BARBRI Bar Review FAQs
Bar Review FAQ
General Bar Exam + Eligibility FAQs
The bar exam is, in most jurisdictions, a two-day examination that is one of the requirements for bar admittance. The UBE is comprised of three primary components: a multiple choice component (MBE), an essay component (MEE) and a test that requires candidates to perform realistic legal tasks, such as drafting legal documents or analyzing a client's case scenario. Although the majority of jurisdictions are UBE states, there are state-specific exams administered by each jurisdiction. There is not one exam that every state takes. Rather, each jurisdiction (jx) has the ability to opt in to the Unified Bar Exam (UBE) or to create its own comparable test:
UBE:
States: Most U.S. States
Territories: Virgin Islands
JX-Specific:
States: California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Territories: Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico
What is MBE? MBE is short for Multistate Bar Exam, a 200-question multiple choice exam that is administered in all US Bar jurisdictions except Louisiana.
Generally, yes. In the United States, typically, you do need to graduate from law school in order to take the bar exam. Each state has its own requirements for eligibility to sit for the bar exam, but completing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school is a common prerequisite. Some states may allow a combination of law school education and additional legal study or apprenticeship under certain circumstances, but these paths are less common and usually have specific requirements.
In California, Virginia, and Washington, you can take the bar exam without going to law school through a structured apprenticeship program known as a bar apprentice.
The bar exam is one of the most challenging tests you'll face in your legal and academic career. It requires fortitude and drive, a keen understanding of the a broad array of key legal topics, and regular, simulated practice. Despite its difficulty, with thorough preparation and dedication, many candidates successfully pass the bar exam each year. Preparation typically includes taking bar review courses, practicing under timed conditions, and utilizing study aids and resources.
It depends. Some states have retaker caps between 3 and 5 within a certain amount of time. Others require extended waiting periods. When in doubt, look at the State Bar Admission websites for the latest information in your jurisdiction.
Studying for the bar exam is a marathon, not a sprint. First, be prepared to dedicate a sufficient amount of time for study -- at least 10 weeks of focused study. Second, it's important to treat studying for the bar exam like a job by having a set of daily assignments to complete as part of a structured schedule of study. Third, it's important that you review all of the bar-tested subjects, master the broad legal principles -- not necessarily all of the details-- and develop the necessary problem-solving and writing skills. Finally, having a sufficient bank of practice multiple-choice and essay questions is critical to your success.
With BARBRI, we provide you with a personalized and highly structured study plan that provides a comprehensive review of all bar tested material in a approachable and engaging way along with all of the practice questions and essays you need for success. With BARBRI you can rest assured that you have everything you need to pass the bar exam on your first try.
How do you become a lawyer in America? To become a lawyer in almost every US jurisdiction, you must have the required education and pass the bar exam in that jurisdiction. For most states, you must have earned your Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and have earned your Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. The bar exam is administered by each state and typically tests applicants' understanding of legal subjects and their overall competency to practice law.
UBE:
- Civil Procedure,
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts and Sales
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
- Agency
- Conflict of Laws
- Corporations and LLCs
- Family Law
- Partnerships
- Secured Transactions
- Trusts and Future Interests
- Decedent's Estates
Note: Bar Exam subjects vary by state. For more information about what subjects are tested, please visit individual state pages in our Resources section.
The bar exam pass rate varies by jurisdiction. Here is a detailed report on the bar exam results by jurisdiction: https://thebarexaminer.ncbex.org/article/spring-2024/2023-statistics/
There is no particular visa required to travel to the United States to sit for a U.S. bar exam. Traveling on a normal tourist visa is sufficient.
For most jurisdictions, the bar exam is a 2-day exam that is held on the last Tuesday & Wednesday every February and July. There are still a few states that administer a 2 ½ or 3-day bar exam.
While the format and content of each state’s exam can vary, there is a growing trend toward adopting the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).
Whether you’ll be taking the exam in a state that administers the UBE or a state-specific exam, some universal truths cover almost all state bar exams. Check out this video to learn these “universal truths” and more about the bar exam.
