Adapting Your Bar Exam Prep During COVID-19: Remote Learning Success

When COVID-19 shut down the world in March 2020, thousands of Bar candidates faced an unprecedented challenge: how to maintain focus and motivation while studying in isolation, dealing with exam postponements, and navigating the anxiety of a global pandemic. As someone who pivoted my entire Bar prep strategy during this time, I want to share what worked—and what didn't.

This isn't just about remote learning tactics. It's about maintaining your mental health, adapting to uncertainty, and still passing the Bar Exam despite circumstances you never could have anticipated.

The Initial Shock: When Everything Changed

I was six weeks into my Bar prep when my state announced the exam was postponed from July to September. Then October. The uncertainty was paralyzing.

Many candidates I spoke with experienced:

Loss of motivation ("Why study when I don't even know when I'm testing?")
Difficulty concentrating at home
Anxiety about health and family
Financial stress from extended unemployment
Isolation from study groups and support systems

The first step was accepting that this wasn't a sprint anymore—it was a marathon. And marathons require different strategies.

Creating a Dedicated Study Space

When your bedroom becomes your classroom, your kitchen table becomes your library, and your living room becomes your exam center, boundaries blur fast.

What I Did:

I designated one corner of my apartment as my "Bar Exam zone." This wasn't just about having a desk—it was about psychological separation.

My Setup:

Physical boundaries: A specific chair I only sat in for studying
Visual cues: My Bar Exam calendar on the wall, motivational quotes
Minimal distractions: No TV in sight, phone in another room
Good lighting: Natural light when possible, quality desk lamp for evenings
Comfort items: Water bottle, healthy snacks, noise-canceling headphones

The rule: When I sat in that chair, I was "at the library." When I left that space, I was "home." This mental separation was crucial for preventing burnout.

For Those Without Space

I know not everyone has a spare room. If you're in a studio or sharing space:

Use a specific cushion or blanket that signals "study mode"
Face a wall or window (not your bed or TV)
Use headphones even if you're not listening to anything—it creates a bubble
Consider studying in your car if you have one (surprisingly effective)

Restructuring Your Study Schedule

The traditional 12-week Bar prep timeline went out the window. Some candidates had 16 weeks. Others had 20. The uncertainty required a new approach.

The Flexible Framework I Used:

Phase 1: Foundation (Regardless of Exam Date)

I spent 4-6 weeks on foundational learning, regardless of when the exam would be. This included:

Watching all lectures
Creating comprehensive outlines
Beginning practice questions (50/day)

Phase 2: Practice Plateau (The Long Middle)

This was the hardest part—maintaining momentum when the exam kept getting postponed. I structured this as repeating 2-week cycles:

Week 1: 100 MBE questions/day + 2 essays
Week 2: 75 MBE questions/day + 3 essays + 1 performance test
Rest day: One full day off every two weeks (non-negotiable)

Phase 3: Final Push (Once Exam Date Confirmed)

When they finally announced a firm date (6 weeks out), I shifted to intensive mode:

Full practice exams weekly
Targeted review of weak areas
Taper in final week

The Motivation Problem

Studying for an exam with no confirmed date is psychologically brutal. Here's what helped:

1. Process Goals Over Outcome Goals

Instead of "I will pass the Bar," my goal became "I will complete 100 practice questions today." Process goals are within your control.

2. Weekly Wins

Every Sunday, I wrote down three things I accomplished that week. Even small wins counted:

"Improved Evidence score by 5%"
"Completed all planned study hours"
"Didn't give up despite feeling overwhelmed"

3. The "Future Self" Visualization

I spent 5 minutes each morning visualizing my future self who had passed the Bar, thanking my present self for not giving up. Sounds cheesy, but it worked.

Remote Learning: Making It Work

Most Bar prep courses went fully remote. Some adapted well; others didn't. Here's how to maximize remote learning:

Video Lectures:

Speed control: I watched most lectures at 1.5x speed (1.25x for complex topics)
Active watching: Paused frequently to take notes in my own words
Rewatch strategically: Identified weak areas and rewatched those specific lectures
Avoid binge-watching: No more than 3 hours of lectures per day (diminishing returns)

Virtual Study Groups:

I joined a Zoom study group that met 3x/week. What made it effective:

Structure: 90-minute sessions with agenda
Accountability: Each person shared their weekly goals
Teaching: We took turns explaining concepts (teaching = learning)
Social connection: 10 minutes at the end for non-Bar chat

What Didn't Work:

Massive Zoom groups (30+ people) - too chaotic
Unstructured "let's just study together" sessions - waste of time
Daily meetings - too much commitment, led to burnout

Managing COVID-Specific Anxiety

The pandemic added layers of stress beyond normal Bar prep anxiety:

Health Anxiety:

I was terrified of getting sick before the exam. My strategies:

Strict safety protocols (masking, distancing, hand-washing)
Limited my news consumption to once daily
Focused on what I could control (my behavior) vs. what I couldn't (the virus)

Financial Stress:

Many candidates lost jobs or internships. I was fortunate to have savings, but I knew others weren't. Resources that helped people I knew:

Bar prep scholarships (many companies offered COVID relief)
Unemployment benefits (extended during pandemic)
Law school emergency funds
Part-time remote work (tutoring, document review)

Isolation and Loneliness:

Studying alone for months was mentally exhausting. What helped:

Daily check-ins with accountability partner
Weekly Zoom happy hours with law school friends
Joining online Bar prep communities (Reddit, Facebook groups)
Therapy (many therapists went remote and were more accessible)

The Self-Care Non-Negotiables

During a pandemic, self-care isn't optional—it's survival.

Physical Health:

Exercise: 30 minutes daily (home workouts, walks, yoga)
Sleep: 7-8 hours (even more important during stress)
Nutrition: Meal prepping to avoid stress-eating junk
Sunlight: 15 minutes outside daily (vitamin D and mental health)

Mental Health:

Meditation: 10 minutes/day using Headspace
Journaling: 5 minutes before bed to process emotions
Boundaries: No studying after 8 PM
Professional help: Therapy when needed (not a weakness)

Social Connection:

Video calls with family weekly
Texting friends daily
Virtual game nights
Staying connected to non-law school people (perspective)

Adapting to Remote/Online Bar Exams

Some jurisdictions offered remote Bar Exams. If you're taking one:

Technical Preparation:

Test your equipment weeks in advance
Have backup internet (hotspot)
Practice with the exam software
Prepare your testing space (background, lighting, noise)

Mental Preparation:

Practice full exams at home to get comfortable
Expect technical glitches and don't panic
Have a plan for interruptions (pets, family, neighbors)

The Silver Linings

I never thought I'd find positives in a pandemic, but there were a few:

More Time: The postponements gave me extra study time. I used it to truly master weak subjects instead of just surviving them.

Flexibility: Remote learning meant I could study in pajamas, take breaks when needed, and create my ideal schedule.

Community: The Bar prep community became incredibly supportive. We were all in this together, and that solidarity was powerful.

Resilience: If you can study for the Bar during a pandemic, you can handle anything law practice throws at you.

Key Takeaways

Adapting Bar prep during COVID required:

Flexibility: Accept uncertainty and adapt your plan
Structure: Create routines and boundaries at home
Self-care: Prioritize mental and physical health
Connection: Stay connected to your support system
Process focus: Control what you can (daily effort) not what you can't (exam date)
Compassion: Be kind to yourself—this is hard

You're not just preparing for an exam—you're developing resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. These qualities will serve you far beyond the Bar.

If you're reading this during uncertain times, know that you can do this. Thousands of us passed the Bar during a pandemic. You will too.

Need structured study materials for remote learning? The Owl Press Bar Exam Study Guides are designed for self-paced, independent study—perfect for remote prep.

About the Author: Sarah Johnson adapted her Bar prep during COVID-19 and passed the October 2020 New York Bar Exam. She now helps candidates navigate remote learning and uncertain exam schedules.