California’s Premier 1-on-1 Bar Exam Tutor & Coach

“I highly recommend Steve as a bar tutor whose methodology and caring persistence were essential to my success passing the Feb. 2015 CA bar exam. As a practicing attorney who had just moved from another state, I was determined not… Read more “A.C. (Harvard Law School)”

“I passed the bar on my 4th time and it was Steve who prepared me to pass. Steve will teach you how not to be conclusory on your essays by emphasizing factual analysis. Additionally, Steve will teach you how is… Read more “Ricardo Gomez (University of West Los Angeles)”

“My name is Christin, I am a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law in Ohio. I had taken the California Bar exam three times and used Themis’ bar review course to prep for the exams. After my… Read more “Christin Dale (University of Dayton School of Law)”

“I took and failed the bar exam twice before hiring Steve as my tutor.   Both times I failed the exam, I felt prepared to take the exam:  I had studied the law, memorized the rules and thought I had… Read more “Hellen H. (Lincoln Law School of Sacramento)”

“After failing the bar exam multiple times using Barbi, I knew I needed to try a different approach. I struggled to pass the MBE section of the exam until I used Steve’s method. Steve’s coaching helped me drastically increase my… Read more “Derek Herrera (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“I passed on my first try and I have absolutely NO regrets choosing Steve and his program to help me pass the CA bar! The bar is not only challenging academically, but it is also emotionally and mentally challenging. Steve’s… Read more “T.T.”

“I had already struggled through the bar exam twice, before I found Steve. While I knew a lot of information, I did not understand how to present it to the bar examiners in a way that demonstrated all of my… Read more “Cher Heath (Loyola Law School, Los Angeles)”

“I choose Steve because I was at my wits end. Steve has an excellent program. The difference between this program and any other is that it taught me to set up a structure to argue both sides of an issue.… Read more “Josephine Gerrard (Golden Gate University)”

“Best money I ever spent! I was a repeat taker and I had completely lost hope! Steve worked with me one-on-one to identify my weaknesses, my strengths, and to improve my scores! I had trouble with the multiple choice and… Read more “Kiki Manti (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve Zikman put me on the right track to get past the California Bar Exam.  I was unsuccessful after two attempts following Kaplan’s Bar review course.  I needed something different.  Steve gave me the right approach, the right structure, and… Read more “P. Spanos (SUNY Buffalo Law School)”

“I had recently relocated to California from Ontario, Canada at the end of September because of my husband’s job. I was nervous about taking the February California Bar Exam because it is significantly different from the Ontario exams. Luckily, the… Read more “Robyn Shields (University of Ottawa)”

“I just found out that I passed the February 2015 California Bar Exam thanks to Steve’s help.  He really took the time to find out what I needed from him as a tutor, and help me in the areas that I… Read more “Maureen A. (Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School)”

“I am incredibly grateful to Steve for helping me pass the bar exam. I tried different methods for preparing for the bar, including a bar prep course and studying on my own without taking any courses. But it was the collaboration… Read more “Haik C. (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“I failed the bar three times. After my third attempt, I felt completely discouraged, frustrated and terrified, as I was not sure what else I could do to prepare. I was also working full-time, and I thought my only option… Read more “Mary A. (University of San Francisco School of Law)”

“Steve is a terrific coach that will keep you on task and on schedule.  His course is perfect for students who need a little more structure, attention and accountability than Barbri can offer.  I failed the first time in July… Read more “Mimi Cheng (University of Pennsylvania)”

“After having taken the bar four times and failing four times I knew that I needed to do something different. I found Steve on Google and decided to give him a call and talk to him about my options. He gave… Read more “Mary Girges (Southwestern Law School)”

“When I was completing law school, my fellow peers had drilled in my head that BarBri was the right choice for a bar prep program — little did I know that taking the California Bar would be a “beast” I… Read more “Kendra A. (Vanderbilt University Law School)”

“With two little kids and a 3rd due in early 3L Spring Semester, I knew I needed a focused and feedback-heavy program to help me pass the first time around. A fellow UCI Law grad referred me to Steve and… Read more “Tess M. (U.C. Irvine Law School)”

“Steve’s instruction is especially helpful in two respects.  First, his methodology is very regimented.  This made the essay easier to write and easier to read-the latter of which is invaluable, given the examiners spend approximately 60 seconds grading each essay. … Read more “BJK (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“I have no doubt in my mind that I passed the California February 2015 bar exam because of Steve and his system.  I researched several tutors/coaches after I failed in July 2014.  I realized that there was more to the… Read more “Kristin M. (Suffolk University Law School)”

“I took the bar exam several times before my name finally appeared on the February Pass List.  The initial cookie cutter law review course and subsequent efforts to study on my own did not get me to pass. What did… Read more “T.H. (University of San Diego)”

“I was seven years out of law school, was already licensed in two other states, and the CA attorney exam was the last thing I wanted to study for. I thought I could just study by myself and somehow wing… Read more “Y.X.L (Georgetown University Law Center)”

“I could not have passed the February 2023 CA bar exam without Steve! After passing the NY bar exam right out of law school, I thought CA would not be too difficult. I was wrong! I had two unsuccessful attempts… Read more “A.B.S. (Fordham University School of Law)”

“I’m a five-time California Bar Exam taker, one time passer. Steve helped me on attempt numbers 3 and 5. I worked with Steve on the July 2017 exam and failed by only about 15 points, which was more than 40… Read more “Anne Easton (New York Law School)”

“I passed the California Bar thanks to Steve where only 16% of repeat takers passed. Steve’s method is targeted, specific, and extremely helpful. For essays, Steve initially identifies your writing style, strengths and weaknesses and even your personality and how… Read more “Corey H. (Loyola Law School)”

“I had been unsuccessful on the bar on two prior occasions, both of which, I received ‘second reads.’  Though I thought I knew the law well enough to pass the exam, Steve taught me how to better write my exam… Read more “Steven C. (Western State College of Law)”

“After looking over my essays and PTs from the July 2010 California Bar, it was clear I needed a stronger structure and more substantive analysis in my writing to pass the Bar. Steve provided me with a framework that lent… Read more “Julie W. (California Western School of Law)”

