Don’t Rely on Adrenaline Alone: Build Endurance Through Preparation and Practice

Some people say that adrenaline will get you through the bar exam, and in part, they’re right.

A rush of adrenaline can give you a powerful boost at the start of exam day. But just as athletes find, adrenaline alone won’t carry you across the finish line—it’s the preparation and endurance you build in advance that truly count.

Recently, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson learned this lesson the hard way. During a key moment in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, he tapped out, voluntarily leaving the game for a play because he was “tired” after back-to-back scrambles.

Richardson’s fatigue was surprising, even to his coaches and teammates, who expect a high-performance quarterback to have the conditioning to push through. He faced criticism from fans and even his teammates—professionals, after all, are expected to stay in the game.

“That’s not a good look for Anthony Richardson. It’s not. I mean it was third down and he came off the field,” said former NFL and college quarterback Chris Simms on Pro Football Talk. “I understand he ran around, and you know had a tough play the play before that. But what I want to say is just do more wind sprints during the week so you don’t so tired.”

Richardson's “learning moment” reminds us that while adrenaline might kick-start your focus, it’s not a substitute for sustained preparation. For bar exam takers, the same principle applies: to avoid mentally “tapping out,” it’s the training done before exam day that counts.

Here’s how you can build the endurance you need:

1.  🏈 Practice Full-Length Exam Days

Throughout your bar preparation, set aside at least a couple of full days to mimic the actual exam. Start at the same time as the bar exam, follow the same break schedule, and go through at least one day of six hours of writing (six 30-minute essays and two 90-minute performance tests for Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions) and another day of 200 multiple-choice questions (in two three-hour blocks of 100 queestion each).

This practice builds familiarity with the structure and duration of the exam, so on test day, you’ll have a routine to rely on, making the process feel more manageable.

Richardson’s “tap-out” moment in an NFL game was seen as a weak spot, not because he lacks heart or talent but because a high-stakes situation demands preparation beyond adrenaline. For bar takers, full-day practice tests are essential for conditioning against fatigue, ensuring they won’t need to mentally “tap out” when the pressure mounts.

2.  🏈 Use Timed Drills to Build Pacing

In between full-day practice tests during your bar preparation, regularly complete smaller sets of essays and multiple-choice questions. Choose one or two essays and set a timer, pushing yourself to complete each within 30 minutes, simulating the bar exam’s essay section. For multiple-choice practice, set a timer for sets of 10 to 15 questions. I personally like to do questions in sets of 17 because that equals about 30 minutes of testing time.

Training to pace yourself under time constraints prevents burnout from rushing or underestimating how quickly time passes during the actual exam.

Richardson learned, perhaps the hard way, that pacing is key in high-stakes settings. For bar takers, pacing drills simulate the time-sensitive nature of the exam, keeping energy levels steady and preventing that sudden feeling of overwhelm.

3.  🏈 Incorporate Short Breaks to Train Recovery

During your study sessions, use breaks to reset, whether through breathing exercises, stretching, or a brief walk.

Learning how to take short, effective breaks prepares you to maximize limited downtime on exam day and helps prevent burnout from continuous study.

As Richardson’s coach said, tapping out was a “learning moment.” The same can be true for bar takers. Learning to take short, effective breaks ensures your mind and body get a chance to recharge, making it easier to push through tough parts of the exam.

4.  🏈 Build Stamina with Progressive Practice

At the very beginning of your bar preparation, start with shorter study sessions, building up to full-day study days over time. Begin with 1-2 hours of focused study, increase to 3-4 hours, and eventually work up to 6-8 hours.

Gradually increasing study time builds both mental and physical endurance, helping you avoid the burnout that can come from diving into intense, full-day sessions too quickly.

As Richardson discovered, being young and enthusiastic isn’t enough; stamina takes time to build. Bar takers need the same progressive approach to increase their focus and stamina over time.

5.  🏈 Follow a Consistent Sleep Schedule

In the weeks leading up to the bar, stick to a consistent sleep schedule to ensure you’re rested and alert. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.

Consistent rest is essential for focus and endurance, reducing the risk of exhaustion and boosting cognitive performance. (With the latest updates in watchOS, the Apple Watch can help users establish a consistent sleep schedule by tracking sleep stages and quality.)

For bar takers, as with professional athletes, good sleep is non-negotiable. By establishing a routine early, examinees improve their cognitive readiness, setting the foundation for clear-headed decision-making during long testing hours.

Richardson’s moment of fatigue is a reminder that adrenaline isn’t a substitute for real preparation. It might help in the short term, but focused preparation, consistent practice, and smart habits developed in advance are what carry you through.

Just like most NFL players , you’ve trained for this moment—now it’s time to play like it.