Frequently Asked Questions

Below is list of frequently asked questions that we receive from many students preparing for bar exams. Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions and we’ll do our best to answer them.

1. When can I expect to receive my login information?

Once your payment is confirmed, you will receive an email from our exam host ExamProfessor.com containing your log-in instructions to access your online exam(s). Please note that during heavy registration traffic there may be a slight delay in sending you log-in instructions. Purchases made outside of office hours may be processed the following day.

2. How do I access your FREE indices?

Upon payment, you will be able to download a copy of our FREE indices. A unique download link to our FREE indices will be made available to you for 24 hours after purchase.

3. How long is the LSO bar exam?

Each exam is approximately 7 hours, broken into two, 3.5 hour time blocks separated by a lunch break.

All 2020-21 licensing process year examinations have been temporarily reduced in length from 7 hours to 4 hours.

4. What is the format of the LSO bar exam?

The exam is all multiple choice, and students can expect anywhere from 220-240 questions per exam. The number of questions for each subject is generally reflective of the amount of materials dedicated to that topic. For example, there will be more questions on civil procedure than on public law.

All 2020-21 licensing process year examinations have been temporarily reduced in length to 160 questions.

5. Are the questions grouped by subject or randomly ordered?

The questions are grouped by subject (i.e. civil procedure, criminal law, real estate). However, a section may be broken up by lunch. For example, you could have half the criminal questions before lunch, and half the criminal questions after lunch. Finally, the professional responsibility questions appear throughout the entirety of each exam and do not have a dedicated section.

6. How should I study?

See our study tips below.

7. How is the exam graded and what is the pass rate?

There is little official information published about the pass rates, which has led to a general (and misguided) belief that "everyone passes the Ontario bar exams". The truth is that students DO fail the Ontario bar . Anecdotally the pass rate is believed to be in the 90% range. Students routinely falter under the misguided assumption that everyone passes, so be sure to respect the process of the exam.

8. How should I prepare my materials for exam day?

We recommend binding your indices separately from your materials so that you can navigate the materials better. Some students also prefer to bind each section of the materials independently (i.e. separate binders for real estate, criminal law, etc).

How to Pass the Bar Exams

So you've just received your bar materials and you're staring at 1500 pages of content that you need to know for two, seven hour exams...now what? Many people spend time editing indices and making them look pretty, but is that what you want to be spending your time doing?

We think the best way to ensure success on the bar exam comes from following these easy steps:

IndiCES

We offer indices to purchasers of our practice bar exams! Upon payment, you will be able to download a copy of our indices. A unique download link to our indices will be made available to you for 24 hours after purchase.

Study Schedule & Reading the Materials

Now you can get to the substance of the materials. Make a study schedule with milestones of how much material you want to cover by each date. There is no need to take notes while you read. We suggest reading with a highlighter to keep you focused on the content (it also keeps you awake). When reading, remember you do not need to memorize the content - you are not studying to be a surgeon. Rather, you need to be aware of where various concepts are discussed in the materials and have a general understanding of the principles of each section. Trust your ability to recall general information that you have read. Don’t stress about memorization, you’ve made it this far already, so you must be doing something right.

Practice Exams

Once you're done reading the material for the first exam, try your hand at some sample questions. This is the best way to test your knowledge of the materials with your indices. Students often complain that they simply ran out of time on test day, so we suggest practicing under time constraints. Refer to our timer to pace yourself through the exam: Bar Timer Guide.

Exam Day

Keeping your normal routine is important, even if you've lost some sleep from the night before. Arrive at the exam location early enough to get your bearings. Once inside the test room, you won't be permitted to leave, so feel free to take some time to yourself outside. Once inside, set-up your desk to prepare for the exam. Most venues offer ample desk space, so spread out your materials to make research easier during the exam.

You will be permitted to take certain foods into the test room, so be sure to pack some light snacks, including water. These will help give you energy throughout the day. Remember, this exam is more about stamina and your ability to remain focused than it is about testing your vast knowledge of all legal concepts.

For most students, this is the longest exam they have ever written, so it is important to remain aware of your timing. Each venue will have a large screen outlining the time remaining on the exam, but it is a good idea to bring a timer of your own for quick reference. Many students prepare a timing index that outlines how long each question should take and which question they should be on at which time, which can be referred to throughout the exam.

Finally, be aware that test administrators will strictly enforce the rules, especially timing. No one will be permitted to leave with any of their materials (including binders, statutes, summaries), so be prepared to leave anything you bring in to the exam.

Take a deep breath - this will be your last law exam!

Any other helpful resources?

Our friends at Lawyer Connection have created a helpful blog post and podcast with some tips for writing and passing the exams. Check out the podcast here.

CHECK OUT OURSISTER SITES:

ONTARIO PARALEGAL EXAM