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Quimbee Bar Review & SideBar Videos: Is It Enough? (2026)
Our detailed review of the Quimbee Bar Review & SideBar Videos
Quimbee has discontinued their full comprehensive bar review course following their July 2025 acquisition by BARBRI. However, they still offer their highly-rated SideBar Videos, a visual supplemental tool designed to work alongside Kaplan, BARBRI or Themis. These short, animated videos are built specifically to help students get unstuck on difficult concepts when their main course isn’t clicking. I tested SideBar out to see if it actually delivers on that promise.
Since this is a comprehensive review, we’ve included jump-to links above for easy navigation.
My Experience with Quimbee SideBar Videos
I’ll be honest: when I first heard Quimbee discontinued their standalone bar prep course, I was skeptical about whether their video supplement would hold up on its own. But after spending time with their SideBar Videos library, I get why BARBRI kept this product alive. These aren’t just repackaged lectures; they’re very different from what you’re getting in the main course.
These short, animated videos (5 to 7 minutes each) break down black-letter law into digestible chunks. Think of it as high-quality YouTube explainer videos for bar prep made by lawyers who understand both the bar exam and the common errors that trip students up.
Quimbee SideBar video example
What Are Quimbee SideBar Videos?
Quimbee SideBar Videos are a supplemental study tool, not a replacement for a full bar review course. The library includes 270+ videos covering every subject tested on the bar exam, with specific content for the UBE, California, and Florida exams. Each video uses Quimbee’s signature animation style, those distinctive illustrated graphics you’ve probably seen if you used their case briefs in law school.
Since the BARBRI acquisition, these videos are now vetted and officially “Powered by BARBRI.” If you feel safer using a supplement from one of the big names, that backing helps.
The format is straightforward: short videos paired with 3-question quizzes. The idea is that you watch a 5-minute video on a specific topic (like “Hearsay Exceptions” or “Rule Against Perpetuities”), immediately test yourself with three questions, and move on. No three-hour lecture marathons or falling asleep at your desk.
SideBar practice quiz
The entire library includes over 800 multiple-choice questions. That’s not enough to pass the bar without a more comprehensive resource, but it does mean you’re getting plenty of reinforcement after each video.
Key Features That Actually Matter
Video Library Organization: The platform lets you search by topic, which sounds basic but is crucial when you’re panicking about a specific concept. If you’re stuck on “Personal Jurisdiction,” you can jump straight to that video instead of scrubbing through a 2-hour bar prep course lecture trying to find the timestamp.
Production Quality: The animation style is clean and professional. It’s not just a talking head or a whiteboard. These are story-driven visuals designed to stick in your memory. For me, the visual storytelling approach really does make concepts easier to recall than straight text or audio.
Quimbee SideBar sample video
Mobile Access: The videos work on mobile, which is helpful for review sessions when you’re not at your desk. I used them on my phone a few times during breaks, and the format works better on mobile than traditional lecture videos.
NextGen Bar Exam Coverage: Quimbee confirmed they’ll release videos for the NextGen Bar Exam well before July 2026, which matters if you’re sitting for one of the first administrations.
The Real Pros and Cons
What Works
Bite-sized: This is the biggest win. When you’re drowning in bar prep and just need someone to explain “why this hearsay exception exists,” a 5-minute video is infinitely better than rewatching an hour of lecture footage.
Retention: The animation and storytelling approach genuinely help. I remembered concepts from these videos better than from main course lectures, probably because they’re designed to be memorable rather than comprehensive. I wish these had existed when I was studying for the bar – would have saved me hours of study time.
Flexibility: You can use these alongside any major course (Kaplan, Bar Prep Hero, BARBRI) or as part of a DIY strategy. No need to follow a rigid study schedule.
Stress Reduction: Most Quimbee users report reduced study stress after using SideBar. When you’re stuck and frustrated, these bite-sized explainers can save you from spinning your wheels.
SideBar practice question explanation
What Doesn’t Work
Not a Standalone Course: Let’s be clear – it’s a supplement. You cannot pass the bar using only these videos. There’s no essay grading, no full practice exams, no study schedule.
Limited Practice Questions: 800 questions is likely not enough volume for the MBE. You’ll still need your main course’s question bank.
Passive Learning Risk: Videos are inherently passive. If you just watch without taking notes or doing the quizzes, you’ll forget everything. The 3-question quizzes help, but even they’re not enough for remembering all the details.
How Quimbee Compares to Other Supplements
If you’re shopping for bar prep supplements, here’s how Quimbee SideBar stacks up against the main competitors.
Quimbee SideBar vs. Studicata
Both are video-first supplements claiming to simplify the law, but Quimbee is the better value.