“Steve provides an invaluable, strategic writing approach for the CA bar exam essays and PTs.  The repeated, subject-specific writing practice helped me to develop the writing style needed to pass the exam.  Preparing for the exam is undoubtedly an arduous… Read more “Renee P. (Empire College School of Law)”

“After failing the bar exam the first time, I needed a program that would not give me a false sense of confidence, like the popular program I used before. Steve immediately identified my weaknesses, kept me focused on what was… Read more “Lori R. (California Western School of Law)”

“Steve was incredibly helpful preparing me to take the California bar exam. As someone who does not typically do well on standardized tests and suffers from anxiety, I needed someone who would work with me to keep my confidence up… Read more “S.M. (Temple University, Beasley School of Law)”

“Steve helped me break down the bar exam to the essential components that were necessary for a passing essay. He analyzed both my MBE’s and essays to determine where my weaknesses were, and we progressed in a manner in which… Read more “Aasim Ghaznavi (Chapman Dale E. Fowler School of Law)”

“I would not have passed the bar without Steve. As a foreign lawyer I needed qualified information and guidance on approaching the prep in the best way possible: how to prioritize, how to allocate my time, how to reason and… Read more “Michael F. (Swiss Lawyer)”

“Steve has a direct style of teaching the bar exam with no fluff and no filler. He has a mechanical approach to attacking the essays on the exam. This is good because you don’t want to show up on exam… Read more “Justin M. (George Washington University Law School)”

“I passed the California bar exam with Steve’s guidance. He showed me several recurring patterns in my writing that were hurting my essay scores and he provided strategies to help eliminate those patterns. Drilling the structured, formula-like approach to each… Read more “C.R. (UC Irvine School of Law)”

“I took the July 2015 California bar examination.  I assumed going in that with decades of experience practicing law, previous success on bar examinations, taking a popular bar review course and diligent study, I would succeed.  I was wrong.  I… Read more “Larry C. (University of Nebraska College of Law)”

“Hiring Steve was a game changer. I had taken the bar three times prior. Twice with a structured test prep course and once on my own. Things just didn’t click for me no matter how hard I tried. I took… Read more “AC (Harvard Law School)”

“Having failed the Bar Exam twice I knew I Babri wasn’t working for me. I sought out a tutor and ultimately selected Steve and I have no doubt in my mind that his coaching methods and strategies are what helped… Read more “Terrence L. (Syracuse University College of Law)”

“If you’re like I was and fed-up with having to take the CA Bar exam again, I would highly recommend Steve! Thanks to him I was finally able to pass the exam on my third try. I knew the essays… Read more “J.N. (Vermont Law School)”

“Stop searching for bar-prep tutors!! Steve is the best possibility. I wasted my time, money, and energy on ineffective test-prep companies for 2 years of my life… Then I found Steve!!  Seriously… I felt like it was impossible to pass… Read more “Joe P. (Santa Clara Law)”

“If you invest in any course to help you pass the bar exam, it should be this one. I had taken the bar once before, using just a generic self-run course but, I didn’t perform well at all and of… Read more “Jessica Sprinkle Topkis (American University – Washington College of Law)”

“I finally passed after failing the bar multiple times! The decision to hire Steve as my coach made all the difference.  I needed guidance on my essay and PT writing because while my MBE scores were steadily rising, my essay… Read more “Jenny S. (La Verne College of Law)”

“The first time I took the bar exam I felt that I did every thing I could to prepare.  I completed each assignment Barbri gave me, and walked into the exam feeling ready for whatever it could throw at me. … Read more “Alex Murer (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“Steve was a HUGE role in my success on passing the bar exam. I am thankful for his constant support throughout this process. He really knows what he is doing and keeps you on track throughout the months and days… Read more “Danielle Smith (Chapman Law School)”

“After failing the CA Bar exam three times, I knew that I needed to drastically change my approach. I chose to work with Steve after reading his great reviews online and talking to him about his program. I really liked… Read more “M.N. (Loyola Law School)”

“Steve is a phenomenal tutor—he knows how to pinpoint your problem while providing with a roadmap to correcting them. If you have used Barbari or Themis and have received cookie cutter responses, such as: “needs more analysis” or “do IRAC”,… Read more “Tom Vertanous (Loyola Law School)”

“I would not have passed the February 2016 bar exam without Steve. During our first few weeks of working together, Steve broke down my writing structure and taught me how to earn every point possible.  The structure that Steve teaches… Read more “Derek L. (UNC School of Law)”

“After four failed attempts, I had to face the fact that my essays were the reason I kept failing and, if I ever wanted to pass the bar, I needed one-on-one tutoring to address my essay and PT writing. I… Read more “Patti White, (Concord Law School)”

“I hired Steve after failing the CA bar 3 times, and I passed on the first try with Steve’s help. I went to a top 20 law school outside California, and I had passed the bar in that state on… Read more “K. S. (University of Texas School of Law)”

“After failing California Exam several times, even after taking Barbri, I knew that I needed help on my essays. I knew the law, and I was good with the MBE, but my essays kept me from passing. After an extensive… Read more “Anthony L. (University of Wisconsin)”

“After taking the California Bar exam 4 times and hiring Steve twice, I am proud to say that I passed! Despite my failure on the third attempt, I do not hold him responsible because my computer crashed. Even still, I… Read more “Justin A. Hall (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve was my tutor for the July 2016 California Bar Examination. His strategies and methods helped me transform my writing style to be tailored specifically to master bar essays and performance tests. He diligently walked me through each of my… Read more “R.R. (Pepperdine Law School)”

“As a first time bar exam taker who struggled through law school final exams, I knew I had to make major changes to my test taking process if I was going to pass the California bar exam on my first… Read more “E.O. (Southwestern Law School)”

“After failing the CA bar exam many times and as a foreign law graduate, I realized that I needed a tutor and coach who would guide me in how to pass the hardest bar exam in the U.S. Steve was… Read more “Mojgan KH (University of Guilan, Iran) (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“I have just found out that I passed the CA Bar first time and I have no doubt that it was thanks to Steve. As a lawyer from England, I worked with Steve on the Performance Test part of the… Read more “Phoebe Kirk, London”

“I wrote the California Bar exam in July 2018 and Steve was a tremendous help throughout the entire Bar process. I’m an attorney from Canada and was starting from scratch in terms of everything I knew about the CA bar.… Read more “Umber H. (City Law School: City University London)”

“If you’re looking for a tutor who will help you pass the bar exam, you have found him! He gets straight to the point and will tell you exactly what you need to hear. What I loved most is that… Read more “Jennifer K. (Southwestern Law School)”

“Steve was recommended to me by a friend and I could not be happier that I listened. I failed in July 2019 and February 2020 and felt discouraged. I knew my essay writing needed to improve, but was confused because… Read more “Francisco R. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“Steve helped me immensely, particularly with the organization and structure of my PTs. He provided me with a plan on how to approach every PT, a well laid-out roadmap, such that it didn’t matter what kind of question was thrown… Read more “Bobby O. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“Steve’s approach helped me pass the bar. He had a specific way to start and end each essay and PT. He actually spends time and goes over essays with you, line by line, and makes sure you don’t forget the… Read more “L.E.”

“I would highly recommend Steve for coaching and guidance.  His methods helped me get over the hurdle and pass the test . First, in the essay section he guides you through each sentence to maximize points by making it easy… Read more “M. A. (Empire College School of Law)”

“I highly recommend Steve Zikman as a coach for the Baby Bar. I was not successful in my 1st attempt. Steve helped me overcome my fears of not writing enough and not finishing. Steve corrected bad habits I had developed… Read more “Bill S. (John F. Kennedy University College of Law)”

“I would not have passed the CA bar, if it were not for Steve Zikman. Steve tells you what you need to know and shows you how to do it. He teaches a clear writhing method.  SZ keeps you on… Read more “Michael R. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“Where to start- Steve Zikman demystified the whole Bar exam process. I was unsuccessful more times than I want to remember, and what I hated each time was the fact that I felt more lost and confused than the previous… Read more “Capt Neil Opdahl, USMC (St. Thomas University, Miami FL)”

“After failing the Bar for the third time; I knew something had to change. I found Steve Zikman, and discovered that I had not really been using a coherent strategy to tackle the Essays and Performance Tests. As a person… Read more “Paul W. (Golden Gate University School of Law)”

“After getting over the shock and disappointment of not passing the California Bar the first time around, I searched the internet for private tutors.  Steve’s name came up and all of the reviews were very positive so I decided to… Read more “Travis S. (University of Oklahoma School of Law)”

“I was a repeat taker who consistently fell into the re-read and even the triple read (yes it does exist) category until I signed up with Steve, the Strategic Bar Coach.  Steve’s coaching program is unique in that it is specifically tailored… Read more “S. D. (San Fernando Valley College of Law)”

“Steve helped me pass the bar after a near miss on my first time.  The best thing about Steve is his ability to spot your weaknesses, and give you strategies, tricks, and reinforcement to shore up those weaknesses.  Because he… Read more “P.S. (University of San Diego)”

“I took CA Bar Exam in February 2016. I passed it the first time. I strongly believe that my success is a result of my bar prep with Steve Zikman. During my last year of law school I asked people… Read more “Joulia Tchembrovskaia (John F Kennedy University, College of Law)”

“I was facing the bar for the third time and frankly, I was just plain tired of it all. I knew that my main problem was my writing but I couldn’t figure out what exactly I had to do to… Read more “Jane K. (Vermont Law School)”

“It took me 6 times to take the bar exam. The bar exam was an absolute nightmare, and seemed to be never-ending. I took Barbri, Kaplan, and even my own mixture of both. Nothing seemed to work. I was referred… Read more “James E. (Whittier Law School)”

“After using Barbri for about a week, I knew I had to make a change, or I would be destined to fail the bar exam. I was working 10 hours a day, watching the videos and working my way through… Read more “Grant Royal (Pepperdine University School of Law)”

“If there is a formula for passing the California bar exam, I’m honestly still not sure exactly what it is. What I am sure of however is that Steve has a reliable and highly effective system and process that put… Read more “Jeff R.”

“Steve specifically helped me by identifying my individual weaknesses, motivating me to overcome them through practice, and by capitalizing on my strengths to maximize my scoring potential. To address my number one issue of timing, Steve reviewed my essays and… Read more “Gabriel C. (USC Gould School of Law)”

“I had taken the CA Bar on 3 prior occasions and came up just short each time.  With each failed attempts, I felt demoralized about the prospects of ever passing and becoming a licensed attorney.  I finally decided that I… Read more “Tommy P.”

“I failed the bar exam twice and then became busy with work. The next thing I knew, it had been two years and my moral character was about to expire so I knew I only had one chance to take the bar… Read more “Ted H. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“I consider myself the ultimate proof that Steve’s system works. I graduated law school in 2007.  Because of my full time job, getting married, and having a kid, I didn’t take the bar until two years later. Using one of… Read more “D.M. (Trinity Law School class of ’07)”

“Prior to Steve’s guidance, I knew the black letter law, but I did not know how to write a passing bar essay. Steve truly cares about his students, and will go line by line for every essay for every single… Read more “Valerie S. (Pepperdine Caruso School of Law)”

“I had taken the exam twice before 5 years apart and wanted to take it again, but did not want to use one of the “canned” study courses. I discovered Steve online and was impressed with his response, how much… Read more “Craig R. (New College of California School of Law)”

“Steve is an excellent bar tutor. After an unsuccessful attempt in July 2021, the bar exam left me feeling defeated and demoralized. I had studied with Barbri for my first sitting and thought that if I followed their lead, I’d… Read more “Anthony Perez (UC Irvine School of Law)”

“After two failed attempts at the California bar, I was ready to give up. I felt completely exhausted and didn’t think that I could take it another time because of how mentally draining the entire process was. After my friend… Read more “Mona Goodarzi (UCI School of Law)”

“Before Steve, I used three “major” bar-prep courses over multiple attempts! Provided my ability to compare Steve to other “major” bar-prep courses, I can compare and contrast Steve’s instruction with other major players and confidentially say that Steve is a… Read more “Hamlet Y. (Pacific Cost University College of Law)”

“Steve is an exceptional motivator and coach.  I can truly say that I put all my faith into his approach and this was a very difficult thing for me to do.  In the end, however, it all worked out because… Read more “Trevor S. Potts (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“I turned to Steve Zikman after I wasn’t successful in my goal of passing the California Bar. Upon looking at my score report, I realized that I needed substantial work related to the written portion of the exam. I was… Read more “Neha Modi (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“After two unsuccessful attempts at the CA bar using Barbri, and despite receiving a close to passing score, I felt defeated and unsure about whether I’d ever be able to pass the bar. I decided to give it one last… Read more “Irene Schwieger (Vermont Law School)”

“During the week I found out I was unsuccessful on the bar exam, I spent a lot of time researching various tutors and even met with a few. For some reason, Steve set himself apart when I first spoke to… Read more “Z.A. (Western State University College of Law)”

“First, Steve’s outlines are super helpful for both understanding the law and memorizing rule statements for essays. Other programs tend to either have outlines that are so brief that you can’t use them to understand all the details or law,… Read more “A.H. (University of California Berkeley Law School)”

“Steve was very accessible and willing to go the extra mile in helping me with my writing (a proven weak point in previous bar exams).  One thing I appreciate about Steve is that he is a straight-shooter.   In reviewing… Read more “J. H. (California Western School of Law)”

“Steve helped me prepare and pass the February 2023 bar exam.  I had just moved across the country, started a new job, and had about eight weeks to study for the exam.  Steve was prompt and responsive even during the holiday… Read more “Katelyn Feliciano (Berkeley School of Law)”

“I started working with Steve after failing the CA bar multiple times. I had tried the one size fits all programs like BarBri, Themis, etc. but each and every time would fall short a few points. While my MBE scores were… Read more “Nick Sepians (Abraham Lincoln School of Law)”

“Steve focuses not on whether how many essays or MBEs you are practicing or touching before the test, but on whether how thoroughly you are analyzing and attacking each essay and MBEs in great depth.  Steve’s method for essays really forced me… Read more “EJ P. (California Western School of Law)”

“I worked with Steve Zikman for the February 2019 bar exam and I am so happy that I made the investment. Every session, Steve will show up for you 100% and bring a strict, serious, and committed energy to the… Read more “Jacqueline P (California Western School of Law)”

“I worked with Steve to study for the recent July 2022 bar examination. Hands down it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was a first time bar taker and had just secured my dream job… Read more “Sydney Rusch (California Western School of Law)”

“Steve’s methods work because he finds your weaknesses and turns them into your strengths. There were no surprises on the bar exam because Steve had worked with me on every subject and a variety of essays and performance tests. The… Read more “Caroline Bolton (University of San Diego, School of Law)”

“Like many parents, I had a child who had made it through an ABA law school but failed on his first attempt at the bar exam. In fact, his scores were nowhere near close to passing.  As an attorney myself,… Read more “E.A.”

“Steve Zikman is the number one reason I passed the February 2017 California bar. In particular, he helped me raise my MBE score to a passing score within a couple of weeks (something I thought was impossible at the time).… Read more “Ricardo L. (University of California, Irvine School of Law)”

“After I was unsuccessful on my first California bar exam attempt, I felt lost because I had put forth a completely concerted effort in my preparation for all three portions.  Fortunately for me, there were 2 attorneys at my firm… Read more “Seth G. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“I had failed the bar exam and was completely overwhelmed. I did not know what to do, or whether repeating my bar prep course would result in a different outcome. I called two friends who were repeaters from the year… Read more “R.W. (UC Irvine)”

“The Strategic Bar Coach transformed my approach to the bar exam, which I believe was the only way I could have passed on my second attempt.   The first time, I did Barbri, completed 100% of the assigned work, and… Read more “Daniel B. (UCLA School of Law)”

“I passed the July 2016 California Bar Exam and I owe it all to Steve Zikman.  I’m an out-of-state practicing attorney with over 20 years of experience and I failed the Bar in 2015 after using one of the popular… Read more “J.K. (Washington University in St. Louis)”

“When I hired Steve, I had failed the bar exam by about ten points. I was frustrated and needed guidance on what I had done right in preparing and taking the exam, and what else I could do to ensure… Read more “L.B. (UC Irvine Law School)”

“When I contacted Steve I already encountered failure: four unsuccessful attempts despite graduating from a top 20 law school. I was confused, discouraged, and desperate. Steve’s coaching gave me with the tools that led to my success: I am an… Read more “J. Q.”

“As a person who went to law school outside of California, taking the CA Bar Exam was no easy feat for me. I am so glad to have found Steve to be my tutor; there really is no other coach… Read more “Abner P. (Suffolk Law School)”

“I found Steve through a friend. Before I contacted Steve I was using BarBri and my own individual way to study. I figured I can pass by using BarBri only. I also thought the CA Bar exam would not be as… Read more “Walter S. (University of North Dakota School of Law)”

“I took the bar exam in July 2018 and ended up with the dreaded “this name does not appear on the pass list.” I already had a job and if I didn’t pass the next time I would not have… Read more “Jenna Y. (USC)”

“Taking the attorney portion of the California Bar Exam is no easy task when you’re working full-time and managing cases all over the country. After two unsuccessful attempts, I knew I had to change my approach. I had previously studied with… Read more “L. Smith (Loyola Law School, New Orleans)”

“If you truly want to pass the California Bar Exam, I highly recommend taking Steve’s course. Steve pushed me not only to become a better exam writer, but challenged me to think and argue like a lawyer. Steve helped me… Read more “Eric Boim (University of West Los Angeles School of Law)”

“Steve helped me pass when no one–and seemingly nothing–could. My essays for Barbri and law school were never a problem, but the bar examiners continued to disagree. From our first session, Steve broke down my essays and showed me exactly… Read more “David Chang, (University of California, Davis)”

“Steve personally held me accountable during my bar prep making sure that I hit my deadlines and was actually learning how to take the bar exam and not just trying to complete some prep course. Steve’s advanced knowledge of the… Read more “Matthew L. (Loyola Law School)”

“Steve’s strategic bar tutoring is a structured program that really helped me understand a new perspective on approaching the California bar. I had to repeat the bar a few times because the essays tend to be very subjective when graded.… Read more “D. R. (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve’s program was exactly what I needed to push my scores over the edge and get a PASS on the California bar. The typical bar prep class or tutor will provide endless materials and methods to help you learn the… Read more “Chris G. (Southwestern Law School)”

“As a one-time bar taker(!!), I would unequivocally recommend Steve in your California bar prep efforts.  I tested out a major test prep course in one of my law school classes and immediately knew that the watching lecture videos and filling… Read more “D. Le (UC Hastings)”

“I failed the July 2015 CA Bar Exam having used one of the traditional bar prep programs and I knew I needed to make a drastic change in my approach to the February 2016 CA Bar Exam if I wanted… Read more “Lance”

“After failing the July 2015 California bar exam, I knew I needed a focused approach to pass the test.  It is a very specific exam, so I knew I needed specific preparation to succeed. I researched the various bar coaches… Read more “Lynn H.”

