Heather graduated from law school 20 years ago. Then she passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam.
The last time she took the California Bar Exam was when it was a different format altogether and three days long (I took that shit twice, and it is no joke).
💬 “I’m a full time working mom, with 2 young kids at home, and diagnosed with ADHD. No one at work even knew I was taking the exam.”
💬 “I didn’t need the license for my job, but wanted to pass just for me. My 2 kids got to see the whole process, and were so excited to share in the joy when they found out I passed the California Bar Exam!”
Let me get this straight:
- Graduated 20 years ago
- Last exposure to the bar exam was several years ago at least
- Probably forgot everything from law school
- Full-time working mom with ADHD
- Didn’t even need to pass and or flex on anyone (I will be flexing on her behalf)
And here you are wondering how you can get “motivated.”
Well, here’s how you can do it too.
💬 “While Barbri works for most it doesn’t work for everyone. Learn what learning style suits you best.”
Resources Heather used to pass the California Bar Exam
▶ Passer’s Playbook (tools and techniques for effective bar preparation)
💬 “I wish I got your Playbook so much sooner, and 10/10 would recommend it to anyone. It’s like hidden secrets to conquering the Bar Exam.”
▶ Emanuel’s Strategies & Tactics for the MBE
▶ NCBE MBE practice questions
Some options:
You can also download past essay and PT questions (for CA and UBE) here.
▶ BarEssays (CA essay answer repository)
- Use the promo code here to get $25 off
▶ Mary Basick’s Essay Exam Writing for the California Bar Exam
▶ MTYLT coaching emails (get in here)
💬 “Thanks for always giving the right words of wisdom, and already knowing the common struggles – exactly when and why we need it.”
How Heather passed the bar exam 20 years after graduating from law school
1) Study according to your learning style.
I personally like structured outlines over flashcards. Written words over audio or video.
(Any guesses on why Magicsheets don’t include flashcards or audio versions, or why I keep telling myself I’m going to make more YouTube videos but stay up writing these emails instead?)
If you’ve felt disconnected and exhausted from watching Barbri lectures, it could be because it doesn’t suit your learning style.
As Heather found out after taking Barbri, she was a visual learner—not someone who can listen to something once and etch it forever into their brain like it’s some kind of microplastic.
💬 “Barbri and flashcards DO NOT work for me. While Barbri works for most it doesn’t work for everyone. Learn what learning style suits you best. For me, I am a visual learner, so listening to audio lectures and doing flashcards doesn’t work.”
So what is your learning style? Have you thought about it?
There are different types of learning styles: visual, auditory, linguistic, reading, writing, kinesthetic, etc. And you aren’t limited to one style either. Get creative!
💬 “As I read the multiple choice questions, I try to visualize the scenarios playing out in my head like a movie, or I try to find things in the news that are similar situations. (I’m a visual learner, so this was really helpful.).”
If you don’t know, think back to your law school days. How did you like attending class vs. reading the case book and outlines?
You can use whichever outline you like as a base or on its own, but Heather created her own outline. This was part of her study process.
💬 “For all the classes through college and law school, which allowed “cheat sheets” – I learned a LOT just by the mere fact of creating the cheat sheet itself (because I had to figure out was most important, how to get it all condensed/concise onto the 1 page).”
Writing down wrong answers was part of her learning style. And of course, cross-referencing with her outline to solidify the rules in her head.
💬 “I just started doing them, slowly, and WRITING DOWN RULE STATEMENTS for every wrong answer and every one I wasn’t completely confident on. Literally handwriting them into a notebook. Then writing those same statements into an Excel file, and sorting based on topic/subtopic to see which ones were RECURRING and how often. Then I would go back to my outlines and read the outlines again to understand the BLL.”
2) Conquer your mind.
Facing and overcoming uncomfortable emotions is also part of the process. The mind is half the exam.
Heather leaned into her fears. She was afraid of multiple choice…
So she did them, with gusto.
