“Got to Get Out” of the Exam: Bar Prep, Reality-Show Style

​I don’t watch a lot of TV during the semester, but when I do, I want pure escapism. I want brain rot. I don’t want to analyze or take notes—I just want to watch something and not think too much. So as an end-of-semester treat, I found myself binging Hulu’s new competition series Got to Get Out, hosted by Simu Liu, known for his role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The premise? A group of 20 contestants—including reality TV veterans like Demi Burnett, Cynthia Bailey, Spencer Pratt, and Val Chmerkovskiy, as well as newcomers—are locked in a mansion for 10 days, competing in physical and mental challenges for a $1 million prize. The show blends elements of social strategy and high-stakes competition, offering a fresh twist on the reality TV genre.​

And yet, even while zoning out, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much it mirrors the experience of preparing for the bar exam. It’s not just the stress or strategy—it’s the social psychology, the time pressure, and the constant second-guessing. Turns out, this escape-room-meets-social-game show might have more to teach law students than we first thought.

Don’t worry—there are no spoilers here.

Here are five takeaways from Got to Get Out that apply directly to bar prep:

1. You’ve Got to Get Out ... of Your Comfort Zone

Contestants on Got to Get Out are dropped into unfamiliar, high-pressure situations that force them to adapt and take risks. There’s no time to sit back—success depends on staying sharp, stepping up, and making hard calls.

What this means for bar prep: Bar prep is no different. If your study plan feels easy, it’s probably not working. The bar exam demands more than passive review. Timed practice tests, live issue-spotting, and cold evaluation of your weak points will stretch you—and that’s a good thing. You won’t grow if you’re always playing it safe.

2. Trust No One ... But Trust the Process

In the game, alliances crumble and betrayals are inevitable. One wrong move based on bad intel can cost you everything. It’s tempting to copy others, but you never really know what they’re planning.

What this means for bar prep: Bar prep has its own version of this: watching friends jump from resource to resource, second-guessing yourself based on someone else’s flashcards, thinking you need a new outline because someone on Reddit said so. Don’t fall for it. Trust the plan you made. Stay consistent. Commit. Bar prep is a long game, and panic-pivoting rarely works.

3. Your Past Choices Follow You

Contestants get judged not just on what they do in the moment, but on what they’ve done in earlier episodes. A missed opportunity or poor judgment call can come back to bite them.

What this means for bar prep: Bar prep is no exception. Maybe you didn’t pay enough attention in Con Law during 1L. Maybe you coasted through Crim Pro or barely wrote a practice essay last semester. That history doesn’t disappear. But it doesn’t define you either. What matters is how you respond. Own your gaps. Fill them. Use your past to shape a better, smarter plan going forward.

4. When the Clock’s Ticking, Every Move Counts

Time management is everything on Got to Get Out. ​Players must make quick, informed decisions under pressure as they navigate opportunities to escape the mansion and claim the growing prize pot, all while avoiding detection by fellow contestants who can thwart their plans.​

What this means for bar prep: Sound familiar? That’s exactly what the bar exam requires. Whether it’s finishing 100 MBE questions in 3 hours or writing two essays in 60 minutes, pacing is critical. The only way to get faster is to practice under timed conditions. Do full-length sets. Simulate real test days. Don’t wait until the exam to test your speed.

5. The Game Begins Before the Game Begins

From the very first episode, players are forming alliances, strategizing, and laying foundations that pay off later.

What this means for bar prep: The same is true for bar prep. The earlier you start developing good habits—briefing cases, outlining clearly, practicing rule-based analysis—the more natural it becomes later. Bar prep doesn’t start the day after graduation. It starts with how you learn, write, and study now. And that begins when you begin your legal studies.

So the next time you're feeling trapped in your bar prep routine, remember: this isn’t just a game. But the strategies for surviving one can still help you escape with your license intact.