One of the steepest learning curves on the Bar Course is working out the syllabus reading. Everyone asks the same question: “what do I actually need to know?”
The answer is in the BSB’s “examinable material”.
They can be found here (as of September 2025):
Click to access BT-Civil-Litigation-Updated-Syllabus-2024-2025.pdf
Click to access BT-Civil-Litigation-Syllabus-Summary-of-Changes-2025-2026-30-June-2025.pdf
Click to access Bar-Training-Criminal-Litigation-Syllabus-2025-Summary-of-Changes-December-2024.pdf
The Core Exams
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) sets three centralised exams:
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Litigation
- Professional Ethics
Every provider teaches to the same syllabus. The key is to understand how the examinable material works.
Step 1: Use the BSB Syllabus as your Guide
The BSB syllabus specifies exactly what is examinable. It will direct you to:
- CPR rules (White Book)
- Criminal procedure (Blackstone’s)
- Ethics (Code of Conduct and guidance)
- Occasionally, specific sections of legislation
This means if it isn’t in the syllabus list, it won’t be on the exam.
Step 2: Understand the Detail
The syllabus doesn’t just say “Part 17” – it tells you precisely what’s in scope:
- Rules only, or rules plus commentary? Sometimes only the rule itself is examinable. Other times, the commentary is also included.
- Exact commentary paragraphs. These may be defined narrowly (e.g., “up to paragraph 17.3.6” or “first three lines”). Be exact.
Step 3: Pair Rules with Commentary
When note-taking, don’t just copy rules in isolation. Commentary explains how they apply in practice, and exams often test application rather than rote recall. Consider:
- Making side-by-side notes (rule in one column, commentary in the other).
- Or using flowcharts to link rule → commentary → application.
Step 4: Don’t Over-Read
It’s tempting to read everything, but the White Book and Blackstone’s are huge. Stick to the syllabus list. For example:
- If a commentary section is not named in the syllabus, it won’t be examinable. You may want to read it to better your understanding of the rule, but you won’t need to revise it specifically.
- Highlight only examinable material in your books.
For more information on annotating and tabbing your White Book please click here
Step 5: Finish Reading Weekly
Providers sometimes break the syllabus into chunks, but it may not be sequential. Avoid leaving sections unfinished. Completing the whole syllabus area each week keeps you ahead and prevents last-minute panic.
Step 6: Balance Long and Concise Notes
- Long notes:Capture everything in detail during first reading.
- Concise notes: Summarise into manageable revision resources (tables, mind maps, bullet points).
This way, when exams approach, you’re not trying to revise from 20+ pages of raw text.
Step 7: Timing and Productivity
Read when you’re most alert. If mornings work best, schedule reading then and save tasks for later in the day. With heavy, technical content, studying at your best time is crucial.
Common Myths & Confusions
- You need to memorise rule numbers. False. Exams focus on application, not citation. You may remember some naturally, but that’s not the goal.
- AI summaries will save time. False. They often miss nuance and misinterpret concepts. Trust the syllabus.
Final Tip
Think of syllabus reading as building exam-ready resources. Each week, complete the whole syllabus area, make concise notes, and prepare revision materials. Do this consistently, and the exam period becomes far less daunting.
Break Through The Bar 
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