She immersed herself in the intricacies of the questions and rules tested despite her phobia of practice questions.
💬 “This is where I have historically failed in the past. I was so scared of multiple choice. Thinking ‘I’m terrible at multiple choice. I can narrow it down to 2 and always seem to choose the wrong one. I’m not good at standardized tests.’ WRONG. I just didn’t know the BLL well enough.”
She used to focus on “memorizing” in prior attempts.
But that’s unproductive because you have to know not only the rules (and issues) — but when to retrieve which ones from your memory and how to apply them to the scenario given.
It’s like a math problem. If you have the right equations provided to you in the right order, then sure, a calculator can answer the questions. The real test is knowing which equations are applicable to the problem.
(But law students will “joke” about how they suck at math and can’t solve word problems even after acing the SAT to get into a good college. Only in America is it considered funny to joke about being bad at math…except it’s true when people are being “defeated” by 5th grade math:
Anyway, I digress with my rant.)
Notice how Heather never mentions being unmotivated or defeated.
You don’t do all this work for something you’re not interested in, at least without wanting to throw yourself out the window.
It’s important to know that you actually desire to take this exam instead of “I guess I need to.” Enjoy the process to sustain motivation. You tend to remember more about things you’re actually interested in!
💬 “‘You are not incompetent. You scored top of your class in the areas you were interested in. How did you pass your classes?’ I had to do some self reflection, go back to the basic fundamentals, look back to figure out how did I ace those exams in law school, and why was it not working for the bar exam?”
💬 “I’m so obsessed with looking through all the materials because I DON’T EVER WANT TO TAKE THIS EXAM AGAIN!!!”
At the end of the day, the best way to learn is by actually doing — trial and error, getting things wrong, and embarrassing yourself. Embarrassment is the best way to learn a lesson.
💬 “I CAN DO HARD THINGS. Gotta grind with a growth mindset.”
Which is why…
3) Practice is non-negotiable.
A baby learns to walk by bumping into walls and shitting in a diaper, not by watching walking tutorials.
💬 “‘Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.’ Every previous attempt, when I followed what others said (including bar prep) – I focused on trying to memorize rule statements. Only to later realize it was all superficial. At the time, I didn’t feel comfortable with Black Letter Law yet to attempt questions, so I never got around doing that many. I was so afraid! Also scoring so low with my weakest topics was so discouraging! I went through a death spiral. This time around, I just jumped right into the actual MBE questions and just kept going.”
💬 “Historically, I HATED MBEs, I hate multiple choice. I don’t do well on standardized tests. Now that I have been drilling them for so long and just trusting the process — I actually ENJOY multiple choice, and I’m nervous that I’m not spending enough time on essays now.”
Yes, some people can shortcut through everything, memorize and apply the words perfectly, and pass the bar. Most people cannot.
So give it a try. Don’t let short-term discomfort cloud your long-term vision.
This way, you grow the confidence inside yourself instead of waiting for quick injections of “I needed this today.”
You earn the right to be confident. Maybe you even look forward to what used to scare you.
💬 “I hated multiple choice so much, but now that I have become so much more confident, I would prefer MBEs over essays because at least the right answer is already on the paper.”
4) Simulate the exam.
Practicing means you put yourself in a simulacrum of the exam. Similar conditions, similar questions, similar task of answering questions correctly.
Heather simulated exam conditions by doing mixed MBE question sets.
💬 “Being ADHD, I studied in 3-4 hour increments to get my brain to be comfortable with working for 3-4 hours straight. In addition, I also trained my brain to TASK SWITCH in between topics. I practiced with 5 questions per topic x 7 topics per day. I did NOT do 25 questions in a row of the same topic. My thought process was – ‘You’ll never get 25 questions in a row on the same topic, train your brain now to identify and switch between topics.’”
I think it’s fine to focus on one subject at a time in the beginning, but by the end of prep, mixing up questions and trying to throw yourself off would be the way to go.
