Yes and no. The Cheat Sheets that cover the topics tested on your state’s exam will be helpful (for example: Torts, Evidence, Constitutional Law, etc.). However, the parts of the book that are not covered on your state’s exam will be useless. We recommend comparing the list of Cheat Sheets on the Bookstore page to the list of subjects tested on your state’s exam in order to make that determination on your own.

We apologize but at this time we do not have state-specific versions of the book. We are in the process of developing a MEE version of the book but do not have an official release date yet.

It depends on where you are located. During the height of the bar preparation season (December - February and June - July), the book usually leaves our office within 1 business day of your order via Priority Mail from Sacramento, CA (it gets to most California locations within 2-3 business days, but that is not a guarantee). During the "off-season" (March - May and August - November), the book usually leaves our office within 3 business days of your order, also via Priority Mail from Sacramento, CA.
If you require overnight shipping, you must call us to place your order over the phone. Our phone number is (877) 325-2905.

Yes, of course. Per U.S. copyright laws, there are no limitations on how many times the bound copies of the book can be sold.

We do not. Because The Bar Code methodology was created by former bar graders of the written portions of the exam, we do not feel qualified to offer a separate program for the multistate portion of the exam. Nonetheless, most of the students who go through the substantive parts of our program (the Essay Intensive and private tutorials) see a substantial improvement in their MBE scores because of the time spent clarifying various points of law in class or with a tutor.

In short, the Essay Writing Workshop covers the technical and strategic aspects of exam writing (from a former bar grader’s perspective) and the Essay Intensive covers the 15 substantive subjects tested on the California Bar Exam.

The Essay Writing Workshop is a 9-hour LIVE lecture (with an additional 6-hour take home DVD portion) that covers the top six reasons people fail, despite having an adequate understanding of the law. It is taught from the perspective of a former bar grader and is designed to give participants insight not only into how the exam is scored, but also how to communicate the law in a way that maximizes points. We also spend at least 3 hours on one of the main reasons people fail – weak factual analysis.

In contrast, the Essay Intensive not only includes everything in the Essay Writing Workshop (on day 1), but also individual subject lectures on how to avoid the costly mistakes people make on the specific topics tested on the exam (examples: “proximate causation” in Torts, “truth of the matter asserted” in Evidence, “act of independent significance” in Wills). Each lecture also includes a series of issue spotting exercises done with the instructor. This part of the workshop is similar to having a study group, but with a tutor on your team.

The Essay Writing Workshop is designed to be a supplement for a self-study substantive program or taken in conjunction with another prep course. It does not include lectures on the substantive law or feedback on essays. The Essay Intensive is suitable for anyone looking for a small-group setting, essay feedback and a more exacting review of the substantive law.

The tutors make that determination each season based on their personal schedules. They never take more than 16 students each per session. They have been known to take as few as 5 in one session.

Our private tutorial spots are usually filled within 5-7 business days of the results release date. Our workshops and other programs generally have availability up to the last minute.

For a list of our tutors, please click here. We now offer tutoring services in California, Nevada, Arizona and New York.

This means that we do not “reserve” spots for students or take students on a first-come, first-serve basis. We leave the majority of our spots open until the results from the previous exam are released. At that time, students who turn in applications are selected on the basis of a number of different factors, including geographic location, freedom from significant commitments such as fulltime work, whether they are typing or handwriting their practice exams, etc.

We do not select students based on the scores of their previous exam(s), the school they attended or how many times they have taken the exam. We have worked with students from unaccredited schools and students who have taken the exam multiple times.

Yes. The applications are used for informational purposes only. There is no application fee and they are not binding in any way. We use them to make it easier for the tutors to listen during their phone conversation with you as opposed to taking notes. Failure to complete any section of the application will result in a delay in processing.

No. The Essay Workshop is included in both courses.

The private tutorial program is our most intense exam preparation option. The study calendar requires a minimum of 9-11 hours of work per day (6 days a week) from each student. It would be almost impossible to complete the program while maintaining fulltime employment. For that reason, we give preference to students who have no work commitments and are able to meet during business hours.

