How to Become a Lawyer 101

How to Become a Lawyer

While law school sounds great in theory, figuring out how to become a lawyer isn’t so simple. There’s the extra time in school (and costs) to consider, as well as challenging exams to pass. However, if you can make it through the steps to becoming a lawyer, there are plenty of benefits waiting for you on the other side. A law degree is widely applicable across a variety of fields and industries, and the average lawyer salary is pretty high.

Still, if you’re considering a career in law, it’s important to fully understand how to become a lawyer before diving in. Becoming a lawyer is about more than just researching top law programs or the best undergraduate majors for law school. Understanding the specific requirements for becoming a lawyer — and what it takes to meet them — is key to setting yourself up for success.

In this How to Become a Lawyer guide, you’ll learn what it really takes to become a licensed lawyer. We’ll discuss:

What being a lawyer actually entails
Answers to questions like, “What can you do with a law degree?”, “Is it hard to become a lawyer?”, and “How long does it take to become a lawyer?”
How to become a lawyer (in five steps)
The secret behind the best undergraduate majors for law school (and which pre-law courses are worth taking)
The legal requirements for becoming a lawyer
The difference between various types of law degrees
How to pass the bar exam, and more!

By the end, you’ll have a full understanding of how to become a lawyer — and some insight into whether a career in law is right for you. But before we get into pre-law programs and requirements for becoming a lawyer, let’s clarify what it is lawyers actually do.

What does a lawyer do?

Generally speaking, a lawyer is a legal professional hired to practice law. While that sounds simple enough, laws themselves are dense and complicated. As such, the path to how to become a lawyer includes developing a deep understanding of the legal system and the laws that govern it.

Lawyers use their legal knowledge to advise clients on a wide range of matters. This can include anything from resolving business disputes to negotiating contracts for musicians and athletes. As a lawyer, you might spend your days drafting legal documents like contracts, wills, trusts, and briefs or representing clients in legal negotiations (both in and out of the courtroom). Most lawyers also spend a significant amount of time on legal research and do plenty of reading and writing.

What can you do with a law degree?

Part of understanding how to become a lawyer is getting specific about the kind of law you want to practice. For the most part, the law is divided into two parts:

Criminal law applies to instances when someone has been charged with a crime like murder, theft, or assault. In criminal law, a prosecutor brings a case against someone on behalf of the state.
Civil law applies to smaller-level crimes, which usually have to do with disputes between people. In civil law, anyone can sue anyone else, and the goal is usually to gain some sort of monetary compensation.

Lawyers also often specialize in a particular area of law, like family, corporate, immigration, tax, or employment law. If you’re considering how to become a lawyer, think about which types of law interest you. Would you want to help people litigate their divorces? Or defend employees against workplace harassment? Perhaps help people navigate the immigration system? Asking yourself those questions can be good indicators of not just how to become a lawyer, but why you should become one. They can also help you to determine which types of law degrees best align with your career goals.

Different types of law degrees allow you to practice different types of law. In fact, some people opt to get an additional master’s degree in order to hone in on a particular specialization. Alternatively, some people interested in law, but not necessarily becoming a lawyer, pursue other types of law degrees. For example, paralegals have a strong understanding of the law but don’t generally hold a law degree.

What are the skills needed to be a lawyer?

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, you’re probably curious what skills you need. This can vary across different disciplines, but there are some skills that are required of most lawyers.

To fulfill the requirements for becoming a lawyer, you’ll need to have a diverse set of skills that are both analytical and interpersonal. This is especially true if you’re dealing with clients day-to-day, as most lawyers do. You’ll need soft skills, such as empathy, time management, and attention to detail, as well as hard skills like understanding of online legal databases and electronic filing systems.

Essential skills for becoming a lawyer

Critical thinking is paramount because it sets the foundation of legal practice. Lawyers need to carefully analyze both past and present cases to gain a deep understanding of the law and how it operates. This knowledge must then be applied to clients’ specific situations and defended with persuasive and effective arguments.

If you’re considering how to become a lawyer because you like reading and writing, you’re on the right track! While all communication skills are important in law, lawyers spend the bulk of their time reading legal documents and writing up briefs, memos, defenses, contracts — you name it! Most importantly, this writing needs to be clear and convincing so lawyers can win their cases on behalf of their clients.

