10 Tips for Those Delirious From Bar Exam Prep

Columnist Jeena Cho with last minute bar exam tips.

Over the weekend, I stumbled onto #Barexam on Twitter. Some Tweets were funny, others were heart wrenching, while others made me think “the bar exam makes people crazy.”

As someone who has taken New York, Florida and California bar exam, I have deep compassion for those sitting for the bar exam this week. Professor Joseph Marino wrote a post on The 10 Most Important Last Minute Tips For Passing The Bar Exam. The list is great for those studying for the bar exam but I wanted to offer some additional advice for those sitting for the bar exam tomorrow and Wednesday. I got some help from my lawyer friends who also offered their suggestions.

1. Stop Studying – Take a “You” Day

If you’re still in full cramming/ studying mode, it’s time to stop. Immediately. If you don’t know it by now, you aren’t going to know it for the exam. Plus, you only need a C to pass the exam. Instead, spend today and tomorrow doing whatever you need to do so you can be in a good mental space.

The best thing I did the Monday before my bar exam was to study just a half-day (I had been pulling 16-18 hour study days) simply reviewing my outlines, then went to a beautiful spa and had a great massage and relaxed and got some yummy dinner. Someone had recommended a “You” day before the exam to get your mind straight and relax. It helped a TON with my anxiety and I recommend it to all bar takers I come across. I also ate lunch alone every day during the exam to avoid the anxious “chatter” of other bar takers that would make me second guess my work. ~Kimberly Strickland

At this point, either you know it or you don’t. Relax, get a massage, get a workout. A relaxed brain works better. ~Jamie Baker Roskie

2. Practice Self-Care

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It’s easy to neglect basic self-care when under high amounts of stress. Remember to drink enough water, make sure you’re eating healthy meals and not binging on junk food. Make sure you get enough sleep! If you’re an insomniac like me, try exercising 3 – 4 hours before bedtime or take a bath immediately before going to bed. This will help to raise your core body temperature, making it easier to fall asleep. Also, have strict “no screen” time at least 1-hour before bed. Screens emit a blue light that tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime.

Self-care is also important during the exam. Be sure to stretch, drink water, eat snacks during breaks.

3. Dress in Layers (And Other Packing Tips)

You never know what the temperature is going to be like at the exam. Be sure to dress in layers — lots of layers.

Other things that I found to be handy (please check the rules in your state for what’s allowed): Altoids, Kleenex, TUMS, protein bars, cashews, earplugs, headphones, and a stash of my favorite pens/highlighters.

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4. Don’t Talk To Other Examinees!

Don’t talk too much to anyone else who is taking the test inside or outside of the exam room. Other people’s nerves/issues can too easily become your own. I talked to a guy on my way out of the NY bar exam who basically convinced me I must’ve failed it because he kept saying, “Did you see these issues on that essay question?” and he kept rattling off issue after issue I had *not* seen and still did not grasp their application to that essay question, even when he explained it all … Well, I passed the darn NY bar exam and I still wonder if that guy passed it, too….  ~Jennifer Norton Weil

This is one time where it’s perfectly acceptable to be antisocial.

Arrive early, sit outside, put your headphones on and listen your favorite song to get you properly hyped up. ~E.F. Paredes

5. Don’t Bring Your Exam Prep Books (or Notes)!

I remember at all three exams, after each session, there would be clusters of examinees gathered in the hallways with BarBri books looking up answers to questions from the earlier session. Do not do this! If you’ve missed an issue or didn’t state the rule correctly, it will only make you feel bad. And there is nothing you can do. That part of the exam is done — forever. Do not waste your precious time or energy looking up answers. In fact, leave all of your books and notes at home.

Leave immediately after each of the first 2 days (without commiserating with your friends) and go someplace (physically or otherwise) that makes you very happy. Get an ice cream cone and look ahead. ~Gene Takagi

6. Plan Ahead For Lunch

If you’re planning on buying lunch, remember that you’ll be competing with all the other bar examinees for what will likely be limited food options. When I took the exam in Manhattan, I ended up skipping lunch the first day because there were lines out the door at all the surrounding restaurants.

My recommendation is to bring your lunch. Something that’s easy to digest, food that you enjoy and your body will appreciate.

7. Breathe

When things go wrong — and inevitably, something will go wrong, remember to breathe. Breathe deep a few times. It will change your physiological response to help you think with more clarity.

If you’re really in a panicked or anxious state, try this 4-7-8 breathing exercise. Breath in for four counts, hold your breath for seven counts then exhale for eight counts.

8. The Benefit of the Doubt

My husband is a former California bar exam apprentice grader. He said one thing to bear in mind is that — at least in California — if you missed an issue or did not organize a response as well as you could have, the general rule is to give the examinee the benefit of the doubt. Despite the rumors of a ruthless or careless bar graders, great effort and attention is paid to each question, and resolved in the examinee’s favor when appropriate.

9. Your Experience is Normal!  

Your brain may be doing weird things, your emotional state may make you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster that you can’t get off of. This is normal.

Your brain is most likely doing weird things right now. Your emotional state is not optimum, so don’t make any important decisions. Get outside and move. Keep breathing deeply. You have done everything in your power to pass. You have this! ~Kristin Grossman

10. This Too Shall pass

Remember, this moment can feel all consuming but it will pass. It’s an exam. You’ve taken lots of exams in your life. You’ve got this.

Good luck on your exam! Go easy on yourself.