With the NCBE reporting a 46% overall pass rate for the most recent bar exam, it’s clear: picking the right bar prep course is less of a simple purchase and more of an investment in your future.
You’ve likely seen Bar Prep Hero pop up because of its tempting price tag. But the big question is, does it deliver what you need to conquer the MBE, MEE, and MPT?
I’ve taken it for a thorough spin, so let’s see if it’s genuinely equipped to help you soar or if you should consider other co-pilots.
Bar Prep Hero: Buy It or Look Elsewhere?
- If you’re a self-starter who learns best by doing, then Bar Prep Hero’s focus on practice questions might click with you.
- If you’re on a very tight budget, then the lower price compared to traditional bar review courses is a big plus.
- If you primarily need a large bank of real NCBE-licensed questions for supplemental MBE practice, then Bar Prep Hero can be a cost-effective add-on.
- If you thrive on structured video lectures and outlines, then you might find Bar Prep Hero a bit too bare-bones on its own.
- If you want detailed explanations for why incorrect answers are wrong, then this course’s approach might leave you wanting more.
Bar Prep Hero: Course Overview
So, what exactly is Bar Prep Hero? At its core, it’s an online bar prep course that leans heavily into a “learn by doing” philosophy. Instead of long video lectures or hefty textbooks filled with black letter law, Bar Prep Hero makes its mark by providing a ton of practice questions.
We are talking over 1,300 real questions licensed from the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), plus another 600+ simulated MBE questions developed by Bar Prep Hero itself.
That’s a lot of MBE practice!
The idea is that legal principles will sink in after you work through countless bar exam questions and read the answer explanations (which often cite case law ). They also offer materials for the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT).
However, it’s crucial to understand that this bar review program is different. If you’re expecting a traditional classroom experience or hours of video instruction covering everything from constitutional law to criminal law and procedure, you won’t find it here. It’s built for a specific type of learner.
“I use Bar Prep Hero! I like it…The interface is attractive and I’m happy with my choice.”
SunflowerSpeak, Reddit User.
Pros
- 💰 Super Affordable: One of the biggest draws. You can save thousands compared to some traditional bar review courses.
- 📚 Loads of Real MBE Questions: Access to 1,300+ official NCBE questions from past exams is a huge plus for realistic MBE practice.
- 💻 Flexible and Self-Paced: Study when and where you want, which is great if you’re juggling work or other commitments.
- ⏳ Lifetime Access Option: Some packages offer access until you pass, which can reduce stress if you need more time.
- ✍️ Good Explanations for Correct Answers: The rationales for correct MBE answers are often praised as detailed and well-written, citing relevant cases.
Cons
- 🙅♀️ No Video Lectures or Traditional Instruction: If you learn best by listening to lectures or need in-depth explanations of black letter law, this is a major drawback.
- ❓ Explanations Limited to Correct Answers: They generally don’t explain why the wrong answers are wrong, which is a missed learning opportunity for many.
- 📊 Basic Analytics: While it tracks some things, the performance analytics aren’t as deep as some competitors.
Bar Prep Hero Review
Breaking Down Bar Prep Hero: Feature-by-Feature
Course Content & Structure
Bar Prep Hero is entirely online and self-paced. There are no in-person classes or live online sessions. The structure is built around its massive question bank.
- Question Bank: You get over 1,900 MBE questions in total. This includes 1,300+ licensed from the NCBE from past bar exams, and 600+ simulated questions created by Bar Prep Hero. These cover all MBE subjects like Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
- Challenge Bank: This feature is pretty neat. It automatically collected questions I got wrong, which did allow me to focus back on those specific weak spots.
- MEE & MPT Materials: For the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), the Full Bar package includes access to every official MEE essay and MPT question from 1997 to 2022, along with model answers and analyses, with downloadable PDFs.
- Flashcards: They offer a good number of digital flashcards — around 1,600 to 1,800, depending on the source, covering 12 legal subjects.
- MBE Exam Simulators: You can take unlimited simulated MBE tests, including a 200-question bar exam simulator designed to mimic test day conditions.
The core idea is that you learn by doing: take quizzes, do practice questions, read the explanations for the correct answers, and repeat. It’s a very active way to learn, which I loved.
However, if you’re someone who needs a professor to walk you through complex legal principles or provide detailed outlines on black letter law before you dive into multiple-choice questions, this structure might feel like being thrown into the deep end.
One user on Reddit mentioned,
“I used it for MBEs only…it was good for me for early study and getting into the groove of the questions etc. was definitely basic, but did the trick.”
Tech & Videos
The Bar Prep Hero digital platform is generally described as clean, intuitive, and well-designed. Getting around to different sections felt pretty straightforward.
They also have a mobile app for studying on the go, with a great interface and functionality, though one review noted it could be “a little slow” at times. There’s a Night Mode for easier reading and a VoiceOver option to listen to questions.
Now, for what I consider a make-or-break feature for many: video lectures. Well, Bar Prep Hero doesn’t offer them. This is a major difference from most traditional bar review courses, like Kaplan Bar Review, with its comprehensive video series, build their curriculum significantly around video instruction.
And as I explored Bar Prep Hero more, it became clear their model is built entirely around active practice, not passive learning through lectures.
If you’re a visual or auditory learner who relies on lectures to understand complex topics like civil procedure questions or nuances in criminal law, I recommend you explore a different course like Quimbee. Its engaging and often visual approach to video can really help concepts stick.
Otherwise, you have to learn primarily by reading text explanations and tackling endless practice questions on your own, which might not be the ideal path for everyone.
Pricing and Value
This is where Bar Prep Hero really shines. Their pricing is very competitive:
| Package | Price Range | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| The Sim MBE | ~$79 – $99 | 600+ simulated MBE questions. |
| The Full MBE | ~$239 – $299 | 1,900+ MBE questions |
| The Full Bar (UBE) | ~$359 – $449 | 1,900+ MBE questions plus MEE and MPT materials. |
Compared to courses like Kaplan Bar Review or Barbri, which can run into the thousands, Bar Prep Hero offers a much lower price point. They also have a “Pass The Bar Exam, Guaranteed Or Your Money Back” policy for their Full Bar and Full MBE plans, though you’ll need to make sure you meet all their program completion requirements.
Support and Access
Customer support is available via live chat, email, and phone. Depending on the package you buy, you can also get 1, 5, or 10 private email consultations with legal experts. When I was stuck on a tricky practice problem, I reached out to them via email. The advice I eventually received was helpful, though it took a bit long for the response to arrive.
In their higher-tier packages, you also get the lifetime access or ‘access until you pass’ provision, which isn’t always standard in the bar review world. Furthermore, for these premium plans, Bar Prep Hero offers a money-back pass guarantee. However, it’s subject to completing their program requirements.
Bar Prep Hero vs. The Competition
Okay, so Bar Prep Hero has its niche. But how does it stack up if you’re looking for something a bit different, or perhaps more comprehensive? This is where understanding different bar review courses really helps you make an informed decision.
| Feature |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | MBE Practice Questions, Self-Study | Comprehensive, Mobile-First, Audio Lectures | Audio-Based Learning, Mnemonics | Traditional Comprehensive, Live Classes, Videos |
| NCBE Questions | 1,300+ Licensed MBE | 1,750+ Real MBE | 1,350+ Official NCBE MBE | 5,000+ total questions |
| Video Lectures |  |  | | |
| Instructional Style | Learn-by-doing, Text Explanations | Structured, Audio-Centric | Audio Outlines, Mnemonics, Memory Aids | Traditional Lectures, Structured Plan |
| Essay/MPT Support | MEE/MPT Qs & Model Answers | Essay Grading, Tutoring Available | MEE/MPT Qs & Point Sheets | Unlimited Essay Grading, Practice Tests |
| Price Range (Full Course) | ~$359 – $449 | ~$1,895 – $2,495 | UBE Suite ~$970 | ~$2,000 – $2,750+ |
| Pass Guarantee | | | | |
| Best For | Budget-focused, Qbank supplement, self-starters | Mobile learners, audio learners | Auditory learners | Focused on traditional instruction |
Now, let’s talk about when you might lean towards one of these alternatives:
BarMax
If Bar Prep Hero’s “learn-by-doing” approach with minimal direct instruction feels a bit too sparse for you, BarMax could be a great choice. I like its comprehensive approach, audio lectures, and strong mobile-first design, which makes it excellent for studying on the go.
