I'm considering sitting for the February 2027 NY bar after four unsuccessful attempts and would really appreciate advice from anyone who's been in a similar position.

I've come relatively close to passing before, but my scores have been inconsistent. I genuinely believe burnout played a significant role in my most recent attempt, especially with everything happening in my life at the time. I don't necessarily think I knew less than before, which makes the drop from 254 to 235 particularly frustrating.

I'm currently working full-time as a law clerk in an area of law that I do not want to stay in (in California), and hoping to study around 20–25 hours a week, taking only the week of the exam off. I'll also be juggling some major personal milestones (like getting engaged!!!) and friends wedding, and the coming holidays during that time. I'm considering keeping this attempt private, aside from telling my partner, to reduce the pressure.

For those who've passed after multiple attempts or been in similar circumstances:

- What did your study schedule realistically look like while working full-time and managing personal commitments?

- Did you focus more on applying and practicing what you already knew rather than relearning everything?

- Was taking only the exam week off enough?

- Did keeping your retake private help with the pressure?

***I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who dealt with burnout or made significant improvements after several attempts. I'm trying to find a sustainable approach that still gives me a realistic chance of passing. With New York only allowing February retakes after four unsuccessful attempts, I'm also torn about whether taking another break is the wisest decision at this point.

I have BARBRI books and outlines but no access to the video lectures.

Do both cover the same substantive law, or would I miss important rules and explanations by studying only the books?

I’d appreciate feedback from anyone who has used both. Thanks!

Am I the only one who hasn’t received anything in the mail??? still don’t know my score.

How long is the second department taking to process applications and scheduling swearing in ceremonies? I passed the July 2026 NY bar and just submitted my application today?

Have people submitted their applications by now? Was trying to get mine out as soon as possible

I used Themis, and didn’t pass - off my a few points. Wondering if people in similar situations had a better outcome with GOAT prep.

3rd time taker planning for Feb 27. I don't think I learn as effectively with programs like Themis, Barbri, GOAT, Adaptibar, etc. and I want to see if tutoring helps. Any recommendations? Prefer someone I can meet with in-person.

How do you go about addressing C & F when they are asking for information that you have already fully disclosed?

Long story short, I worked a job for a month before law school before getting fired. Terrible job that I was terrible at. But nothing to raise any character flags. I got fired quick and never cared to clarify the reason. Years later now, I tried to clarify when preparing my C & F app to no avail. The employer refused to tell me beyond saying I broke company policy (but not saying which one). I let C & F know everything.

Of course, the investigator got that information out of them, but I seriously have no idea what they're talking about. It's still a vague reason, literally a single sentence, with zero context. I've dug through all of my records and spent some time thinking .... nothing comes to mind. I wasn't even done training before they let me go, received no warnings, etc, etc.

I'm wholly aware that denying responsibility is the worst possible outcome, but I seriously cannot think of anything related to the reason they provided me

I dont need it. Im taking the nextgen. DM me

Sorry I’m gonna rant and suggest that we mail a letter to the NJ Supreme Court so if you’re not interested, just don’t read lol. Call me extra idc, the bar exam is already an incredibly outdated hazing ritual, we shouldn’t also stand for insane delays unheard of in any other profession. Med School exams get graded in 2 fucking weeks. Like…

I think a large portion of us should just mail a letter to the NJ Supreme Court asking that they make some inquiry as to the release of bar results given that the BOLE is 2 weeks later than their usual release date in past July administrations with absolutely no notice or update as to when we can expect results. Also, in light of how substantial the delay was in February as well, I’m genuinely worried they might actually release by Mid-November which is again just unacceptable. Like NJ barely gets 1k applicants in July administrations. New York has 10k every July and still manages to keep to a release date in the 3rd week of October…

Like how is this level of unprofessionalism becoming of the legal profession? We have an ethical duty to our future clients to act with competence and diligence, but the BOLE has no duty to provide a simple update???? We’re not asking them to consult our opinion about a complex legal issue in an active case worth billions of dollars. An update!! An estimated release date!! ANYTHING!!!

Maybe this is extra but frankly, I think the blatant disrespect that the BOLE is engaged in warrants something like this. If you’re scared to write the following letter and mail it to the NJ Supreme Court, if you have a boss who really likes you who might be willing to sign onto it for you, go for it (it would honestly help if senior admitted attorneys sent a letter because it would mean more coming from them). I know I’m sending it under my name because what‘s the worst that can happen. Here’s a letter that I generated with AI but made a lot of my own edits to it to dial it back (the AI was going CRAZY and flaming tf outta BOLE 😭😭):

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[Date] 

The Supreme Court of New Jersey

Attn: Office of the Clerk / Chief Justice Stuart Rabner

Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex

P.O. Box 970

Trenton, NJ [08625-0970](tel:08625-0970) 

RE: Formal Inquiry and Grievance Regarding the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners (NJ BOLE) Administrative Operations 

To the Honorable Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey:

I am writing to formally bring to the Court’s attention what appears to be severe administrative and operational deficiencies concerning the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners (NJ BOLE), an entity operating under the oversight of this Court. 

As candidates navigating the path to licensure, we expect a process defined by efficiency, transparency, and professional standards. Unfortunately, the current operations of the NJ BOLE fall drastically short of these expectations. Candidates consistently experience severe delays with zero transparency as to what might be causing this delay. Any attempt to contact the Board via the portal, phone, or email is either unsuccessful or met with a generic response that ‘results should be expected by Mid-November’, which would be, if true, 3-4 weeks later than any state in the country including states like New York with ten times the number of applicants in this state. The mere statement of this outside date should not absolve the BOLE from maintaining the transparency and diligence that will one day be expected of us as admitted attorneys before this Court. 

The absence of clear, timely guidance leaves applicants in a state of professional and financial limbo. Further, if the Mid-November release timeline did become a reality, this would deprive applicants that fail the exam of much-needed time to prepare to retake the exam in February.

Given that the Supreme Court holds ultimate regulatory authority over the admission to the bar, I respectfully urge the Court to inquire as to administrative deficiencies currently effecting the NJ BOLE. The legal community and its future members deserve an admissions bureaucracy that reflects the competence and diligence of the New Jersey judiciary.

Thank you for your time, attention, and vital oversight regarding this matter. 

Sincerely, 

[Your Signature] 

i recently requested to transfer my division from the third department to the first department. i got an email back from the third department transferring me to the first, but should i wait for a reply from the first department as well? or am i good to start submitting materials to the first department?

Is there a person that has any material?

See everyone tomorrow (again)

I recently passed the NY bar exam and submitted my application for admission. I’m trying to get a sense of how long NY takes to process applications. There’s a swearing-in ceremony on November 5th, and I’d love to get admitted then, but I’m assuming that’s unlikely. I believe the next ceremony is in January.

Has anyone who passed the July 2026 NY Bar Exam been scheduled to be sworn in on November 5th?

Selling Themis books (all either unused or slightly marked up). Best (reasonable) offer takes it. Buyer pays shipping.

Please DM with offers.

Tentatively scheduled to get sworn in on November 5th, but haven’t heard back about character and fitness. Those who received C&F interviews - how much notice did you receive? Do they schedule interviews that delay swearing in?

DM me

we are dead ass last ❤️ without any future date for release ❤️

Need to increase 20 points. My lowest significantly was mbe. Please provide any advice for Feb exam!

Anybody in Canada get their MI results in the mail yet? I’m in Toronto and going insane.

We need to mail original papers to them???? Since when??
It used to be PDF via email, didn’t it?

UPD: it’s email, thank you everyone

I am looking at their unlimited tutoring option because I need something hands-on, intense, and will actually guide me through how to improve my score. Honest reviews only please!!!!!

How long do states take on average to authorize NCBE to release scores?