u/discodiva19

I first took the bar exam in July of 2024 and scored a 1207. I was devastated but really did a deep dive to fix the obvious knowledge and skill gap and took the F25 exam. during that winter I focused very heavily on closing my knowledge gaps and it was during this season of bar prep that I think I sharpened my legal knowledge the most. however I scored a 1378 after PT imputation so still didn’t pass.

I sat with the pain of failing again and was so determined to get out of it. at this point I lost my government job, been to all of my friends and co workers swearing ins, while I was just stuck in the same loop. I “officially” learned I failed Feb around the end of June once the PT imputation was finalized, which left me with just around 5 weeks to get as ready for j25 as possible. I again focussed on mbe and the knowledge gaps, however I failed yet again with a 1343.

this past November I realized I neglected the mental component majorly. I knew so much at this point from studying each cycle but it wasn’t enough. I have a very mean inner voice and during all three attempts I was truly just so hard on myself and pushed myself to focus on practice, revision, and knowledge. which are obviously important but I truly needed to prepare myself for the actual stress of the bar exam. during all three attempts no matter how much I studied I would be uncontrollably anxious during the actual exam, and would often blank. my blanking would start over a minor issue, for example in j25 I just couldn’t recall the trustees fiduciary duties, and instead of calming down I spiraled and blanked on every essay that morning including torts and BA, subjects I am strong in.

so this time, I focused on intentional practice, mindfulness, emphasizing understanding over memorizing, and really preparing myself for exam day, which including incorporating breathing exercises and making an attack plan for approaching the essays. this was the first time I took the bar exam and didn’t blank, and I obviously the test was challenging but I stuck to my game day plan which also included answering one essay at a time and absolutely no flipping around between them because I can control panic about property (a single subject) while it’s harder for me to avoid the inevitable spiral when my brain is now overwhelmed and consumed with multiple subjects as opposed to just the one area.

I finally passed on my fourth attempt (F26)!

looking back I believe my neglecting the mental component of this exam led me to failure more than any knowledge gap did for f25 and onwards. I’m intentionally excluding j24 from this because I 100% needed both knowledge and a stronger mental competent.

all this to say, as you begun studying again, please give yourself grace. do the uncomfortable task of doing a deep dive on your score sheet and use this to propel yourself forward. decrease your knowledge and get so strong mentally that nothing can phase you on exam day, as I genuinely believe that consistency in study methodology and a game plan that allows for consistent execution on exam day are keys to passing. majority of this post is from a reply I made on another post a few months ago but I wanted to share here.

you can do it, never give up.

I don’t even know where to begin. I passed on my 4th try. I still can’t believe it.

I am so grateful for this sub. I have said it time and time again, but the genuine belief from strangers on here helped me get back up after every single failure and I couldn’t be more grateful. You guys gave me tough love and amazing advice after every single failed attempt. I am SO THANKFUL.

I am going to organize my bar prep materials and would love to give away these resources to any retaker gearing up to take the bar exam.

I love this sub so much. I know reddit can be toxic in general, but this group has really helped me get back up after every failure. the genuine belief and advice from strangers has been so heart warming.

I am so anxious for so many reasons and I want to try to articulate here since I know this is the only audience that will truly understand how I feel and may even relate. but I vividly remember being ok this past November when I didn’t pass. but that was only because i had less intentional study time due to Feb 25 remedies dangling over our heads like a carrot until the end of june, the repeat pass rate being so low, the con law essay and me personally knowing I messed up BA + wills, and unfortunately/also fortunately immediately knowing that I wasn’t alone since no repeater I knew passed. but with results looming, idk if i will be ok if I don’t pass and idk how i will recover.

with that said, I am really praying and hoping for a record high repeat pass rate. I feel like we have been through the wringer, especially those of us were unsuccessful on the F25 exam. if anyone feels alone or just so scared I hope you know you are not alone. I am rooting for us all.

may we shine and may we be licensed attorneys in the state of California because we passed the feb 2026 California bar exam!!!