5) Be intentional about your bar prep.
Heather was very interactive with her preparation.
Mental energy and substantive preparation:
She emailed me with her reflections and progress (included in the full story linked below). She was calm, methodical, and confident throughout her prep.
She sent me messages of progress and hope. She didn’t send me panicked messages, nor force me to do the mental and emotional work for her. This created an upward cycle of validating and tweaking her approach.
Does this sound like someone who just saw the rule against perpetuities come up in an essay (tested in this July exam in California)?
💬 “It was more of a ‘well that was definitely a hard exam, I gave it my 110%, I gave it a good attempt, and there was nothing on the exam that I didn’t know.’ (That includes the RAP issue on the essay).”
There’s ALWAYS going to be one or two questions that throw you off and make you almost utter a dying declaration of “WTF” in the middle of the exam. But you can prepare for that.
Time management:
You also don’t need all day to “study all topics equally”! Heather was juggling bar preparations with work and mom duties.
💬 “I didn’t have 10-12 hours per day for 10-12 weeks to study. I’m a full time working mom, with 2 young kids at home, and diagnosed with ADHD.”
How? She made ONE change that made all the difference:
💬 “I didn’t focus on the details on HOW the BLL was applied. Basically, I was doing all the things you (and others) recommend NOT to do!!!!!!!! (No one ever told me that before!!!) I was studying long hours, but not effectively. I didn’t understand why I kept failing until just recently in prep for my July 2024 attempt. Just knowing what DOESN’T work for me was such a game changer.”
Resource management:
Being intentional also meant that Heather acquired resources thoughtfully.
💬 “There are now a TON of FREE available resources (podcasts, youtube tutorials). I used the study strategies on Bar Exam Toolbox (not the actual content). I didn’t use a fancy bar prep, I created my own using various low cost/no cost resources. Not everyone has $3,000 – $5,000 to spend on a fancy bar prep, and even they can pass the bar exam.”
Understandably, but incorrectly, people think bar prep has to be expensive. It does not. My blog has also been publishing detailed strategies since 2014, for free.
So it is possible to be mindful about your energy, resources, and money — with the right resources and strategy for you.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Heather, though. To get to this point, she took this exam multiple times and had to learn along the way — over 20 years to be exact.
💬 “I had to learn it the hard way and when I found your playbook towards the end of my prep, I wish I would have found it sooner, but also glad it validated what I figured out.
I’ll take some time to write out what finally clicked for me.”
That “click” moment is so important to test takers.
—
Way to go, Heather!
I hope this debrief of Heather’s story makes this click for you as well.
What’s one thing you’ll try after reading this?
Full story
Hi Brian –
WARNING: there’s a lot to unpack here —
I graduated from law school 20 years ago, and have attempted the California Bar Exam so many times, I lost count. I think I’m somewhere around 7. One attempt I missed by 2 points!! Another attempt I got to 2nd round reading. I’m finally at the point in my life where I think I just need to do this to FINALLY check that last box and pass the damn thing!! I don’t even need it for my job. I am just doing it FOR ME! I’m a full time working mom to 2 young kids (ages 5 and 8). I am only studying part time, but I started back in OCTOBER 2023 for the July 2024 bar exam. Slow and steady!! For someone who previously scored around the 48-55% on MBEs, I’m NOW scoring in the 70-75% practice questions!!!
13 years ago, I was formally diagnosed with ADHD (and am now medicated) – and it’s no wonder NONE of these big bar prep courses worked for me. I only recently realized that I WASN’T STUDYING SMART!!!! In the past, I paid for the Barbri full course TWICE — and unsuccessful both times! Little did I know — it was all passive learning/busy work. What I needed was ACTIVE LEARNING. The bar prep materials available today were NOT available back 20 years ago. I’m a visual learner and there are SO many materials that are more helpful for my learning style. I LOVE that there are now LOW COST/NO-COST materials available online – podcasts, YouTube videos, and REDDIT has been a GREAT form of therapy for me (everyone has been so supportive!).
