Bar Exam Blog
Updated:Jul. 11, 2025
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What’s the bottom line? We’re on your team and are passionate about helping you achieve your career goals, even if it means we don’t make a dime.
100% of the time.
We believe everybody should be able to make online purchases with confidence. And while our website doesn’t feature every test prep company or review course in the universe, we’re proud that the advice we offer and the information we provide is accurate, truthful, objective - and entirely free.
So how do we actually make money? It’s simple, our partners compensate us. While this may influence which products we review and write about, and where they show up on the site, it absolutely does not influence our recommendations or guidance, which are formed by hundreds of hours of research and analysis. Check out our partners here.
What’s the bottom line? We’re on your team and are passionate about helping you achieve your career goals, even if it means we don’t make a dime.
Which State Has the Hardest Bar Exam?
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneWhether or not you attended law school in a particular state, you should consider other possibilities when signing up to take a state bar exam. And when you make this decision, the difficulty of each state’s exam is important to consider (not to mention which state is the best to actually practice law). For example, many experts believe that California has one of the hardest bar exams to pass in order to work as a…
Kaplan Bar Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: Kaplan Bar Review offers a full range of courses tailor-made for individual needs. Choices include their Complete Bar Review, LLM Bar Review Courses, and a variety of Multistate Bar Exam Courses and Supplements. Kaplan has been in the test prep industry for more than 70 years and is known for its comprehensive review and full-length simulated exams. Their classroom lectures can be attended in person, watched synchronously (live), or on-demand at home, depending on…
BarMax Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneCrush the Bar Exam has given BARMax Review the award for Best Bar Review Course! Their bar exam prep course has earned the #1 spot due to its flexible course offering along with all of the following reasons: Affordable price for those on a strict budget Suggested study calendar to keep you on track Audio lectures by Harvard-trained law professors 1,950+ real officially licensed multiple choice questions from past Bar exams Real practice essays and…
AdaptiBar Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: Using AdaptiBar’s patented, adaptive technology, licensed MBE questions,and diagnostic tools on any device, you will receive the best possible preparation for the MBEthat is proven to accurately predict your MBE score. The AdaptiBar program also includes a mobile app for all devices. Watch this video on YouTube PROS 1. Authentic Material 100% of practice questions in the program are licensed questions that have been released from past bar exams. By practicing with authentic MBE…
Bar Exam Tips
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeenePassing the Bar Exam According to the American Bar Association, almost all law school graduates in the United States must apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners to practice law in that state. Each state is allowed to set its own requirements, which means that the bar examination and admission to the bar can vary from state to state. While content can change depending on your locale, the following information is a…
Bar Exam Requirements
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneThere are many differences in the format, content, and way in which each state administers its bar examination. It can be difficult and time-consuming to gain a good understanding of the application and filing requirements that lead up to each state’s Bar exam. For this reason, CRUSH the Bar Exam has compiled a main overview of some of the most popular state bar exams to make things easier for you. To find out how to become a lawyer, …
Quimbee Bar Review+: Worth it in 2025 ?
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneNote from the editor: Quimbee has retired its independent bar prep program as of July 2025. The company will reenter the bar exam space in Fall 2025 as a supplemental offering through Barbri. The information in this review reflects Quimbee’s original full-course format prior to this transition. While the course is no longer available as a standalone option, we’ve preserved this content for readers seeking context or comparisons. We will update this page once details…
Barbri Bar Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: The Barbri Bar Review course has long been popular with students and law firms. Available in all 50 states, Barbri has been preparing students for the bar exam for close to 50 years. This comprehensive but pricey option provides a wide array of tools and study materials to help students learn what they need to know for the exam. Those who sign up are likely to have a thorough understanding of the law for…
Crushendo Bar Exam Prep Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneThe Bar exam is an important milestone for any lawyer’s professional career. Passing it legally admits you to the Bar of your jurisdiction and recognizes you as a practicing professional. Because of that, it’s a good idea to prepare for your exam date ahead of time. Even if you’re fresh out of law school, a quick refresher with an online Bar review course can keep you from having to retake the exam later. That’s what…
Best California Bar Review Courses
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneDo you know what’s harder than a diamond but just as valuable? Passing the California Bar Exam. Passing the bar exam is an essential step for anyone interested in becoming an attorney. But according to The State Bar of California it’s slightly more difficult to pass this exam in the Golden State than it is in many other parts of the country. Our Verdict: Best California Bar Review Course BarMax is our top choice for…
Bar Exam Costs, Fees, and Loans for 2025
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneThe cost of taking the bar exam can be a major financial obstacle for many law school graduates. The price of the exam itself, as well as the cost of studying for it, can add up quickly. Many states require that examinees take a multiple-choice test known as the MBE (Multistate Bar Examination) in addition to the essay portion of the exam, which can further increase costs. There’s also the MPT (Multistate Performance Test), which…
Successful Strategies to Pass the Bar the Second Time Around
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneWell, you did it. You put in hundreds of hours of studying for the most important test of your life, you submitted your application to become a licensed attorney in the state, and you lined up your first job as an associate. You wait anxiously for your state bar to announce you passed. As you frantically scroll through the names, you look and look but don’t see yours. You look again but there is no…
Multistate Performance Test: What It Is and How to Crush It
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneThe Multistate Performance Test (MPT) is the part of the bar exam that most closely mimics the practice of law. But it’s only worth 20% of your bar score, so many people neglect it in favor of more heavily-weighted sections. This is a huge mistake! Doing well on the MPT can actually be the saving grace that helps you pass the bar examination. Below, we discuss what the MPT is and what it tests: Use…
Best Bar Tutors
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneEveryone knows that the bar exam can be an incredibly challenging hurdle on the way to obtaining your license to practice law. How can you ensure that you are prepared for the exam and receive the guidance you need?It’s simple- hire a tutor!If you’re fresh out of law school and already knowledgeable in bar exam topics, you might be wondering what benefits you can gain from a bar exam tutor. Well, with a topic as…
How to Study for the Bar Exam on a Budget
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneWith an average annual tuition rate and fees of $49,095 at a private law school or $21,500 in in-state tuition and fees at a public law school, the last thing that most law school students want to do is bury more money into a bar exam course. However, the bar exam represents the last hurdle before being able to act as an attorney and begin your legal career. Here are some considerations for budgeting for…
Themis Bar Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: Themis Bar Review combines affordability with the flexibility of an online study program. An online study portal can be accessed from anywhere, and a mobile app allows users to download content in advance for times they find themselves without internet access. Themis prides itself on its high pass rates, suggesting that this course gets results. Themis Bar Review provides a great overview of a wide range of topics without overloading students with excessive material. Learners…
Themis vs. BARBRI – Best Bar Prep Course in 2025 ?
