20 TIPS: WHY REPEAT BAR EXAM TAKERS DON’T GET PASSING BAR EXAM RESULTS (AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THESE MISTAKES) — PART 1 of 2

Hey lawyer-in-waiting! Michele here. I've helped countless re-takers pass the bar exam and become licensed attorneys.

Here's the thing: the bar exam is an obstacle to becoming a lawyer but you were built to overcome obstacles. You can pass the bar exam, but even the best of us can stumble.

20 TIPS: WHY REPEAT BAR EXAM TAKERS DON’T GET PASSING BAR EXAM RESULTS AND HOW TO AVOID THESE MISTAKES!

Mistake 1: Repeating the Same Failed Strategy

Been there, done that, failed that. So, I’m doing it again???

Seriously?!!! Look, just because you used a certain approach before doesn't mean it's the key to you passing the bar exam. Think about it. Why repeat the same thing expecting different results? Embrace the power of introspection! Analyze what went wrong and then revamp your bar prep.

The Fix: Two questions you need to answer. What went well the first time I did bar prep? What do I need to change? Dissect your past bar prep. What worked? What didn't? Get help from a bar exam coach (like me) to help you formulate a bar prep plan to help you get passing bar exam results.

Mistake 2: Isolating Yourself

"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light." - Helen Keller

You don't have to do this bar exam journey solo. Going it solo may lead to burnout, loneliness, sadness, and unnecessary frustration.

The Fix: Assemble a support squad of fellow bar exam warriors. Share strategies, vent frustrations, and celebrate each other's victories. Consider joining The Catalyst Circle or visiting my Facebook page and connecting with others so you can share this journey together.

Mistake 3: Falling Prey to Comparison

You, my love, are a unicorn. You are unlike any other. Everyone studies differently. Just because this worked for Billie or Jean doesn’t mean it’s for you. Find your own path to getting the bar exam results that you need to see.

The Fix: Don't get bogged down comparing yourself to others. You’re better than that. If you need a different bar prep strategy, get a different bar prep strategy. Reach out and let me help you develop a bar prep strategy. Then, trust in your bar prep plan and celebrate your wins.

Mistake 4: Not Addressing Weaknesses

We all have bar prep weaknesses but ignoring them is a recipe for disaster when bar exam results come out.

The Fix: Laser focus on your weak spots. If you’re bombing Evidence, become besties with Evidence. Dive into your study materials and drill evidence. Struggling with Corporations? Lesson learned, right? You know what to do!!! Note, I didn’t say ignore your strong subjects. Keep them strong but invest some time in the weak spots too.

Mistake 5: Information Overload

There's such a thing as too much of a good thing. An embarrassment of riches is not good. You’ve got every outline from your last 6 attempts at the bar exam plus well-meaning friends gave you their outlines, flashcards, video lecture access. You see where this is going, right?

The Fix: Streamline your study materials. Focus on high-yield study tools like QLists, which will help you learn the law through active recall, and do past questions that come directly from the bar exam creators.

Mistake 6: Underestimating the Mental Game

The bar exam is a tightrope walk. Sometimes you’re up. Sometimes you’re barely hanging on. Recognize this and plan ahead.

The Fix: Self-care is not a luxury, it's a necessity.  I repeat: SELF-CARE IS NOT A LUXURY; IT IS A NECESSITY. You have to get enough sleep, eat good/healthy foods, and take “life breaks” to avoid burnout. Meditation, mindfulness, and journaling are amazing tools that can help you stay balanced.

Mistake 7: Procrastination

My parents taught me “don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” I can hear them both in my head as I type that. You’ve heard that too, right? 😊 Turns out Ben Franklin came up with that one but it’s true. Think about it: Tomorrow never actually comes! You have to decide to do it today.

The Fix: Develop a realistic daily schedule and stick to it. Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro Method to stay on track and avoid last-minute cramming. Read Atomic Habits by James Clear or Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy. There is life changing information in these books about how to prioritize and avoid procrastination.

Mistake 8: Unrealistic Expectations

The bar exam is tough. Embrace the process. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

The Fix: Acknowledge that the bar exam is tough. Acknowledge that you are tougher. You have to be. How else are you going to help people who are at the most vulnerable navigate the law? Think about it. Folks seek lawyers because someone has died, is in jail, or maybe their business needs help. You cannot crumble because you did not get passing bar exam results. You have to show up and face bar prep. If you let bar prep defeat you...you cannot become a lawyer.

Mistake 9: Neglecting Practice Questions

Imagine your law prof has past exams on review. You can check them out of the law library and practice them before the exam. You can even get feedback on them. And you -- in your infinite wisdom -- decide to ignore the practice exams and then show up for the final -- practice exams unseen. Nuts, right? Then why do so many folks do just this???

The Fix: Practice, practice, practice! Pace yourself and practice as many questions as you can before the bar exam and do them under timed conditions. Analyze your mistakes and learn from them.

Mistake 10: Skipping Written Practice

Writing for the bar exam requires analysis, application, and clear writing. You must practice writing complete answers. Don’t just skim, read, or “outline.” If I had $1 for every repeat taker who told me she outlined an essay or performance task, I’d be Oprah.

The Fix: Practice writing full-length answers under timed conditions. Focus on IRAC structure (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) and developing a clear, concise writing style. If you’ve never been walked through how to write analysis, you may need a bar exam coach.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Take On Bar Exam Coaching’s Top 20 Mistakes Repeat Bar Exam Takers Make (and How to Avoid Them)!

❤️ Michele

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