"I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again"*: Overcoming Bar Exam Setbacks

Few things hit harder than finding out you didn’t pass the bar exam. It’s a tough moment, no question about it. But as devastating as it feels, failing the bar exam isn’t the end of your legal journey — it’s just a detour. If you’re in this situation, here are some steps you can take to regroup, rebuild, and move forward.

1. Allow Yourself to Feel Sad

Failing the bar exam can trigger a range of emotions: disappointment, frustration, even embarrassment. They are all valid. It’s important to allow yourself to feel these emotions rather than suppress them. Take a few days to process the result.  Try talking to family, friends, or mentors at your law school who can support you through this difficult moment.

2. Gain Perspective: You’re Not Alone

Remember, you are not the first or the last person to fail the bar exam. Many successful attorneys, including judges and law professors, did not pass on their first attempt. Failing does not define your future career success; how you respond to this challenge does. Once you have your license in hand, no one will ask you how many times you sat for the exam, or what your MBE score was.

3. Analyze Your Score Report

If you choose to re-sit, when you are ready, it’s time to focus on the next steps. Most jurisdictions provide a breakdown of your scores. Analyze it to see which areas need improvement. Did you fall short in the MBE? Were your essays or performance tests a weak point? Understanding your performance will help you triage, prioritize, and make a better individualized plan for your next attempt.

4. Reflect on Your Preparation

It’s important to consider whether your study approach worked or if it needs to be overhauled. Did you give yourself enough time to study? Did you focus on the right areas? Was your test-taking strategy effective? Did you do enough practice questions and essays? Asking yourself these questions and being honest with yourself can help you refine your approach for next time.

5. Make a Plan 

Once you’ve reflected on what went wrong in your study approach and/or on exam day, it’s time to put together a plan for success. Reach out to your law school’s bar prep or ASP professional for help.  Consider if you need to change your study schedule, invest in a bar prep course, if you didn’t already use one, and if you did use one, ask the company if you are entitled to a free retake of the course. Break your study schedule down into manageable chunks, focusing on the areas where you need the most improvement.

6. Seek Support

Failing the bar can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Many law schools, bar associations, and bar prep companies offer support for repeat takers. Reach out to professors, mentors, or peers who can provide guidance and encouragement. Sometimes, working you’re your law school, a study group, or tutor can make a significant difference.

7. Focus on Self-Care

The bar exam process is grueling, and it's easy to burn out. Take care of your physical and mental health by building breaks, exercise, and sleep into your study plan. Balance your intense preparation with self-care to ensure you're in the best mindset for success. The bar exam is as much a test of mental endurance as it is of legal knowledge. Stay positive, be persistent, and remind yourself that success is still within your reach. Each failure brings you one step closer to success if you learn from it and apply those lessons to your next attempt.

Final Thoughts

Failing the bar exam is a setback, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your legal career. Use it as a learning experience, reach out for help, adjust your preparation, and come back stronger. Countless lawyers have failed the bar exam and gone on to have fulfilling careers. You can, too. Keep your head up, and keep moving forward.

 

(Erica Sylvia, UMass Law)

 

*(Reference to the song "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba)