The overall pass rate for the Florida Bar Examination was a dismal 46% in February 2025 and 41% in February 2024. With fewer than half of test-takers passing, and only 20% to 30% of repeaters finding success, choosing the right bar review course is essential.
But with so many options, which do you choose?
I’ve personally reviewed some of the most popular Florida bar exam courses on the market, using first-hand testing and in-depth research to uncover the pros, cons, and key features. In this guide, I’ll unveil the top options to help students with a wide variety of learning styles, budgets, and preferences, so you can find the best fit.
Florida Bar Review Course Comparison
| Provider |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,650 | $590 |
| Discounts | Save $750 | No Discounts |
| Access | Exam Day Specific (Up to 6 Months) | Lifetime |
| Pass Guarantee | Repeat the Course | N/A |
| Video Hours | 100+ | N/A |
| MCQs | 5,000+ | 1,400+ |
| Get Started | Get Kaplan | Get Crushendo |
Which Florida Bar Exam Course Should You Choose?
- Go with Kaplan if you want a traditional, classroom-style experience with live instruction, unlimited essay grading, and a built-in pass guarantee.
- Select Crushendo if you’re an auditory learner or repeat taker looking for an affordable, memorization-focused course with mnemonics and lifetime access.
Important Note: Quimbee has discontinued its standalone bar review course and no longer offers a full bar prep program. Quimbee has shifted its focus to supplemental resources—most notably Quimbee SideBar Videos—which we now highly recommend as a companion to a comprehensive bar review course. These short, targeted videos are designed to reinforce key concepts, clarify difficult topics, and enhance overall bar exam preparation.
Quimbee was previously featured in our bar exam course comparisons as a standalone provider, so you may still see references to it in some older articles. Those sections remain for historical context and will be updated as content is refreshed.
1. Kaplan Bar Review: Best for a Virtual Classroom Experience
Course Overview
If the law school experience appealed to your learning style, Kaplan attempts to pick up where you left off. They offer live or on-demand virtual classes, unlimited essay grading, four mock exams simulating the real experience, and the textbooks and flashcards you know and love. However, Kaplan isn’t stuck in the past. They have one of the largest question banks out there, with over 5,000 available, plus in-depth performance analytics, a private community for students to ask and answer questions, and even an AI tutor.
First and foremost, Kaplan’s AI tutor is a standout feature—essentially a 24/7 virtual teacher. Whether you’re looking for a simple “yes or no” at noon or stuck in a rabbit hole at 3 AM, it’s there. That said, it’s still AI. While most answers were surprisingly accurate (I only caught one minor error), I’d still recommend fact-checking on your own just in case.
As for practice materials, Kaplan offers a blend of proprietary questions and real ones from past bar exams—a helpful combination that gives you both variety and authenticity. But while the quantity is great, some users may find the explanations a bit too brief compared to competitors who offer deeper answer rationales.
Essay grading is where Kaplan shines. You get not just a score, but detailed feedback explaining what you did right or wrong and how to improve. Still, the turnaround time can sometimes lag, especially closer to exam season when submissions spike.
Kaplan’s live classes were a highlight for me. The lecturers were clearly knowledgeable, passionate, and invested in student success. They kept things moving, answered questions without slowing down the class, and made a real effort to keep everyone engaged. But these classes are on a schedule, which may not suit those who want total flexibility.
Overall, Kaplan is a feature-packed and well-structured course with a hefty price tag to match. It’s best suited for students who want a structured, guided approach that feels familiar—but may not be the best fit for those who want maximum personalization or a lighter workload.
“I used Kaplan for J21 and passed. It was my first try, and I was a foreign student coming from a civil law country. I liked the tutoring sessions (it helps reassure you and you can ask lots of questions). The materials were not as heavy as Barbri and the course felt more realistic to achieve.”
FrenchGirlBoston
Course Features
- 5,000+ exam-quality MBE questions, including some from past exams
- Unlimited essay grading
- Live and/or on-demand classes
- 4 full-length mock exams
- Performance analytics by subject, question, and overall showing
- Textbooks and flashcards
- Private student community
- AI tutor for instant feedback and assistance
See if Kaplan Bar Review is right for you in my deep dive analysis.
