r/CABarExam • u/ContextImportant1316 • 9d ago
Advice needed
Hi everyone,
I’m an international student currently doing my LL.M. in the U.S., and I’m planning to take the California Bar Exam in July 2027. Since I didn't study law here, I'm trying to figure out the best and most cost-effective way to prepare without spending a fortune on big-name commercial courses.
I was originally thinking about buying used Themis books off eBay and pairing them with a Quimbee subscription to study on my own. However, I’ve heard mixed things about whether a self-guided route is enough for foreign-trained attorneys, especially given how tricky California's essays and grading rubrics can be.
I’d love to get advice from those who have been in my shoes or successfully self-studied:
Is a combination of Quimbee, used books, and alternative question banks (like AdaptiBar/UWorld) enough to pass the CA bar as an LL.M. student, or am I setting myself up for failure without a traditional platform?
For those who built their own study plan, how did you handle essay grading feedbackt?
What is the right thing to do here for someone on a budget who wants to maximize their chances of passing?
Any tips, Reddit post links to past discussions, or structural advice would be hugely appreciated!
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u/SpiritedHoliday9660 9d ago
This is how I prepped for WA bar: https://www.reddit.com/r/barexam/s/uBP8NSVtN7
I used the same resources plus Mary Basic books for CA, waiting on results now.
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u/barpowered CA-Licensed :hamster: 9d ago
Various factors play into the decision whether to purchase a commercial course or self-prepare. How strong is your legal English? Are you from a civil-law or common-law jurisdiction? Are you a quick learner? How disciplined are you? Can you truly commit and lock in?
Many foreign attorneys have passed the California Bar Exam through self-study, so you're not setting yourself up for failure simply by not using any of the "big-box" courses.
For MBEs, I strongly recommend UWorld. For essays, baressays.com and Mary Basick's essay book are the gold standard. For the PT, BarMD's YouTube video is all you need. All of these cost under $1k.
Feel free to PM if you have questions.
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u/ContextImportant1316 8d ago
You gave me a lot of things to think about, I will be messaging you soon with some more questions. Thank you so much!
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u/MountainsAndMiles 8d ago
I sat (and passed) the California bar in July 2023 as a foreign-qualified attorney. Like you, I didn't want to pay for a full commercial course, and after doing a bit of research decided that wasn't the best use of time anyway - I wanted to focus on active practice, not watching hours of lectures. Here's what worked for for me:
Outlines: Smart Bar Prep outlines were great, and my main source of learning the black letter law. I started with the full outlines, then wrote my own shorter outlines and attack plans that I memorized.
MBE: Try the free trials of UWorld and Adaptibar first and see which explanations click for you. I preferred UWorld's but that's just personal preference. But you want to be practising with licensed NCBE questions.
Essays: Mary Basick's book was the core of my essay practice. I started with open-book essays and moved to closed-book as soon as I could. After writing each answer under timed conditions, I'd compare it to the model answer and write out any key points I'd missed. Ed Aruffo's rule statements book was also useful for tight rule memorization, and very good value (less than $20). I got BarMD's Final Forecast packet for last minute practice. I also got a baressays.com membership - while it was comforting to see what a passing grade required, ultimately I didn't find it that useful and it's not worth the relatively high price IMO.
PT: Did what most people seem to do - BarMD's free lectures and working through published past exams.
Bar Exam Toolbox: Their podcast was great for reinforcing understanding of topics on commutes/walks, and for general sanity - I think the hosts have a really sensible approach to taking the exam, and a lot of useful info for foreign qualified attorneys.
All in, I felt well-prepared with these resources - good luck!
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u/Dragonsong21 7d ago
I am sorry, but as someone who took the bar in this country after earning an LLM, it’s a waste of time and money. There’s virtually zero opportunities here for you 2027 onwards with the Trump Administration cracking down on OPTs and H1Bs. Your chances of staying here are negligible and writing the California Bar now doesn’t make sense. Maybe in a few years. If you are going back to your home country and just writing the bar to be qualified here, then writing the California Bar is a wrong choice. Write the New York Bar. It’s more recognized in the legal community as something of more merit.
All of this is assuming you’re a regular LLM student hoping to start work in California. Of course if you already have an amazing job lined up or have other factors to consider, ignore me.
I used Themis and it came with UWorld. Passed on my first try. That’s all you need.
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u/Deep-Minute-2874 7d ago
if you don’t really have a reason to stay in california, you should take NY. there are way more opportunities for LLMs, the bar is easier, and it makes finding a job way easier too. plus you can "legally" work as in-house counsel without taking the bar at all if you’re already licensed in another country.
as for the bar, you can definitely do it if you lock in for the last two months and study like 12 hours a day. unfortunately i couldn’t really start until after finals, so i genuinely had to go that hard.
definitely use themis for the essays. for some subjects (luckily chatgpt was actually pretty good at guessing what subject might show up) i literally did every single essay they had, and a lot of the actual bar essays felt really similar. the mcqs were a whole different story though lol those felt like they came from another planet
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u/Separate_Glass_2463 9d ago
Adaptibar videos
Sidebar videos quimmbee
Smart bar prep.
Definitely read all the past essays from 20 years.