339: Top 10 Time-Wasters When Studying for the Bar Exam
The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less StressShow Notes
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're going through the most common ways students waste time while studying for the bar, including relying on passive learning, overfocusing on one section, using too many resources, and neglecting feedback. We emphasize the importance of active study methods, balanced preparation, and honest self-reflection to maximize your chances of passing the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Passive vs. active learning Overfocusing on one portion of the exam Ways to get helpful feedback Effective MBE studying and essay writing Avoiding distractions during bar prep And more! Resources:
Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Podcast Episode 43: Talking About AdaptiBar with Guest Maggy Mahalick (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-43-talking-about-adaptibar-with-guest-maggy-mahalick/) Podcast Episode 78: Learning Through Mistakes in Bar Prep (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-78-learning-through-mistakes-in-bar-prep/) Podcast Episode 223: Quick Tips – Balancing Passive and Active Studying for the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-223-quick-tips-balancing-passive-and-active-studying-for-the-bar-exam/) Podcast Episode 244: Spaced Repetition and Memorization During Bar Prep (w/Gabe Teninbaum) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-spaced-repetition-and-memorization-during-bar-prep-w-gabe-teninbaum/) How to Properly Study MBE Questions and Essays (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-properly-study-mbe-questions-and-essays/) How to Pass the Bar by Doing What Makes You the Most Uncomfortable (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-pass-the-bar-by-doing-what-makes-you-the-most-uncomfortable/) Tricks for Staying on Track and Avoiding Distractions When Studying for the Bar (https://barexamtoolbox.com/tricks-for-staying-on-track-and-avoiding-distractions-when-studying-for-the-bar/)
Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-339-top-10-time-wasters-when-studying-for-the-bar-exam/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee
More from The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're working through four multiple-choice questions on intentional torts -- two in the classic MBE style, two in the new NextGen style. What differences can you expect between the two exam versions? Find out now!
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode we look at the features of standard bar prep programs that make them poorly suited for students with ADHD and other learning differences. We offer practical fixes -- such as short study blocks, externalized planning, open-book practice, and self-aware scheduling -- that benefit anyone struggling with attention and burnout during bar study. In this episode, we discuss: Where bar prep fails students with ADHD How standard bar prep is built What you can shift to make studying better suited for your brain How to study if you're a retaker What our RAMP bar prep tool looks like Resources:
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're working through four questions on real property -- two in the classic MBE style, two in the new NextGen style. We cover how easements are created and terminated, and we touch on the topic of real estate sales contracts.
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing what we have learned so far from the July 2026 bar exam results, noting why sometimes there is a discrepancy between how people felt they did versus the actual score they received. We share some recommendations for unsuccessful takers, including analyzing score reports, honestly auditing weaknesses, and changing study methods -- especially considering the NextGen transition ahead. In this episode, we discuss: July 2026 bar results are starting to roll in -- what are bar takers sharing so far? Why self-assessment of how you did can be unreliable How to audit your exam results if you failed Handling the waiting period for results -- what to do instead of worrying Resources:
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss whether AI can effectively serve as a bar exam tutor, weighing its usefulness for scheduling, pattern-spotting, and simplifying admin tasks against its weaknesses, such as unreliable feedback and using outdated legal content. In this episode, we discuss: Recent headlines around the bar exam and AI use Where AI goes wrong in bar prep The failure of the California bar experiment Smart ways to use AI as a bar studier Resources: