Last summer I skipped the bar exam because I was starting a PhD program. This summer it’s time to just take it so I can stop explaining that I’m “sort of” an attorney. So, considering the time and investment, it seems insane to try to take it without some kind of prep course. So what are my options here in California?
First, of course, there’s Barbri, the king of bar prep. Cost? $3,600. Benefits? Barbri course materials, books, 9 weeks of classes meeting 4 hours per day for 5-6 days per week. Classes — which may be live or may be on DVDs, both done in classrooms — cover the Multistate component (the MBE), essay portions, and the California Performance Test. Plus, of course, the knowledge going into the exam that you did what most everyone else there did to prepare, and didn’t cheap out on inferior classes.
Second, there’s the queen of test prep, Kaplan, whose PMBR “California Complete Bar Review Class” costs $3,500 for the in-person prep, or $3,150 for the online only course. Kaplan covers everything, including the California-specific portion of the exam — except as of today, I can’t find any indication that California classes will actually be offered near me. In other words, other than the MBE-only portion — which is offered — this isn’t a realistic alternative.
Third, moving to online-only options, there’s MicroMash from Thomson Reuters. It too covers all aspects of the MBE and California exam, but all instruction is online, and focused on outlines over lectures and computer-assisted teaching. The cost is significantly less than Babri, at $1,590 for the complete review program. Other benefits depend on learning style — MicroMash is self directed instead of lecture based, and does not require commuting to a central location and sitting there. Analysis and assistance with essay prep is also part of the program. (MicroMash and Barbri are both owned by Thomson Reuters, incidentally.)
Fourth, there’s a distinctly different approach: BarMax, the most expensive app in the Apple App Store ($999). It covers the MBE and California-specific topics, and includes both outlines and audio lectures. Rather like MicroMash, it focuses of computer-assisted instruction, with a focus on the iPhone/iPod Touch platform (but it also includes printable materials). BarMax includes essay prep, with sample essays and answers, but does not seem to have a review or analysis portion included, although it does include email support from “Harvard-educated lawyers.” You can even rent an iPod Touch with a refundable deposit if you need one. Reviews have been positive, but the company is new on the scene, and its approach is less well-tested than the above, more-established options.
(There might be a few more options to choose from, but these seem to be the main choices. Did I miss any good alternatives?)
So which one is right for me? I’m still deciding. For an update on my final choice, see: The bar approaches: MicroMash vs. BarMax.
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Thank you for the info on Bar Exam Doctor. It’s not a service that I’d found previously, but it looks to be helpful — and it’s always good to have more options!