Preparing for the BAR exam is one of the most challenging parts of becoming a lawyer. With so much material to cover and such high stakes, choosing the right BAR prep course is crucial to success. But with countless options out there, how do you decide? This comprehensive guide covers the top BAR prep courses to consider based on features, teaching methods, practice tests, and real student reviews.
Whether you learn best through textbooks, lectures, adaptive technology, or practice tests, there is a course here that fits your learning style. We discuss pricing, pass rates, and key factors like essay grading and performance analysis. Read on for tips to select the best BAR prep courses and ace the exam on your first try. Investing in the right program will give you the content mastery, test-taking strategies, and confidence needed to pass.
When to Start Studying for the BAR Exam?
Many students wonder when is the optimal time to begin BAR exam preparation. While commercial BAR courses often provide structured schedules starting 8-10 weeks before the exam, earlier preparation can benefit full-time students and those with other obligations.
Building critical test-taking skills through practice questions and essays months in advance helps avoid later burnout. However, starting too early risks forgetting the material. Aim to begin substantive review around 4-5 months ahead if working full-time, or 2-3 months ahead if studying full-time. Pacing yourself is key.
14+ Best BAR Prep Courses For Beginners
| Name of Course | USP |
|---|---|
| Kaplan BAR Prep | Flexible study options: Adapt your study schedule to fit your lifestyle and preferences. Personalized prep: Receive tailored guidance and support to optimize your learning experience. Proven track record with a 91% pass rate: Achieve success with a highly effective approach to bar exam preparation. |
| BarMax BAR Prep | Comprehensive course with real questions: Access to a wide range of practice materials to prepare for the bar exam. On-demand lectures: Flexibility to learn at your own pace and convenience. Interactive lessons: Engage with dynamic learning activities for enhanced comprehension. |
| Themis BAR Prep | Unique Prime – Present – Practice framework: Enhances learning through active engagement and spaced repetition. Personalized support: Provides tailored guidance and feedback to address individual needs. Insightful performance analytics: Offers data-driven insights to track progress and identify areas for improvement. |
| Crushendo Bar Review Course | Innovative audio outlines: Enhance learning through auditory engagement. Proprietary memory tools: Utilize effective memorization techniques for efficient knowledge retention. Suitable for auditory learners and busy individuals: Cater to diverse learning preferences and accommodate hectic schedules. |
| Bar Prep Hero Review Course | Priority outlines, attack sheets, and frequency charts: Focus on the most tested topics for efficient study.Condensed versions of outlines and essays: Streamlined study materials for quick review and memorization. |
| SmartBarPrep Review Course | Over 2,000 online flashcards for substantive review: Comprehensive coverage of all MBE subjects. Unique “Mastering the MBE” video: Strategic guidance for approaching MBE questions and enhancing overall bar exam performance. |
| AdaptiBar Bar Review Course | Personalized study plan from day one: Personalized learning experience tailored to individual needs. Proprietary engine called ISAAC: Data-driven approach to optimize study strategies. Bank of over 5,000 practice MBE questions: Ample opportunities for effective practice. |
| BarBri Bar Review Course | Personalized bar prep programs and tutoring: Tailored guidance and support for individual needs. Physical course books for note-taking and highlighting: Enhance learning through traditional note-taking methods. Real prior bar exam questions for practice: Prepare with authentic exam questions to simulate the actual exam experience. |
| AmeriBar | Free bar exam resources: Access to valuable study materials without upfront costs. Guarantee Pass Program: Refund assurance if the student fails to pass the bar exam. |
| JD Advising Uniform Bar Exam Course | Personal study plan created by bar exam experts. Taught by top-rated instructors who all passed the bar exam in the top percentile. Uses efficient, organized, and color-coded outlines. |
| BarWinners | Personalized approach to bar exam preparation tailored to individual needs. Comprehensive instruction covering all three components of the bar exam. Combination of commercial bar prep materials and personalized attention. |
| SmartBarPrep | SmartBarPrep offers study tools like Color-coded Priority Outlines: Prioritizes key bar exam topics. Attack Sheets: These one-page summaries of key concepts are perfect for last-minute review. Real questions licensed by the bar examiners: These questions are the best way to practice for the bar exam. They are written in the same format as the actual exam questions and cover the same topics. |
| The High Bar | Most passes of any course, with nearly 90% of students who do the average amount of prep passing the bar exam Proven bar prep process with over 50 years of optimization and investment. Largest pool of students, providing comparative scores with thousands of peers. |
| Critical Pass | MBE and MEE Essay Flashcards: Enhance memorization of key bar exam concepts. Digital access and free shipping: Convenient access and cost-effective learning. Mobile app with note-taking, highlighting, and quizzing: Enhanced learning experience through interactive features. |
| Studicata | Comprehensive 8-week Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) preparation program. Emphasis on practicing and reviewing high-quality bar exam questions. 170+ bar exam video modules (110+ hours) covering every subject tested on UBE. |
1. Kaplan BAR Prep
Kaplan BAR Prep provides a comprehensive 8-week bar review program with full lectures covering every subject tested on the BAR exam. Students get access to interactive homework, thousands of practice questions, unlimited essay grading, and performance test grading.
The course is available live online or on demand, led by expert attorney instructors who provide a structured yet flexible approach. Key features include 160+ hours of live class time, 100+ hours of video lessons, 4000+ MBE practice questions, and a 14-day final countdown study plan.
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2. BarMax BAR Prep
BarMax provides an efficient and affordable online self-study BAR review course. Instead of live classes, BarMax uses pre-recorded video lectures and detailed outlines covering all major BAR exam topics. There are thousands of authentic NCBE-licensed MBE questions to practice, along with 100+ sample essays.
The course also includes performance analytics to track progress. Everything is accessible via web and mobile devices for on-the-go studying. Key perks include instant and lifetime access, money-back guarantee, and a personalized study plan.
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3. Themis BAR Prep
Themis BAR Review uses short, targeted video lectures segmented into 15-20 minute chapters to optimize retention. There are over 4,000 MBE-style practice questions pulled from past exams. Students have access to a personal success team, essay grading, and performance analytics to stay on track.
Themis is an adaptive online course that adjusts if students need to take days off. Key features include substantive outlines, workshops, simulated exams, and flexible study options. Everything needed to pass the BAR exam is included for one fee.
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4. Crushendo Bar Review Course
Crushendo Bar Review provides an innovative audio-based BAR prep program focused on memorization strategies and proven learning techniques. Instead of long video lectures, Crushendo uses audio outlines, mnemonics, illustrations, and flashcards to help retain key legal concepts.
There are over 2,000 authentic NCBE-licensed MBE questions to practice applying the knowledge. Essays and performance tests also come with real grading rubrics for detailed feedback. Everything is accessible on the web and mobile for on-the-go studying. Key features include a 30-day money-back guarantee, affordable pricing, and lifetime access.
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5. Bar Prep Hero Review Course
Bar Prep Hero offers comprehensive yet affordable BAR exam prep covering all sections of the test. There are over 1,300 authentic NCBE-licensed MBE questions and access to all past MEE essay prompts. Detailed video lectures break down complex topics using visuals and real examples.
Students also get personal essay grading, performance test feedback, and analytics to stay on track. Bar Prep Hero has options to buy individual components or bundled packages. Everything is accessible online with lifetime access. Key perks include free study guides, flexible pricing, and money-back guarantee.
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6. SmartBarPrep Review Course
SmartBarPrep provides customized BAR exam prep based on individual strengths and weaknesses. After a diagnostic assessment, SmartBarPrep builds a personalized study plan covering MBE topics needing review. There are over 800 MBE questions to practice, along with detailed answer explanations.
Students also get access to official past essay prompts, performance tests, and flashcards. The online dashboard allows tracking of progress over time. SmartBarPrep offers flexible pricing and packages to meet each student’s unique needs.
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7. AdaptiBar Bar Review Course
AdaptiBar provides an innovative online platform using AI and advanced algorithms to customize BAR exam preparation. The adaptive learning technology continually assesses performance in each subject area, then adjusts the frequency and difficulty of MBE-style questions based on individual strengths and weaknesses.
This allows students to efficiently target the topics and question types they struggle with most. AdaptiBar offers over 1,700 licensed NCBE questions, as well as analytics tools to track progress. Everything is accessible via web and mobile devices for on-the-go studying.
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8. BarBri Bar Review Course
For over 40 years, BarBri has been the industry leader in BAR exam preparation. The comprehensive course covers all components of the BAR exam with 160+ hours of expert-led lectures, 4000+ MBE practice questions, unlimited essay grading, and simulated exams.
Students can choose to take the course live online or watch pre-recorded video lessons on demand. BarBri provides detailed substantive outlines, multiple choice workshops, and a structured study schedule. Course options are available to fit any budget and study style.
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9. AmeriBar
AmeriBar focuses on active learning methods to provide affordable and effective BAR exam preparation. Instead of lectures, AmeriBar uses concise outlines, real MBE questions, and past essay prompts to help students learn and retain key legal principles. The course is designed to be self-directed, with daily essay workshops and attorney support.
AmeriBar emphasizes memorization strategies, essay practice, and simulated exams to give students real experience. Accessible on web and mobile, AmeriBar offers flexible pricing options to suit each student’s needs.