Research skills are also essential to fulfill the requirements for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are essentially professional investigators who need to find the right laws and court cases to support their arguments. Additionally, negotiation skills are important, as well as basic problem-solving.

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer and aren’t sure if you have the skills, think about what you enjoy doing in your daily life as well as what you excel at. Are you a great writer who loves writing persuasive essays in English class? Are you happy learning something new? Can you spend hours reading about a new topic without getting bored? Do you like extracurriculars like speech or debate? Are you thriving in AP or IB classes? These might be good questions to ask yourself when considering how to become a lawyer.

Is it hard to become a lawyer?

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, you might be debating whether it’s worth the effort. The requirements for becoming a lawyer are pretty challenging. But, it can be a rewarding career if you’re passionate about it — so don’t let those challenges stop you!

Overall, is it hard to become a lawyer? Well, yes, but it’s certainly not impossible.

The biggest challenge of how to become a lawyer is completing all of the steps to becoming a lawyer. First, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Then, you’ll need to take the LSAT and apply for law school, which, if accepted, is another three years of schooling. Along the way you’ll need to actively pursue internships or clerkships (where you work for a judge) to pave your path forward.

Demanding academics and high costs

There are a lot of steps to becoming a lawyer, but are the requirements for becoming a lawyer actually hard? Academically, the path toward how to become a lawyer is rigorous. You’ll have to focus on your schoolwork and pre-law courses with more intensity, and study for longer than your classmates. When other college students are out partying, you may have to be in the library so your grades are high enough to get into the law school of your dreams. Getting into the best law schools in the U.S. is incredibly competitive, and there’s no going back to make up for a low undergraduate GPA.

Once you’ve completed your pre-law courses and are in law school, how you perform academically really matters. And, most students go into debt in order to pay for law school. Luckily, the average lawyer salary is around $145,760 per year, so you’ll certainly be capable of paying off your student loans after graduating. (If you’re curious, here’s a list of some of the highest paying lawyer jobs.)

Unfortunately, if you’re wondering, “Is it hard to become a lawyer?”, you should also be wondering whether it’s hard to actually be a lawyer. The challenge of the career only becomes more of a reality after you’ve secured your first job. You’ll have a heavy workload that can sometimes require long hours. But, the average lawyer salary is high, especially once you climb through the ranks. Therefore, many people feel that the money paired with doing what you’re passionate about makes the work worth it.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

One of the reasons you may be asking, “Is it hard to become a lawyer?” is because you’ve heard of all the steps to becoming a lawyer and the many requirements that follow. Clearly, completing these steps takes a lot of time and effort. However, if you are passionate about justice and helping others, then it will be worth all the many years of hard work in the end.

But just how long does it take to become a lawyer? Well, it’s at least seven years: four years for undergrad and three for law school. You’ll also need months of preparation before you take the bar exam, which all lawyers must pass in order to practice law.

There can be some ways to make the process shorter. Some students earn their bachelor’s degree in fewer than four years, and others pursue accelerated Bachelor/J.D. programs. On the other hand, the process is also, in some cases, longer. Many people take at least one gap year between college and law school to study for the LSAT and get some career experience — both of which can be helpful for your law school application and career.

Although we’ve mentioned them generally, let’s outline the basic steps to becoming a lawyer in more detail.

5 Steps to Becoming a Lawyer

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, you need to be familiar with the requirements for becoming a lawyer. To make it easier, we’ve broken down how to become a lawyer into five, straightforward steps.

5 Steps to Become a Lawyer

Step 1: Attend undergrad and earn your bachelor’s degree.

If you’re already applying to colleges, then you’re on the right track for how to become a lawyer. When in college, you might look at the best undergraduate majors for law school, and focus on taking pre-law courses that satisfy pre-law requirements. The requirements for becoming a lawyer mostly start after college, but how you do academically in undergrad has a large impact on your options for law school.

Step 2: Take the LSAT.

The LSAT is one of the main requirements for becoming a lawyer. Any student researching how to become a lawyer will quickly discover that the LSAT plays a huge role in your law school trajectory. The LSAT is a challenging exam that tests your critical thinking, reading comprehension, and problem solving skills. Getting a good LSAT score is crucial for getting into the best law schools in the U.S. and fulfilling the requirements for becoming a lawyer.

