Hi, I’m Steve. Welcome to our blog, The SBC Sidebar.
Whether you are gearing up for your very first attempt at the California Bar Exam, or you are a repeat test-taker trying to find the strength to face the beast one more time: you are not alone, and you can do this.
Though I have worked as an attorney and administrative judge, I have spent the last 20+ years as a full-time bar exam tutor, helping thousands of law students cross the finish line and finally add “Esq.” to their names. But I didn’t start off as an expert; my expertise was born out of my own grueling journey.
Here’s how I finally slayed the dragon, and why I created The SBC Sidebar to help you do the same.
The Tale of Two Bar Exams
In 1986, I was first admitted to the Bar of Ontario in Canada when I passed on my first attempt. I felt confident, and accomplished.
But the California Bar Exam was an entirely different story. I struggled, failing twice. When I looked around for a tutor I could relate to and trust with my professional future, I came up empty. So, I set out to figure it out on my own.
I realized I had to stop simply working harder and start working more strategically. I completely dismantled my approach and rebuilt it from the ground up:
- Hacking the Essays: I stopped trying to write ‘creatively’ and started writing ‘mechanically’; I used a pure IRAC approach, breaking the law down into highly digestible outlines for more efficient memorization and application. I eventually started calling these my Flash Outlines™.
- Befriending the Performance Test (PT): Most students underestimate or ignore the PT. I methodically analyzed dozens of old PTs until I understood the gamesmanship involved. The PT became my predictable ‘friend’—a tool I could count on to grab much-needed points.
- Drilling the MBEs (Quality Over Quantity): Instead of mindlessly grinding through 4,000 questions like my peers, I focused on about 1,800. I meticulously ‘drilled down’ on all my incorrect answers to understand exactly the patterns for why I was getting them wrong.
Slaying The Dragon
I passed the California Bar Exam on my third attempt. But getting there required more than just learning the rules of Evidence or Contracts. I had to learn from my mistakes, develop a personalized strategy, and fight to conquer my internal demons.
What to Expect from The SBC Sidebar
I know what it feels like to be sitting where you are right now, which is why I am launching “The SBC Sidebar.” It’s been my great pleasure to help thousands of students in their journey to slaying the California Bar, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of our winning strategies with you.
I will continue to post new content designed to give you the tactical edge you need to pass. And since the Bar is so much more than a test of legal knowledge, we won’t just focus on the black-letter law. Instead, we will tackle the comprehensive strategy of testing—sharing actionable tips that address both the core legal mechanics and your mental and emotional game.
In the coming weeks, you can expect posts on:
- Mental Performance: How to stop a panic attack in the exam room using Navy SEAL breathing techniques.
- Study Tactics: Why using AI tools like ChatGPT to study might be sabotaging your score.
- Test-Day Execution: How to maximize your time on the PT and grab the points other students leave on the table.
- Mindset: What Olympic athletes can teach us about managing burnout and performing under pressure.
You can get your name on the Pass List. You just need the right map, mindset, and mentor to guide you up the mountain.
Bookmark this page, check back regularly for new tips, and remember: you are a Warrior, and you CAN slay this dragon.
Together, let’s make this next bar exam your last!
— Steve