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10. JD Advising Uniform Bar Exam Course
JD Advising provides a comprehensive 50-hour Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) prep course in a small group setting. Students get access to detailed, visually appealing outlines, released MBE, MEE, and MPT questions, as well as stellar instruction from bar exam experts.
The key focus is on efficiently learning and memorizing substantive law, while also providing effective study techniques to maximize bar exam performance. Everything needed to pass the UBE is included through extremely detailed materials, assignments, and individualized feedback.
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11. BarWinners
For over 30 years, BarWinners has offered California, Nevada, and UBE bar exam preparation through a blend of commercial bar prep resources and personal tutoring services. There is a strong emphasis on applying substantive law to practice essays, MBEs, and performance tests.
Key features include over 1,300 authentic NCBE-licensed MBE questions, video lectures, personal essay grading, simulated exams, and progress-tracking analytics. BarWinners has among the highest pass rates and provides unmatched personal attention.
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12. SmartBarPrep
SmartBarPrep provides customized and flexible UBE prep tailored to each student’s individual strengths and weaknesses. After a diagnostic assessment, SmartBarPrep builds a personalized study plan targeting MBE topics needing review.
There is access to over 800 MBE questions, detailed answer explanations, official past essay prompts, performance tests, flashcards, and progress tracking tools. The self-directed course allows focusing on specific problem areas while avoiding topics a student already knows well.
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13. The High Bar
The High Bar provides an innovative and affordable online self-study BAR exam prep program. Instead of live classes, The High Bar uses concise outlines, released MBE questions, and essay prompts to help students learn key legal concepts. There are over 1,500 authentic NCBE-licensed MBE questions to practice applying the knowledge.
Essays also come with real grading rubrics and model answers for detailed feedback. Everything is accessible via web and mobile devices for on-the-go studying. Key features include performance analytics to track progress, flexible pricing options, and a 100% pass guarantee.
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14. Critical Pass
For over 15 years, Critical Pass has offered supplemental flashcards summarizing key concepts for the BAR exam. There are separate flashcard sets available covering the MBE and MEE sections.
The flashcards provide clear statements of black letter law rules and elements using mnemonics, charts, and other memory aids. Everything needed for the BAR exam is distilled down into an easy-to-use portable format. New purchases include free access to the Critical Pass app for mobile studying.
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15. Studicata
Studicata provides an innovative approach to BAR exam preparation focused on practicing high-quality MBE and essay questions. Instead of lectures, Studicata uses video explanations, and performance analytics, and released NCBE materials to help students learn testing formats.
There are thousands of authentic NCBE-licensed questions in the platform. Studicata also offers condensed outlines, model answers, and step-by-step essay breakdowns. Everything is accessible on the web and mobile devices.
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How to Choose the Right BAR Prep Course?
When selecting a BAR prep course, first consider your budget, learning style, and schedule availability. Compare costs, features, pass rates, and formats across companies like Barbri, Kaplan, and Themis. Determine whether you prefer self-study tools or live classes.
Also evaluate which practice questions, essay grading services, and supplemental resources best fit your needs. Read reviews and talk to alumni to get advice. The right BAR course aligns with your strengths to efficiently prepare you for exam day.
FAQs Related to BAR Prep Courses
What is the best BAR prep course for someone on a budget?
The best BAR prep course for someone on a budget is BarMax, as it offers a comprehensive course with real questions, on-demand lectures, and interactive lessons at an affordable price
How early should I start studying for the BAR exam?
Start studying 2-3 months in advance if studying full-time, or 4-5 months in advance if working while studying.
What is the difference between live and on-demand BAR prep courses?
Live courses offer real-time instruction and interaction, while on-demand courses provide pre-recorded lectures and materials for self-paced learning.
Which BAR prep course has the highest pass rates?
Pass rates vary, but Kaplan, Barbri, and Themis are known for their high pass rates.
Do I need to take a BAR prep course or can I study on my own?
While a prep course can provide structure and resources, self-study is also an option for disciplined and self-motivated students.
How many practice BAR exam questions should I aim to complete while studying?
Aim to complete as many practice questions as possible, with some courses offering thousands of MBE-style questions for practice.
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Conclusion
Preparing for the bar exam is a challenging yet crucial step for aspiring attorneys. Choosing the right bar prep course that aligns with your learning style, schedule, and budget can optimize your study efficiency. Aim to start substantive review 2-3 months in advance if studying full-time, or 4-5 months ahead if working. Structure your schedule to allow sufficient time memorizing legal concepts before practicing application through MBE questions, essays, and performance tests.
Treat bar prep like a full-time job by tracking your study hours and progress to hold yourself accountable. With smart preparation, students can develop the knowledge, endurance, and testing skills needed to pass the bar exam. Applying proven study methods consistently is key. Overall, strategic planning, quality materials, and hard work are essential to bar exam success.