Step 3: Attend law school and obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

The next step for how to become a lawyer is to go to law school! At law school, you’ll obtain a J.D. — a Juris Doctor degree. There are other types of law degrees you can get in law-related fields, but if you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, you’ll need to get a J.D. Different types of law degrees explore different topics, however, there are certain course requirements for becoming a lawyer that most law schools cover. This may include courses in civil litigation, administrative law, criminal law, and constitutional law.

Step 4: Pass the bar exam.

The next step for how to become a lawyer is to take the bar exam — the final and most important of the requirements for becoming a lawyer. The bar is a state-by-state standardized test that all lawyers must pass in order to practice legally. Once you pass the bar exam, you’ll join the state “bar,” which is the association of lawyers in that state. Many people study for months before taking the bar. It’s a big deal!

Step 5: Begin practicing law.

Hurray! You’ve reached the last step in how to become a lawyer and can begin practicing law. You can join a firm as an associate (a common entry-level position after law school), or you can pursue other paths first, like clerking for a judge. Keep in mind that there are many answers to the question, “What can you do with a law degree?” While it may sound counterintuitive, you don’t actually have to practice law! You could continue in academia, work for a nonprofit or advocacy organization, consult for a business, and much more!

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. If you’re in high school and wondering how to become a lawyer, you might be thinking about the best undergraduate majors for law school, the pre-law courses and requirements for becoming a lawyer, and if there are any pre-law majors or pre-law schools you should be focusing on.

Is pre-law a major?

No, pre-law is not a major — that is, you cannot earn a degree in “pre-law.” Pre-law is a designation for students planning on attending law school after undergrad. Instead of taking specific pre-law courses, you simply benefit from law-related advising and resources.

Pre-law courses refer to a collection of classes you can take in college in order to build the skill set needed for law school. This means that pre-law courses can be in any discipline — so long as you’re keeping your grades up and building skills needed for law school like research, writing, and critical thinking.

The only explicit pre-law requirements are to have a bachelor’s degree, take the LSAT, and submit a law school application. Similar to your undergrad applications, you’ll need compelling letters of recommendation and a strong academic record. So, whatever pre-law courses you decide to take, make sure to build strong relationships with a few of your professors.

As we’ve mentioned, there are different types of law degrees, and some students opt to get a bachelor’s degree in law. However, unlike more advanced types of law degrees, you won’t be able to actually practice law after graduating. In most states, you’ll still need to attend law school and get a J.D. to take the bar exam and become a lawyer.

What is the best major for pre-law?

If you’re wondering how to get into law school, you may be wondering about the best pre-law majors. But the truth is, there are no overwhelmingly best undergraduate majors for law school. Just as there are no set pre-law courses, there are no strict requirements when it comes to your undergraduate major.

As such, the best undergraduate majors for law school and the best pre-law courses are going to be ones that genuinely interest you. You should pursue a major in which you have the drive to succeed and get good grades. And, if your pre-law courses align with the area of law you’re interested in, even better.

For example, if you’re interested in international law, you might take pre-law classes in international studies. Or, perhaps you’re interested in AI and its impact on the legal system. In that case, your pre-law courses might be concentrated in the computer science department. Alternatively, taking pre-law classes in film could help you on your path to becoming an entertainment lawyer — in this case, a summer internship in L.A. could enhance your law school application just as much as your pre-law classes.

Common pre-law classes and majors

If you have absolutely no idea what to study before going into law school, you might explore more common pre-law majors, such as political science, English, and history. These majors include useful pre-law courses and pre-law classes, allowing you to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in law school and in your law career. Another popular set of pre-law classes is business or economics, which are useful for understanding all kinds of law.

As you explore potential majors, remember that law schools do not view specific pre-law classes as prerequisites to admission. Rather, acceptance to law school will depend on your GPA and LSAT score. As such, the most important thing about your pre-law courses and pre-law classes is the grades that you get and the relationships you build with your professors.

Best Undergraduate Majors for Law School

If you can take any pre-law classes (because there aren’t any specific pre-law classes needed to get into law school), then what should you major in?

