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Best Bar Prep Courses
Our in-depth guide to the best bar review courses, covering everything you need to know
No matter what state you’re in, the bar exam is one of the most challenging professional exams in the country, and to give yourself the best shot at passing on the first try, you will definitely need a bar review course. But with so many options, how do know which one is best for you? Our team has thoroughly reviewed just about every bar review course on the market and ranked the best ones here.
In the video above, John from the Test Prep Insight team (who passed the California bar exam on his first attempt) walks you through our team’s list of the best bar review courses. Alternatively, you can always continue reading for more detail regarding each bar exam course.
Offering one of the most comprehensive and detailed bar review curriculums we’ve seen, Kaplan has continually moved up our best list, and this year has taken the top spot. Of the “Big Three” (Barbri, Themis and Kaplan), our team believes Kaplan is the best course. Here’s why.
Effective Course Structure
First, Kaplan has a really strong course structure designed to optimize your learning and material retention through a robust and repeated learning framework. Each subject module follows the same pattern of “Learn, Practice, Review, and Catch Up.”
One of the Kaplan bar prep quizzes
This thoughtful framework provides an excellent means of learning (or re-learning) the material you need to do know, drilling it, and letting it sink in through review and recap. Plus, this framework is built on some top-notch lessons.
The live online lectures are delivered by excellent instructors with a knack for easily communicating difficult subjects, and the on demand video lessons have some of the strongest production quality we have seen. In addition, Kaplan’s prep package is lifted by some of the best practice material in the industry.
Stellar Live Classes
One of the biggest advantages of using Kaplan over other courses is that they’re the only major bar prep provider to offer live classes. Barbri used to have live classes (and that was actually the version of their course that I took when I passed the bar), but not anymore.
At this point, Kaplan is the only bar prep provider with live classes, and after having just re-purchased and used this course to review it, we think the Kaplan live classes are really good. Basically, you attend live online classes everyday for two months straight, Monday through Friday, for 4 to 7 hours per day.
These live classes make for an intense grind, but it is definitely worth it, especially if you’re one of those people who struggles to self-motivate and stay focused. If it’s hard for you to find the motivation to put in 8 hours a day, every day, this is probably going to be the biggest benefit of the Kaplan course over Themis and Barbri.
Mountains of Prep Material
One of the other highlights of the Kaplan bar review course is the sheer quantity of practice material you get. With 4,000+ MBE practice questions, four full-length practice tests, a library of essay and performance test prompts, and some of the coolest tools for drilling in bar review, there was no shortage of work.
This quantity of practice material is best in class, and is utilized in multiple ways to maximize learning. Practice problems are accessed through lessons, drills, practice tests and extracurricular study.
Most importantly, you can access these problems through Kaplan’s Qbank and Qformative, two programs artfully designed to help you narrowly focus your practiceand gain a deeper understanding of the material being tested.
One of Kaplan’s on demand bar review video lectures
Additionally, each MBE question is accompanied by a thorough text explanation, breaking down the question and answer choices in detail, making for a full-circle learning experience through review. Plus, all of Kaplan’s essay and performance test prompts come with helpful model answers and explanations.
In short, we were super impressed with the updates that Kaplan has made to their bar review course, and they have officially moved into our #1 spot with the highest overall rating. This is a fantastic bar review package and you cannot go wrong with Kaplan—especially at this price point.
Bar Prep Hero takes a different approach to bar prep from most bar review companies we’ve reviewed. Rather than having formal instruction covering content review, Bar Prep Hero focuses on practice, practice and more practice.
The idea is that you learn by doing and reviewing each and every practice problem. Bar Prep Hero licenses its MBE, MEE and MPT materials directly form the NCBE, the body that makes the UBE portions of the bar exam.
As such, Bar Prep Hero offers first-rate practice material through questions that have actually appeared on past exams.
In addition, each MBE problem is accompanied by a detailed problem explanation, which breaks down the problem and answer choices, as well as cites to relevant case law for reference.
The MEE and MPT material also have corresponding sample outlines and model answers, offering students a chance to practice those aspects of bar testing and check their answers against the gold standard.
And for even more practice, Bar Prep Hero offers 1,600+ flashcards covering 12 of the most important legal categories covered on the bar. In short, Bar Prep Hero is all about the practice work.
Bar Prep Hero as a Supplement
The level and quality of practice material you get with Bar Prep Hero makes it an excellent supplement to any study plan. Without a thorough course of instruction though, it generally lacks the necessary content review function that other more expensive courses offer.
Bar Prep Hero flashcards
However, at this extremely reasonable price point, Bar Prep Hero offers a great opportunity to serve as a complement to get you across the finish line.
If you’ve taken a free prep course through your law school, or perhaps found a great set of used prep books that get you the content review you need but without the practice, Bar Prep Hero could be the perfect option.
In our opinion, it is best utilized to supplement a study plan where the student has the content necessary to review for the bar, but just needs the practice.
