A Step-by-Step Guide to Excelling at Bar Prep

Preparing for the bar exam is a challenging journey, but by following a structured approach and making the most of Kaplan’s resources, you can set yourself up for success. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your bar review course.

Step 1. Choose your bar prep course and choose it early. Not only does enrolling early give you ample time to make payments on your course before their final due date, but you get access to early start prep materials that can help you get ahead before bar prep even officially starts. 

Step 2: Fully commit to your prep. Your course is designed to give you everything that you need to be successful on the bar exam - no more, no less. Kaplan has it down to a science so once you have decided that Kaplan is the best bar prep course for you, stick to the program and trust the process. Don’t get caught in the trap of trying to follow more than one program because you will miss out on key assignments that have been proven to have the greatest impact on your overall success.

Step 3. Find your weaknesses. Once you are ready to begin your prep you need to complete your Diagnostic. This is a MCQ practice test and you want to take it under test-like conditions to the best of your ability. Many students skip this important step because they “aren’t ready to take a practice test,” and that, my friends, is exactly the point. We want to take this exam before you have studied anything to give us an idea of where we are coming from so that we know where to go.

Step 4. Follow the schedule. The schedule is designed to make sure that you get through all of the testable material as quickly as necessary to get everything done in time. Your instinct is going to be to keep focusing on a subject until you “get it” but unless you get through all of the material, you will not be set up for success on the bar exam. So keep going, complete your assignments, and trust the process.

Step 5. Practice, Practice, Practice. This step right here is the most important element of bar prep. Practice is the most efficient way to encode the information that you are learning while also practicing your speed and stamina which are two important skills you need for the bar exam. Kaplan gives you 5,000+ MCQs, unlimited essays, and unlimited performance tests. Take advantage of them and use your practice time wisely! Start with your weaknesses and commit to practicing every single day of prep to see your scores improve. Don’t worry about missing questions. The time to miss questions is during bar prep. Once you miss it, just make sure you don’t miss it again. 

Step 6. Don’t give up. If you start to get overwhelmed or doubt yourself, talk to your bar coach. When done right, bar prep is a lot of pressure, but it shouldn’t be torture. If you are feeling like it is becoming too much, seek out support. Letting those feelings go unaddressed for too long will lead to burnout and you cannot be successful on the bar exam if you are too burnt out to sit for it. And along the same vein, use your Kaplan bar coach for anything that you need. We are here to help and we want you to pass the bar exam just as much as you do so use us as a resource. 

By following these steps and taking advantage of all Kaplan has to offer, you’ll build a strong foundation for success on the bar exam. Trust in your preparation, stay committed, and know that every step you take brings you closer to achieving your goal of passing the bar.