Absolutely! You need to be adequately prepared for each and every part of the exam. Therefore, One-Timers makes sure that every part of the bar exam (MBE, Essays, and Performance Test) is covered. If you are thinking about a course that only covers one part of the exam, you may want to reevaluate your choice.

I was once asked what makes me qualified to teach a bar review course. I got excited when the question was posed. In my opinion, just because someone “passes” the bar exam, does not mean they are qualified to teach a course. I have currently passed the bar exam in 5 states and have had multiple MBE scores in the 170’s and even recorded a record high of 180. In my spare time, I teach at a law school. For the past six years and counting, my entire life has revolved around the California Bar Exam. I have made it my passion. I am not a lawyer, I am a professional bar tutor. Thus, my “practice” will not be getting in the way. I am here every day, all day, including weekends to discuss concepts, topics, essays, etc….for the bar exam. I hope that makes me qualified.

Great question. Everyone wants to know what a course’s bar passage rate is. Some courses allege a 94% pass rate. Hardly a credible claim especially since it can never be verified. Unless you have a list of every applicants name who enters a course and follow it throughout the results process, you will truly never know.

Our pass rate is simple: You do the work, you will pass the bar. You don’t and there is little we can do to help you. Before you ask a course what its pass rate is, remember there is nothing you can do to verify it. If someone is claiming a 94% pass rate, they are probably not being candid with you. It goes to follow that you may not be getting what they promise as well.

One-Timers will “guarantee” that any first time bar-taker from an ABA school who can verify that they are in the top half of their class will get a full money back guarantee if they don’t pass, as well as the opportunity to rejoin the class in the future at no cost.

More importantly, One-Timers will match any competitors guarantee or specials. I, Jason Tolerico, will definitely put my money where my mouth is.

The cost of the course is $4,850. There are no additional charges.

Yes. I will accept payments throughout the course and even after the bar so long as it is reasonable. The only amount requested is that half of the course price be paid when you decide to sign up.

No. One-Timers does not believe in charging you if for some unfortunate reason you do not pass the California Bar Exam with us on the first try. I am firmly dedicated to sticking with each and every student until they pass. If a course charges you again to contract for their services you might want to ask them why? One-Timers does not believe in charging for a job not done. For more detailed information please see One-Timers’ Contract Guarantee.

Yes. I will personally review your past exams and explain to you what you are doing wrong. If you are not in my course, I will review two of your most recent essays at no cost. In addition, I will give you my model answers for all six essays for you to understand how to better write and approach a fact pattern.

Absolutely not. One-Timers completely covers every aspect of the exam in detail, i.e., the MBE, the Essays and of course, the Performance Test. In fact, One-Timers strongly suggests that this be your only focus. There is never a reason to search for another course since you will be fully covered here.

This course is for you if you want personal attention, someone to speak with before, during, and after the bar exam, quick turn-around on essay grading (within 24 hours), active learning, practice, guidance, a rigid schedule, and someone to guide you through the process. If that is the case, then this is the course for you.

After taking the bar exam in several different states, I can confidently say that the California Bar Exam is the most difficult bar exam to pass. It’s not that the subject matter is any harder than any other state, but California is one of the very few states that is three (3) days long. Most state bar exams last only two (2) days. Additionally, California has two (2) three-hour long performance tests. Most state performance tests last only an hour and a half. California is twice as long. Furthermore, California requires a scaled MBE score of 144. It is one of the highest scaled scores needed to pass that portion of the bar exam (even though you can score lower than a 144 and still pass the exam). However, California essays are relatively less difficult than other states. Nevada, for example, can have a three-page fact pattern for one essay question. Arizona gives you twelve essays in one day. Washington has three days of written exams. California’s essays are clearly laid out and the calls of the question are pretty specific so there is no guessing at what the examiners are looking for. Finally, California is an “exclusion” state, whereas states like New Mexico are inclusive. This means California is not looking to add new attorneys. New Mexico, on the other hand, will do its best to admit any applicant sitting for its bar exam. It goes to follow that New Mexico’s pass rate averages around 90% whereas California’s pass rate is approximately 68%.

So to answer the question, California is likely the hardest bar exam in the country.

There are several inexpensive or free resources available for you to study for the California Bar Exam. One of the best resources is to go onto the State Bar of California’s website and download past exam questions and answers. There are also past performance exams with selected answers. These answers are a very good resource for understanding how to answer a question and properly analyze a fact pattern. Simply go to: http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinations/PastExams.aspx#esqasa.

As for the MBE portion of the exam, it is relatively inexpensive to sign up for the Best MBE at www.BestMBE.com. It is a full on-line course with videos, outlines, and amazing explanations that really guides you through the MBE’s without a personal touch.

Finally, one can obtain materials online via eBay and Craigslist from former applicants. Materials do not need to be the most current ones available. While the law does change, the basic concepts are very stagnant. It is completely acceptable to buy materials that are three years old or newer. I would suggest, however, to buy unused MBE books.

The only caveat here is that you may get what you pay for. The bar exam is not a place where you should budget your finances. It is the most important test you will ever take in your life.

After speaking with hundreds of passing applicants, the undisputed response is that, by far, the best and most effective tool in passing the California Bar Exam is practice, practice, practice. The most common pattern of failing applicants is that they spent countless hours trying to memorize outlines, creating impossible to remember mnemonics, and mindlessly sitting and listening to taped lectures. There are two types of studying: passive studying and active learning. One-Timers only teaches active learning. It is the most effective and conducive way to get our students to pass the California Bar Exam.

California has not been very sympathetic to applicants taking the bar exam under extraordinary conditions. Unless you feel that your life is in immediate grave danger, I would suggest staying focused and doing your best to pull through. This comes down to a personal choice.

One-Timers is registered with the Better Business Bureau (800) 834-1119. One-Timers’ company number is 100094509. One-Timers also has a registered business license in Newport Beach, CA. That business license # is: BT30033763. Finally, One-Timers has a registered business license in L.A. county in the city of Culver City. That business license # is pending. Additionally, One-Timers can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/One-Timers-Personal-Bar-Review-Course-by-Jason-Tolerico/163213640378186.