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)                  Criminal Examination  

Paper 2 (PM)                  Civil 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 February 2025 lecutures and tutorials below;

Monday, 4 November 2024

  • Topic: Introductory Lecture & Exam Techniques
  • 5.00-6.00pm

 Monday, 11 November 2024 

  • Topic: Ethics
  • 5.00-6.30pm

 Monday, 25 November 2024

  • Topic: Evidence
  • 5.00-6.00pm

 Tuesday, 26 November 2024

  • Topic: Criminal P&P
  • 5.00-6.00pm

 Monday, 2 December 2024

  • Topic: Civil P&P
  • 5.00-6.00pm

 Pre-Exam Tutorial - Wednesday, 13 November 2024

  • 5.00-6.00pm

Links to register for each session will be made available on Monday, 30 September 2024 here: 

https://nswbar.eventsair.com/2025-exam-working-party-lectures/rsvp

Back to the NSW Bar Exams page. 

 

Updated 30/09/2024