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SIMPLILAW
@simplilawbarprep
Beyond the Bump
Your Strategic Guide
to Retaking the Bar Exam
CONTENTS
Additional
Resources
05
Regrouping and
Retaking the
Bar Exam
So, When Should
You Retake the
Bar Exam?
06
Overcoming
Challenges
07
08
ii i
02
03
Bouncing Back
It’s Okay Not
to be Okay
Getting
Back Up
04
Learning from
Experience
01
Charting Your
Path to Success
09
SIMPLILAW
Let's face it, not passing the barrister exam or solicitor bar
exam is a tough blow. You invested a ton of time and energy,
and probably money, and the results weren’t what you
hoped. It's normal to feel disappointed, angry, or even
defeated—and you’re not alone.
Jess, Founder
of SimpliLaw
It happens to the best of us.
01
BOUNCING BACK
Statistics show that nearly 20% of first-time takers
(with JD/LLBs) and nearly 50% of first-time takers
(with international law degrees (NCA))* need
multiple attempts to pass the barrister and/or solicitor
exam.
But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can absolutely clear it on
your next attempt! This guide is here to support you through the ups and downs, from
dealing with the emotional rollercoaster to developing a killer study plan.
* LSO’s Professional Development & Competence 2023 Program
and Resource Report
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ii
02
IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY
Failing the bar exam can feel like a punch to the
gut.
It's totally normal to experience disappointment, frustration, or even self-doubt.
There might even be tears (we've all been there!). Allow yourself to feel those
emotions, but don't let them define you. There are many successful lawyers who
faced this hurdle and came out stronger on the other side. Remember: not
passing the exam this time around isn’t a reflection of who you are, your
intelligence, or your ability to be a great lawyer.
1. Acknowledge Your Emotions:
Bottling things up won't help. Talk to a friend, family
member, therapist, or anyone you trust who will
offer a listening ear and support.
2. Prioritize Self-Care:
Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising
are crucial for maintaining focus and mental well-
being. Don't underestimate the power of a good
night's sleep and a healthy meal to boost your mood.
3. Seek Professional Help:
If you believe other mental health concerns are
holding you back, consider therapy. A therapist can
equip you with strategies to manage stress and
anxiety, which can make a big difference leading up
to your next attempt.
Here are some tips for navigating this emotional rollercoaster:
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03
GETTING BACK UP
Here’s why:
You now know what to expect
The format, timing, and question styles
won't be a surprise. This familiarity will
help you better prepare for your next
attempt, as you’ll have a good idea of
areas to focus on during your studies.
You have a knowledge base to build
upon
More likely than not, you’ve still retained
valuable knowledge from your previous
studies. Rather than starting from scratch,
you
can
leverage
this
foundation
to
deepen your understanding of the material
and fill any gaps in your knowledge.
Your score report
Use it to identify your strengths and areas
needing improvement. This will help you
create a targeted study plan.
Your first try didn't go as planned, but success is
still within reach.
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Common reasons include:
Time Management
04
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE
Before restarting your studies, it's important to
understand why you believe you didn't pass the
exam the last time.
Maybe you found yourself:
Getting stuck on hard questions early on in the exam or spending
too much time on them
Racing through sections at the end
Wishing you had 15 more minutes
Looking up every little thing (including answers you were 90%
confident on)
Getting lost in the materials or can’t find what you’re looking for
Not sure where to even start searching
Second-guessing many answers
Stress clouding your judgment and making it difficult to focus
Forgetting information you actually know
Search Strategy Struggles?
The Confidence Game?
Could a disability be affecting your performance? Remember,
accommodations are available if you qualify.
Unrecognized Disability:
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Were there other things happening in your life that you had to
manage?
Were you sick?
Did work get in the way of devoting adequate time for studies?
Were your personal relationships affected? (for instance, a
loved one falling sick or passing away, a break-up, etc.)
Complexity and Nuance
The bar exam tests your ability to apply legal principles to
complex
scenarios
and
consider
different
perspectives.
However, this requires you to understand the legal principles (at
least from a broad level).
Life Responsibilities
Bar Exam Study Materials
Were you able to understand the study materials?
Did you have enough time to become familiar with them?
Are there study aids you believe could be helpful based on your
learning preferences?
All these situations can get in the way of successfully reaching your
bar exam goals.
These are questions to consider as you gear up for the next attempt.
Self reflection is key, as is being honest with yourself. Take some time
to analyze your performance, and talk to mentors, tutors, or a trusted friend to
gain insights into your study habits and exam-taking strategies.
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