only of which subjects are tested but also the frequency with which they are tested. For example, family law is tested, but only on the essays. Additionally, there is a chance it is not tested at all the year you take the bar. Alternatively, criminal law and procedure can be tested on both the essays and the multiple choice section. And, unlike family law, criminal law and procedure is certain to be tested on every bar exam because it is on the MBE. Thus, when you are making a decision between taking family law or taking criminal procedure, you may want to consider the certainty of that subject making an appearance on the bar exam.

Constitutional Law

Constitutional Law I is a required course, but Con Law II is not. Additionally, the topics of constitutional law that are tested by the bar exam involve the first amendment and freedom of religion, which are not included in either Con Law I or Con Law II. It can be beneficial, then, to take a class that has a focus on either of these elements of constitutional law.

Criminal Procedure

Although criminal law is a required course, criminal procedure is not. Criminal procedure can show up on both the MBE and the Essays, and can be a difficult subject to teach yourself.

Real Property

After you take your 1L required property course, it can be beneficial to enroll in a secondary course that covers real estate transactions. A portion of what is tested on the bar exam is mortgages and deeds, which are given a greater focus in other courses.

Georgia State University College of Law provides its students opportunities to engage in programming and workshops to ease the burden of the bar exam. GSU Law calls this program "Pounce the Bar." Program details will be added below.

Approaching Your Employer about the Bar Exam

If you have a job lined up for after graduation, consult with your employer about support they might offer for the bar exam. Many employers will cover costs of bar exam prep programs, will pay for your bar card after you pass the bar, allow you time off to study for the bar, or more.

It is also beneficial to have a conversation with your employer about what happens to your job in the instance that you do not pass the bar the first time. 

Working While Studying for the Bar Exam

Several studies, surveys, and articles discourage working while studying for the bar exam. Experts see working while studying for the bar exam as a major risk factor for not passing the exam. Some articles and studies that highlight these determinations include:

• Comm'n on Bar Admission & Richard A. White, AALS Survey of Law Schools on Programs and Courses Designed to Enhance Bar Examination Performance, 52 J. LEGAL EDUC. 453, 454 (2002).

• Andrea A. Curcio, A Better Bar: Why and How the Existing Bar Exam Should Change, 81 NEB. L. REV. 363, 391 (2002).

However, not working for 8-10 works is simply not a possibility for many students. If you are someone who knows you will have to work while you study for the bar, it is imperative that you strategize your time. The following are sources that discuss tips for balancing work and bar prep: