As you move towards the end of law school, you may be thinking about what’s next. You know you have to take a bar exam, but the only thing you actually know about it is that it is stressful and expensive. It is hard to find out facts from the frantic panic surrounding the bar exam at this stage in law school. In this post, we wanted bring some clarity and give a run down on what you should be doing to get ready for the bar exam as a 3L.
Don’t forget to finish law school
You have to make sure you are all set to meet all your graduation requirements. If you know you are on the right track requirement wise, decide on last semester classes that you like and that you think you can do well in. Don’t find yourself in a situation where you can’t graduate or you have messed up your GPA in the last semester of law school!
Take the MPRE
“The what??” The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a requirement for all but four U.S. jurisdictions. It needs to be studied for and it’s never too early to start! It is possible to fail the MPRE so you want to plan well ahead just in case you need to retake it.
Look into your state’s admission requirements
This, again, is for time saving purposes. There is not a state where admission to the bar requires just one form- there is likely a lot of paperwork in your future! Learn what you will need to fill out and learn it early. This way, you can save time and get to other things on your bar exam to-do list!
Pick a bar review provider
There is a crazy number of bar review providers out there. Out of all the providers, you have to choose the one program that is right for you. But don’t worry, the Law School Toolbox team is here for you: check out our other site, Bar Exam Toolbox, where we have many articles on providers including reviews.
Reflect on what you learned in law school
No, we aren’t necessarily talking about the material you learned (you’ll be thinking about that plenty when studying for the bar). You should reflect on your law school experience in terms of what you learned about your study habits, stress management methods, and time management skills. Use this last year to change small things or practice things that will make you an even better studier. Bar prep exam is similar to law school exam prep, so take this last opportunity to perfect your prep routine! If you’re having difficulty, seek help from your school’s academic support program or to hire a tutor.
Work on your exam anxiety
Easier said than done, we know. But improving your skills to deal with stress is really important for preparing for the bar. It is perhaps the most stressful test you will take in your career. If test anxiety is something that you have found really paralyzing, now is the time to seek out professional help. Waiting for the bar exam season to get help may be too late!
Don’t let the bar catch you by surprise! Thinking through these tips during your 3L year will give you a head start and help set you up for success.
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Did you find this post helpful? Check out some other great articles:
- Steps to Making Your Own Bar Exam Schedule
- Why Really Wanting to Pass the Bar Exam Isn’t Enough
- What You Can Do Now to Prepare for the Bar Exam
- Can Studying Early Help You Pass the Bar Exam?
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