NY Bar Exam Test-Taking Tips

Learning the law of New York is hard enough -- the last thing you need is to be surpised on the day of the bar exam by how the test is administered.

So we asked the experts at Bar/Bri Bar Review, who prepare a majority of the people who take the New York exam, to answer some of the most common questions about how to take the test.

1. What should I do during the 24 hours before the exam?

2. What time should I arrive at the test location?

3. If I arrive late, can I still take the test? What if I’m late through no fault of my own, like my car broke down or the subway was delayed?

4. What should I wear?

5. Do I need an ID?

6. Is there assigned seating?

7. I don’t do well in big crowds. Is there some way to avoid taking the test at the Javits Center?

8. Can I bring a backpack into the test room? Can I bring a clock? Can I use a calculator?

9. Will I be provided with scrap paper?

10. Can I wear ear plugs? Can I bring a seat cushion? Can I have something to drink or eat during the test?

11. Can I write in pencil? If I use a pen, what color ink should I use? Can I type my answers? Can I use White Out?

12. My handwriting is really hard to read. Is there anything I can do to make it easier for the grader to read my essay answers? Is outline form better than long paragraphs?

13. If I don’t really know the answer to an essay question, could I benefit by making it harder for the grader to read my answer?

14. Should I use abbreviations in my essay answers?

15. How long is the lunch break? Where can I eat near the Javits Center? What should I eat?

16. Do I get additional time if I have to go to the bathroom during the exam?

17. I am taking two states’ bar exams. Where should I take the Multistate portion of the exam – New York or the other state?

18. If I’m done before all the time has elapsed, can I leave early?

19. Do I have the same exam as the person sitting next to me?

20. It’s the day before the exam, and I just know I’m going to fail. Should I skip the test, and take it in six months? What if I can’t remember anything?