“After not passing the 1st time, I wanted more straight practice (no lectures, etc.).  Studying with Steve was focused.  For essays, Steve’s method is succinct, straightforward, and exactly what bar examiners need to see.  No matter how good a writer I… Read more “A.R.E. (University of San Diego)”

“If you want a no-nonsense, straight forward, and bespoke Bar learning experience then Steve Zikman is the perfect tutor for you. He was able to polish up the strengths I had while also helping to identify and neutralize the various… Read more “S.S. (USC Gould School of Law)”

“I failed July 2009 and hired Steve specifically for help on my essays. Unlike nearly all other tutors that I checked out, Steve has many options for instruction, so you don’t have to waste time on what you don’t need.… Read more “Rigel M. (University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law)”

“Thanks to Steve Zikman, I passed the CA bar as a repeater. Steve is not only able to assess my strength and weakness, but also provide effective study plan, motivation and encouragement. I prepared for the CA bar exam while… Read more “JC (Abraham Lincoln University, Los Angeles)”

“So I’m a great case of how a tutor like Steve can help someone achieve objectively amazing results. I failed spectacularly my first time studying with Barbri at a score over 300 points below passing. I studied with Steve for… Read more “Eric A. (Loyola Law School)”

“I would like to preface with the fact that I had failed the exam 4 times, so I completely understand what a lot of people considering having a tutor are going through. Steve’s program was the cornerstone of my success… Read more “Navraj Rai (McGeorge School of Law)”

“Steve actually coached me by focusing on my strengths and helping me to not overemphasize my weaknesses. It was completely different approach. I felt that he really cared about me, about how I was doing and that he really wanted… Read more “Jeremy C. (Michigan State University College of Law)”

“The first time around, I felt that I had mastered the law and crushed the MBE, so I was shocked when my name was not on the pass list. After my first couple of sessions with Steve, I realized that… Read more “Dylan T. (University of San Diego)”

“As an Australian qualified lawyer, seeking admission in California, Steve supported me to completely transform my essay writing style and problem solving skills to maximize my chances of passing. Steve helped me understand the little details that, when aggregated, add… Read more “Alex Butterworth (The University of Western Australia)”

“After failing the Bar twice, I retained the services of Steve for my third adventure with the exam.  Steve assessed my weaknesses, then provided me with specific strategies for both essays and the MBEs. MBE’s in particular were my weakness. Working with… Read more “James G. (Southwestern Law School)”

“I was referred to Steve by my friend who had also passed with his services, and that was the best thing anyone did for me after I failed my first California bar exam. Throughout law school, I was persuaded that… Read more “Meeghan T. (USC)”

I have been trying to take the bar exam for a few years and I haven’t been able to get on the pass list. I have tried to get a private tutor AND study the Barbri course but nothing works.… Read more “Kristine Du (Monterey College of Law)”

“I had failed the CA Bar Exam before, I was working and out of law school for quite some time. Last time I had taken the CA Bar was 5 years ago. I was admitted in NY in 2013 so… Read more “Elena Giannattasio (Fordham Law School, LLM Program and Luiss University, Italy)”

“For the California bar exam knowing the law isn’t always enough, you have to know how to take the exam and present your knowledge properly.  Steve helped me pinpoint what the graders were looking for and provided a framework that… Read more “Alexa M. (Suffolk University Law School)”

“Steve did an amazing job of helping me get my essay writing skills locked in. I had a major problem of writing a lot about a little as opposed to writing a little about a lot. Because of this, I… Read more “Brandon Boozari (Southwestern Law School)”

“I found Steve online after failing the California bar twice. At that point, I knew there was either something wrong with the way I was studying or how I was approaching the bar. I spent my first two tries using… Read more “TD T. (University of Pittsburgh School of Law)”

“After several failed attempts at taking the CA bar exam, I decided I needed one-on-one help. Steve Zikman’s name kept coming up in my searches…and I’m so glad it did because I just found out I passed the February 2012… Read more “S. Taylor (Western State University College of Law)”

“One of the most difficult aspects of not passing the CA bar exam for me, was not knowing why or what I did wrong in preparing the first time. Barbri left me with no feedback and therefore no reference as… Read more “M.N. (UCLA School of Law)”

“Steve’s tutoring was invaluable!  Without his expertise and guidance I don’t believe I would have passed the California attorney bar exam.  This was my 4th time taking a bar exam (I took and passed NY on the 1st try in… Read more “Gila Lee Adato (New York Law School)”

“Steve helped me immediately identify/confirm where my strengths were and where my weaknesses lied. His program is tough, but in a way I needed to ensure I remained on the right path. We continually worked on where I needed the… Read more “Kasee K. (Golden Gate University, School of Law)”

“I used Steve for the CA Bar Exam and I finally passed! I was looking for a tutor who could help me with my particular issues. I was not disappointed. Steve did a great job finding my problems and showed… Read more “Pam S. (Loyola University New Orleans School of Law)”

“After two unsuccessful attempts at taking the CA Bar exam, I decided to find a coach to help me pass the Bar.  Steve was exactly what I was looking for.  Having been a ballet dancer, I craved honest feedback and… Read more “Allison H. (Pepperdine School of Law)”

“If you are a practicing attorney and you want to pass the California Bar Exam the first time, you should hire Steve Zikman.  I was not a traditional bar examinee as I had been practicing law for nearly 10 years. … Read more “P.D. (Seattle University School of Law)”