Quimbee’s edge: Much higher production value (professional animation vs. a guy at a whiteboard), significantly cheaper, and shorter videos that actually respect your time. You can knock out a specific topic in under 10 minutes instead of sitting through another long lecture.
Studicata’s pitch: They claim to go deeper into exam strategy, but honestly, if you wanted more lectures, you would just watch the ones included in your main prep provider’s courses. The whole point of a supplement is to help make your studying efficient.
Bottom line: Choose Quimbee for quick visual learning that actually sticks. Studicata is overpriced for what you get, and the whiteboard format feels dated compared to Quimbee’s animations.
Quimbee SideBar vs. Bar Prep Hero
This isn’t a competition, think of them as teammates.
Bar Prep Hero is a leader with MBE practice questions (real NCBE questions with detailed explanations). Quimbee SideBar is for content review and visual learning.
Bar Prep Hero will reveal your weak areas through practice questions, and Quimbee will fix those gaps with targeted video explanations.
This comes down to learning style: visual vs. text.
Critical Pass sells flashcards with dense, text-heavy cards designed for memorization. They’re comprehensive and good if you’re a reader who likes drilling facts.
Quimbee is visual learning through short videos.
Bottom line: If you’re a visual learner, Quimbee’s animated videos are a much better fit. If you learn better through text, Critical Pass might work, but honestly, most students find flashcards tedious for bar prep. Quimbee keeps you more engaged.
Who Should Actually Buy This?
Best Use Case: The “Stuck” Student
If you’re currently enrolled in BARBRI, Themis, or Kaplan and you feel like you’re constantly zoning out during lectures, Quimbee could be your lifeline. Use it to get unstuck on specific hard topics like Rule Against Perpetuities, Civil Procedure jurisdiction – whatever is breaking your brain. Quimbee explains in 5 minutes what your main course takes 50 minutes to cover.
Ideally, you’re not replacing your course; you’re fixing the gaps.
SideBar student dashboard
Secondary Use Case: The Budget DIY Student
If you’re trying to avoid spending $3,000+ on a traditional course and want to piece together a passing strategy, you can use Quimbee as your primary video library. But you absolutely must pair it with a dedicated question bank like Kaplan’s, Bar Prep Hero’s, or AdaptiBar’s because you can’t pass with Quimbee Sidebar alone.
Not For: Students Who Need Structure
If you need a full course with a study calendar, essay grading, and someone telling you what to do every day, Quimbee won’t cut it. It’s a supplement and self-directed tool. You have to know when and how to use it.
What Reddit and student feedback tends to say
Across Reddit threads and law student forums, Quimbee BAR prep tends to be discussed in a fairly consistent way. Here are the most common themes that come up.
Strong value as a supplement Many students describe Quimbee as a useful secondary resource, especially for short video refreshers and rule explanations alongside a primary BAR course.
High-quality video explanations The short, topic-focused videos are frequently praised for clarity and pacing, particularly by visual learners.
Not enough as a standalone BAR solution A recurring theme is that Quimbee works best in addition to a full BAR prep course, not as a replacement for one.
Pricing
Quimbee SideBar Videos cost $550 for full access to the entire library (270+ videos, 800+ practice questions). That’s significantly cheaper than Studicata ($1,000).
For context, this is about the same price as Bar Prep Hero ($450), which makes the “pair them together” strategy pretty affordable at under $1,000 total.
Final Verdict
Quimbee SideBar Videos solve a real problem: your main bar prep course is putting you to sleep, and you’re not retaining the material. These videos fix that.
If you’re struggling with specific concepts or zoning out during long lectures, buy Quimbee. The $550 is worth it to actually understand the law instead of panic-cramming the night before the exam. This make it among the best supplemental bar review tools out there.
If you’re building a budget strategy, pair Quimbee with a budget bar prep course for under $1,000 total. That combo has passed plenty of students who refused to spend $3,000 on a full course.
The only reason not to buy is if you genuinely don’t need supplemental help or you’re looking for a full course replacement (which this isn’t). For everyone else dealing with retention issues or confusion on hard topics, this is an easy add to your study plan.
No. It is a supplemental tool designed to be used alongside a full course like Kaplan, Bar Prep Hero or Themis. It does not include a study schedule, essay grading, or a full question bank.
How much does Quimbee SideBar cost?
The full SideBar Videos package costs $550. This gives you access to the entire library of 270+ videos and 800+ quiz questions.
Can I use this for the California or Florida bar exams?
Yes. The library includes specific coverage for the UBE, California, and Florida bar exams.
Does this include the new NextGen Bar Exam?
Not currently, but Quimbee has confirmed that videos covering the NextGen Bar Exam will be launched before July 2026.
Does Quimbee offer refunds on BAR prep?
Quimbee states that payments are non-refundable in most cases. While discretionary exceptions may be granted, there is no standard refund window or money-back guarantee.
