Kaplan undoubtedly has a strong reputation in the prep course sector. But, when it comes to the bar exam prep course game, can it stand against the young and innovative competitors? Today, we’ll talk in detail about the many aspects of the Kaplan bar prep course and help you decide whether this one is a program worth trying!
What we will cover?
A Quick Overview of Kaplan Bar Prep Course
Before we jump into what is offered by the different programs, let’s first take a look at the Kaplan bar prep course overview. First of all, this prep course comes from a provider that has been running for more than seven decades, so it only makes sense that its programs are better structured than many of its competitors and also come with a lot of useful features.
So far, users have three program options from the Kaplan bar prep course: Kaplan Bar Review, Kaplan Bar Review Flex, and Kaplan Bar Review Plus. When it comes to pricing, users will get different rates depending on their state and registration date. This implies that someone from Alabama may need to pay a different price from another person in California.
The Kaplan Bar Review is the most basic program, and it allows users to get 2-month access to either live or on-demand instructions. Each class is led by a seasoned expert, providing learners with a great learning structure and expert guidance on various topics. This program also includes four practice exams as well as six printed prep books (two of them are state-specific).
With Kaplan Bar Review Flex, users can have greater flexibility with their learning schedules, as the program offers all the benefits of Kaplan Bar Review plus an additional one-month access to all the classes and learning materials. This means the learning schedules will be less intense and rigid than the standard program, helping students to feel less stressed while studying.
To ensure students’ maximum topic mastery and familiarity with the course, the course provider also offers a program called Kaplan Bar Review Plus, which has been mentioned earlier. With this one, you’ll be able to enjoy the features of either the 2-month or 3-month program. On top of that, you’ll be given semester-long access to supplemental learning materials.
Its various programs aside, Kaplan states on its official website that it has a 91% pass rate for the UBE, which is a fairly good number in this sector. Considering the long reputation of this course provider, though, it is not surprising at all. Also, it claims that each of its programs is built on years of experimentation and analysis, ensuring users are on the right track to success.
Key Features of Kaplan Bar Prep Course
Now that we’ve gone through a quick overview of the Kaplan bar prep course, it’s time to go into more detail about some of its key features. In general, while it is true that other bar prep course providers out there provide similar features, like on-demand classes, it’s still safe to say that Kaplan has the most comprehensive list of learning features in the game.
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Wealth of Learning Sources
Kaplan’s collection of more than 4000 practice questions is surely enough to help students get ready for the real MBE test, but the prep course provider doesn’t think it’s okay to stop there. Instead, it also gives students access to a library containing pre-recorded video lectures as well as printed books that can also greatly support students’ mastery of the topic.
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Live and On-Demand Classes
Unlike other prep course providers who only allow access to either live or on-demand classes, Kaplan provides users with access to both of them. Depending on their daily schedules and learning styles, students can choose which of the learning methods suits their needs better. With on-demand learning, though, students will get 24/7 access to the instructions.
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Four Full MBE Practice Tests
If you think you can pass the bar exam just by reading the textbooks and watching the video lectures, then you’re greatly mistaken! Don’t underestimate the role of practice exams because they can help you condition yourself for the real exam. Luckily, Kaplan provides students with four full simulated MBE exams, which are more than enough to get the job done.
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Experienced Instructors
Many similar course providers out there claim that their practice questions and learning materials are created by experts in their field, but not all of them can show who those experts are. With Kaplan, you know that the instructors are real experts because they are actual lawyers who have practiced law for years. You can even give them any questions using the platform.
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Great Availability
Whatever state you are located in, Kaplan offers the ideal program to help you prepare for the bar exam. This is unquestionably a huge benefit, as not all course providers offer programs to law students nationwide. Additionally, because there are so many different programs available, students can select the one that best fits their circumstances and needs.
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Pass Guarantee
As with any reputable bar prep course provider out there, Kaplan also provides its users with a pass guarantee. Sure enough, this one comes with a few conditions. First, students must attend at least 90% of the classes and complete all the assigned questions, exams, and quizzes. In addition, students must also complete the practice essays and homework.
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“Bill My Firm” Option
Probably the biggest benefit of taking a bar prep course from Kaplan is that you can complete it without paying even a single cent. Yes, you read that right! It has a “Bill My Firm” option, which means all of your learning expenses will be billed directly to your employer. If you are interested, however, you must first make sure that your firm has this program on offer.
FAQs
- What kind of academic support do I get from the Kaplan bar prep course?
For academic support from experts, students can take advantage of the Ask-an-Expert feature. But, before you use it, you can check if there are answers to the topic you’re going to ask in the Expert Answers section on the platform. Here, you can get the answer you need by reviewing previously asked questions.
The questions in the Expert Answers section cover a wide range of topics. But, if you still can’t find the answer you need, you can then submit your question through the Ask-an-Expert section. Normally, one of the experts will get back to you with an answer in three working days, yet it may take longer during peak times.
- How do I track my attendance?
With Kaplan, you shouldn’t worry too much about your attendance rate. If you choose the on-demand classes, the system will automatically track it for you, so all you need to do is watch the pre-recorded lectures. Meanwhile, if you choose the live classes, you can simply hit the check-in button every time you attend a class.
- Is there a mobile app available?
Yes, the Kaplan bar prep course has a mobile app called the Bar Review app. It is available on both iPhone and Android devices, and users can get it from either the Play Store or App Store. Be careful, though because the app requires the device to have at least Android 6.2 or iOS 10.0 on its system.
You can log into the app with the same credentials you use on the website version. Once logged in, you can use the app to stream lecture videos, complete the quizzes, and read the flashcards. For the best learning experiences and results, make sure you have high-speed internet access and enough device memory.
The Takeaway
Having read the above review, what are your thoughts on the Kaplan bar prep course? Coming from a company with a big name in this particular industry, this prep course surely comes with a wealth of features and learning materials. Its high cost, however, is also difficult to ignore, which could discourage law students who want to minimize their study expenses.
But even with the expensive course costs, it’s hard to disagree with Kaplan’s ability to offer a wide variety of program options. Whether you prefer live instruction, on-demand learning, or a combination of the two, this prep course provider has the right program for you. Also, it offers a tremendous quantity of educational resources, which is just hard to match!
Review Summary
User Reviews
Kaplan excelled in the multiple-choice section
Kaplan excelled in the multiple-choice section, offering an abundant supply of questions that I never exhausted. This led to me achieving a very good MBE score. On the other hand, the essay preparation was less impressive and didn’t yield as strong results for me. I’ve heard that Barbri offers a superior essay framework. Perhaps your decision should hinge on which aspect you feel less confident in. Aside from that, the Kaplan instructional videos were fairly standard but certainly effective.
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