“My total scaled score for July 2019 was 1310. To make matters worse, I couldn’t request another leave of absence from my employer. So I decided to hire a private tutor, instead of using BarBri again. I hired Steve for… Read more “Tish P. (Southwestern Law School)”

“After three failed attempts at taking the CA bar exam, I sought the help of a tutor, and ultimately decided on Steve Zikman. He elevated my approach, particularly in the written portion of the exam, and provided me with an… Read more “Mike L. (Suffolk Law School, Boston, MA)”

“Steve is 100% the reason I passed the California Bar Exam. After two unsuccessful attempts, I knew I needed someone to help guide me through the process. The first time I used Barbri and felt extremely uncomfortable throughout the entire… Read more “Joanne Heilbrun (California Western School of Law)”

“After taking the CA Bar for the second time and failing, I knew it was time to look at other options and take a different approach. I had used the BarBri program twice, followed the process, and still was not… Read more “Joshua L. (DePaul College of Law)”

“I felt I knew the law but needed help with my essay structure and analysis. Steve provided me with his Flash Outlines for each subject. Going through practice essays, I would find facts to match to each element. Steve taught… Read more “Priscilla H.  (California Southern Law School)”

“After not passing the bar the first time around by a few points, I knew I had to do something different because Barbri did not work for me. After searching for a few tutors and talking with each of them,… Read more “Radha K. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“I failed the July CA bar exam on my first try and I knew I wanted my next attempt to be the last one. My weakness was the MBEs. I had a very, very low score, and I knew I… Read more “S.S. (Northeastern University School of Law)”

“When I found out I failed the bar exam, I felt like the bottom had fallen out of my world. I thought I knew the law enough to get through. When I got my scores, I discovered that I did… Read more “Genevieve Suzuki (California Western School of Law)”

“Being unsuccessful after two attempts, I knew I needed to change my approach and preparation to this exam. I was weak in all three areas of the exam, but not by much. I just needed that ‘extra push.’ I found… Read more “E.F. (Southwestern Law School)”

“I worked with Steve for the July 2019, February 2020, and October 2020 bar exam. Each time I worked with Steve, I improved over 100 scaled points from my initial scores, and was able to ultimately pass the October 2020… Read more “Allison Kuska (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve is a wonderful coach and he helped me a lot to understand the grader’s mindset and how to discipline myself to stay on track. I strongly encourage the CA Bar takers to enroll in Steve’s course and learn how… Read more “Russ (California Western School of Law)”

“I studied for the bar exam with Steve, and I passed on my first try! Determined not to become a repeat bar examinee and feeling extremely anxious, I followed Steve’s advice in starting bar prep a few months early. Having… Read more “B.L. (UC Hastings, College of the Law)”

“The first time I took the Bar I was woefully unprepared. As I started the preparations for my second go, I remained skeptical of my ability to overcome the 230-point gap between my first score and passing, with Barbri and… Read more “Rory D. (UC Hastings College of the Law)”

“I can’t say enough about how well Steve prepared me to tackle the CA Bar. After two previous failed attempts, he helped me to develop a plan to completely rework my approach to the essays, taking advantage of my strengths… Read more “Austin (University of South California)”

“My personal weakness for the Bar Exam was the performance test. I took Barbri and Barbri did not provide me with enough material or guidance for this portion of the exam. Luckily, I was able to find Steve Zikman who… Read more “Neelu K. (Sandra Day O’ Connor College of Law, Arizona State University)”

“Steve helped me so much with my writing. Particularly my essays. Steve teaches you a format and style for the essays that really lays the material out to the reader in a simple way and touches on everything they are… Read more “Gabriella (Glendale University College of Law)”

“As a repeat test taker, studying with Steve was the best decision I made. First, Steve developed a schedule that would fit with my work schedule and ensured that I was progressing through the material at the right pace. Having… Read more “Elena S. (UCLA School of Law, LLM)”

Nobody worked harder than I did over the eight weeks leading up to my first attempt at the CBX. When I didn’t pass, it mystified me more than anything else. I mistakenly believed that I had hit the written portions… Read more “Duncan P.  (Lincoln Law School of Sacramento)”

“I paid for BarBri for the July 2011 bar exam, and failed it.  I knew private tutors would be expensive, but if I wanted individualized help to figure out what I was doing wrong I needed a one-on-one tutor.  There… Read more “Ashley P. (California Western School of Law)”

“After failing the bar exam twice and feeling like I was living life on this never-ending hamster wheel, I decided to contact Steve. I needed a one-on-one tutor, with a solid method, that was going to assess my weaknesses to… Read more “Natalie Contreras (California Western School of Law)”

“I just passed the Cal bar exam on my third attempt, and Steve was the difference.  I was near the top of my class in law school, but I just couldn’t get over top with Barbri and another highly advertised… Read more “Jim S. (Whittier Law School)”

“After multiple attempts at the California Bar Exam, I needed a tutor who would personalize a program to my individual needs. Steve went above and beyond to help me. He helped me work through the frustrations I had when I… Read more “Olivia S. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“Without Steve’s help, I would not have passed the February 2020 California Bar Exam.  After failing the bar exam a couple of times, my self-esteem was really low.  I would put a ton of hours into studying and still could… Read more “O.K. (Empire College School of Law)”

“Steve was 100% the difference between failing in July and passing in February. After finishing the July exam with Barbri, I felt thoroughly unprepared. I felt that I spent an inordinate amount of time sitting through painfully slow videos and… Read more “Andrew Kantor (UC Irvine)”

“I failed on my first attempt of the CA Bar Exam with one of the big bar review programs and decided to look for tutors – I found Steve and I couldn’t be happier. He tailored the program for my… Read more “Charlie F. (University of North Carolina School of Law)”

“Steve’s techniques armed me with the confidence I needed to pass the California bar exam! I struggled the most with multiple choice, although there was obviously room for improvement in my writing as well. Specifically, Steve uses an online multiple… Read more “S.M. (University of San Diego School of Law)”

“I finally passed the CA Bar (February 2019), and I truly believe that I couldn’t have done it without Steve as my tutor/coach. I failed the bar several times since first taking it in February 2016. I went the commercial… Read more “Melannie G. (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve Zikman’s approach to the exam is much different than other bar prep programs and that made the difference. Steve takes the time to review each essay, then he critiques the essay, then the student redrafts the essay, and then Steve and… Read more “Andrew D. (Western State College of Law)”

