When should a California law school student start studying for the California Bar exam?

I'm currently a first year law student at a state bar accredited school and would like to know.

During your 3rd year of law school, and for a few months after graduation.

You may be tempted to start early, but I would advise against it. The bar review courses (i.e., Barbri) will teach you everything you need to know to pass the bar. Trust me. If you do what they tell you to do, the chances are very very good that you will pass. Take a look at their website. Somewhere on there they provide you with a schedule for studying. Note that they do not even start the program until several weeks after your 3d year ends.

As for me, I studied my *** off for my first bar (I ended up passing bar exams in multiple states) and I over did it (my score was off the charts, but I was totally burnt out after it). I didn't even bother studying for my second or third bars -- and I squeeked by (one state provided the score, the other only told me I passed).

I wish I would have just relaxed and started when Barbri told me to for the first bar. You will never get this time back, so use it (to party) wisely. Also, while you are in law school, try your hardest to make as many connections as you can. You will be surprised at how these other students come back into your life later on (either in the job search context, providing free help to you in their areas, or in the gossip as to who is being disbarred and who is being sued).

Best of luck,

Gary

http://www.lawfiles.net

Usually they take a bar review course the summer after graduation and spend the summer studying. The exams are given in late summer/