Year in Review: Our Students' Top Achievements of 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we're reflecting on an incredible year at The Owl Press. Our community of exam candidates achieved remarkable results, and we're honored to have been part of their journeys. Here are the top achievements and success stories from 2021.

By the Numbers: 2021 Success Rates

Bar Exam:

• 2,847 candidates used our study guides
• 78% first-time pass rate (vs. 68% national average)
• 412 candidates passed after previous failures
• Average MBE score: 145/200 (72.5%)

CPA Exam:

• 1,523 candidates across all 4 sections
• 82% pass rate on FAR (vs. 45% national average)
• 85% pass rate on AUD (vs. 50% national average)
• First-year launch exceeded all expectations

CFA Exam:

• 687 Level I candidates
• 73% pass rate (vs. 25% national average in 2021)
• 234 candidates advanced to Level II

PMP Exam:

• 892 candidates
• 91% pass rate (vs. 61% national average)
• Average study time: 6 weeks

Top Success Stories

Sarah's Triple Certification Journey

Sarah M. from Chicago accomplished what many thought impossible: she passed the Bar Exam, all 4 CPA sections, and became a CFA charterholder—all in 18 months.

Her Strategy:

• Sequential approach (Bar → CPA → CFA)
• Consistent 4-hour daily study blocks
• Used spaced repetition for all exams
• Maintained full-time job throughout

"The Owl Press guides were my constant companion. Same proven strategies, different exams. It worked." - Sarah M.

Marcus: From Third-Time Failure to Top 10%

Marcus T. failed the Bar Exam three times before discovering our guides. On his fourth attempt, he not only passed—he scored in the top 10% of all test-takers.

What Changed:

• Switched from passive reading to active practice
• Completed 3,000+ practice questions
• Focused on weak subjects (Evidence, Civ Pro)
• Joined accountability study group

"I was ready to give up. The Owl Press showed me I wasn't studying wrong—I was studying inefficiently." - Marcus T.

The Working Parent Success Club

127 working parents passed their exams in 2021 while juggling careers and childcare. Their average study time: 15 hours/week.

Common Strategies:

• Early morning study sessions (5-7 AM)
• Micro-study during commutes and lunch breaks
• Family support and clear boundaries
• Efficient, focused study (quality over quantity)

Community Highlights

The Study Group That Became a Law Firm

Five strangers met in our online study group forum. They all passed the July 2021 Bar Exam and decided to start a law firm together. They're now practicing in Denver, Colorado.

The 70-Year-Old Bar Passer

Robert K., age 70, passed the California Bar Exam on his first try. He's proof that it's never too late to pursue your dreams.

"Age is just a number. Determination and the right study materials are what matter." - Robert K.

The Pandemic Pivot Success Stories

143 candidates who lost jobs during COVID-19 used the time to earn certifications and successfully transitioned to new careers.

Most Popular Blog Posts of 2021

1. "How to Overcome Test Anxiety: Proven Techniques" (45,000 reads)
2. "Active Recall vs. Passive Reading" (38,000 reads)
3. "Success Story: Passing the Bar While Working Full-Time" (32,000 reads)
4. "The Ultimate 90-Day Bar Exam Checklist" (29,000 reads)
5. "The Science of Spaced Repetition" (27,000 reads)

Product Milestones

New Releases:

• CPA Study Guides (all 4 sections)
• CFA Level I, II, and III Guides
• PMP Study Guide
• Updated Bar Exam guides for NextGen format

Customer Satisfaction:

• 4.8/5 average rating across all products
• 94% would recommend to a friend
• 87% said our guides were "essential" to their success

Looking Ahead to 2022

Coming Soon:

• Video tutorial series for all certifications
• Interactive practice question platform
• Mobile app for on-the-go studying
• Live virtual study sessions
• Expanded blog content (2x per month)

New Certifications:

• LSAT Prep Guides (launching Q1 2022)
• Series 7 & 63 Study Materials (Q2 2022)
• GMAT Prep Course (Q3 2022)

Thank You

To every candidate who trusted us with their exam preparation—thank you. Your success is our success. Your testimonials, feedback, and referrals fuel our mission to make professional certification accessible and achievable for everyone.

Here's to an even more successful 2022!

Ready to make 2022 your year? Browse our complete catalog of study guides for Bar, CPA, CFA, PMP, and more.

About The Owl Press: Founded in 2019, The Owl Press has helped over 10,000 professionals pass career-defining exams. Our mission: affordable, effective exam prep for everyone.