Passing the bar exam is no small feat, and according to the latest data provided by the NCBE, the overall pass rate was as low as 53%. Considering how much is riding on your exam results (i.e., your career and the ability to pay off that looming mountain of student debt), choosing the right bar prep course is imperative.
BarMax is a bar exam prep course developed by Harvard Law School alumni that emphasizes a mobile-first learning approach and includes real past exam questions.
In this review, I’ll break down everything you need to know about BarMax to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your bar exam preparation or if it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
Is BarMax the Best Fit for You?
- If you’re a busy professional or student, BarMax’s highly rated mobile app and optional self-study option will help you study on your own schedule, anytime and anywhere.
- If you value top-quality practice materials, then BarMax’s inclusion of 1,950+ real MBE questions and authentic essay prompts will provide unparalleled preparation.
- If affordability is key, then BarMax’s $1,895 price tag, lifetime access, unlimited retakes, and money-back guarantee offer exceptional value compared to competitors.
- If you need extensive one-on-one tutoring, then BarMax’s high tutoring costs may be a drawback, especially if you’re on a budget.
- If you appreciate flexible options, then BarMax’s combination of self-paced learning and live classes offers something for every learning style.
What Is BarMax?
BarMax is a comprehensive bar review course designed with busy law students and professionals (like you!) in mind. Created by Harvard Law School alumni, it stands out for its convenience, streamlined studying methods, and affordable price. Whether your schedule is packed with kids’ soccer practice, a full-time job, or a serious commitment to D&D, BarMax makes it easy to fit bar exam prep into your life.
One reviewer notes that the program’s flexibility is key:
“I passed the New York bar on my first attempt whilst working full time (and planning a wedding!) and put this down to Bar Max. As a foreign-qualified lawyer 10 years out of law school, I knew I needed a flexible study program to fit in during my limited free time – Bar Max offered exactly that.”
Course Components
$1,895 | 2 Exam Administrations to Lifetime Access Length
BarMax covers all the key topics tested on the bar exam, including MBE subjects, state-specific materials, and essay preparation. Unlike other bar prep companies, they offer a single bar prep course, which provides:
- 50+ Lecture Hours for every topic, delivered by experienced professors
- 1,950+ Practice Questions using real questions from previous bar exams
- 600+ Flashcards to reinforce key legal principles
- 130+ Practice Essays so students can refine their writing skills
- 75+ Real Performance Tests to master your real-world problem-solving chops
- 10 Free Writing Critiques conducted by former Bar Exam graders
- Black-Letter Law Outlines to fit need-to-know concepts into your study schedule
Key Features of BarMax
BarMax features tools to make bar exam prep as practical and accessible as possible. Here’s a closer look at what sets it apart.
Rave Reviews
Students love BarMax; it’s obvious when you take a look at their transparent, public reviews (which is to say, they can’t manipulate the ratings in their favor because of the platforms used).
See what students think about BarMax for yourself:
- Trustpilot: 4.7 Stars | 640+ Ratings
- Apple App Store: 4.8 Stars | 3.5k+ Ratings
- Google Play Store: 4.6 Stars | 540+ Ratings
Here’s just one review from someone who chose BarMax to help them study for the bar:
“Barmax was essential to my passing the Georgia bar! Their materials are a distillation of all that’s critical and they offer great support. I recommend them highly.”
Many students who switched to BarMax after struggling with other prep courses report improved results.
After wasting my money and time on “Themis” twice, a friend introduced me to barmax, and that was the best decision ever. I would advise everyone to read their outlines very well if you want to pass. The good news is that the outlines are straight to the point and very easy to comprehend. Barmax cares for their students. They won’t just allow you listen to endless boring pre recorded lectures, they have live hours with real smart humans that break down the knowledge of the law for you. Their tutors are perfect too. Lavanya was my tutor. On the whole, I greatly enjoyed the bar max experience. I thank the team for helping achieve my dream. I passed the GA bar!🎉🥳
Course Content and Structure
BarMax offers stellar content and study materials. More importantly, however, they offer those materials in a way that works for real students thanks to their audio lectures, mobile apps, and portable practice tools.
Plus, the BarMax team created every lesson and resource with learning science and knowledge retention in mind. Layer on instruction from Harvard-educated professors and writing critiques from former bar exam graders, and you’ve got the best in the business banking on your success.
One major plus about BarMax’s course content is their vast array of practice questions from past bar exams, and students love them:
“BarMax includes a big pool of moderate to hard questions and I found them very similar to the actual MBE. The discussions on the questions are also a plus, as they can answer a lot of possible questions you may have.”
Tech and Videos
As we’ve already discussed, BarMax’s mobile apps are universally beloved, and their succinct lectures (led by Harvard alums, no less) are the perfect length and focus level for remembering key concepts.
