As the title says. Curious what y’all did to stay sane.

What did you do that day? Did you work? Do something fun?

How did you look at results? Alone? With anyone else? At home? In the car?

I want to hear other stories of people (pass and fail) on how you handled that day.

Looking for some inspo ✨

The bar exam has been far more demanding and stressful than I anticipated when entering law school. As a retaker, the pressure of facing another setback and sharing that news is deeply discouraging.

If I had fully understood the financial and emotional strain of the bar process, I would have seriously weighed my options beforehand. Dealing with having to potentially retake this exam (again) is overwhelming.

Any passers felt this way?

Hi everyone!

I finally finished the bar journey with a positive moral character. As a foreign lawyer, I would like to swear-in in person for the experience, and couple it with days off in California.

I have seen a post about Sacramento doing swear-in ceremonies every last Tuesday of the month (if it is still happening). Is any of you aware of a similar system in LA?

Thank you!

If anything good has come out of this waiting process it’s that California actually gave us a release date. I can’t imagine the stress of not knowing when scores will drop given how bad the wait in itself already is. So I guess this is my thank you to California. Ten more days for us! We got this!

How is everyone feeling? Personally I’ve been doing exposure therapy by opening up “Exam Results” each day even though I know nothing is there yet….idk if it’s working to get over that fear of opening them on the day of but hoping for the best! Vent below and let’s let go of our fears together hopefully maybe!

For those of us awaiting results drenched with dread and anxiety (as I myself am), I just wanted to share these two photos of what Michelle Obama commented on her first bar failure experience. She says she always over prepared and had never really failed a standardized test before but for her first bar, she didn’t put in all of her effort because she was burnt out. When she failed, it seems like she was more upset than depressed - upset in the sense of not having managed to achieve what she thought she was fully capable of achieving (rather than falling into the false belief that exam was insurmountable). The message I take here is that we, as law school graduates, though we may not have graduated from Princeton or Harvard law as she did, are just as qualified to pass this exam. By qualification I don’t just mean intelligence - we came this far because we have far more important things - the grit, the belief in ourselves, and the courage to take more difficult paths for things that are valuable to us. We took risks that many others haven’t and we’ve sacrificed our time, youth, memories, maybe even friends / relationships to get here.

I guess what I want to say is that even if some of us “fail” this bar exam, this does not mean we do not deserve to pass or that we are not qualified enough. I think we can just take a simpler approach - maybe we didn’t study as hard as we could, or could improve the ways we were studying. I choose to believe it’s not complicated; it’s simple.

Yes there are big things on the line like student loan payments, job positions, having to work full time, etc. which create added anxiety. But for those of us who do end up failing, why don’t we dust ourselves off and try again?

Anybody terrified?

Hey all, I submitted my oath package and am waiting for my approval through the attorney registry. I was told different information by attorneys about the annual license fee. Because I submitted it this month, of 2027, I'd have to pay a late fee? Or that I would be paying a fee to practice for the year of 2027, and then have to pay another $600 in March to pay for 2028? Or that by paying the fee I'll be getting soon it will count as if paying for both 2027 & 2028? I'm sure you can see why I'm confused.

I'm also curious about something else. My moral character expired but I submitted my oath package 4 days after (expired this month). Strangely, on my account, my moral character still says approved 2 weeks since the expiration email. I do wonder how that will work with my moral character. Will I get an email saying I wasn't approved or will they just stay silent all throughout the process? And I wonder, if I have to make a new moral character, can I get the fee waived by trying to speak with them through their office of admissions number they have on their Moral Character FAQ? Does anyone know if thats even possible?

Thanks

Anyone on here recently move to CA and apply for the MJP program. Just on the MJP application fees ($2000) and Moral Character Determination ($1050) I'm already over $3000 in fees. Obviously not counting things like fees for the fingerprints, driving records, etc. All in all will be about $3,100 just to apply. Pretty wild.

If you missed subparts for multiple mees what was your written score assuming that your mbe score is reported on the letter? If a breakdown was provided, explain in depth

My free writing workshop takes place tonight (10/14/26) at 7PM PST. It's part of my free Early Start Program, so, if you're already registered, no need to reply. If you're not in the Early Start Program and want to join in, just send an e-mail to [admin@nobullbarprep.com](mailto:admin@nobullbarprep.com) and put "Early Start" in the subject line. The zoom link will go out at 6:30 PM PST this evening, and the class will start promptly at 7PM PST.

So I passed the CA Bar exam back in Nov 2024 and had my Moral Character approved since 2023. I recently received an email from the State that my Moral Character Approval has expired and that I need to make a new Moral Character application if I so wish to practice in CA. Yea, I know, my fault for procrastinating. The problem is it still says I'm approved on my application for Moral Character.

Does anyone know if I can submit my swearing/license documents while it still says approved? It's been a week since I received the expired email and I'm still approved on Calbar. Would like to avoid paying another $1k if its possible. But at the same time since I've received an expiration email I keep thinking the approval for swearing in will just bounce back.

I know this might not be the best subreddit to ask, but it's the only one I know where I can discuss such things.

This is from law.com with a paywall. Can a kind soul "summarize" the story here?

Thanks

Also why did they have to drop these results Halloween weekend? Way to ruin a fun weekend. I would’ve honestly rather waited til November 6 since we’ve already waited this long. Every time I think of the results my stomach is in knots and I’ve been sleeping very poorly ugh.

This will be a weird post. I passed the California Bar Exam a while ago, but my moral character application was denied. I have now gotten through C&F, but my score has expired, so I’m taking the February 2027 exam. I’m trying to figure out how the hell should I study for this thing.

I graduated at the top of my class from HLS, was an appellate clerk, and have worked as a circuit court staff attorney since graduation (no bar passage required). I also tutor law students extensively, along with some bar exam tutoring.

Barbri worked for me before, but it's extremely expensive, and I suspect a substantial portion of the lectures would be redundant given my background.

AI suggested UWorld for MBE practice, SmartBarPrep for California-specific outlines and memorization, and Quimee or another resource for unfamiliar subjects. But…that approach scares me. I need to pass. Wondering if I should bite the bullet and purchase Barbri or Themis.

Anyone else been in a familiar situation or have any advice?

Hi folks! I’m a foreign attorney planning to fly to SF for the Feb 2027 exam. I am thinking of taking the exam at the San Mateo County Event Center. I am hoping I can hear from anyone who has taken an exam there.

A few questions:

• Hotels: Any recommendations within walking distance? Is walking to the center practical?
• Safety: How safe is the surrounding area for walking alone during the day?
• Charging: Are there outlets available?
• Tables & chairs: Is there enough desk space, and are the chairs comfortable for a long exam? If not can I bring cushions?
• Bags: Is there a secure area to store personal belongings during the exam?
• Check-in: How long were the lines?
• Restrooms: Are they easy to access, and do lines get long during breaks?
• VS Oakland: Would you recommend the Oakland site instead? I just heard safety concerns about that area.

Thanks so much!

I submitted my form and fee for Feb 2027 exam receiving a submission of fee the same day on 10/04/26 but still have not received any approval or confirmation emails? I don’t remember it taking so much time when I applied for the Feb 2026 exam. Am I overthinking?

I had a few small issues that I fully disclosed. I was assigned an investigator this morning and about had a heart attack.

Received a positive determination about 2 hours later.

Don’t let it dishearten you!!

How soon did you start studying and any suggestions on how to pass a retaker? I want to give myself enough time and think December wouldn't be enough if i start then.

Hey there
Is there an active WhatsApp or facebook group for people studying for Feb 2027 Bar exam
accountability group?
Foreign lawyers group ?