I just got my FL bar exam back... I failed again... for the 3rd time. My question is, how many times should I try before I give up? Am I just not a good fit to be an attorney? Am I just kidding myself? I do have a decent job that is not really law-related, and I can just stay here and keep retaking the bar until i die. How many times will you guys try before you give up?
As long as you have a normal life, you can keep trying. I mean, if taking the bar does not stop you from having a nice family life, nice job, and a healthy life in general, you should keep trying if it is important to you. However, if it is making you lose your place at work, hurting your relationship in any shape or form, or simply hurting your self-esteem, then you should give yourself a break.
After all, life should go on, with or without passing the bar. Many people don't remember that.
If you don't have to be an attorney, you should stop
Unless you absolutely want to be an attorney, then go after your dream. However, if you don't have to be an attorney and still be satisfied with your job, then you should take it as many times as you want. However, I will move on if I could. passing the bar should not stop you from doing other great things or making you feel better or worse about yourself.
I failed the bar exam 7 times, 5 in Illinois and 2 in Missouri. I had been doing this for 7 long years. I cannot tell you the torture I went through during this time. Law school sucked, but taking that stupid test all those times was the worst. It took everything I had including self-esteem, time and thousands of dollars. Every time I failed, I felt worse about myself. I just could not understand how I could have done so well in law school, then not be able to pass the bar exam so I could practice. I kept taking the test thinking this time will be different. I took Barbri and Micromash, and even had a private tutor. Needless to say, this was the absolute worst time of my life. You are the only one that can answer the question about stopping. In my case, I was just done. I wasn't going to give them any more of myself. I went out and found a job that utilized my JD, but didn't need me to be licensed. The thought that I will never have to deal with that test again makes me giddy with happiness. For me, the decision to go to law school was a mistake. But the decision to never take that stupid test again was the best decision I ever made. Good luck.
Wow, let me tell you DON'T STOP TRYING!! I recently took the FL bar for the 4th time. I had been doing the Kaplan self-study for July 10, Feb 11, July 11, and finally got a tutor for Feb 12. I worked with John from Law Preps LLC (Law Preps LLC -Legal Education and Examination Preparation Experts) over Skype and used the AdaptiBar program. Despite the fact he was in another state he absolutely drilled me to prepare me for the MBE. I have to say, I felt much more confident going into this administration. I suggest finding a tutor and going with a different approach.
I understand your frustration. Please try not to let it get you down. Once you try and try and try you start to let thoughts of "why and I so stupid" and "maybe I'm not cut out for this" creep into your brain. DON'T LET IT!! You clearly passed law school, you ARE cut out for this!! A tutor is great too because they've been through this and are really amazing at building your confidence. Having someone work one-on-one with you and point out your faults is humbling but really eye-opening.
Think about it...don't give up!
Be optimistic. Never give up. Anyone who can get through law school is capable of passing the bar exam. The exam is no indication of how smart you are or how good a lawyer you will be. It just involves having the necessary test taking skills to pass the exam. Also remember, you don't need to get an A on the exam. if you can get a C-, you will pass. The key is repetition. Do practice questions over and over again. Especially the essay questions. There are only so many ways you can ask a question. They tend to be repetitive.
You should, unquestionably, stop trying after five failed attempts.
This is a good rule for large jurisdictions where the test results are highly standardized and subject to the law of large numbers.
By the time you've taken the exam five times, you are so far afield of the a reasonable likelihood of passing (without some significant and overwhelming quantum change in your ability to take the exam) that you should stop wasting money.
I failed NY two times before I finally hired lawpreps as my tutor. The third time I took that exam my score did drastically improve but I fell short by a few points because of a low MBE. The fourth time I prepared for this exam with 2000 Adaptibar questions and reviewed/re-wrote every essay. I just got my results, I failed for the fourth time. I think you shoudl quit the minute you feel that you have studied in every different way possible, and have done everything in your control to pass this test. Then, just move on with your life. I don't think you ever get over not passing the bar but if you flood your life with different opportunities you eventually stop feeling less and less angry about failing.
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