Kaplan Course Discount
Save $750 to make Kaplan’s premium bar prep more affordable, gaining access to a massive library of practice questions, unlimited essay grading, live classes, and an AI tutor.
Pros
- 5,000+ Practice Questions: With the most practice questions of any provider on this list, and one of the highest counts overall, Kaplan is ideal for students who learn best through repetition.
- Unlimited Essay Grading: Prep for the MPRE by getting feedback on your practice essays, as often and as many as you need, thanks to Kaplan’s essay grading tool.
- AI Tutor: If you’re a fan of ChatGPT, Kaplan’s AI tutor goes above and beyond to give you feedback, answer your questions, create study plans, and more.
- Live Classes: Some students learn best with a simulated classroom environment, which is why Kaplan incorporates real-time virtual classes.
Cons
- Most Expensive: If you’re on a tight budget, Kaplan isn’t the best choice, as their Florida study package is significantly more expensive than any other on this list.
- Unfocused Approach: Kaplan leaves no stone unturned and covers every possible subject; however, as a result, you may spend a lot of time on topics unlikely to be on the exam.
- Traditional Format: Where some students will appreciate the tried-and-true feel of Kaplan’s methodology, some may find it a little lackluster compared to more modern platforms.
Bottom Line
Kaplan isn’t for everyone, with a heavily traditional format, a vast library of resources that can easily overwhelm anxious students, and a pricetag to match. However, if you want to hit the books full force, experience live classes, and enjoy innovative features like cutting-edge performance tracking and AI tutoring, Kaplan may be a solid fit for your needs. Turn to Quimbee for a more modern supplement.
Kaplan Bar Review
2. Crushendo Bar Review: Best for Repeat Takers
Course Overview
While Crushendo doesn’t have a Florida-specific bar exam prep course, their MBE suite is a budget-friendly way to get most of your testable content covered. Plus, Crushendo takes a unique approach to learning, emphasizing memorization strategies like:
- Mnemonics (ex, “Every good boy does fine” represents the lines of the treble clef in music)
- Method of Loci (use spatial memorization to remember things, like a memory palace)
- Symbolic Illustrations (connect concepts to images and graphs for easier recall)
They do this through tools like written and audio outlines, audio and digital flashcards, and the traditional set of practice materials.
I can see why Crushendo has a loyal cult following, as the memorization techniques actually work. Especially when I was able to combine techniques, I was able to remember key ideas from black letter law, criminal law, real property, torts, and constitutional law, all central to passing the MBE exam. Then, getting to reinforce those ideas with practice questions drove everything home.
If studying has always been difficult for you, Crushendo’s unique approach may be exactly what you need. Though the course may not have everything some students need to pass and doesn’t provide videos, Crushendo is a good fit for out-of-the-box thinkers and students who’ve tried and failed to pass with other providers.
“Crushendo was the only Bar prep material I purchased. It provided a really good foundation for learning the necessary material, and, of course, having access to tons of MBE/MEE/MPT questions was a huge part of Crushendo’s value. […] I’ve always been a bit of an outside-the-box thinker, and I just felt like Themis/Barbri weren’t going to work for me. […] I took the Texas Bar and wound up scoring high enough to be licensed in any state. BUT, Crushendo as a sole purchase won’t work for everyone. It really just depends on how much self-study you’re planning on doing.”
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Course Features
- Downloadable written and audio outlines
- MP3 audio “flashcards” and visually-driven digital flashcards
- 1,400+ MBE practice questions (1,350 from the NCBE plus 60 civil and criminal procedure questions from Crushendo)
- Lifetime access to materials
Learn more about Crushendo in my full review.
Crushendo Course Discount
No Discounts on Crushendo’s unique MBE suite for audio outlines, flashcards, and authentic NCBE questions from past exams.
Pros
- Unique Approach: Crushendo has a strong focus on mnemonics, “method of loci” memorization strategies, and illustrations to spell out the essential subjects tested.
- Audio-Focused Materials: While Crushendo also offers more traditional alternatives, their audio outlines and flashcards are helpful for auditory learners.
