So, you’re staring down the bar exam. It’s not just another test; it’s the big, scary gateway to your entire legal career. And picking the right bar prep course can make or break your chances. I’ve been there, and I totally get it.
Two names probably keep popping up in your research: Barbri and Kaplan. Both are super popular and promise to get you that passing score. But which one to choose?
As a reviewer, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. My goal isn’t to push you towards one course or the other. Instead, I want to lay out all the facts to help you make a smart choice. We’ll look at everything from practice tests to how well each course fits different learning styles to make this decision clearer for you.
Kaplan vs Barbri: Which One Gets Your Vote?
Choosing the right bar review course is a huge decision, and what works for one person might not be the best fit for another. So,
- If you thrive on a highly structured, AI-customized study schedule and really value detailed physical textbooks, then Barbri’s course will likely be a perfect match.
- If you love joining live online classes to ask questions in real-time, or prefer dynamic, on-demand video lectures, then Kaplan could be exactly what you’re looking for.
- If getting the best bang for your buck is a top priority and you’re seeking a course with a solid pass guarantee, then Kaplan might make it the winner for you.
- If you need a dedicated tool to build your essay-writing skills piece by piece, then Barbri could be incredibly beneficial for you.
- If you like getting instant, AI-powered feedback on your practice essays to quickly pinpoint where you can improve, then Kaplan is right up your alley.
Barbri vs Kaplan Bar Prep: The Big Picture
Let’s get a general idea of these two heavyweights. Consider this their highlight reel before we get into all the nitty-gritty details.
Barbri Bar Review: The Longstanding Titan
Barbri is probably the most recognized name in bar review courses out there. They’ve helped a staggering 1.43 million learners pass the U.S. Bar Exam. That’s more than all other courses combined!
They talk a lot about their “learner-centric mission” and have even gone global, helping folks in England and Wales with their legal exams, too.
Plus, their team has a whopping 185 years of experience combined, so they definitely know their way around the bar exam.
What makes Barbri, Barbri?
It’s their super thorough, in-depth materials, like those famous Barbri books like the Conviser Mini Review are legendary. They mix this with some pretty smart tech called ISAAC (Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach). ISAAC creates a study plan just for you and changes it as you go.
Barbri even says that students who use their method score, on average, 19 points higher on the exam.
Pros
- The content is incredibly detailed and covers everything.
- You get high-quality, thick physical prep books that students swear by.
- They include real MBE questions from past exams, especially if you get one of their higher-level packages.
Cons
- It’s usually the more expensive choice.
- The video lectures, even though they’re taught by big-name professors like Richard Freer, can be pretty long and a bit dry.
- It also reflects an “old school” vibe with its traditional learning method.
Barbri Bar Review
Kaplan Bar Review: The Modern Challenger
Kaplan is a huge name in test prep generally. They’ve been helping students for over 85 years and taken all that know-how and applied it to bar prep.
Kaplan is proud to say that first-time Kaplan bar prep students who do 75% of the work they assign have a 91% pass rate on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).
They really focus on being great at online learning and using AI to help you study smarter. Kaplan’s long history in education and its specific bar prep success numbers highlight its strong background.
Kaplan is all about giving you a flexible and engaging way to learn.
They offer a mix of video lectures you can watch anytime and live online classes you can join. A big part of its course is AI-powered tools that give you instant feedback on your essays and suggest what you should study next.
They also usually offer a pass guarantee, and sometimes even a $500 Amazon gift card if you pass on your first attempt.
Pros
- The video lectures are engaging, and the live online classes are a big plus.
- It feels more modern and streamlined than Barbri.
- It’s generally less expensive, and they often have sales.
- Offers a strong pass guarantee (free repeat).
- They have a huge bank of practice questions, over 5000.
Cons
- Their MBE practice questions are mostly written by their own team, not the official NCBE ones.
- The unlimited essay grading is done by AI, which might not be for everyone.
Kaplan Bar Review
It’s interesting to see how these two companies almost seem to be reacting to each other. When Kaplan comes out with something cool, like really engaging, shorter videos or AI feedback, Barbri feels the need to play up its traditional strengths while adding its own tech, like ISAAC.
This kind of “keeping up with the Joneses” is actually good for you as a student because it means more features and options. But, it can also make picking one even trickier!
Also, even though they’re competitors, Barbri and Kaplan might be attracting different types of law students.
I think that Barbri, with its deep-dive approach and reputation, might appeal more to students who want the most thorough option possible, or maybe those whose law firms are paying for the course.
