Case Studies | Make This Your Last Time

February 7, 2025February 5, 2025 - No Comments

Repeating (and Passing) the Bar Exam by Choosing Resilience

The bar exam can be an emotionally intense experience.

We all need a witness to our struggles. Don’t keep it locked up inside you. Sharing the ups and downs can be cathartic.

Jonathan took the time to send me a raw, heartfelt story of what it was like to fail…and then PASS the 2024 July CA Bar Exam.

💬 “When I found out I did not pass the bar, I was devastated; I let down myself and seemingly my family, my girlfriend, mentors, and everyone who had invested in me — how would I recover from this professionally and personally?”

Repeaters will know about the devastation and the identity crisis that comes with failing the bar exam.

Am I being dramatic?

Maybe. Regardless, if you don’t pass, there’s suddenly a ton of uncertainty and volatility about your future.

Choose resilience, or give up. It’s up to you.

💬 “Over my time re-studying for the exam, two thoughts persisted:

‘No…no, this is not how my story ends! I am not a failure or a quitter… I’ve never quit and why would I do it now? No…I have more in the tank’; and

the other was, ‘what if this repeats again…is it better to just take the foot off the gas? There are many people who understand how difficult this exam is…maybe I should use my degree for something adjacent.’ And then it hit me . . .”

How did he finally overcome the past that haunted him so?

January 31, 2025January 29, 2025 - No Comments

Pass the Bar by Being Aware of Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Tristan passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam on his first attempt.

He credits his success to self-awareness of his strengths, weaknesses, and what would work for him.

He was a glass cannon (super good at the MBE) and not confident about passing, but he was composed and calculated about the whole process.

Let’s see what Tristan went through in his first and only successful attempt.

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 - 1 Comment

Grandmother Passes the Uniform Bar Exam with a 270

A self-professed “Partner/Mom/Grandma/Kindergarten teacher” told me she passed the UBE.

No big deal. I asked Nocona how she DID IT so I could pass her lessons onto you mortals.

Among other things, she told me that she passed the Oklahoma Bar Exam (UBE) using a combination of substantive resources and a mindset that gave her better control over her processes.

You might read all these stories and think, I can do this too (true).

Or you might wonder, why can’t it be me?

It CAN be you, homie. These were all people in the exact same position as you. Why torture yourself trying to reinvent the wheel?

January 17, 2025January 14, 2025 - 1 Comment

From Severe Anxiety to Trusting His Instincts to Pass the CA Bar Exam on His 1st Try

Andrew passed the 2024 July Bar Exam on his first try despite the initial anxiety and pressure.

💬 “Severe testing anxiety. Remember throwing up after the first practice bar exam at school because of poor results.”

Whatever doubts you have, it’s going to be worth it if you can overcome them.

💬 “Just wanted to share that I passed in California! Your materials were a massive help in the final weeks of studying and I’m honestly so grateful for your help. My hands are still shaking, it’s been such a rough week and I had a lot of doubts but I’m so glad that this is over.”

Let’s see how he transformed from feeling inadequate and pressured to succeed — to learning to trust his gut and actually succeeding.

(And what Burger King can teach you about bar prep)

January 10, 2025January 8, 2025 - No Comments

Passing the New York Bar Exam After 20 Years (15 Attempts)

“L” graduated from law school 20 years ago. He finally passed the New York Bar Exam with a 271, enough to waive into any UBE jurisdiction.

Wow!

💬 “I’ve been waiting years to write an email like this.”

You don’t need to be a legal rockstar. It’s possible to pass the bar exam even if you’re a C student.

💬 “I graduated with a C average and was told that statistically, passing the bar exam would be very difficult for me.”

💬 “I am happy, proud, and relieved.”

Here’s how L made it happen.