The best undergraduate majors for law school will help you develop the research, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to become a lawyer. They’ll also be something you’re passionate about. In your law school application, schools won’t be checking to see you’ve taken specific pre-law courses or fulfilled any pre-law requirements. They’ll be looking to see if you’re a strong student capable of handling the demands of a law school curriculum. Therefore, the best undergraduate majors for law school are the ones that motivate you to go to your pre-law classes and do the work.

Some of the best undergraduate majors for a law career include history, sociology, English, and political science. That’s because all of these majors have a strong writing and reading component, require rigorous research, and promote critical thinking and analysis. Plus, many people who want to become lawyers already have a strong interest in the humanities or the social sciences.

However, just because the humanities offer useful pre-law classes doesn’t mean you have to major in them. In fact, some of the best undergraduate majors for law school are in STEM fields. Math and computer science majors promote problem solving and logical thinking, both of which are important skills in how to become a lawyer.

Balancing your major with pre-law courses

However, if you do choose to major in something where writing and communication skills aren’t a main component, make sure that you’re taking some pre-law courses where you can demonstrate those skills. These skills are essential when it comes to how to get into law school and to be a lawyer. Therefore, you will have to prove that you can execute them at the same level as someone who studied political science or history. Take some pre-law courses in the humanities or social sciences as electives or a minor, and try to build a good relationship with a professor in those areas so they can write you a letter of recommendation if needed.

Undergraduate law degrees

Later on, we’ll discuss a few types of law degrees at the graduate level. However, in any discussion of the best undergraduate majors for law school, it’s important to highlight the possibility of earning a law degree during undergrad.

At some colleges, you can major in law, and even earn a Bachelor of Laws or a B.S. in Legal Studies. Though these types of law degrees will give you a basic understanding of the legal system, they do not qualify you to practice law. In reality, you’re better off majoring in something other than law. Exploring other fields and interests can help you learn more about what type of law you may want to pursue, and why you’re interested in practicing law in the first place.

What subjects do you need to become a lawyer?

As previously mentioned, there are no specific pre-law courses you need to take to become a lawyer — only specific skills you need to build. Therefore, it can be more helpful to design your own pre-law requirements based on the skills you’d like to develop.

The basic skills that you need to become a lawyer include communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and logic-based skills. From there, you might consider enhancing specialty skills that apply to the area of law you’d like to practice.

To start, you will need to take some classes in the social sciences or the humanities. English, history, political science, or sociology can all provide a good baseline in written analysis. Political science and sociology can also give you useful information about how lawyers function in society.

As you consider various pre-law courses, think about why you want to be a lawyer. For example, if you want to help people through immigration proceedings, maybe you want to study a foreign language to better assist people who don’t speak English. If you want to negotiate high-level film deals, major in business and film. If you want to work as a lawyer at a hospital, take a few public health courses.

Thinking about Law School

If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer, then you’ll need to be prepared for law school. However, law school is no simple task — in fact, it’s known for its challenging nature. But, having a law degree is one of the various requirements for becoming a lawyer in most of the United States. (There are a small number of states that instead require studying under a judge or attorney for four years.) Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of attending law school.

Pros of Attending Law School

There are plenty of career options.

Whether you decide to practice law or go into advising, earning a law degree opens the door to a variety of professional pathways.

Lawyers are well-paid.

Being a lawyer is often related to having a high salary. In fact, the average lawyer salary in the U.S. is $150,000 a year or more. Of course, this will depend on what type of law you practice and who you work with or for.

You’ll gain useful skills.

As a student and practitioner of law, you’ll need to have plenty of technical and personal skills like critical thinking, negotiation, and written and verbal communication. These are transferable skills that will serve you well in many career paths, whether it’s practicing law or starting your own business.

Cons of Attending Law School

The cost of law school is high.

Typically, attending law school means three more years of pricey education, especially at the best law schools in the U.S. On average, the cost of law school is $230,163, and most students take out loans to cover the cost. However, with the average lawyer salary well over three figures, paying off student loans is a realistic goal for many graduates.

The course load can be stressful.

If you are wondering how to become a lawyer, you should know that attending law school is no easy task. Learning law jargon is similar to learning a new language, and law students must also learn a large amount of general case law.

There is no guarantee of high earnings or obtaining the job you want.

