The 2022 U.S. Bar Exam Dates: Which Exam is Right for you? By Celia Lerman

While the U.S. Bar Exam dates are released nearly a year or more in advance, there are many things to consider when choosing which date will be right for you, aside from “I need at least 6 months to prepare.” 

Before even looking at the dates of the exam, it is critical that anyone who commits to taking the exam feels prepared to lay off all commitments during the main bulk of their preparation. Lawyers need to commit to the fact that preparing for the bar exam is going to become their full time job, and be fully willing to dedicate themselves to this decision. With this in mind, the decision of when to take the exam may become easier, as one should personally consider at what point in the year is the best time to carve out these few months for their exam preparation.

After considering one’s personal commitments, then committing to a date well in advance is the next step. The 2022 Bar Exam dates are as follows (approximately): 

• Winter 2022: Feb. 22- Feb. 23

• Summer 2022: July 26- July 27

Generally, it is recommended that you give yourself 6 months to prepare for the exam. However, this 6 month timeline includes registration, choosing a test prep service, evaluating skill set, and any other tasks required prior to exam preparation. Many people do not take into account the time it takes before you can begin studying, and it is important to reserve time into your 6 month plan to do so. The bulk of preparation will be done 3-4 months before the exam. 

It is important to choose a Bar Exam date that works best and is attainable for you. You should feel confident in your selection and feel confident in the time that you reserve for your preparation. While studying and preparation is not easy, being prepared, planning in advance, and feeling confident in your decision are all methods that can make the preparation process feel much more organized, leading to a clear and confident mindset before your exam.