Buckle up, future California attorneys! The Golden State's bar exam is undergoing a major overhaul, and if you're sitting for the February 2025 California exam, you're in for a new experience. Here's the lowdown:
Say Goodbye to the NCBE developed MBE, Hello to Kaplan:
The California Bar Exam is ditching the long-used Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) by the NCBE (“National Conference of Bar Examiners”) in favor of a new exam developed by Kaplan. This means the multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests will all be crafted by Kaplan in this new deal.
What does this mean for you?
New Questions, Same Content: While the questions will be different, the State Bar assures us that the content and difficulty will be comparable to the current exam. So, your law school studies, and bar prep courses will still be relevant.
California-Focused: Kaplan is creating a dedicated team to develop California-specific content, ensuring the exam is tailored to the existing legal practices.
Study Guides: Kaplan will provide free study guides for students and faculty, which will be distributed by the State Bar. This is a great resource to familiarize yourself with the new exam format and question styles.
More Flexibility:
This change also paves the way for remote and test center-based exam administration, providing more options for test-takers.
How Should You Prepare?
Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for updates from the State Bar and Kaplan regarding the new exam format and content. Subscribe to our website (calbarbible.com) for the latest information on the California bar.
Utilize the Free Resources: Take advantage of the free study guides provided by Kaplan to get a feel for the new question styles.
Don't Panic: While change can be daunting, remember that the core legal concepts remain the same. Focus on mastering the law and developing strong exam-taking skills.
Choose Your Prep Course Wisely: Select a bar prep course that is adapting to these changes and offering updated materials and practice questions aligned with the Kaplan-developed exam.
Don’t Change Your Grind
The California Bar Exam is changing, but your dedication shouldn't. Treat this exam like the full-time job it is. Clock in, put in the hours, and master the material. The format may be different, but the key to success remains the same: hard work and focused preparation!
Comments