Preparing for the Bar Exam - Supports & Materials

Preparing for the Bar Exam

The NSW Bar Exam will move to an open book format for the February 2025 exam. Candidates are permitted to bring into the exam any hard copy materials they choose. From November 2024, The NSW Bar Association offers open lectures and tutorials to both registered and prospective candidates the month of registration. We do not endorse courses provided by other organisations.

Upon registration, exam candidates are provided with a reading list and access to the Bar Exam Noticeboard. The examination is delivered electronically using ExamSoft software. For more information refer to our Information Guide.

Please note that we do not distribute preparatory materials to unregistered candidates. However, we are pleased to inform you that past exam papers are now available to assist you in your preparation:

 

Examination format

The Bar Exam is comprised of 2x two-hour papers with an additional 30 minutes of reading time allowed for each paper. Each paper will comprise of one question book for either civil or criminal practice which equally focus on legal ethics for barristers; aspects of evidence; and practice and procedure for barristers (including both short and long answer questions). 

Answers will be required to be typed on the software on the approved candidate’s laptop.

All Sydney candidates must arrive at least one (1) hour before reading time commences for laptop setup on examination day.

Paper 1 (AM)                  Civil Examination  

Paper 2 (PM)                  Criminal Examination

 

Lectures & Pre-Exam Tutorial

To assist prospective and current candidates with their examination preparation, the NSW Bar Association holds five (5) lectures and one (1) pre-exam tutorial. Registration to attend these sessions is mandatory. Lectures will be available both in-person and online to support distance candidates.  

Please see the schedule for the June 2025 lecutures and tutorials below; 

Topic

Date

Time

Introductory Lecture & Exam Techniques

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

Civil P&P

Thursday, 3 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

Evidence

Monday, 7 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

Ethics

Monday, 14 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

Public Tutorial – Exam techniques

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

Criminal P&P

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

5.00 – 6.00 PM

If interested, please register here. 

Please note that these sessions will not be recorded but will be offered both in person and online

 

Back to the NSW Bar Exams page. 

 

Updated 31/03/2025