Home to about a million residents and counting, Austin is the state capital and the third most populous city in Texas. Yet despite having a relatively strong economy and far fewer residents than the Texan cities of Houston and Dallas, Austin is not one of the safest places to live in the state. Law and order is big business in this city where 1 in 25 people fall victim to violent crime.
For the budding legal professional, constant criminality means there’s always plenty of work to be done—the legal system overflows with suspects awaiting trial. And a lawyer in Austin can expect to bring home $134,083 each year, which is certainly enough to see them purchase property in one of the safer areas of the city.
Many students begin their dream career at the UT School of Law, which is part of the prestigious University of Texas at Austin. The law school is ranked 16th in the USA according to USNWR.
Online vs In-Person Bar Prep
Students have two options when it comes to finding a tutor for the bar exam in Austin: online or in-person sessions.
Some students prefer face-to-face lessons as they get to build a close rapport with the tutor, which can enhance the learning process. Also, in-person lessons are almost always one-on-one, whereas online classes can involve several students. The fact there is no annoying latency delay when learning in-person is another definite plus.
Many students, however, feel online is the best option. As in-person tutors are spread all around Austin, attending classes requires a considerable amount of time and effort—much more than clicking the connect button on a Skype call. Aside from convenience, online courses tend to be much cheaper as well. And for students who require a large amount of tuition, the savings can really add up.
| Online Tuition | In-Person Tuition | |
| Personalized Study Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cost-Effectiveness | High | Medium |
| Latency/technical issues | Possible | No |
| Travel Required | No | Yes |
| Flexible Schedule | Yes | No |
The Best Bar Exam Tutors in Austin
1. BarMax Tutors
BarMax has become famous among law students for providing the best—and most affordable—bar exam course in the United States. Their handpicked selection of high-quality exam tutors keeps the company’s stellar reputation alive. Each has passed the Texas bar exam and has years of tutoring experience under their belt so you can rest assured they know their stuff.
All BarMax tutors create a personalized study plan for their students to strengthen potential weaknesses and overcome exam-day nervousness. Students can choose to sit classes at a time that is convenient for them.
Cost: Variable (from $133/hr)
Location: Online only (video or phone conference)
Financing: Yes (via Affirm)
Qualifications: All tutors have passed the bar
2. AmeriBar
AmeriBar has been providing a comprehensive exam preparation course to future Austin lawyers for over 20 years. During that time, the company has developed a strong reputation for offering high-quality legal education in Texas, which incorporates a multitude of effective study strategies and TLF methodology
AmeriBar provides students with the option of hiring a one-on-one tutor to complement the bar review program. Every tutor has passed the bar exam and practiced law within the state. Classes are specially designed to focus on the areas that the student needs help with most.
Cost: 10 sessions for $1,999
Location: Online only (video or phone conference)
Financing: Yes (via affirm)
Qualifications: All tutors have passed the bar
3. Kenneth J. Leff, Esq.
Kenneth has been tutoring the bar exam for a whopping 25 years, so you can bet he’s got the whole thing figured out. Rather than just focusing on study strategies, Ken prides himself on his ability to enhance the student’s time management skills—a critical component of the bar exam that’s often overlooked.
All programs are tailor-made to cater to the student’s needs, and Kenneth can provide a general law school tutoring service for those who feel they’re falling behind.
Cost: Contact for pricing
Location: Skype classes
Financing: No
Qualifications: 25 years’ experience, full-time tutor
4. Zachary
Examinees with a keen interest in intellectual property would learn a lot from Zachery, a certified tutor who offers private lessons in the city of Austin. Zach has worked alongside big pharmaceutical companies to develop patents for a leading intellectual property firm. Thus, he’s become a wealth of knowledge on this lucrative niche of the legal industry.
Of course, Zach orientates his bar exam tutorials on preparing for the big test, boasting a wide array of clever study strategies and unique approaches in his arsenal.
Cost: Sign up with Varsity Tutors for a quote
Location: Austin
Financing: No
Qualifications: Law school graduate, career in intellectual property law
5. Arax C.
Arax C has a bit more bar exam experience than most—she passed the grueling test in three separate states: Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. And her knowledge of the bar exam hasn’t gone to waste as the popular tutor has done 130 hours of bar classes on the Wyzant platform ever since.
With a background in journalism and as a research attorney for a district judge, Arax is adept at helping students hone their writing and research skills.
Cost: $70 per hour
Location: Online only
Financing: No
Qualifications: Passed three bar exams
6. Keith S.
The best in Texas—Keith is one of the state’s most exclusive tutors and well worth the money if budget isn’t a major concern. Keith aced law school, passing the Texas bar exam on the first go, then continued to serve as the Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review.
In addition to preparing students to tackle the bar exam, the Texas essay subjects, the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), and Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE), Keith offers a consulting service to help aspiring young lawyers achieve their dreams. He doesn’t come cheap, but you know you’ll be working with the best.
Cost: $300 per hour
Location: Denton, Texas. Online and in-person
Financing: No
Qualifications: Qualified attorney serving in Texas