Even though you've successfully graduated from law school, you'll still need to pass the bar exam before becoming licensed to practice as an attorney. Read on to learn how to study for the bar exam.

1. Start studying early

2. Enlist family and friends for support

3. Visualize your results

4. Set a study routine

5. Take a bar review class

6. Focus on your writing

7. Study one area in depth at a time

8. Keep perspective

Pass rates for the bar exam vary by state, ranging from a low of 35 percent to a high of 95 percent. The exam has both multi-state and state-specific components. The exam tests how well you can apply knowledge, usually integrating several legal issues in one question.

You need to pass the bar exam to become licensed to practice law (Creative Commons photo by umjanedoan)

1. The bar exam covers the laws of the state in which it is administered.
2. The exam also includes a section that covers general law applicable in most states, called the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE).Northwestern Law: Bar Exam FAQ
3. Depending on which state's bar exam you're taking, the bar exam may also include the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and/or the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) as well as the MBE.National Council of Bar Examiners:Multistate tests

You can get a head start on preparing for the bar exam by taking a review course during your last semester of law school, if it's offered. If your school doesn't offer a course as part of the curriculum, you can begin doing self-study review with books, video tapes, and DVDs.

In addition to studying content and doing practice questions, focus on honing the skills you'll need to effectively answer both multiple choice and essay questions. You need to spot the issues, identify the relevant facts, and analyze the appropriate aspects of the law.