State-Specific Bar Exam FAQs
Generally, any qualified lawyer in good standing anywhere in the world is eligible to sit the California Bar Exam. So long as the attorney can produce a certificate of good standing and a home jurisdiction practice certificate, the California Bar Exam is available. In addition, an international law student may become eligible for the California Bar by completing a one-year LL.M. at a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or accredited by the state of California. In practice, this means completing an LL.M. in the United States. Equally, an online LL.M. from a U.S. law school is also eligible for the California Bar Exam.
The California Bar Examination is given twice each year. The exam is given over two days and consists of the following parts:
- Day 1 consists of five one-hour essay questions and one 90-minute Performance Test
- Day 2 consists of The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a 200 multiple-choice question exam.
Preparing for the California bar exam requires a strategic and focused approach.
First, consider enrolling early enough in a complete review course to ensure you have time for a structured and highly personalized study plan, a comprehensive approach to reviewing all of the law you'll need to know and the practice materials you will need to effectively prepare. BARBRI is the most selected comprehensive bar review course on the market for a reason -- we provide students with the most personalized review experience providing the most effective and efficient course on the market.
Passing the California bar exam requires a highly focused and strategic study plan. Learn more about BARBRI's Bar prep course options, supplements, and tutoring support here.
The Florida bar exam is widely considered one of the most difficult in the country for several reasons. First, it tests both the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) rules and all Florida-specific rules for those MBE subjects. Second, the Florida portion of the exam tests heavily on Florida-specific legal intricacies, leaving less room for error. Third, it includes both an essay and multiple-choice section. Finally, Florida has more subjects than many other jurisdictions.
To be eligible for the New York Bar Exam, international applicants must have completed a three-year or four-year full-time, on-campus, qualifying common law degree. For example, an English/Irish law degree is accepted by the New York Board of Law Examiners. The curriculum needs to be on campus and amount to 166 European Credit Transfer System credits.
If a foreign applicant has completed a civil law degree, they will need to have completed a one-year, full-time LL.M. in the United States at an ABA-accredited law school. The LL.M. must fulfill certain classes, subjects, and credits to be eligible for the bar exam.
However, law degrees from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are not accepted. To cure the deficiency, applicants will also need to complete a one-year LL.M. in the United States to be eligible for the New York Bar Exam.
Learn more about the New York state Bar Exam.
Learn more about U.S. bar exam foreign eligibility and requirements for UBE jurisdictions other than New York.
Candidates who have completed a two-year accelerated LL.B. in the UK or a dual-modular degree (Law with Politics, Law with French, for example) may have difficulties securing eligibility. With accelerated degrees, candidates must have completed the degree in three years.
We have found that those applicants who have completed a postgraduate common law qualification (such as a UK LL.M., LPC/BPTC), may then file a persuasive eligibility application to be eligible for the New York Bar Exam. Dual-modular degrees are difficult because the law modules must meet 166 European Credit Transfer System credits. Again, those applicants who have completed a postgraduate common law qualification, such as a UK LL.M. or LPC/BPTC, may be eligible for the New York Bar Exam.
Unfortunately, those candidates are not eligible for the New York Bar Exam. The New York Board of Law Examiners has a ruling whereby applicants who have completed the GDL and the LPC or the BPTC must first qualify as solicitors or barristers by way of a training contract or pupillage. The applicant must then complete a one-year LL.M. in the United States at an accredited law school to be eligible for the New York Bar Exam.
The New York Bar Exam has adopted the Uniform Bar Exam, which many states have adopted to date. The UBE is a standardized bar exam created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). It is designed to test knowledge and skills that every lawyer should have before becoming licensed to practice law.
The Uniform Bar Examination provides a standardized bar exam, and examinees who take the UBE earn a portable score that can be transferred to seek admission in other UBE jurisdictions. However, foreign applicants without a U.S. law school education (without a J.D. gained over three years of U.S. law school) cannot waive into another UBE state and qualify there.
California is a state-specific bar exam which means that once you qualify in California, you can only practice as an attorney in California.
Yes, is the short answer; however, the reality is United States immigration law is tough. For those who wish to relocate to New York and practice after New York qualification (and for California after California qualification), a firm or employer is required to sponsor their work visa.
BARBRI Bar Review FAQs
The best bar prep course is the one that works for you, with you to shore up where you need extra practice and reduce the number of hours you spend studying topics you already know by heart.
All BARBRI Bar Review courses offer the most customizable bar prep course with the greatest number of success stories. BARBRI's course provides learners with a dynamic, engaging, and highly effective preparation program that leverages research-based learning science and instructional design, data, and best-in-class faculty to provide learners with the best chance of passing the exam.
Like all major bar preparation courses, BARBRI Bar Review uses a combination of retired NCBE-licensed questions and authored questions. BARBRI is unique in that it provides students with authored questions drafted by the most experienced team of bar preparation experts in the industry. All of BARBRI's questions are drafted based on the framework provided by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) as well as from former NCBE employees employed by BARBRI. BARBRI recognizes the importance of providing learners with a comprehensive approach to MBE preparation. Using a mix of released and authored questions is the best strategy for learners to effectively master all the topics, in the myriad ways those topics may be tested.
When polled, about 25% of our students say our questions are easier than the retired NCBE questions, 25% say that they are more difficult, and about 50% state they're spot on.
Yes, you can complete 100% of your BARBRI US Bar Review course online anywhere in the world as long as you have a strong, stable internet connection.
Absolutely! We highly recommend it.
Beginning around September for the following winter and summer BARBRI Bar Review course, you can start working with BARBRI Early Start. Early Start allows you to build key bar exam skills and knowledge early through Immersion workshops such as MBE Immersion and Essay Immersion. Early Start is entirely self-directed and designed to fit into your schedule.
Investing just 24 total study hours with Early Start before you start your BARBRI Bar Review course statistically increases your chances of passing the bar exam the first time. Just Sign In to your account to get started.
Yes, you are able to submit questions during your course through your Personal Study Plan. Questions are answered by BARBRI attorneys, and in most cases, within 48 hours via email.
BARBRI Bar Prep
- For Premium and Elite courses, your Personal Study Plan (PSP) will be available:
- Mid-October for the February exam
- Mid-March for the July exam.
- For Essentials, you will gain access to your Personal Study Plan (PSP) in
- Mid-December for the February exam
- Mid-May for the July exam
Once you have access, you will be able to see all assignments available to you for the entire course. The earlier you begin your preparation, the fewer hours per week you will need to study, while a more consolidated schedule will require approximately 40 hours per week to complete your PSP. Each week, you may study the specific days, hours per day, and times of day that work best for your schedule.
BARBRI Extended Bar
Preparing for a February bar exam?
- 6-month course starts in September with access to Foundations in U.S. Law in July
- 10-month course starts in April with access to Foundations in U.S. Law in February
Preparing for a July bar exam?
- 6-month course starts in February with access to Foundations in U.S. Law in December
- 10-month course starts in September with access to Foundations in U.S. Law in July
Students should expect to spend on average between 20-25 hours per week for the 6-month course or 10-15 hours per week for the 10-month course studying. Each week, you may study the specific days, hours per day, and times of day that work best for your schedule.
BARBRI gives unlimited graded essays to our Premium, Elite, and Extended Bar Review students, and 4 graded essays in the Essentials tier. Learn more about what's included in each tier here.
Yes! With BARBRI Premium, Elite, and Extended Bar Review, unlimited essay grading is included at no extra charge. Learn more about BARBRI bar review essay tools here.
Yes, BARBRI Extended U.S. Bar Prep is designed to prepare students to pass the bar in all UBE jurisdictions as well as California.
Yes. Through our unique, proprietary Personalized Study Plan, you can modify your course schedule at any time, adjust your start date, and select the days you'd like to study and specific days you need to take off.
We recommend that you complete the course on a computer or a laptop. Google Chrome is our suggested internet browser. If you are using a Mac, please download Google Chrome or Safari for the best experience. If you are using a PC, please download Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for the best experience.
Click here for other technical requirements and troubleshooting tips.
You may also download the BARBRI Study Plan App to watch lectures (streaming or swipe to download) and work practice questions on iOS and Android.
It is possible to defer your course to a later date. For assistance, please email service@BARBRI.com or call 888-322-7274
The BARBRI Guarantee offers you peace of mind if you take a BARBRI Bar Prep course and do not pass. Please see the specific BARBRI course option that you select during enrollment for completion requirements and additional details.
Course Costs, Funding + Scholarships, and Payment FAQs
BARBRI Bar Review offers four tiers of products so students can get the tools they need to get 19 more points on the bar exam and customize their level of support according to their needs.
Our entry-price Essentials package is one of the lowest-priced comprehensive bar review products on the market without sacrificing BARBRI quality.
Our most popular package, Premium, is equivalent in price to Themis but outperforms in quality and personalization.
Learn more about pricing and what's included in each tier here.
If you have a BARBRI Bar Prep account, you can sign in to your account and review the Orders Page to see your current balance and payment options.
BARBRI Bar Review Essential, Premium, and Elite:
- July Bar Review course balances must be paid or on a payment plan by April 15.
- February Bar Review course balances must be paid or on a payment plan by November 15.
BARBRI Extended Bar Review
- For the 10-month course, tuition must be paid or on a payment plan by October 1 for the July course or May 1 for the February course.
- For the 6-month course, tuition must be paid or on a payment plan by February 1 for the July course or September 1 for the February course.
BARBRI accepts American Express, MasterCard, Discover, and Visa. We also offer monthly installment plans or financing options through Affirm or Knoma.
Learn more about pricing and payment options here.
BARBRI has a direct billing relationship with over 1,000 law firms. You can specify the employer that you'd like us to invoice during enrollment.
Once you have requested that BARBRI directly bill a law firm for your bar review course, the selected firm will receive an invoice for your balance due.
Year after year, BARBRI supports thousands of bar exam applicants pursuing public interest careers. To apply for a BARBRI Public Interest scholarship, submit your application for pre-approval and receive a discount on your BARBRI Bar Review tuition.
Yes! if you are an alumnus of a previous BARBRI Bar Review course seeking to pass your next U.S. bar exam in another jurisdiction, we have options and special pricing for you. Visit our alumni scholarship page to learn more.
Books + Materials FAQs
The specific materials you will receive will vary state-by-state and by the BARBRI Bar Review option you select while enrolling. When you receive your materials, carefully compare the contents to the checklist.
Yes, you can request international shipment of your BARBRI books. When you confirm your shipping address, you will be able to designate an international address and provide payment for the shipping costs.
When enrolled in a BARBRI Bar Prep course, BARBRI books are shipped within the U.S. by UPS ground service or couriered via FedEx International Priority outside of the U.S. Shipping costs are included in the course price. They are typically not taxed at customs.
Depending on the course you purchased, BARBRI Bar Review hard copy books are typically available in September for the February course and in February for the July course. You will be notified via email when books are available for order.
Please visit our West Academic website
Returning your BARBRI hard copy books is optional; however, you must return them to receive any refundable material deposit* you paid at the time of enrollment, if applicable.
Your box of hard-copy books will include a checklist and material return form that you will use to determine which materials need to be returned.
Materials can be returned in any condition, along with the completed Material Return Form, all in one package. The package must be postmarked no later than 30 days after your jurisdiction's bar exam results are released.
*Extended Bar Review courses do not include a refundable material deposit.
BARBRI Bar Prep Student Support + Technical Questions
No matter where you are in the world, BARBRI is here to assist you.
In the United States:
- email: service@barbri.com
- call +1 (888) 322-7274 | Hours: 7 AM – 7 PM CT (Monday – Friday)
In the United Kingdom:
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For new course enquiries, please request a call.
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For enroled student enquiries, please email ukstudentservices@barbri.com or call+44 (0) 2038550162 | Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM GMT (Monday - Friday)
Need software support?
- Call: +1 (877) 385-6238 | Hours: Available 24 hours a day M-F
- E-Mail: techsupport@barbri.com
- Visit our system status page for updates regarding the technical status of our systems.