Just finishing law school can be quite the chore. However, once he or she completes law school they still have to pass the Texas State Bar Exam to become a practicing attorney in the state of Texas. The test itself is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a three (3) day exam that not only tests your knowledge of the law but your mental endurance as well. It consists of a combination of essay and multiple choice questions. The multiple choice portion makes up 40% of the exam while open-ended and essay questions make up the remainder. The scoring is on a scale of 1-1000 with a score of 675 being a passing grade.
As many found out this past February, just because you passed law school, that does not mean you’ll pass the State Bar.
Last February was a record low for test takers sitting for the Texas Bar Exam. Out of everyone who took the Texas Bar exam, only 48.36% of people passed. What’s worse is that people who take the Texas bar have the best chance of passing the test the first time they take it. Because the bar is only given out every 6 months, your best shot to pass the exam is right out of law school while everything is still fresh on your mind.
However, the Texas State Bar Board of Examiners does give you five (5) chances to sit for the bar exam. You can also petition the Board to let you sit for an extra, 6th if they approve it. Although you get multiple attempts to take the exam, the statistics still show that you’re more likely to pass the exam your first time and then the numbers drastically drop.
So what happens to all the people who passed law school but cannot become an attorney? That’s a good question. Many of these individuals have taken out thousands of dollars in student loan debt. According to the American Bar Association, the average law school graduate student loan debt was $84,000 for public school graduates and $122,158 if you attended private. These folks were banking on the fact that they would have a high-income job once they graduated and became an attorney. Without passing the Texas State Bar Exam, these individuals now have to choose a new profession. This sometimes means going back to Grad school and thus incurring more student loan debt.
The Rigorous Nature of the Exam
Extended Duration:
The three-day format of the Texas State Bar Exam is designed to assess a candidate’s endurance and understanding of various legal principles. Candidates face an extensive amount of material over an extended period, contributing to the exam’s difficulty.
Complexity of Content:
The exam covers a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
Civil Procedure
Criminal Law
Contracts
Torts
Constitutional Law
Evidence
Business Associations
This breadth of knowledge requires candidates to have not only memorized laws and statutes but also to be able to apply them in complex scenarios, particularly in the essay portion of the exam.
Psychological and Emotional Factors
Stress and Anxiety:
The pressure to perform well on the bar exam can lead to significant stress and anxiety among candidates. The stakes are high, as passing the exam is often seen as the gateway to a successful legal career.
Many candidates experience imposter syndrome, doubting their capabilities even after years of rigorous training in law school.
Preparation Strategies:
Effective preparation is essential for success on the exam. Many candidates enroll in bar prep courses designed specifically to help them prepare for the State Bar Exam. These courses typically include:
Practice Questions: Simulating the exam environment.
Study Schedules: Organizing content review over the months leading up to the exam.
Feedback Sessions: Offering critiques on practice essays to improve legal writing skills.
Financial Considerations and Debt Management
Student Loans and Debt Stress:
Graduates often face substantial student loan debt, which can be a source of significant stress, especially for those who do not pass the bar exam. The expectation of a high-paying job can feel out of reach if they cannot practice law.
Financial Implications of Retaking the Exam:
Each attempt at the bar exam typically incurs additional costs, including:
Exam Fees: Fees associated with registering for the exam.
Bar Prep Costs: The expense of enrolling in bar preparation courses, which can range from
1,500 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 1,500toover3,000.
Living Expenses: Candidates may need to continue living expenses while studying for subsequent attempts.
Career Implications of Failing the Bar Exam
Shifting Career Paths:
Graduates who do not pass the bar exam may find themselves needing to pivot their career paths. Options may include:
Alternative Legal Careers: Seeking roles in legal support, compliance, or paralegal work that do not require a bar license.
Related Fields: Moving into fields such as business, education, or public policy, which may utilize their legal training but do not require a law license.
Further Education:
Some graduates opt to pursue additional degrees (such as an LL.M. or a Master’s in a different field) to enhance their qualifications and employability, potentially leading to further financial burdens.
Support Systems and Resources
Peer Support:
Building a support network among peers can be invaluable. Study groups can foster collaboration and motivation, allowing candidates to share resources and strategies.
Professional Guidance:
Seeking mentorship from experienced attorneys can provide insights into the bar exam process and career navigation post-law school. Mentors can also help candidates manage expectations and strategize for their future.
Mental Health Resources:
Law schools and bar associations often provide mental health resources to help candidates cope with the pressures associated with the bar exam. This support can be crucial for maintaining mental wellness throughout the process.
Conclusion
The Texas State Bar Exam is a formidable hurdle for law school graduates, encompassing not only the challenge of mastering extensive legal knowledge but also the need for psychological resilience and effective preparation strategies. The financial implications of attempting the exam, coupled with the emotional strain of potential failure, underscore the complexity of this critical juncture in an aspiring attorney’s career. By understanding the various dimensions of the bar exam experience, candidates can better prepare themselves for success and navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
As you can see, becoming an attorney is becoming increasingly difficult. Not only are you gambling on your future, but you’re also risking financial hardship as well. If you do not truly love the law, then becoming an attorney may not be the right career path for you. You must really consider all the issues and hurdles that go along with making the decision to try to become an attorney.