Why Quimbee SideBar Videos Earn A Spot On Our Best List
Note: Quimbee discontinued their full comprehensive bar review course following their July 2025 acquisition by BARBRI. However, they still offer SideBar Videos, which we’re covering here as a top supplemental tool.
Quimbee SideBar Videos take a completely different approach to bar prep. Instead of three-hour lecture marathons, Quimbee delivers 270+ short, animated videos designed to explain black-letter law in a way that actually sticks. At $550, this isn’t meant to replace your main bar prep course. It’s built to supplement BARBRI, Themis, or Kaplan when you’re stuck on difficult concepts.
Short, Animated Videos That Actually Work
Each video uses professional animation to break down complex legal concepts into digestible chunks. This animated storytelling approach genuinely improves retention. When you’re three weeks into bar prep and can’t remember hearsay exceptions, a 5-7 minute Quimbee video with clear visuals beats rewatching an hour of lecture.
The videos are searchable by topic, so if you’re stuck on “Personal Jurisdiction” or “Rule Against Perpetuities,” you can jump straight to that concept. Each video includes a 3-question quiz for immediate reinforcement. The entire library has over 800 practice questions total, which provides solid reinforcement after each lesson.
Quimbee SideBar video example
The Perfect Supplement Strategy
If you’re already enrolled in a major bar prep course and finding yourself zoning out during lectures, Quimbee is your lifeline. Use it to get unstuck on specific topics. Quimbee explains in 5 minutes what your main course takes 50 minutes to cover.
For budget-conscious students, you can pair Quimbee SideBar with a question bank like Bar Prep Hero to build a complete study plan for under $1,000 total. Quimbee handles content review through engaging videos, while Bar Prep Hero provides the practice questions you need for the MBE.
To be clear, Quimbee SideBar is not a standalone course. There’s no essay grading, no study schedule, no full practice exams. But if you’re a self-directed learner who needs better content explanations, or if you’re already enrolled in another course and need supplemental help, Quimbee delivers real value.
SideBar practice quiz
BARBRI-Backed Quality
Following the acquisition, these videos are now officially “Powered by BARBRI,” which adds credibility. Quimbee SideBar Videos solve a specific problem: your main course is putting you to sleep and you’re not retaining material. For visual learners or anyone struggling with retention, this is an easy add to your study plan.
It wouldn’t be a best bar review courses list without BARBRI. Preparing students for the bar exam for 50+ years now, BARBRI has a long track record of success in getting students across the finish line.
Having such a long history has allowed Barbrito vet and incrementally improve their curriculum over the years to offer students one of the soundest course structures around, even if somewhat heavy handed.
At the center of their course, BARBRI offers students hundreds of hours of on demand video lessons. However, we would note that the on demand video based instruction is a bit dry and unengaging, despite being taught by some of the biggest names in the legal world.
BARBRI’s rock solid bar review books
Beyond the lessons, BARBRI offers very respectable quantities and quality of practice material, as well as some incredible prep books. All in all, BARBRI offers a solid all-around prep package and is definitely the conservative choice for those looking to play it safe.
Top-Notch Bar Prep Books
A highlight of their bar review course, BARBRI offers some legendary prep books. When you sign up with Barbri, they will ship you a massive box of printed texts, with titles including the following (if you’re in a UBE state):
MEE Testing
MBE Practice Questions
Multistate Performance Test Workbook
The Conviser Mini Review for MEE-MBE
Lecture Handouts for MBE-MEE
Simulated MBE
This is a ton of print resources and is generally some of the best on the market for those students who like to study through text. The content-filled review books are incredibly thorough and well-written, covering everything you may need to know for test day. And the lecture handout booklets and practice books significantly aid in your studies.
Standing behind their philosophy of working smarter and not harder, Smart Bar Prep earns a spot on our best list by bringing an arsenal of research-based outlines and guides to the bar prep playing field. We discuss the quality of these outlines in more detail below, but just know that they are about the best attack outlines in bar review.
They are clear and concise, and lend credence to Smart Bar Prep’s belief that you’ll be best served by spending more time studying black letter law and rules that are most frequently tested, and less time on topics that historically haven’t been seen as often.
Smart Bar Prep’s condensed outlines are the best in bar review
Relative to others, Smart Bar Prep is a remarkably affordable bar prep option. Their premium option tops out at about $400, and includes over 600 real MBE questions from past bar exams. You’ll also get point sheets used in the scoring of exams so you can self-assess as you go.
With such a reasonable price point, it is probably no surprise that you will not get the same comprehensive curriculum with Smart Bar Prep that you will get with others on our list.
Offering no online videos, live instruction, or printed materials (all outlines and guides are in PDF format and can be downloaded and printed), their sole focus is on condensing material into more manageable outlines and providing exam-like practice with their practice questions and guides.
