Taking the bar exam

Nala37

So, I'm taking the bar exam this July for the second time after passing in another state last July.  Last summer I was pregnant, but was able to devote all of my time to my bar study course.  This time I'm working, DS is 4 months old and the course just isn't in the budget, so I'm using books I purchased and doing self-study.  I work during the day, however, and DS's dad works in the evenings, so there isn't really much uninterrupted time for me to study.

Am I just setting myself up for failure, knowing that work and my family limit the time I can devote to studying?  I'd wait until DS is older, but we want to have another baby in 1-2 years, so I need to get it out of the way now.  Does anyone have any advice on how to balance my life while studying and hopefully pass the bar?  

 Thanks!

Mrs.Felicity

Do it now - nothing to lose, right?

I had one CPA exam left when DS was born...I studied during naps, during breastfeeding, etc, and when exam day came I was convinced there was no way my sleep-deprived azz was going to pass...I literally almost canceled the exam.  But I had already missed the 'cancel for a refund' date, so I went ahead and took it - and PASSED.  

So I say go for it!  It will not be easy, but nothing is easy with an infant around anyway.

alli2672

Is your little one STTN?  I took my boards last year pregnant with two little ones.   I used the time early in the morning when I knew everyone would be asleep.   I only got in 1-2 hours/day, but it was all I had.  I also asked DH to take some vacation the week before my exam, so I could devote a few full days to studying right before I took the test. 

 

MeginUT

Do you have to retake the MBE or is it just the essay portion this time?  If it's just the essay portion, it's doable.  And I'd do it now, while the information is still somewhat in your memory.  I hardly studied for my second essay portion test and it's amazing what you'll be able to recall and write down.  But I also think asking someone to come in and take over the child sitting duties for the week before the exam is a good idea.  

 

If you have to retake the MBE, I'd skip it.  But that's coming from someone who refuses to ever take that test again.   

shouldbworkin

What state?  Is it one that doesn't allow reciprocity (or are you licensed in one that has no reciprocity)?  Do you absolutely need the 2nd license for your job?  If you need it, you need it and you will need to put the time in.  If it's a desire of yours, I would personally put it off, especially if you can get reciprocity in a few years.  I even thought that if you had to appear for a client in another state where you weren't licensed, that there were ways around that (have a friend that works in ins def and appears on other states all the time, only licensed in 2). 

I just think it would be a waste of time and money to take an exam you can't properly prepare for.  

Jing22

I know for me it would be next to impossible with a 4 month old, but I'm also 5 years out from my last bar. I agree that just the essay portion should be doable.

Nala37

I do have to take the MBE over again, Rhode Island only would have accepted my MBE score from Ohio if I had taken the bar in February.  I had originally planned on taking CT because it would only be essays, but I work at a law office in RI and my boss strongly encouraged me to take the RI bar so that I can practice with her.

DS does sleep through the night on occasion.  He's great for about a week and then wakes me up every hour and a half again for a few days.  I've spent some time already looking at materials and doing my bar application while he was sleeping, and I expect I can maybe get a couple of hours in a night (depending on when he finally goes to bed).  I have all of my outlines from last summer that I just need to change the distinctions from Ohio to RI, so I can study from those, but I hated the MBE and that will most likely be my biggest problem for getting a high enough score. 

Buckeye07Bride

I also took the Ohio bar exam first and then took CT the following February while working at a clerkship during the day and a server at night.  I just bought the Barbri state books from a coworker and studied on the weekends when I had the chance.  As you said I didn't have to take the mbe, but was surprised at how much I remembered once I started reviewing.  I just used all my Ohio outlines and didn't worry about the distinctions.  I passed easily and maybe only studied about 25% of what I did the first time.  Based on my experience I think you should take it, especially if your boss strongly encourages it.  Good luck, the second bar exam def wasn't nearly as bad as sitting in vets memorial for 3 days for OH. 

trackchik6

what state are you taking?  As long as it is not ny or ca and you already passed one, it is probably doable.

what time does he go to bed?  my LO goes to bed around 7.  i would probably study from 7-10pm and on weekends.  It would suck though.

b2b999

For my second and third bar exams I did self study while working full time and it was not an issue. If you get the materials now and slowly devote time to the distinctions over the next few months and then just refresh on the mbe stuff in june and july you will be fine. I am sure your boss will be accomodating as this was strongly encouraged, so she may even give you an hour at work each day that you can study as well. 

Good luck and don't worry the second bar is always easier then the first.

racampbell1

b2b999:

For my second and third bar exams I did self study while working full time and it was not an issue. If you get the materials now and slowly devote time to the distinctions over the next few months and then just refresh on the mbe stuff in june and july you will be fine. I am sure your boss will be accomodating as this was strongly encouraged, so she may even give you an hour at work each day that you can study as well. 

Good luck and don't worry the second bar is always easier then the first.

Ditto all of this - I took my second bar when working full time and studied on my lunch when possible.  Definitely did NOT put the same time into the 2nd as the 1st, and passed on the first attempt during a time of extreme emotional stress (death in the family of a close relative, and I got laid off literally one week prior to the exam).  I would say give it your best shot, especially since your boss is really encouraging it.  Hopefully LO will start sleeping more soon and you'll get a little more time in the evenings/mornings.  Best of luck, you can do it!!  

NovaGolden

I say you may have a chance since you have already passed in another state. I had my daughter last March, my husband graduated law school in May, and began studying for the July bar. My daughter woke up every hour for the first 6 months so neither one of us slept much. He tried his best to study, but was able to get very little done. He failed by just a few points. I told him of your situation and he said there is no way he would be able to do it. I do not want to discourage you, but I think you should have a back up plan if you do fail. Our back up plan required us to move 500+ miles to a location where we would have opportunities even if he did fail again.

missnineteeneighty

What have you got to lose? I would take it now. Get it over and done with. Good luck!