Kaplan, with its focus on value, live classes, and modern tech, might be a better fit for students who are paying themselves and like a more interactive, efficient way to learn.
Feature Comparison: Barbri vs. Kaplan at a Glance
| Feature | Barbri Bar Review | Kaplan Bar Review |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Price (Flagship) | ~$2,999 – $4,199 | ~$2,150 – $2,500 |
| MBE Questions | 2,500-3,000+ | 5,000+ |
| Lecture Format | Primarily On-Demand. Some live Q&A/workshops | On-Demand & Live Online Classes |
| Simulated MBEs | 1-2 full 200-question | 4 full-length practice exams |
| Adaptive Tech | ISAAC Personalized Study Plan | AI Tutor, Adaptive Calendar, Personalized Recommendations |
| Essay Support | Essay Architect tool, Self-review, Graded Essays | Unlimited Instant AI Essay Grading, model answers |
| Pass Guarantee |  | |
| Mobile App | | |
| MPRE Prep | | |
| Access Length (Typical) | 6-10 months. | Up to 6 months |
| Hardcopy Books | | |
Why Choose Barbri or Kaplan? (Tailoring to You)
This isn’t about which course is flat-out “better.” It’s about which one is better for you. Let’s figure out who might like which course.
Choose Barbri if:
- You absolutely love having super detailed, almost encyclopedia-like Barbri books and printed practice materials. If you like knowing everything, Barbri’s depth will appeal to you.
- You put a lot of trust in a long history and a “tried and true” method that millions of others have used to pass.
- You like the sound of an AI-driven study plan that changes based on how you’re doing and tells you exactly what to study next.
- Getting your hands on some real MBE questions from past exams is super important to you.
- Maybe your law firm is picking up the tab, so the higher cost isn’t as much of a personal worry.
Choose Kaplan if:
- You learn best in a more structured, classroom-type setting and would really like having live online classes where you can talk to the instructor.
- You prefer video lectures that are more engaging and dynamic, broken into shorter pieces that are easier to digest.
- You’re cool with AI grading your essays and having a huge bank of high-quality MBE questions.
- You’re looking for a great overall deal – a complete course with a strong pass guarantee, but at a price that’s usually more competitive than Barbri.
- Little extras, like maybe getting an Amazon gift card if you pass on your first try, sound good to you.
When I was trying to decide on a bar prep course, the sheer weight of the decision was immense. My choice, and perhaps yours too, really seemed to pivot on what kind of reassurance I valued most and how I genuinely learn best.
Barbri’s super long history and the fact that so many people have used it can make it feel like a “safer” bet, even if it costs more.
On the other hand, Kaplan’s strong pass guarantee, where you can retake the course for free, tackles risk from a money angle. If you don’t pass, at least you don’t have to pay for the course again. It just depends on what kind of reassurance feels better to you.
Barbri vs. Kaplan: Deep Dive into Features
Alright, let’s really get into the details of what these courses offer, feature by feature.
Course Content and Structure
Barbri
Barbri’s course is built around a Personalized Study Plan (PSP), which is run by their AI, ISAAC. ISAAC makes a study calendar just for you and changes your assignments based on how you’re doing and what’s most important.
They have different levels or tiers for their course with different access times and features. The main courses are usually an 8-10 week full-time deal (think about 40 hours of study a week). Their Extended options let you spread it out over 6 or 10 months (more like 10-25 hours a week).
Most of the lectures are videos you can watch whenever you want, often taught by well-known law professors. Barbri has been working on making these videos shorter and more interactive, which I love. They also have some live Q&A sessions or workshops that can help you get the most out of your investment.
They cover the UBE and all U.S. states. They even have special prep for the tough California Bar and options for lawyers who were educated outside the U.S..
Kaplan
Kaplan also gives you a study calendar that changes as you make progress. My recommendation for most is their main course is the Complete Bar Review, which is usually an 8-week program. They also have options like Bar Review Plus if you want to prep for longer.
A big thing that makes Kaplan different is that they have live online classes every day for several hours. These have set lesson plans, and you can interact with the instructor. They also have video lectures you can watch on your own time.
I recall trying out one of their live online classes, and the ability to interact with the instructor in real-time and get immediate answers to questions was a game-changer for certain complex topics.
Kaplan has courses covering every U.S. state and Washington, D.C., with a strong focus on the UBE. While they don’t have a separate “California” course anymore, they do cover the material for the California exam.
The Winner
Kaplan for flexibility and live interaction.
While Barbri’s ISAAC is really smart for making things personal, I think Kaplan gets the win here. They have great on-demand videos, plus those daily live online classes. That combo gives students a lot of flexibility and is great for those who like to interact and ask questions in real-time.
Barbri is making their lectures shorter, but Kaplan’s built-in live classes are a big plus for many learning styles.
Practice Materials: Questions, Books, and Essays
Barbri
Barbri provides extensive practice resources, particularly the MBE. Your Personalized Study Plan will guide you through over 2,500 questions, and an additional MCQ Bank offers over 3,000 more for extra drilling. A key advantage is access to hundreds of questions licensed from the NCBE, and Barbri’s MBE Final Prep also features questions previously released by the NCBE.
Beyond question banks, Barbri is famous for its super hard-copy books, which feature detailed outlines. It also offers the highly regarded Conviser Mini Review, an excellent tool for last-minute review, with digital versions also accessible. I like old-school textbooks, so this is always a plus for me. They also offer the Essay Architect, an online program designed to help you learn how to structure and write essays effectively.
Kaplan
Kaplan also gives you a huge bank of over 5,000 multiple-choice questions. Most of these are written by Kaplan’s own bar experts and are designed to be very much like the real exam questions. They also include some questions previously released by the NCBE.
Along with that, Kaplan also provides printed prep books for all the subjects, and you don’t have to pay a deposit for them. Students generally think they’re good, but maybe not quite as incredibly detailed as Barbri’s.
When it came to essay preparation, I found Kaplan’s system of unlimited, instant AI essay grading quite insightful. It allowed for practice with real essay questions from past exams, and then I could immediately use the model answers to compare and learn from my work.
The Winner
Barbri for depth of books and access to licensed NCBE questions.
This is a really close call. Kaplan’s huge number of questions and their AI essay grading are impressive. But, Barbri’s legendary books, special tools like Essay Architect, and – this is a big one – the fact that they include actual NCBE-licensed MBE questions, gives them a slight advantage.
Simulated Practice Exams
Barbri
Barbri includes a Simulated MBE, which comes with a detailed score report and their Pass Predictor. It tells you how you’re doing compared to other students. Their MBE Final Prep also uses questions released by the NCBE.
From what I can gather, Barbri usually gives you between one and three full, 200-question simulated MBE exams in their UBE courses.
Kaplan
Kaplan clearly states that they offer 4 full-length practice exams to get you ready for test day. That’s a solid, easy-to-understand number.
A Reddit user using Kaplan mentioned:
“You will have a diagnostic test and then a midterm. You absolutely should take those as scheduled and seriously review“.
The Winner
Kaplan for quantity and clarity.
Kaplan wins this one because their straightforward promise of four full exams gives students a clear idea of what to expect.
Technology, Videos, and Mobile Experience
Barbri
Barbri’s platform revolves around ISAAC. It’s the AI brain behind their Personalized Study Plan, which tailors your schedule and assignments to you. You use an online dashboard to track your progress, watch lectures, and so on.
The lectures are on-demand videos, usually taught by law professors. In the past, some students found them a bit long or dry, but I observe that they’ve updated them to have shorter, more interactive segments, and the video quality was overall good.
For studying on the go, Barbri offers a mobile app that you can use to access your study plan, download video lectures, work through MCQs, and even use their Mini Review.
If you have multiple Barbri courses, you can switch between them easily. While everything was generally smooth, I did run into a few hitches with the video player myself, and at times, the app didn’t quite remember where I’d paused in a lecture.
Kaplan
Kaplan has an online portal that acts as your main dashboard. They feature an AI tutor that gives you instant feedback on your essays and questions. They also have an adaptive study calendar that changes with your progress.
Kaplan offers both on-demand video lectures and live online classes. I found their video lectures to be engaging, well-made, and broken into easy-to-watch pieces.
To support mobile learning, Kaplan offers a Bar Review app. This allows you to manage your daily assignments, download course videos or audio, and access flashcards. It even allows you to participate in live lectures with interactive features like a virtual “raise your hand” to ask questions.
The Winner
Kaplan for an overall modern experience and live video.
Both companies have definitely stepped up their tech game. Barbri’s ISAAC and their improved app are strong points. But Kaplan’s mix of an AI tutor, video lectures, and a good mobile app with interactive features gives them a more modern and dynamic feel overall.
Support, Access, and MPRE Review
Barbri
Barbri offers several layers of student support, including guidance from attorneys and access to coaching or mentoring, especially for those who opt for higher-tier packages; group coaching sessions are also part of their support system.