This could be said for many majors, but there are more students graduating from law school than job opportunities available for them. This means that after successfully graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, you’ll be entering quite a competitive job market. You should also note that earning potential will depend on the type of lawyer you become. For example, a corporate lawyer will earn far more than one who works with nonprofits.

Considering both the pros and cons of attending law school is one of the necessary steps to becoming a lawyer. While the financial and time commitments may seem like a lot, another benefit is there is no strict timeline for attending law school. In fact, many students work for a few years, then apply to law school when they feel both financially and personally prepared for the undertaking. Some companies even help cover the cost of law school for their employees, reducing some of the risk and financial burden.

What are different types of law degrees?

After completing one of the best undergraduate majors for law school, you may be considering which type of law degree is best for you. While some think there is only one option, there are in fact various types of law degrees. Here are three of the most common types of law degrees:

Types of Law Degrees

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

When considering how to become a lawyer, most will opt for this degree after finishing their pre-law requirements. Typically, it takes three years to complete the J.D. degree. After earning this degree and passing the bar exam, students can practice many different types of law, from criminal law to international law.

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

In the United States, an LL.M. requires more than just pre-law classes. Rather, it’s typically for people who already hold a J.D. and want to specialize in a certain area of law. It’s also the degree that many lawyers from outside the U.S. and Canada earn to be able to work in law in the U.S. The program generally takes one year to complete, assuming you did pre-law courses and already have a J.D.

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D)

Typically, this is the highest law degree you can earn. If you’re less curious about how to become a lawyer than how to become a law professor, then this degree is for you. S.J.D. degrees are intensive, requiring 3-5 years of study to complete. Additionally, you’ll need to have earned both a J.D. and LL.M. in order to enter an S.J.D. program.

Other Types of Law Degrees

While those are the three main types of law degrees, there are a few other options after finishing one of the best undergraduate majors for law school. When considering the question, “What can you do with a law degree?”, it’s important to note that not everyone has the final goal of becoming a lawyer. Students with pre-law majors who aren’t necessarily interested in practicing law have plenty of alternatives. For example, they might consider a Master of Dispute Resolution (M.D.R.) or a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.).

An M.D.R. is a graduate degree that focuses on conflict resolution and takes about two years to complete. Students will improve their negotiation and mediation skills to advance their careers in law, health care, public policy, or other relevant professions. A law degree isn’t always necessary to apply for a Master of Dispute Resolution program. Even so, the best undergraduate majors for law school set students up for success in these degree programs.

For those interested in law but not wondering how to become a lawyer, a Master of Legal Studies is an excellent option. It can be completed in 1–2 years and is customizable depending on your career goals. An M.L.S. is also sometimes referred to as a Master of Science of Law, Jurisprudence Master, or Master of Jurisprudence.

If you’re interested in the steps to becoming a lawyer, you’ll probably be most interested in the J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. However, other types of law degrees can benefit those who aren’t necessarily interested in how to become a lawyer. By having a deep understanding of the law, you can advance in many other careers.

How to get into Law School

Understanding how to get into law school is a vital part of understanding how to become a lawyer. The process for how to get into law school is very similar to the college application process. However, it can also be extremely competitive, especially at the best law schools in the U.S.

If you’re trying to figure out how to get into law school, start with your undergraduate education. You’ll need your bachelor’s degree, ideally in one of the best undergraduate majors for law school that suits your interests and career goals. Law schools don’t require certain majors or pre-law classes, so what you study is up to you! Aside from pre-law majors, programs such as history, English, or political science are excellent for aspiring lawyers.

No matter what pre-law classes you take, you should do well academically. In other words, you’ll need a high GPA to stand out. In addition to completing pre-law classes and earning a bachelor’s degree, students must also take the LSAT. Whether you pursued one of the best undergraduate majors for law school (or not), a high LSAT score is key to building a strong application.

Another one of the important steps to becoming a lawyer is crafting your law school applications. Apart from your GPA and LSAT score, applications require compelling personal statements about your background, goals, and experiences. Most importantly, you must articulate your reasons for wanting to earn a law degree. Programs also require letters of recommendation, so be sure to ask your recommenders well in advance of the submission deadline.