For the February exam, we recommend that students take a leave of absence from work beginning in January. For the July exam, we recommend that students take a leave of absence after the Memorial Day holiday. Students who have failed the exam multiple times, have very low scores or come from non-accredited schools are encouraged to start even earlier.

While it is certainly not impossible to pass the exam while working (many of our graduates have done it!), the statistics are much lower than for those who take a formal leave of absence.

The short answer is that “it depends.” Most motivated second-time takers who were close to passing the first time (received scores above 1400) don’t need the full private tutorial. Often, they just need to understand how to write for the exam. This means getting exposure to how the exam is graded, the six basic principles of exam writing (non-substantive) and understanding the reasons why applicants fail despite knowing the legal material.

The six basic principles of exam writing are taught in our Essay Workshop. For students who are self-disciplined and are close to passing on the essay portion of the exam, this workshop is ideal.

For a description of the Essay Workshop, click here.

For students interested in feedback on their essays in addition to the instruction taught in the Essay Workshop, the Essay Intensive and private tutorial programs are a better fit.

The Performance Test workshop is divided into two parts. The first part (day one) covers the structure, set-up and organization of performance tests. We cover in detail how the performance tests are graded, where applicants can rack up easy points, how to spot the different types of performance tests, how to efficiently read through the library and file without falling for the examiners’ tricks and how to organize the material in a way that makes writing a performance test quick and easy.

The second part of the class (day two) focuses on how to implement the plan taught on day one and how to effectively write a performance test. During this segment of the class, we focus on writing a Statement of Facts, how to engage in effective factual analysis on a performance test (as opposed to the essays) and how to IRAC for the performance tests.

For an additional fee, students also have the option of turning in a performance test to be graded by one of our staff.

Unfortunately we do not offer exam assessments as a separate service at this time. We offer packages of essay review for first-time takers (space is limited - please call) and the Bar Exam Essay Intensive program for repeaters and first time takers.

Exam assessments are included in the private tutorial. Individual essay review is also available to students taking the New York Bar Exam.

The ideal programs for you are the Essay Writing Workshop, Performance Test Workshop and Essay Feedback program (for more info - please call). While many first-time takers initially want to participate in our full private tutorial because they are fearful of failing, these programs are generally too demanding and time-consuming for first-time takers who are simultaneously enrolled in a full-service prep course.

The aforementioned programs are the perfect supplement to your regular bar review course. The Essay Feedback program comes with feedback on your review course essays PLUS six more.

Yes. We now offer the Essay Writing Workshop in a webinar format for distance students. Also, all of our tutors offer distance private tutoring on a phone/email basis. Unfortunately, however, the Essay Intensive and Performance Test programs are LIVE.

Absolutely. We have worked with several students with different types of physical and learning disabilities. Our private tutorial program is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate all types of applicants. We do not, however, give advice on how to obtain testing accommodations for these disabilities from the State Bar.

Unfortunately, due to the administrative burden, we do not accept individual applications for scholarships. Each year, we research and choose one organization or school to make the selections on our behalf, based on the criteria we have set forth for that year. We do not offer any other discounts.

Yes, we will provide you with the contact information of the graduates listed on the testimonials page of this website as well as other graduates who have agreed to serve as references (but are not listed here for personal reasons). As a courtesy, our references respectfully request that you refrain from contacting them directly at their places of employment. We will provide you with their contact information.

It is possible that the credit card processing center was undergoing maintenance at the time you attempted to register. This is very common late at night or in the early morning. It is also possible that your zip code did not match the billing address or that the credit card was declined. If you do not want to try again at another time, feel free to call us and one of our staff will take your information via phone.

If you did not hear from us within the usual time frame (1-2 business days during the bar season and 3-5 days during the “off-season”), it is possible that we did not hear the entire phone number on your message due to a poor connection. Please call us back or send your information to us via the CONTACT US page.

Check your bulk or junk mail folder for our response. During exam season (November – February), we normally respond to inquiries within 1-2 business days. If you are trying to contact us between August and November, we normally respond within 3-5 business days. Thank you for your patience.