While pricier than Bar Prep Hero, BarMax includes features like real MBE questions and essay grading. It’s a solid option if you want more structured learning and don’t mind investing a bit more for a well-rounded course.
Quimbee
If you find Bar Prep Hero’s lack of video lectures a hurdle or want more robust feedback on your essays than just model answers, Quimbee is definitely worth a look.
They offer over 300 bite-sized, engaging video lessons designed to keep your attention, which I find much more digestible than hours-long lectures. Plus, their Bar Review+ package includes unlimited essay grading by actual attorneys and a reported 91% pass rate.
Quimbee strikes a nice balance between quality content and affordability, making it a strong contender if you’re a visual learner or need that extra essay support.
Crushendo
If you’re looking for something more dynamic and, frankly, unique than Bar Prep Hero’s text-based explanations, Crushendo offers a very different path. When I tried their audio-based learning, like audio outlines and even audio flashcards, combined with tons of mnemonics and memory, it really helped me grasp those complex topics.
It’s an innovative approach that can be a game-changer if traditional study methods haven’t worked for you, or if you’re an auditory learner. They also offer lifetime access and a pass guarantee.
Kaplan Bar Review
If you’d prefer the comprehensive support of live classes and extensive video lectures from a long-standing name in test prep, Kaplan Bar Review provides that traditional bar review course framework.
It offers a massive amount of practice material, over 5,000 questions, live online classes, on-demand videos, and a structured study plan. It’s generally more expensive than Bar Prep Hero, but it’s a full-service course designed to guide you through every step of your bar prep.
If you thrive on structure and want all the bells and whistles, Kaplan is a major player to consider.
Bottom Line: Is Bar Prep Hero the Hero You Need?
So, after all this, what’s the final word on Bar Prep Hero?
I think Bar Prep Hero carves out a very specific niche for itself. It’s a no-frills, budget-friendly option that delivers a massive number of practice questions, including those all-important official NCBE ones.
If you’re an incredibly self-motivated learner, confident in your understanding of black letter law from law school, and your main goal is to drill MBE practice questions until your eyes cross, then Bar Prep Hero could be an amazing learning resource for you.
However, and this is a big “however,” it’s not a comprehensive bar review program in the traditional sense. The lack of video lectures, in-depth outlines, and explanations for incorrect answers means you’re largely on your own.
So, if its minimalist approach doesn’t align with your learning needs for both the substance and strategy of the exam day, exploring other courses like BarMax or Quimbee might lead you to your perfect bar prep partner.
FAQs
Probably not as a primary resource. If you need to build a strong foundation in black letter law or require detailed explanations, Bar Prep Hero’s practice-focused approach might be challenging.
It offers over 1,900 MBE practice questions in its full MBE package. This includes over 1,300 licensed questions directly from the NCBE and over 600 simulated questions created by Bar Prep Hero.
No, Bar Prep Hero does not include video lectures. Its methodology is centered on learning through practice with question banks and text-based explanations.
I’d recommend it as a supplemental tool due to its lack of comprehensive instructional content. If you need thorough teaching of legal principles, you’ll likely want a more traditional bar review program or one with strong video/audio lessons, like Kaplan.
The Challenge Bank is a feature that automatically collects any MBE practice questions you answer incorrectly. This creates a personalized set of questions to help you target your weaker areas.