- Authentic Practice Questions: All but 60 of Crushendo’s practice questions were taken directly from past bar exams thanks to NCBE licensing.
- Low Price: Crushendo’s MBE suite is by far the most affordable package on this list, and one of the most affordable out there overall.
Cons
- Might Not Stand Alone: Crushendo has worked as the sole study tool for plenty of successful bar-passers, but it may not be comprehensive enough to pass if you’re not great at exams.
- No Video Lessons: Though Crushendo is heavy on audio tools, you won’t find video content in their packages, which could be a deal breaker.
- Lacks Florida-Specific Content: You won’t get full coverage of Florida state laws in the MBE suite, and you may have to purchase additional resources for the MPRE as well.
Bottom Line
If you’ve tried to pass before and failed, you may not have found the right way to study. Crushendo is a unique alternative that could help you pass. It has valuable audio outlines, flashcards, and genuine NCBE practice questions, all with a focus on memorization techniques proven by science. If you’re looking for something different that won’t threaten the well-being of your bank account, Crushendo could be worth a try.
Crushendo Bar Review
Other Florida Bar Exam Prep Courses Reviewed
- Adaptibar
- Agape Christian Bar Prep
- Ameribar
- Barbri
- Celebration Bar Review
- Florida Bar Review Course
- Helix Bar Review
- Themis
Ranking Methodology
To create this list, I personally tested each course, studying the content, exploring every feature, and comparing what it’s like to actually prep with these tools. These rankings are based on the following factors, all evaluated through real-time use and research—not just marketing claims.
- 📚 Course Content Quality: Kaplan was the most comprehensive overall, with full lectures, outlines, and extensive written materials—though it can feel heavy at times. Quimbee’s videos were engaging and easy to digest, but are designed for quick clarification rather than deep lectures. Crushendo focused primarily on memorization, using audio explanations and mnemonics instead of traditional instruction.
- 🎯 Effectiveness: Kaplan offered the most complete prep experience, especially for students who want structure and depth. Quimbee helped keep burnout at bay with short, focused videos that made tough concepts feel manageable. Crushendo’s mnemonics were helpful for recalling tricky rules and reinforcing material already learned elsewhere.
- 💻 User Experience: Quimbee’s interface was the smoothest, particularly on mobile, making it easy to jump in for quick review. Crushendo was minimal but effective, especially for listening on the go. Kaplan worked reliably but felt more traditional and classroom-style in its design.
- 📊 Practice Questions & Exams: Kaplan had the largest question bank (5,000+), along with essay grading and performance analytics. Quimbee’s video explanations were helpful but brief and not designed as a full practice system. Crushendo’s NCBE-based questions were solid, though more limited in number.
- 🎥 Instructor Engagement: Kaplan included live classes and instructor-led content with a fast-paced, law school–style feel. Quimbee relied on animated explainer videos rather than live instructors. Crushendo skipped video entirely, leaning into audio-only instruction.
- 💰 Value for Money: Crushendo was the most affordable option, especially for students looking for a memorization supplement. Quimbee offered flexibility, polish, and convenience as a video-based add-on. Kaplan was the most expensive, but also the most feature-packed and comprehensive.
- 🔄 Flexibility: Quimbee and Crushendo made it easy to study on your own schedule, fitting well around other commitments. Kaplan was more structured, with access tied to your exam window and a more guided study plan.
Bar By Your Learning Style
If you’re a focused, independent learner who wants structure without daily pressure, Crushendo is a strong option. Its topic-driven layout, audio-based lessons, and streamlined dashboard make it easy to stay on track without feeling overwhelmed—especially for auditory learners.
Course Format
Quimbee is the clear winner for visual learners. Its short, animated video lessons break complex topics into simple, digestible chunks that work well as quick refreshers or concept clarifiers alongside a full bar review course.
Practice Questions & Exams
Kaplan leads here with one of the largest practice question banks available (5,000+), along with essay grading and detailed performance analytics. It’s well-suited for students who want extensive exam-style practice and structured feedback.