Course access periods vary: the Essentials package grants access 10 weeks before the exam, Premium and Elite packages provide access 4 months prior, while their extended course options offer a longer six or 10-month access window.
A significant value-add with Barbri’s main bar review is the comprehensive MPRE preparation course. It has expert lectures, outlines, and practice questions, and they keep it up-to-date.
Jihane Chraibi, who took Barbri’s Extended Prep, said,
“This person [their 1:1 coach] actually knew where I was in the study process at all times and was able to offer tailored help based on what I was studying….”.
Kaplan
Kaplan offers support primarily through 24/7 email access to their bar staff and a private online community for law students to connect and share experiences. For those seeking more individualized help, tutoring options are available, though these usually involve an extra fee or are part of higher-tier course packages.
Typically, you usually get up to 6 months of access to the course, with full access starting 90 days before your exam. If you don’t pass (and you meet their requirements), you get extended access under their guarantee.
A distinct advantage with Kaplan is their free MPRE preparation course. This resource is open to all students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in Kaplan’s comprehensive bar review course, making it a widely accessible tool for MPRE study.
The Winner
Barbri for integrated MPRE and tiered coaching.
Kaplan’s free MPRE course is a fantastic offer, and getting 6 months of access is generous. But Barbri’s MPRE review is built right into their system. Plus, the coaching and mentorship they offer, give you a stronger support system.
Pricing, Value, and Pass Guarantees
Barbri
Barbri is known for being one of the more expensive options in the market. Despite the higher investment, they offer various ways to manage the cost, including options for firms sponsoring their employees, scholarships for eligible students, and payment plans to spread out the expense.
I believe their high cost is worth it because of their super detailed materials, ISAAC tech, expert teachers, and real licensed questions.
Pass Guarantee: This changes depending on which package you buy.
Essentials: You get one retake if you completed 75% of the course.
Premium: You get one retake, and you don’t have to complete a certain amount of the course.
Elite/Extended): You get one same-state Premium course retake plus they’ll pay up to $500 of your fee within 2 years of the original course..
Kaplan
Kaplan is generally known for being a more affordable option for bar review. They’re known for having sales and discounts, along with financing options to help students manage the investment.
Kaplan also offers a strong value proposition with their live classes, huge question bank, AI tutor, and good pass guarantee, all at a lower price than Barbri’s similar courses.
If you take their full bar review course, meet their requirements for doing the work, and still don’t pass, you can usually take the course again for free. They also currently offer an Amazon gift card if you pass on your first attempt, but you have to meet certain terms.
The Winner
Kaplan for overall value and straightforward guarantee.
While Barbri offers incredible depth, Kaplan gives you a very complete package with valuable live teaching and a more modern tech feel, all for a noticeably lower price for its main course.
Course Discounts
Save $650 on Kaplan to get their special offers. Barbri doesn’t currently have any course discounts.
Final Verdict: Barbri or Kaplan for Your Bar Prep Journey?
So, after digging into all of that, which bar review course should you pick? Honestly, both Barbri and Kaplan are top-notch bar prep companies.
Barbri brings decades of experience, incredibly detailed Barbri books, and the super smart ISAAC study plan. It’s been the gold standard for a long, long time for a good reason.
Kaplan offers a more modern and engaging experience with its live online classes, AI-powered feedback, and a price that’s usually easier to swallow.
Which one should you choose? Here’s my final advice:
Both courses have helped tens of thousands of students pass on their first attempt. And at the end, the “best” one really comes down to your personal needs, learning style, budget, and what you care about most in a prep course.
So, pick the one that feels like it has your back, and commit to doing the work. See if Kaplan Bar Review is the course for you.
FAQs
Treat bar prep like a full-time job for about 10-12 weeks. That usually means putting in around 40 hours a week of serious study time.
Yes, both companies offer really thorough courses for the UBE. Barbri has specific bar review courses for states and even has programs for lawyers who were educated in other countries. Kaplan Bar Review also covers all U.S. states.
Barbri includes a full MPRE review course with lectures and practice questions as part of their main bar review course packages. Kaplan offers a free MPRE prep course that you can sign up for separately, even if you don’t take their main bar review.
Definitely. Barbri offers payment plans, usually where you pay some money down and then make monthly payments. Kaplan also has financing options which let you pay over a limited time.
This is a huge worry for many, and both companies have policies for it. Barbri’s “guarantee” changes depending on which course package you buy. It’s often a free retake of the program. Kaplan has a pretty straightforward pass guarantee: if you complete a certain amount of the assigned practice and don’t pass, you can generally take their prep course again for free.
