The Perfect Recipe: Why You Shouldn't Replace Essential Parts of Your Bar Prep Course

We’ve all been there—eager to try something new, only to realize the original formula was perfect all along. Recently, I decided to try McDonald’s new Chicken Big Mac. I thought, “What could go wrong with swapping out the iconic beef patties for chicken?”

As it turns out, the flavors didn’t meld in the same way, and the entire experience fell flat compared to the original Big Mac, which has stood the test of time for a reason.

This got me thinking about bar prep and how, much like that classic burger, certain things just shouldn't be changed. Bar prep programs—whether it’s BARBRI, Helix, Kaplan, or Themis—are designed based on a proven formula, backed by decades of learning science and data. Each part of the program has been carefully selected to maximize your learning, reinforce critical concepts, and prepare you for the bar exam through a structured, intentional process. Just like you wouldn’t randomly replace ingredients in a recipe, you shouldn’t substitute or skip parts of your bar prep course. Here’s why.

Bar prep courses aren’t just a collection of resources. While bar review courses may differ in structure, they all rely on core learning science principles essential to mastering the material, like repetition and interval learning.

🔁 Spaced Repetition: This is the practice of reviewing information at increasing intervals over time, which has been shown to improve long-term retention. When you take a practice quiz, review lecture notes, or tackle an essay, the course will guide you back to these topics repeatedly, ensuring that your knowledge is refreshed and reinforced at key intervals.

⏳ Interval Learning: Learning in intervals allows the brain to process information more effectively. By breaking up study sessions and gradually increasing their difficulty, bar prep programs help you absorb more material without feeling overwhelmed. This structured pacing is why skipping ahead or ignoring certain sections can throw off your momentum.

When you decide to skip a set of practice questions, speed through a video lecture, or ignore a practice essay, you’re essentially removing a key ingredient from the bar prep recipe.

The result? Your preparation may fall short when it matters most.

Each component of the course is designed to work in harmony, reinforcing what you’ve already learned while building on new material. Skipping parts of the program is like removing a key ingredient from a recipe—you disrupt the balance and compromise the intended outcome. Without all the elements in place, the course becomes less effective, and your ability to recall and apply what you’ve learned on exam day may be significantly weakened.

Your bar prep course is designed with the end goal in mind: to help you pass the bar exam. Altering the ingredients, skipping sections, or rushing through will only hurt your chances of achieving that goal.

Like the classic Big Mac, the formula for success in bar prep has been meticulously developed. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or skip ingredients to make it work for you. Trust the process, follow the structure, and avoid the temptation to replace key elements with shortcuts or personal preferences.

Your bar prep course is designed with the end goal in mind: to help you pass the bar exam. Altering the ingredients, skipping sections, or rushing through will only hurt your chances of achieving that goal.

So, the next time you’re tempted to skip ahead or replace an “ingredient” in your bar prep program, remember: some things are perfected for a reason. Stick with the plan, trust the process, and you’ll be ready when it counts.