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneOkay. You’ve selected the state in which you want to take the bar exam, turned in your application, and signed up to take the next bar exam in a few months. What’s the next step? I recommend finding a good bar review course. This will ensure you’re 100% prepared to handle all of your bar exams and pass. Even if you’re a freshly graduated law school student, this can be an invaluable educational resource that…
Do’s and Don’ts to Pass the Bar Exam
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneWell, you’ve finally made it. After countless hours of studying, it is finally test day. You can see the finish line from here. But this test stands in the way of your future, so you’re appropriately intimidated. Don’t be afraid of the bar exam; thousands of students came before you and confronted this overwhelming obstacle, and so can you. Here is a list of things to do – and not to do – on test…
14 Critical Non-Studying Tips for Passing the Bar Exam
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneJust like Yogi Berra commented that “baseball is 90 percent mental,” so is much of the bar examination. We offer plenty of tips to help you pass the bar exam based on proven study techniques. However, it’s equally important to take steps to prepare yourself mentally and physically for this exhausting test. Here are some non-studying tips to help you pass the bar exam. 1. Don’t Panic About the Bar – Here’s How Yeah, that…
Best Bar Review Courses
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneIf becoming a lawyer was easy, everyone would do it. There are some serious hurdles every legal professional has to overcome— but if you’re preparing to take the bar exam, the good news is that you’ve almost reached the end. But don’t take that as an excuse to slack off. After all, you’ll need to study even harder than you did for the LSAT if you want to be among the 80% of law school…
How to Tackle Essay Writing on the Bar Exam
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneOne skill that is expected to be cultivated and refined during law school is the ability to write well. This makes sense, since good writing will be essential for many legal careers. You will likely need to write memos, client letters, motions, petitions, briefs and other legal documents— so good writing is important! Consequently, the bar exam takes note of this and makes writing an essential component of it. Whether you’re taking the Multistate Essay…
How to Study for the Bar Exam While Working Full-Time
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneNope. It’s not ideal. The bar exam is arguably the most difficult test that a person can take, but you’ve also got financial considerations to think about. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of taking time off work to study for the bar exam. And as a single mother, non-traditional student who worked her way through law school and after, I faced the formidable reality of studying for the bar exam while still pulling in…
Smart Bar Prep
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: Studying for the bar exam is a serious time commitment, but there are ways to maximize your study time. There are lots of different course and study material providers, such as Kaplan, Themis, Adaptibar, or Barbri. But not every law student has the luxury of 8 to 10 weeks of uninterrupted time to prepare for the bar exam. Today’s examinees often find themselves juggling bar prep alongside their jobs and families. Some commercial bar…
Bar Exam Writing Styles
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneIRAC, CRAC, CREAC, CRRACC – Why So Many Acronyms and What do They All Mean? Comparing Different Writing Strategies for Your Bar Exam Essays IRAC method, CRAC, CREAC and CRRACC are all popular writing styles in law schools. However, you don’t necessarily need to know all of them to do well on your bar exam essays. The main point of the exam essay portion is that you are able to discuss important aspects of the…
21 Sanity Savers After The Bar Exam
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneAfter months of non-stop studying, reading outlines, and listening to lectures, you’re finally at the end of your journey. Now that you’ve taken the bar examination, you probably feel out of sorts. You might not know what to do with all of your spare time now that you’re out of study mode. However, just sitting around and doing nothing after the bar exam just makes you think about it more— every question you might’ve gotten…
BarPrepHero Course Review
/in Bar Exam Study Materials /by Valerie KeeneRATING: According to research from the American Bar Association, only about 75% of first-time examinees pass the bar. In the last few years, the rate has dropped drastically. Essentially, people are finding it more challenging to pass the exam than ever before. Can this trend be reversed? How can you avoid falling into the same trap and successfully pass the bar exam on your first try? Here’s what you need to know: Companies like BarPrepHero…
How To Become A Lawyer
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneLawyers serve as advisors, advocates, and representatives for their clients, which may include individuals, corporations, or government agencies. Their job often includes preparing and filing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, and researching and analyzing legal issues. The most common path to becoming a lawyer in the United States is to graduate from law school and pass the Bar exam in the state or states in which you intend to practice law. You must meet…
CPA Exam vs. Bar Exam: Which One is Harder?
/in Bar Exam Info /by Valerie KeeneComparing apples and oranges is the oft-used expression when two things of different qualities and characteristics are evaluated side by side. Sometimes, however, it’s necessary to make such comparisons, as life-altering decisions are made after these assessments. For professionals who are looking to take the next step in their careers, a big choice is often whether to take the CPA exam or the Bar exam. The CPA Exam and the Bar Exam: Which is More…