Choosing which schools to apply to

Whatever types of law degrees you’re interested in, your law school list should include a variety of schools: reach, target, and safety. When searching for the best law schools in the U.S., investigate more than just ranking and prestige. The best school for you may not even come up when searching, “best law schools in the U.S.” Similar to the best undergraduate majors for law school or the best pre-law courses, the best law schools for you are also a personal choice.

Best Colleges to Get into Law School

When it comes to considering pre-law courses, pre-law classes, and other pre-law requirements, there aren’t necessarily best undergraduate majors for law school. Rather, it depends on each student’s interests, skills, and future goals; the “best” pre-law courses, pre-law classes, and even pre-law requirements can vary. However, in order to get into the best law schools, you’ll certainly need to be a competitive applicant. That starts with completing your undergraduate degree.

While going to “pre-law schools” isn’t required, there are certain universities that produce more pre-law students who successfully attend law school. Here’s a list of the top ranking pre-law schools in the U.S.:

Best Pre-law Colleges

Again, attending one of these schools certainly isn’t one of the requirements for becoming a lawyer. However, there’s a reason these are some of the best colleges to complete pre-law majors. Prestige and rankings aren’t everything when it comes to impressing a law school admissions team, but they can help, and doing well in pre-law courses, pre-law classes, and pre-law majors will always stand out.

Instead of narrowing your focus to top pre-law schools, focus on finding a school that you love attending and that is affordable. There also are no best pre-law schools — just schools with strong pre-law advising programs and strong academics. Completing pre-law requirements with high grades from any reputable school will set you up for success.

While these 15 pre-law schools are some of the best universities in the nation, they may not be the best for you. It may be more desirable and a better economic option to go to a public school in your state. When considering how to become a lawyer, remember that it’s a long road. The requirements for becoming a lawyer don’t include attending a top ranking school, so you should start by choosing the best schools for you!

5 Law School Application Tips

Attending law school is one of the most important requirements for becoming a lawyer.

The first steps in how to become a lawyer is completing your pre-law courses and getting into law school. Therefore, acing your law school application is vital in your “how to become a lawyer” plan.

Here are five tips to help you get ahead on your law school applications and stand out as an excellent candidate:

5 Tips for your Law School Application

1. Write a strong personal statement that showcases passion and long-term goals.

2. Request letters of recommendation early from those who can speak to your character and potential.

3. Prepare thoroughly for the LSAT, and consider retaking it if needed.

4. Highlight relevant work experience or extracurriculars that demonstrate your skills and commitment.

5. Research law school cultures and curriculums, and visit them if possible, to tailor your applications.

If you’re worried you didn’t pursue one of the best undergraduate majors for law school, don’t worry. A strong LSAT score and a clear explanation of your interest in law often matter more than majoring in traditional pre-law majors.

From Law School to Lawyer

You might be asking yourself, “How long does it take to become a lawyer?” and “Is it hard to become a lawyer?” If you know how to become a lawyer, then you know it isn’t easy. It takes time to complete all the requirements for becoming a lawyer.

Passing the bar exam

Even after navigating pre-law requirements and seven years of studying full-time, you aren’t technically able to practice law. After law school, you’ll still need to complete one of the most challenging requirements for becoming a lawyer — passing the bar exam. You’ll need to pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice law. Without passing, you won’t be able to be a lawyer.

Navigating the job market

When considering how to become a lawyer, it’s important to know that it is a competitive job market. Therefore, it’s not enough to simply complete pre-law courses, attend law school, and pass the bar exam. You’ll also want to pursue internships, clerkships, and other entry-level jobs. While not technically one of the requirements for becoming a lawyer, gaining hands-on experience will better prepare you to practice law and secure competitive jobs.

Additionally, in such a competitive job market, it’s imperative to make connections during your time in law school. Networking can help you gain job offers right out of school or even years down the line. Law school alumni and career services can help to connect you to the best opportunities upon graduation. As you work through the requirements for becoming a lawyer, be sure to take advantage of these connections and resources to help jumpstart your career.

What is the bar exam?

An integral part of how to become a lawyer is passing the bar exam, which grants you a license to practice law. Without passing the bar exam, you won’t be a lawyer. Therefore, passing the exam is the most important requirement for becoming a lawyer.

You’ll need to take the bar in the state where you plan to practice law, with a few exceptions. Three states — California, Virginia, and Washington — allow law school graduates to complete apprenticeships instead of taking the bar. The other 47 states require practicing lawyers to pass the bar exam.

