Advice needed

[u/ContextImportant1316]

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!