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The bar examination is a rigorous assessment designed to determine whether a law school graduate is adequately prepared and competent to practice law within a specific jurisdiction. It is widely recognized for its challenging nature and demands thorough preparation due to its comprehensive coverage of legal subject matters. However, because of its complexity, many candidates don’t pass on their initial attempt. If you receive the disappointing news that you failed and are uncertain about your next steps, rest assured that you have options and don’t have to give up your dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Failing the bar exam does not mean you’re alone or that you’re any less capable. The bar exam is known for its difficulty, and it’s not uncommon for graduates to face challenges in passing it, whether on their first, second, or even third attempt. In many states, the pass rate is less than fifty percent, so failing the bar exam puts you in the company of many other examinees.
Alexandra Graves, an associate attorney at the Law Office of Bell & Bell, recalls failing on her first attempt but not giving up hope.
“I had a bar tutor ask me, ‘Are you stressed about the bar?’ And I said, ‘No! This is not keeping me up at night. This doesn’t even crack the top five.’ I had so much else on my brain that my heart wasn’t in it, and I didn’t really care because even if I passed it, I’d still probably be facing neurosurgery,” Alexandra said.
Alexandra developed a brain tumor during her second year of law school and quickly realized what matters in life and what doesn’t. After recovering, she passed with flying colors and now encourages others to stay positive.
Hear Alexandra’s full story and advice for those who are unhappy with their results by listening to her interview on Young Lawyer Rising:
After reminding yourself that the bar exam is just a single assessment and not a reflection of your overall capabilities, examine your score report to pinpoint the specific areas in which you excelled and those in which you struggled. This step is particularly valuable if you are considering a retake of the exam. Once you have identified the sections in which you underperformed, you can prioritize studying and practicing the material within those sections in greater depth to enhance your preparedness for your next attempt.
In the words of Richard Douglas, COO of Themis Bar Review, “You are never going to be able to master all the material. You just have to master enough to be successful on the exam day.”
Before deciding to retake the exam, it is important to reflect on your previous attempt and identify the areas where you need improvement. You should review your previous exam results, seek feedback from professors or mentors, and consider enrolling in a bar exam preparation course. Additionally, setting a study schedule, practicing past exam questions, and seeking support from peers or support groups can all be beneficial steps in preparing for a successful retake.
Take the time to thoroughly assess the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of your study materials. Consider whether you relied on a single source or if you diversified your resources. In addition, evaluate whether your materials were kept up-to-date to ensure the most accurate and relevant information.
If you believe your previous prep materials fell short, consider exploring alternative options. This could involve experimenting with new study techniques, such as incorporating flashcards into your routine, investing in different prep books, or even seeking personalized one-on-one exam support.
Identifying strategies that can take your preparation to the next level is also important. For instance, reflect on whether you completed a solid number of practice questions and essays and regularly practiced under timed conditions. Did you thoroughly analyze and learn from your mistakes, or were you simply skimming through them to identify the correct answers? An honest evaluation of these aspects will help refine and enhance your overall preparation strategy.
Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. According to Dr. Brian Harman, laughter evokes trust and psychological safety. Not only that, but the best leaders are the ones who can laugh in the face of failure.
Whether you need a pick-me-up or something funny to listen to in between future study breaks, consider playing any of these fan favorite episodes of Thinking Like a Lawyer from Above the Law to cheer yourself up.
Don’t know which episode to start with? Consider starting with the first one listed about the irresponsible Illinois bar applicant who took to Reddit to confess to cheating on the exam and the hilarious drama that ensued.
Despite the challenges you may have encountered while preparing for the bar exam, you have invested considerable effort into developing the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a legal career. If you want to gain further insight into the legal profession and explore its opportunities, subscribe to Legal Talk Network’s podcasts to learn more about the journey to becoming a lawyer.
Legal Talk Network is a podcast network for legal professionals with hosts from well-known organizations and brands in legal. Over 20 active podcasts cover important legal news and developments, including access to justice, law school, industry events, legal technology, and the future of law.
