Top Ontario Bar Prep Strategies Every Student Should Know

Sep 12 / Benjamin Rozek
Feeling the pressure? We get it. The Ontario Bar Exam can feel like a mountain to climb. You've got the immense study materials, the tight deadlines, and the weight of your legal career on your shoulders. But what if we told you there's a smarter way to prepare?
Passing the bar isn't just about how much you study; it's about how you study. At BarMasters.co, we've helped countless students navigate this journey, and we've pinpointed the most effective strategies that make all the difference.
Let's dive into the top strategies that will help you move from overwhelmed to confident.


1. Don't Just Read, Actively Study the Materials

The LSO materials are dense. Simply reading them from cover to cover isn't enough. You need to engage with the content actively.

Curate Your Indices: Whether you are using the UofT indices, or something else, make sure you are familiar with finding key words, and navigating the materials. The more you practice, the faster you will be. This process reinforces your understanding of the location of the the material and trains you to find answers quickly under pressure.

Highlight with a Purpose: Avoid highlighting every other sentence. Use a system. For example, use one colour for key terms, another for rules, and a third for exceptions or time limits. This makes your materials a quick-reference guide, not just a wall of text.

Focus on the "Why": The exam tests your ability to apply the law, not just memorize it. As you study, ask yourself why a certain rule exists and how it would be applied in a hypothetical scenario. This is where the real learning happens.

2. The Power of Practice: Use Ontario Bar Exam Sample Questions

This is arguably the single most important part of your prep. The Ontario Bar Exam is not a test of pure knowledge; it's a test of your ability to navigate the materials efficiently and answer multiple-choice questions correctly. You can only master this skill by practicing.

Start Early: Don't save practice questions for the last week. Incorporate them into your daily or weekly study schedule from day one. This helps you identify your weak spots early, so you can focus your efforts.

Time Yourself: The real exam is a race against the clock. When you're ready, take full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This builds your stamina and helps you develop a sense of how much time you can spend on each question.

Review Your Answers Thoroughly: Getting a question wrong isn't a failure; it's a learning opportunity. When you miss a question, don't just look at the right answer. Go back to the materials and understand why you chose the wrong answer and why the correct answer is right. This process is crucial for solidifying your understanding.

3. Choose the Best Ontario Bar Practice Exams and Resources

Not all study resources are created equal. You need materials that are high-quality, up-to-date, and realistic.

At BarMasters.co, our best Ontario Bar practice exams are designed to mirror the actual exam’s format and difficulty. We use a vast database of unique questions to ensure you're not just memorizing answers but are truly learning how to apply the law. Our courses and notes are structured to distill complex information into manageable, easy-to-digest formats, so you can spend less time highlighting and more time understanding. In addition, we have different sets of difficulties, that are tailored to your specific study progress.Easy at the start, hard coming up to the exam.

4. Manage Your Time and Your Mindset

The Ontario Bar Exam is as much a mental game as it is a legal one.

Create a Realistic Study Schedule: Divide your time into manageable blocks for reading, reviewing, and practicing. Don't forget to schedule breaks and days off to avoid burnout.

Prioritize Professional Responsibility: This subject is tested on both exams and is critical. Make it a priority to understand these materials inside and out.

Stay Positive: It's normal to feel stressed, but don't let anxiety take over. Trust the process, celebrate small victories, and remember that you have the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Passing the Ontario Bar Exam is a significant achievement, and with the right strategy, you can get there. At BarMasters.co, we are dedicated to providing you with the tools and support you need to turn your legal aspirations into a reality.

Ready to start your journey with a proven plan? Explore our comprehensive courses, meticulously crafted notes, and the best Ontario Bar practice exams today!
Created with