I “crowd-sourced” all the BEST information off Reddit suggestions and I stumbled across your page. (Yes, I know the following list seems like it’s overkill, but I’m so obsessed with looking through all the materials because I DON’T EVER WANT TO TAKE THIS EXAM AGAIN!!!)
- For MBEs: I listened to the Grossman audio lectures (free from a Redditor), and I have the Barmax licensed NCBE questions (lifetime access from a previous attempt over 5 years ago), actual NCBE/BarNow materials, Emanuel’s Strategies & Tactics (Redditor posted a PDF version online), and I’m testing out one Reddit user’s new program “Practice Works”. Since I started studying, I have completed 1800 MBE Questions, with writing down each rule statement for the Qs missed, or that I wasn’t confident in WHY I chose the answer, and also tracking all the topics/sub-topics in excel. (I can send you a copy of my crazy Excel file if you’d like to see it).
- For Essays: I have read Jessica Klein’s F*ck The Bar (agreed with maybe half of her suggestions), and practiced with Mary Basick’s CA Essays Book, access to BarEssays (printed Qs from exams for the last 10 years for all topics), and I’m testing out other Reddit User’s Apps – HackTheBar, and BarPlayBook. (Although some users swear by it, I don’t really like the Ed Arruffo CA Bar Exam Rules book.)
- For outlines: I have Smart BarPrep (free from a Redditor), JD Advising One Sheets, and LeanSheets, and using those (along with Mary Basick’s outlines for more in depth review on my weakest topics) to condense and make my own because I realized that the exams I did the best in college and law school, I was able to use a cheat sheet, and you learn more just by CREATING a cheat sheet that you end up not even needing to actually use it). I also supplemented with a few outlines from Reddit group r/GoatBarPrep for specific subtopics that I was weak on – I did NOT buy the full bundle. (Highly suggest you take a look at these outlines as they’re outlines presented purely in MEMES, and very entertaining.)
- For PTs: As suggested by Redditors, I watched the BarMD FREE YouTube videos for CA PTs, and with the NCBE/BarNow bundle I purchased, it includes the PTs, and I also reviewed all the “bar exam grading sheet” so I could see/understand what the Bar Graders are looking for when reviewing PTs.
- For Study Tips, Tricks, & Techniques: I LOVE Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. (I don’t listen to the episode for substantive materials.)
I skimmed through all your materials already and WOW – I’m glad I did even with 5 weeks left to go for the July Bar Exam.
I just had to retake the MPRE again in March. I used it as a gauge to see if my study methods are working, before taking the Bar Exam.
Previously, back when I was in law school, it took me 3 attempts to pass the MPRE, and I barely passed with an 87 (86 was required). Just this time, I passed with a 113.
I also over-studied for that exam as well, and obviously my study methods are now working!!!
Anyway, very excited to implement your techniques over the next month…
Thanks for all your help!
Heather
—
Hi Brian –
I have been reading through your Passer’s Playbook, and it’s FANTASTIC, and SPOT ON!!
You’re completely right on all points – and I loved the Mindset. You were right some days I get discouraged when I’m scoring 40-60% on some topics, but other days when I’m doing 80-100% – I am SO excited and motivated I just want to keep going!! You are right to focus on the weakest areas and basically to GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE. Historically, I HATED MBEs, I hate multiple choice. I don’t do well on standardized tests. Now that I have been drilling them for so long and just trusting the process — I actually ENJOY multiple choice, and I’m nervous that I’m not spending enough time on essays now.
I am really worried on how to make my analysis better, but your Essays advice has been so helpful – especially with how to strengthen the ANALYSIS portion.
