How to Successfully Navigate Bar School
As many of you have heard, transitioning from law school to bar school is a huge leap. The days of cramming all your studies into the last two weeks before exams or skipping lectures because it's too depressing to wake up at 8 in winter—those are gone. As all BPC tutors warned us during orientation, Bar School is tough, and conquering it requires dedication and hard work.
In this post, I will be sharing with you my top six tips to pass the Bar Exam:
1) Plan Ahead
Create a realistic timetable from Day 1. Plan wisely for Bar School reading, breaks in between, and perhaps a part-time job. Time management is key. Set achievable weekly goals and stick to them—this puts you ahead. Always have this in mind, last-minute cramming is a big NO in Bar School. Sadly, what worked in law school won’t work here.
2) Learn to Handle Disappointment
I went from failing my first opinion and drafting assessment to a very competent grade in the final one. Many of my classmates experienced the same. Failing at first is normal and okay—it's part of learning. Don’t be struck out by this. Visit your tutor for feedback, note areas for improvement, and keep practicing. Practice truly makes perfect.
3) Make Your Own Notes
Centralised exams often alter case names in commentaries. Carefully read all important commentaries and create your own notes. Don't rely solely on others—sometimes only the creator fully understands their notes. Having your own notes makes exam prep easier and quicker, without needing to reread everything.
4) Advocacy Tips
As awkward as it may be, rewatch your performance videos. Focus on the feedback and improve. Struggling to cram everything in? Remember, in advocacy, prioritise key issues—less is often more. Make a priority list (most important issue to least important) and focus on quality over quantity. Speak clearly and avoid rushing.
5) Exam Preparation
Past Year, Past Year, and more Past Year! It's vital to go through at least one year of past exam questions. This helps you understand exam expectations and identify weak areas. What appears in the actual exam often mirrors past questions, so tackle as many past papers as you can—they're incredibly helpful.
6) Don’t Skip Classes
Lastly, don’t skip classes. If you must miss one, email your tutor to ask if you can attend another class. It's much harder to catch up later than to just show up for the lecture.
You're never alone on this journey. No one is born knowing the Whitebook or Blackstone inside out—it takes time, effort, and a lot of practice. And don’t forget to prioritise your mental well-being by taking regular breaks. I can’t stress this enough. If you request any further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to Law Tutors Online and London Law Tutor.
This writer, Astrid is a pupil barrister in Malaysia. She has a keen interest in Employment and Constitutional Law and will be pursuing this interest in her work as a pupil barrister.
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