Eighty-one days.
It sounds like a lot of time, and in some circumstances, it is. But bar exam prep is a long process that arguably starts on your first day of law school. Now that the exam is just a few months away, certain tasks must take priority as you get closer to July 26.
Register for the Exam
April is the month to register for the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). It seems like an obvious step that you couldn’t forget if you tried, but sometimes the easiest tasks are the ones you overlook.
If you miss this deadline, you will have to wait until the next exam—in February. You can sign up by logging into your NCBE account online. Once you get this registration out of the way, you’ll be able to focus on other important matters, like deciding on a review course.
Sign Up for Review
Since there’s only about three months until the UBE, bar review courses will start in a matter of weeks. Though some programs allow you to register even after a course begins, don’t wait until the last minute to choose which one you want to take. Whether you’re taking the bar exam for the first or third time, a review course is the best way to prepare for it. This way, you’ll have a team of insightful instructors to turn to with your questions. Some information cannot be found in a textbook because it comes, instead, from experience. Being able to learn from people who not only know what will appear on the exam and in what format, but have passed it themselves is invaluable.
Take a Moment to Reflect
This suggestion may seem insignificant, but it’s absolutely necessary.
Perhaps you are just graduating from law school, so your journey isn’t over yet, but take a moment to recognize all of the hard work you’ve put in to get here. Being a lawyer isn’t for everyone. The fact that you were able to get into law school and come this far is impressive. Yes, the UBE is another hurdle in your way before you can officially become a lawyer. But acknowledging your capability can you help pass the exam. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, you may not put as much effort into studying for the UBE.
Even if you failed the bar before and you’re taking it for a second or third time, you should still reflect on everything that you’ve accomplished thus far. You’re not the only person who didn’t pass the UBE on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself as you gear up for the July exam. Instead, try to learn from your previous mistakes and focus on the legal material you’re having the most trouble absorbing.
Without a doubt, preparing for the UBE is going to be a challenge. Taking the steps you need to pass the exam is essential, but as long as you have the right attitude and you can depend on a skilled group of professionals to guide you, your legal career will start in no time.
