Ontario Bar Exam Prep

The Barrister exam covers civil litigation, criminal law, family law and public law and the Solicitor exam covers business law, real estate and estates law. In addition, each exam covers professional responsibility, by-laws and the rules of professional conduct.

While the specific preparation time may vary from student to student, we recommend that each candidate prepare a unique study plan for themselves. The study plan should ensure that the candidate is able to review the entirety of the bar material at least once. In addition, the study plan should allocate time for the candidate to complete practice questions and update their study resources that the candidate will be using on the day of the exam.

The results of the Ontario Bar exams are typically released within six to eight weeks after the examination date. Candidates receive their results through a message in their confidential online account provided by the Law Society of Ontario. They are also notified via email once the results are available.

In Ontario, barristers and solicitor licensing examinations are marked on a “pass/fail” basis. The Law Society of Ontario has set up an advisory group which sets and approves the passing mark for each licensing examination. This passing mark is not published by the Law Society. It is to be noted that the pass mark is for the entirety of the barrister and solicitor exams rather than by specific sub-topic (such as civil litigation, business law, etc.). 

Each candidate’s result is determined solely by their performance relative to this established standard. Unlike most law school exams, the Law Society does not use a bell curve.

In Ontario, candidates are allowed three attempts to pass each component of the Bar exam—both the Barrister and the Solicitor exams—within their licensing term. The licensing term typically spans three years from the date of the candidate’s initial registration in the Lawyer Licensing Process.

The fail rate for the Ontario Bar exam is not disclosed by the Law Society of Ontario. 

For those who do not pass, the Law Society provides a Licensing Examination Profile, which details performance across different categories to help focus future study efforts. 

At Bar Exam Crackers, we offer robust preparation tools and 1-on-1 tutoring services to enhance candidates’ readiness and maximize their chances of success, leveraging these detailed insights to tailor our support effectively.