“I just passed the bar exam on the second try. About 3 weeks before the exam, I took a practice test and failed it. In a panic, I found Steve Zikman online and called him. He called back within an… Read more “DC”

“There are myriad ways to write a passing bar exam. Steve teaches you a single method that can be applied in every circumstance, and then coaches you through hours of rigorous edits until the method is second nature. Steve’s Flash… Read more “J.B. (Columbia Law School)”

“The first time I took the bar, I used BarBri. Unfortunately, the feedback I received on my BarBri essays was only a score with the same comment “needs more analysis”, and no matter how much analysis I added it was… Read more “B.R. (University of San Diego, School of Law)”

“The name above [mine] does not appear on the pass list for the California Bar Examination.” I had received those despised quoted words 5 times prior to Steve Zikman becoming my Strategic Bar Coach to prepare me to take the… Read more “Brandon Woodward (Western State College of Law)”

“While many reputable bar study programs rely on volume of material and provide studies with little insight, support, or constructive criticism, Steve gets results with purposeful assignments and extensive, thoughtful feedback. Steve’s approach allows his students to fine tune their… Read more “Chelsea S. (UC Irvine Law School)”

“After failing the bar for a second time, I was devastated. I was actually beginning to think it was not possible for me to pass the bar exam; then I found Steve. Steve’s process and method for preparation was phenomenal.… Read more “Bryan Palmer (Western State College of Law)”

“In 2019, I faced the challenging task of taking the California bar exam while managing a substantial case load. (I am a practicing attorney with more than 20 years of experience. My first bar exam was in 1997 and second… Read more “Susan S. (Lewis and Clark Law School)”

“I can’t believe that my name is on the PASS list for the CA Feb 2012 Bar Exam! I would not have been able to do this without you. As a repeater, the thought of taking the bar exam again did not appeal to me at all this… Read more “F.G. (Ventura College of Law)”

“Not knowing what you did wrong after studying day-after-day with a standard bar preparation program was downright frustrating. You gave it your all, and thought you would pass the first time. After picking myself up, I decided to try a different… Read more “James H. (Notre Dame Law School)”

“After working with Steve Zikman extensively, I am happy to give him a strong & unqualified endorsement.  I first enlisted Steve’s help after my unsuccessful attempt to pass the Baby Bar (FYLSX).   I easily passed the second time. While I did… Read more “Bill Stewart (JFK School of Law)”

“I had taken the CA bar twice when I came to Steve. My failures had left me feeling confused, ashamed, and dejected. But Steve immediately put me on a course of study that enabled me to regain my confidence and… Read more “Megan G.”

“Working with Steve was one of the two best things I could have done to pass the California State Bar Exam. He provides the materials necessary to conquer the job at hand. He is direct, specific, persistent, reliable, knowledgeable; making… Read more “Victoria S.”

“The Strategic Bar Coach program helped me pass the 2012 February bar exam on my 4th try. Steve knows exactly what these graders are looking for. His program is unique because he offers one-on-one assistance and he’s serious about what he does. Something tells me he takes it… Read more “Matt V. (California Southern Law School)”

“Steve helped me a lot with my MBE preparation for the bar exam. He taught me a structured and methodical approach to tackle that part of the exam. He showed me effective strategies to answer MBE questions and improve my… Read more “S.D.”

“I failed the CA Bar Exam several times prior to working with Steve. I needed a lot of help with timing and simplifying my writing style. I had tried most of the commercial bar prep courses and apps which were… Read more “Robert W. (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“After failing the July 2011 bar by a small margin I decided I wasn’t going to take any chances in February.  I hired Steve Zikman to help strengthen my essay writing and performance test skills.  Steve has a very clear… Read more “R.D. (Loyola Law School)”

“The first time I took the Bar exam, I used a commercial prep. course to prepare and saw almost no improvement on my scores. Next, I tried a popular online tutoring service, which I instantly regretted, as I found myself… Read more “Saif K. (Whittier Law School)”

“I was a repeater who had come so close before that it hurt.  Other tutors I had spoken with took a ‘it won’t take much’ approach; when I spoke with Steve I told him I didn’t want to risk being… Read more “B.V.”

“I can’t express enough how essential Steve’s bar prep services were for me passing the bar the 1st time.  I know I would not have passed if I had taken one of the traditional bar prep courses.  My writing needed… Read more “S. Seyb (Trinity Law School)”

“If you are planning on taking the California Bar, the best advice is to hire Steve Zikman as your strategic bar coach. Steve’s method was essential to my passing the bar exam. As a full-time attorney and mother of two… Read more “Maritsa Flaherty (Ohio State University Moritz College of Law)”

“I hired Steve to tutor me for the July 2016 bar exam.  I had previously taken the bar twice, and although my scores improved, I knew I needed to do something different this time in order to improve my scores… Read more “Suzy W.”

“Finding the right resources to pass the California Bar Exam is a challenge itself.  There are a lot of options out there and they are not necessarily designed for YOU.  Steve’s program is special because it is curated to meet… Read more “J.J. (Golden Gate University School of Law)”

“I worked with Steve to prepare for the July 2019, February 2020, and October 2020 CA Bar Exams. Steve has a curated study program for Essay’s, MBE’s, and the PT, all of which I utilized, and recommend. I knew from… Read more “Savannah Jenner-Smith (Southern California Institute of Law)”

“As a repeat-taker, I was in need of some personalized, guided assistance to finally eradicate this burden from my life; I didn’t need another run-of-the-mill bar prep course. During the convenient telephone sessions (I was working while studying), Steve helped me… Read more “Mark I. (California Western School of Law)”

“Steve is awesome! I improved my score by over 150 points to pass after working with him for about a month. He is strict and methodical in his process.  I did exactly what he told me and trusted his process.… Read more “Anna (Penn State)”

“I approached Steve after previously failing the February 2015 administration of the California Bar Exam. I used one of the big bar prep companies that lacked the personalized approach that Steve offered. After speaking with several tutors I took the… Read more “Steve Boggins (Cleveland-Marshall College of Law)”