Those videos go a step further with BarMax’s live online classes. Not only do you learn from the best, but you also have the opportunity to ask them questions to get clarification on the stuff you’re struggling to wrap your brain around. And again, not to keep name-dropping, but… Harvard Law School-educated instructors. Who better to teach law?
Price and Value
Believe it or not, BarMax is one of the most affordable Bar Exam review courses on the market. $1,895 isn’t a small amount of money by anyone’s standards, but compared to the rest of the bar prep programs available, you’re getting a massive discount on some of the best prep materials in the industry.
But wait; there’s more. Not only does BarMax allow unlimited retakes of the course until you pass, but if you fail the bar exam after completing the course, you’ll be eligible for a 100% money-back refund, so long as you share the exam results within two weeks of receiving them and provide proof of purchasing the course. It’s really that simple.
So, in terms of both price and value, BarMax was a great fit for students like Washington attorney Jeremiah Styles, who reported high scores after using the program.
“I used BarMax for the WA State UBE Bar. I got a 318, when passing is a 270. I paid a third of what most of my friends paid for their program.”
Support and Access
At the time of writing, there’s a promotion where lifetime access is free. Otherwise, you’re looking at a $600 add-on, so now is a great time to buy BarMax! Otherwise, the access length is two exam administrations.
In terms of support, you can get help from phone, chat, email, and even message boards. Otherwise, you’re getting personalized support through your instructor Q&A in live classes and writing critiques. However, if you need additional aid, BarMax offers a hugely talented board of professional law tutors.
Here’s what one reviewer has to say about their private tutoring experience:
“Tutoring with Whitney Shirley changed my life!!! I failed the bar twice prior to studying with Whitney but after our sessions I was able to jump 30+ points from my last exam and score high enough to pass in any jurisdiction.”
Pros
- Risk-Free Investment: BarMax does an outstanding job of leading with integrity and value for its students. Most notably, their unlimited free course retakes and 100% money-back guarantee.
- Positive Praise: Some people seem skeptical of BarMax due to its price. However, once skeptics become students, they become lifelong fans and brand ambassadors.
- Surprisingly Thrifty: If you want the most “bang for your buck,” look no further than BarMax. They’re one of the most affordable and high-quality options on the market.
- Live Learners Rejoice: Students who benefit from Q&A opportunities and interaction with their instructors, congratulations—BarMax is a fantastic fit for you.
- Get Ready for the Real Thing: BarMax boasts an impressive collection of nearly 2,000 Bar Exam MBE practice questions from past exams to build your knowledge, familiarity, and confidence.
Cons
- Expensive Tutoring: While the BarMax review course is reasonably priced, the tutoring costs much more than I expected. If you want that personal touch, get ready to save up some cash.
BarMax and Bar Exam Prep Course Comparisons
| Course | Access Length | Practice Questions | Video Lectures | Live Classes | Money-Back Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BarMax | Lifetime | 1,950+ |  | | |
| Barbri | One Exam Cycle | 2,500+ | | |  |
| Themis | One Exam Cycle | 4,000+ | | | |
| Kaplan | One Exam Cycle | 5,000+ | | | |
Conclusion
Let’s recap: BarMax offers live and on-demand video lectures from Harvard Law School grads—but that’s just the beginning. Throw in unlimited retakes until you pass the bar, a 100% money-back pass guarantee, industry-breaking mobile apps, rave reviews, and a proven record of success; finally, you begin to get an idea of what BarMax is all about.
While the tutoring can be a little pricey, check out the reviews for yourself to find dozens of successful exam-takers expressing grateful messages to their tutors.
All in all, there’s so much to love about BarMax. If you think it might be the prep course of your dreams, take the free trial for a spin and see what you think. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your dream of a rewarding, lucrative law career.
FAQs
BarMax is a premium bar prep course offering lifetime access, real exam questions, and a mobile-first platform designed by Harvard Law alumni.
Yes! BarMax’s concise content, lifetime access, and high pass rates make it a top choice for effective bar exam preparation.
BarMax costs $1,895 for UBE or state-specific prep, offering great value with lifetime access. Their tutoring costs $250/hour, but the price is reduced in bundles of 10, 20, and 30 hours.
Absolutely! BarMax MPRE provides 5 lecture hours, 60+ flashcards, and 150+ practice questions for the MPRE, all at zero cost to you. You can add up to two sets of 60 practice questions for $25 each.
Aim for 40–50 hours per week over 8–10 weeks to thoroughly cover materials and practice effectively.
BarMax offers flexibility with lifetime access and a top-tier mobile app, making it great for self-paced learners. Barbri provides a more structured experience than BarMax with live instruction and detailed essay feedback—ideal for students who want extra support and a proven path to success.
When it comes to choosing between BarMax and AdaptiBar, BarMax offers a complete bar prep course with essays, performance tests, and lifetime access—perfect for full exam coverage. AdaptiBar focuses only on adaptive MBE practice with real NCBE questions, making it a better targeted supplement.
