Law students around the globe shudder at the thought of preparing for and taking their bar examination to become a certified lawyer. The test requires hours upon hours of studying, taking practice exams, and being able to recall various legal statutes and laws within the relevant context. It’s no wonder that around 20 percent of students fail the bar exam the first time around. But what should you do after you fail the bar? Let’s examine a few crucial steps to rebounding from failure in order to pass the bar on the second attempt.
Accept that it happened: The worst thing you can do is act like it didn’t happen or to be overly harsh on yourself. You are not alone in this—there are countless other students who do not pass on the first attempt. It in no way means you are not intelligent enough or did not study hard enough. Think of it as a speed bump in the road instead of a situation that derails your entire career path. Take some time mentally before jumping back into studying for the next chance to take the exam, and allow your mind to reach a more positive place. This will benefit your confidence and help you take the exam again and achieve your desired result.
Examine your score report: Usually when a student fails, it is not because they don’t understand the law or are underprepared—most of the time it is due to study strategies or a misunderstanding over what was being asked of them on the exam. By reviewing the different aspects of the bar exam, you may be able to pinpoint the areas you struggled most in, which will give you a roadmap to better prepare and shore up those weak spots for when you retake the exam.
Re-evaluate your study methods: How did you prepare for the bar exam? Consider how many hours you studied and what methods you used to absorb the copious amount of information. Did you use a service that had a bar exam prep programme? If you primarily used reading to study, perhaps try incorporating more audio lectures into your study plan for next time. Do not simply study more or the exact same way as you did previously—be flexible and try adding new ways of taking in information so you are more likely to retain and recall it when the time comes.
Talk to your law school: Most law schools have free or extremely discounted services for students, so why not take advantage of them? Your law school want you to succeed and have experience dealing with the ups and downs of the bar exam, so utilise them as a resource! They can even help you come up with a new study regimen to bolster the system you used to study for the first exam. They may also be able to connect you to supplementary bar review resources that will propel you to a passing score on your next attempt.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Failing the bar exam is not a blow to your career—unless you allow it to be. Take a deep breath, and find new ways to approach the exam next time. And do not be afraid to ask for help along the journey!