“I took the CA bar in July 2014 after using Barbri as my prep course.  After completing dozens of practice essays, several PTs, and hundreds of MBEs, I was incredibly disappointed to not see my name on the pass list… Read more “Mary C. Vegher (University of California, Hastings College of the Law)”

“After failing the California Bar Exam for a third time, it was clear that I needed help to demonstrate my legal knowledge better on the written exam. Steve explained in extensive detail what I should do for each part of… Read more “David E. (McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific)”

“Steve is very professional. He will show you where your writing needs improvement, and instill correct writing techniques and approaches to the essays and performance tests to give you a consistently passing answer. In addition he will identify why you… Read more “David M. (Trinity Law School, Santa Ana)”

“After taking 13 years off from my 4th attempt at the bar Steve’s techniques and approach to writing to pass the bar was exactly what I needed.  Steve Zikman is a personalized tutor, not a one size fits all. He… Read more “Angela Post (Trinity Law School)”

“I’m a full time attorney with a demanding practice, my wife is a full-time student, and we have three kids—in addition our church and community activities.  While juggling all of this, I decided to take the California bar.  A traditional… Read more “Kris Bailey (California Western School of Law)”

“When I found out that I did not pass the bar exam on the first try, like many others, I was utterly devastated.  I had always been a decent writer and knew the substantive legal material like the back of… Read more “C.L. (Golden Gate University, School of Law)”

“I took the California Bar 5 times and I have used all the different methods that are generally recommended when you graduate law school. However, although each of the programs were helpful, none of these preparations ever made me feel… Read more “Jennifer G.”

“After I had failed the CA bar exam 3 times, I finally realized that it was time to face up to my weakest points on the exam–the Essays and PTs. I had a passing score on MBEs on my 3rd… Read more “H. Lan, LL.M. (Boston University Law)”

“If you are looking for a quality Bar Exam tutor Steve is your guy! During my first attempt at the bar, I was really struggling in 2 areas: organization for the Performance Tests and low MBE scores. With Steve’s help,… Read more “Ryan A. (Whittier Law School)”

“After graduating from a Non-ABA approved school, I knew I needed something more than the traditional BarBri course to pass the bar. I signed up with Steve after a friend recommended him to me and I passed the bar exam… Read more “James Golden (Pacific Coast School of Law)”

“When I failed the July 2015 California Bar Examination, it was a devastating experience. I put everything I had in preparing for the exam, and still I came up short. I knew I needed help. I scoured the web to… Read more “Claude Durden (University of San Diego Law School)”

“After taking the Bar exam twice and not passing, I felt completely defeated. I had a position at a law firm I loved, but it was contingent on me passing the Bar. I had tried Barbri and even a tutor,… Read more “A.L. (University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law)”

“Steve taught me how to present my knowledge of the law in a way that made it easier for the bar graders to read my essays. I learned how to attack the essay question using an organized approach. For me,… Read more “K.L. (UCLA School of Law, Beverly Hills)”

“Steve’s guidance and support was absolutely crucial to my success in passing the 2018 California Bar exam—one of the 12% that passed as an out-of-state repeat taker!  I spent weeks searching for the most qualified person to work with—this turned… Read more “R. P. (Michigan State University College of Law)”

“After my third unsuccessful attempt at the California Bar Exam, I decided to look for a tutor. I had taken the Barbri course right after law school and used their materials to study on my own for the next two… Read more “Paige Cabral (University of San Francisco School of Law)”

“After failing the bar twice I was so defeated by this test.  I am so grateful that I found Steve. Steve isn’t just another bar prep course or cookie-cutter tutor.  He gives you the language, format, and structure required to… Read more “Amanda Millea (JFK School of Law)”

“After failing the bar on my first try using a commercial bar review, I knew I needed some extra help for my second attempt. I failed by 48 points and was scoring relatively well in the writing portion-although there was… Read more “Kate Broderick (Saint Louis University School of Law)”

“I have been a practicing attorney for over thirty years but the last time I took a bar exam was 1987. Steve’s materials, approach, and advice were critical to my success so that I could pass on the first try.… Read more “A. Stern (George Washington University Law School)”

“If you are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to pass the Bar exam, Steve Zikman is one of the best tutors to guide you towards a passing score. Shortly after failing the bar exam for a… Read more “Basil Bokhary (Golden Gate University School of Law)”

“Steve was a huge help for me when studying for the Bar Exam, and I would absolutely recommend him for anybody studying for the Bar Exam. The biggest way that Steve helped me personally was in improving my essay and… Read more “Adam (Boston University)”

“After receiving my results from the July 2016 bar exam it was clear that I needed to improve my essays and PTs. Steve was able to hone in on my weaknesses within a short amount of time. Steve provided me… Read more “Donna K. (California Western School of Law)”

“After  30 years of practicing law on the east coast, I decided to take the California bar. I enrolled with a national bar review course, figuring that if I studied hard and did very well on their graded essays I… Read more “Karen (New York Law School)”

“Thank you for all of your help preparing me for the CA attorney’s bar exam and for gently, yet persistently, encouraging me to leave the perfectionist out of this test! One of my biggest fears was that I would get a question on the… Read more “Holly B. (American University, Washington College of Law)”

“As a foreign attorney, I needed extra guidance on the written portion of the California Bar exam and Steve provided that for me. He did not judge nor did he criticize; instead, with extreme patience, Steve pinpointed my weakest areas… Read more “Avital Gertner-Samet”

“I cannot express how tremendously thankful I am for Steve’s help in passing the 2018 bar exam where only 16% of repeat takers passed.  I was unsuccessful several times in the past while using one of the major bar prep programs… Read more “Clifford H Young (Thomas Jefferson School of Law)”

“Steve provided me with the tools I need to pass the CA bar. I struggled with the MBE section of the bar exam.  His approach to tackling the MBE’s including his ‘MBE Drilldowns’ helped me move away from the mystery… Read more “Melody K. (Whittier Law School)”

“After several attempts, several tutors and thousands of dollars wasted, I finally did something right and hired Steve Zikman. Steve not only taught me how to ‘attack’ every essay (even the subjects that were not my best), but he also… Read more “Kirsten A. Holstrom (Trinity Law and Graduate School)”