On my previous attempts, I was so worried trying to do all the lectures, (back then all Barbri classes were in person, at night and we watched the lectures on VIDEO on a tv in front of the conference room at a hotel!!!) and “memorizing” BLL. (I signed up for Barbri twice across my various attempts because “everyone who passes takes Barbri”. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results). I didn’t “feel comfortable” attempting any MBEs, or writing out full exams. I didn’t focus on the details on HOW the BLL was applied. Basically, I was doing all the things you (and others) recommend NOT to do!!!!!!!! (No one ever told me that before!!!) I was studying long hours, but not effectively. I didn’t understand why I kept failing until just recently in prep for my July 2024 attempt. Just knowing what DOESN’T work for me was such a game changer. Flashcards do NOT work for me, but making my own outlines from all the materials DOES. Doing a ton of practice questions, and writing down (literally handwriting in notebooks) statements for missed Qs HELPED, making my own condensed one page outlines HELPED. Printing out past essay questions and issue spotting each of them, then “checking my answers” with the samples on BarEssays REALLY HELPED.
Thank you thank you thank you for setting aside your time to help others who are in a similar situation.
If only I had known all of this 20 years ago, I would have passed my first time.
—
Hi Brian –
Just wanted to share my first simulated MBE (100 questions) via NCBE Questions (directly from their website) — 76%!!!
Considering I was scoring the lowest out of all my topics for Torts – I am beside myself that I got 100%!!!
All my past study sessions/previous attempts on the actual exams were around the 50% mark!!
I am so ecstatic I had to share with someone –
(don’t mind the average answer time/average correct time, because I paused the exam half way for dinner/evening break. I didn’t realize the clock was still running even though it was set to “pause”.)
—
Hi Brian –
Everything in your Playbook is exactly what I implemented – without even knowing it was a thing. I wish I got your Playbook so much sooner, and 10/10 would recommend it to anyone. It’s like hidden secrets to conquering the Bar Exam.
(1) Started studying EARLY. I knew cramming 10-12 weeks for 8-10 hours per day did not work for me. I started much earlier with a commitment of a minimum of 2 hours per day, with actually 4-6 hours per day over a longer period (6 months). For my own mental health, this was much easier to commit and I didn’t feel guilty for taking days off once in awhile or doing lighter days on some days.
(2) Creating my own outlines. Reviewing outlines – (rather than just mindlessly listening to lectures and filling out worksheets). Reading and creating my OWN outlines really helped me read and understand the material better. The act of actually doing it myself was much more helpful. Flashcards did NOT work for me. In the past attempts, I focused so much on rote memorization, with not much for understanding the exceptions or nuances.
(3) PRACTICE QUESTIONS. This is where I have historically failed in the past. I was so scared of multiple choice. Thinking “I’m terrible at multiple choice. I can narrow it down to 2 and always seem to choose the wrong one. I’m not good at standardized tests.” WRONG. I just didn’t know the BLL well enough. I just started doing them, slowly, and WRITING DOWN RULE STATEMENTS for every wrong answer and every one I wasn’t completely confident on. Literally handwriting them into a notebook. Then writing those same statements into an Excel file, and sorting based on topic/subtopic to see which ones were RECURRING and how often. Then I would go back to my outlines and read the outlines again to understand the BLL. As I read the multiple choice questions, I try to visualize the scenarios playing out in my head like a movie, or I try to find things in the news that are similar situations. (I’m a visual learner, so this was really helpful.). I just did them little by little 5 questions per topic x 7 topics = 35 questions per day, with taking time to review. Somedays I would go more, and once in awhile less – but my goal was 35 questions per day. I have gone through ~2,000 questions already.
I don’t want to be overconfident, but just seeing the score on the Simulated MBE made me want to cry.
I hated multiple choice so much, but now that I have become so much more confident, I would prefer MBEs over essays because at least the right answer is already on the paper.
I’m now trying to focus my time more on Essays this month – and your “cooking method” is so helpful and easy enough to do that I can power through so many essays quickly.
Literally cannot wait for the day that I see my name on the pass list.
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