The format of the exam varies slightly depending on the state; however, it is generally quite similar. The exam is administered over two days and assesses both legal knowledge and practical skills.

Components of the Bar Exam

Multistate Bar Examination (MBE):

This part consists of 200 multiple choice questions that are split between two 2-hour sessions. Hypothetical situations are presented which test your ability to apply legal principles. The MBE will be 50% of your overall score.

Multistate Essay Examination (MEE):

In this section you’ll have 3 hours to complete six essay questions on hypothetical scenarios. The MEE makes up 30% of your overall score.

Multistate Performance Test (MPT):

In this part of the exam you’ll have two 90-minute tasks to complete. These will simulate real-world legal work. For example, you might be drafting memos or analyzing case files. The MPT makes up 20% of your overall score.

While passing the bar is one of the most widespread requirements for becoming a lawyer, passing thresholds vary by state. So, be sure to check the requirements for becoming a lawyer in your state. Depending on the types of law degrees you’re interested in, you may not even opt to take the bar exam after law school. However, if you’re crafting a “how to become a lawyer” plan, then passing the bar is an essential final step. You can’t practice law without it!

How hard is the bar exam?

For most, the final piece of how to become a lawyer is passing the bar exam. Fittingly, the bar exam is infamous for its difficulty. Ask anyone who’s taken the bar exam, and their answer to “Is it hard to become a lawyer?” will likely be a resounding, “YES.”

In order to be successful, you’ll need to do extensive preparation. There are bar review courses, practice exams, and study plans. The bar exam is offered twice a year: in February and July. Review courses tend to be around 10 weeks long, however, they’re generally flexible, offering online or night course options. Plan your study timeline accordingly!

If you’re figuring out how to become a lawyer, then you’ll need to dedicate time to preparing for the bar. As with your other pre-law requirements, you’ll need to be diligent and consistent about studying. You might even feel like your bar exam prep is a full-time job — but it’s unavoidable if you want to be a practicing lawyer.

5 Tips to Becoming a Lawyer

As you can tell, knowing how to become a lawyer means knowing how to devote years of time and effort without giving up. You’ll need to be disciplined in order to complete all of the requirements for becoming a lawyer. It will take a minimum of seven years to do so, including all of your pre-law courses, pre-law classes, and other pre-law requirements.

Is it hard to become a lawyer? Well, it’s certainly not an easy path. Pre-law requirements, a law degree, and the bar exam along with other milestones should be on your “how to become a lawyer” plan. But if you’re passionate about practicing law, becoming a lawyer is absolutely achievable. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

5 Tips for How to Become a Lawyer

1. Stay disciplined and organized throughout your pre-law courses, law school classes, and bar exam preparation.

2. Develop strong professional relationships with professors and mentors. These connections can lead to excellent letters of recommendations, internships, or job opportunities.

3. Gain practical experience through internships, externships, and clerkships. This hands-on experience will help you to apply what you learn in the classroom.

4. Invest time in understanding various areas of law; once you are trying to figure out a specialty, you’ll be prepared.

5. Keep a clear career goal in mind while navigating the law school and bar exam process. There’s no shortcuts to how to become a lawyer — take things one step at a time.

Becoming a lawyer certainly isn’t the only answer to the question, “What can you do with a law degree?” However, it’s the goal of most students who attend law school.

How to Become a Lawyer – Final Takeaways

In this article, we’ve covered the basics on the path to practicing law and how to become a lawyer. Figuring out how to become a lawyer is complex, but it’s a worthwhile journey that can lead to many different career paths. And you aren’t limited to being a lawyer forever once you have a law degree. Essentially, the answer to “what can you do with a law degree?” depends on you!

Choosing to be a lawyer should come down to more than just the average lawyer salary. As you’ve seen in this article, becoming a lawyer isn’t a simple task. At best, it will take you seven years to do so. Therefore, you should be passionate about justice, helping others, and upholding the law if you’re deciding to start the journey to becoming a lawyer.

CollegeAdvisor can help you complete the steps to becoming a lawyer. Reach out for guidance on choosing the best undergraduate majors for law school, applying to law school, and charting your path forward!

This article was written by Rachel Kahn and Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.