Adaptive Learning
Kaplan’s performance tracking, AI-powered tools, and analytics help students identify weak areas and adjust their study plan over time. Quimbee also offers lightweight progress tracking within its video library, making it a flexible supplemental option for targeted review.
Instructor Support
Kaplan includes live classes and instructor-led sessions, offering a more traditional, law school–style experience. This is ideal for students who want direct instruction and accountability built into their study plan.
Budget
Crushendo is the most budget-friendly option on this list. It offers lifetime access, NCBE-licensed questions, and memory-focused tools like mnemonics and audio flashcards—making it a strong value as a supplemental study aid.
Pass Guarantee
Kaplan is the only option here that includes a built-in pass guarantee—if you don’t pass, you can repeat the course at no additional cost. That safety net can be especially reassuring for first-time test takers.
Course Access Length
Both Kaplan and Crushendo offer lifetime access, giving you flexibility whether you’re studying full-time, part-time, or planning ahead for a retake. Quimbee’s video library is also available on-demand, making it easy to revisit concepts whenever you need quick reinforcement.
Florida Bar Exam Course vs. Course Comparison
Quimbee vs Crushendo
Quimbee is now strictly a video-based supplement, designed to support students enrolled in a full bar review course. Its short, illustrated videos make it easy to quickly review black-letter law or clarify specific concepts without committing to long lectures. This format works especially well for visual learners who benefit from concise explanations and clear visuals when they need fast reinforcement.
Crushendo takes an audio-first approach and is also intended to be used as a supplement. Instead of videos, it relies on spoken explanations, mnemonics, and memory techniques to help students retain information. This makes Crushendo a strong option for auditory learners who prefer listening during commutes or study breaks, though it’s best paired with a comprehensive bar review course for full coverage.
Kaplan vs Crushendo
Kaplan is built for students who want structure and depth. I liked the live classes and the sheer volume of practice questions—it felt a lot like law school all over again, which was either comforting or intense, depending on the day. The AI tutor was a standout feature, offering surprisingly accurate support when I needed quick help.
Crushendo couldn’t be more different. It’s light, audio-based, and centered on memorization techniques like mnemonics and memory palaces. It’s not as comprehensive, but for self-starters who need to lock in the black-letter law, it’s an effective and affordable alternative, especially for those on a budget or prepping a second time.
| Provider | | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,650 | $590 |
| Discounts | Save $750 | No Discounts |
| Access | Exam Day Specific (Up to 6 Months) | Lifetime |
| Pass Guarantee | Repeat the Course | N/A |
| Video Hours | 100+ | N/A |
| MCQs | 5,000+ | 1,400+ |
| Get Started | Get Kaplan | Get Crushendo |
Final Thoughts
For students preparing for the Florida bar, Kaplan and Crushendo both stand out as strong primary options, depending on your learning style. Kaplan is a solid choice for those who prefer a traditional, structured approach, with live instruction, a comprehensive curriculum, and the added reassurance of a pass guarantee. Crushendo is especially appealing for auditory learners or students who retain information better through creative explanations and audio-based learning, all at a more accessible price point.
Quimbee works best as a supplemental tool rather than a full bar prep course. Its short, highly visual videos are ideal for reinforcing key concepts, clarifying difficult topics, and breaking down black-letter law in a way that’s quick and easy to digest. Paired with Kaplan or Crushendo, Quimbee can be a valuable add-on for visual learners who want extra clarity without added overwhelm.
No matter which route you choose, the most important factors are consistency and follow-through. Choose the program that aligns with how you learn best, commit to your study plan, and use your resources intentionally as you prepare for exam day.
FAQs
Focus on Florida-specific law using outlines, past essay questions, and study tools tailored to the state portion. Practice writing full essays under timed conditions.
Yes—Florida consistently has one of the lowest bar exam pass rates in the country, especially in February. It tests both state and national law in detail.
Pass rate data isn’t always public, but Kaplan has a strong track record among first-time takers.
It can be if you study full-time and follow a strict schedule, but most experts recommend 10–12 weeks for a more manageable pace, or up to 6 months if you’re a full-time employee.
It’s one of the toughest due to its low pass rate, two-day format, and emphasis on both state and multistate topics. However, California is usually considered the hardest.