If you are a student looking for a self-study option, with no desire for classroom or video instruction, Smart Bar Prep might be your best bet. Our team believes that it can easily be your one-stop resource for your bar prep, especially if you are a self-driven learner.
For others, we see great value in adding the resources provided by Smart Bar Prep as a companion for another bar prep course. In either case, Smart Bar Prep does not miss the mark when it comes to providing an affordable, no-frills bar prep option with solid resources.
Best Attack Outlines in Bar Prep
These aren’t just any outlines. They include every black letter law rule and essay topic that has been tested since 1995, as well as frequency charts to indicate how often the rules have appeared on past exams.
Smart Bar Prep flashcards
These thoughtfully designed outlines do a great job of condensing all of the topics into manageable bits of information, but don’t skimp on important details. Smart Bar Prep’s outlines really shine with their color-coding, making it super easy to identify if a rule should be viewed as high, medium, or low priority.
As you will find out, in the final days leading up to the bar exam, you will want to review nothing but high-yield outlines that provide concise statements of the various rules you need to memorize, and these outlines are the ticket.
Here is some general information about the bar exam, to help you in your quest to pass on the first attempt.
About The Bar Exam
The bar exam is a professional licensing examination that tests the knowledge and competency of a lawyer before being licensed to practice law. The bar is administered and overseen by the bar association (professional association of lawyers) of a specific jurisdiction. In the United States, bar exams are administered by the bar associations of individual states and territories.
Bar Exam Test Structure
The bar exam format varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. While some states require additional or separate testing components, the bar exam in most states is most commonly made up of three parts: (1) The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), (2) the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and (3) The Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
The MBE
The MBE comprises 200 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are given in the morning, and the remaining 100 administered in the afternoon. You are given 3 hours to complete each 100-question section, for a total of 6 hours. The MBE does not test jurisdiction-specific law. It includes federal law covering seven subjects:
Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law
Contacts and Sales
Criminal Law and Procedure
Evidence
Real Property
Torts
The MEE
The MEE is made up of six, 30-minute essay questions. Each essay is designed to test one’s ability to identify legal issues and their relevance in hypothetical situations, to present a clear reasoned analysis, and demonstrate an understanding of legal principles relevant to the solution of those hypothetical situations.
The MEE tests a wide range of topics, including:
Business Associations (Agency and Partnership; Corporations and Limited Liability Companies)
Conflict of Laws
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Criminal Law and Procedure
Evidence
Family Law
Federal Civil Procedure
Real Property
Torts
Trusts and Estates
Uniform Commercial Code
The MPT
The MPT consists of two, 90-minute sections and is intended to test one’s ability to apply fundamental reasoning skills to a simulated work situation. The MPT is designed to assess six skills:
Communication
Factual analysis
Problem solving
Legal analysis and reasoning
Organization and management of a legal task
Recognizing and resolving ethical dilemmas
How Often is the Bar Exam Administered?
In most jurisdictions, the bar exam is a two-day examination and is offered two times annually—once in February and once in July.
How to Study for the Bar Exam
Create and Maintain a Study Schedule. Building a study schedule is going to be mission critical to passing the bar exam. There is simply too much hard content to learn (or really, re-learn) before exam day. So determine how much time you have until the test date, and work backwards from there. Your schedule should include the time you intend to spend studying, the locations you will study (switch it up to break up the monotony sometimes), the specific subject you want to concentrate on, the assignments you want to complete (including practice tests), and self-care. Set goals and keep a calendar. Many bar review courses will help you in this study planning.
Take Practice Tests. Taking multiple practice exams is the best way to gain insight on how the test will be organized and how the information will be tested. Initially, you can take your time on practice tests. This will allow you to identify the manner in which questions are presented and give you time to focus on your strengths and weaknesses. As time goes on, do the practice tests under timed conditions so you can identify any timing issues you may encounter.
Learn From your Practice Exam Mistakes. Keep a log of your missed questions, together with explanations, and review the log often. This will help you identify your particular strengths and weaknesses, and can be helpful in noticing patterns of missed questions.
Practice Self-Care. Studying for the bar exam can be stressful, but it will be far more daunting if you don’t take care of yourself. Make sure to stay hydrated, eat healthy meals and take time for physical exercise daily. Don’t skimp on sleep. Practice mindfulness daily, and stay connected with friends and family.
Almost every aspiring attorney will need to take a bar review course in order to pass the bar exam. The bar is difficult enough, do not make things tougher by going in unprepared.
How much does a typical bar review course cost?
There are a wide variety of bar review courses commercially available today, ranging in price from $200 up to $5,000+. While that is a large disparity, know that most students will spend $1,500 to $3,000 on a comprehensive bar prep course.
How long do you need to study for the bar exam?
Most bar review courses provide approximately 8 to 10 weeks of prep time before you are ready to sit for the bar. If you’re a first-time bar exam taker, this generally means you will need to study from shortly after law school graduation until your exam date in late July.
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