Break Through The Bar

Looking back at my time on the BPC, there are several things I wish I had known sooner.

The Bar Course is fast-paced, content-heavy, and often overwhelming. 

Surviving (and hopefully thriving) it comes down to preparation, consistency, and strategy. 

1. Master the Syllabus Reading

The BSB exams in civil litigation, criminal litigation, and ethics require a detailed understanding of examinable material.

• Read the full syllabus each week. Providers may suggest only specific sections within syllabus areas, but skipping material can leave gaps that never get revisited.
• Use a tracker. With over 40 syllabus areas, a spreadsheet is a useful tool to log what you have read, summarised, and revised.
• Avoid shortcuts. AI and summaries often miss key nuances. There is no substitute for reading directly from the source material.

2. Create Concise Notes as You Go

Long notes are useful at first, but unmanageable during revision.

• Draft long notes, then condense. Each week, summarise into tables, charts, or mind maps.
• Prepare resources for revision. Even if you don’t start revising immediately, you’ll thank yourself later for having usable summaries ready.

3. Organise Your Materials for Exams

The open-book nature of some assessments makes preparation of your books vital.

• Tab and annotate strategically. Align tabs neatly and highlight only examinable paragraphs.
• Use post-it notes. Summarise complex commentary or stick answers from practice questions directly into the book.
• Don’t worry about rule numbers. Focus on application- knowing where to find the rules matters more than memorising citations.

4. Approach Exams Methodically

• Practise multiple-choice early. The “single best answer” style is unique and improves only with repetition.
• Use practice banks. Incorporate questions into your notes and annotation system.
• Rely on provider manuals. For skills such as ethics, drafting, and opinion writing, course manuals are invaluable.

5. Prepare Thoroughly for Advocacy

Strong advocacy is built on preparation rather than improvisation.

• Know your bundles inside out.
• Tab exhibits, witness statements, and interviews for quick reference.
• Plan thematically. Group cross-examination or submissions by topic.
• Record yourself. Watching playback highlights habits in delivery and helps improve presentation.
• Keep a feedback journal. Record tutor comments and useful phrases from peers for future use.

6. Be Smart with Qualifying Sessions

Qualifying sessions are more than a requirement; they are valuable opportunities.

• Book early. Popular sessions fill up fast.
• Look regionally. Inns run events outside London, which may be more convenient.
• They’re opportunities to learn and network, not just tick-box exercises.
• Also consider when you are booking them for, try to avoid exam or interview periods.
• If you can do an advocacy weekend, then DO!

7. Manage the Pupillage Cycle in Advance

The pupillage application process overlaps with assessments. To reduce pressure:

• Prepare early. Update your CV and begin drafting answers from November, before applications open.
• Anticipate workload clashes. Expect March–April to be the busiest months with both exams and interviews.
• Submit before the deadline. Avoid last-minute issues with the Gateway by completing applications several days early.

8. Workload and Time Management

• Treat the Bar Course as full-time. Minimise outside work if possible; even one day a week is difficult to balance.
• Use manageable chunks. Spread reading across several days rather than attempting it all at once.
• Don’t overcommit. Avoid holidays and long absences-missing even a few workshops means losing vital practice.

Final Takeaways

• Read everything, but make it manageable. Plan your time and spread the work out where possible. 
• Summarise and prepare resources consistently.
• Practise exam formats early.
• Treat advocacy preparation as seriously as written skills.
• Stay organised with qualifying sessions and pupillage deadlines.
• Protect your time-the Bar Course is short, but it demands full attention.