Preparing for the Ontario Bar Exam can feel confusing not because the law is impossible, but because many candidates don’t fully understand how the exam actually works.
The Ontario bar exam is open-book, time-pressured, and heavily focused on navigation and strategy, not memorization. In this guide, we’ll break down the exam format step by step so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare the smart way.
The Ontario licensing process includes two separate exams:
Each exam is written on a separate day and tests different practice areas. You must pass both to be licensed in Ontario.
Both exams follow the same format and structure.
FeatureDetailsExam typeOpen-bookQuestion formatMultiple choiceQuestions per exam160Time limit4.5 hoursExamsBarrister & Solicitor (written separately)Materials allowedPrinted study materials onlyScoringPass / Fail (no raw score released)
Each exam gives you:
That works out to:
� About 1.5–1.7 minutes per question
This is why time management is critical. Even strong students fail because they run out of time not because they don’t know the law.
Successful candidates train speed first, not perfection.
The exam uses scenario-based multiple-choice questions, meaning:
✔ Issue recognition
✔ Ability to find rules quickly
✔ Application of law to facts
✔ Speed under pressure
It does NOT test:
❌ Memorization
❌ Case law recall
❌ Deep legal analysis
The Ontario Bar Exam is open-book, but with strict rules.
✔ Printed Barrister and Solicitor materials
✔ Printed statutes (if required)
✔ Tabs, highlighting, and indexing
✔ Binders (within exam guidelines)
❌ Digital devices
❌ Laptops or tablets
❌ Loose papers not bound properly
❌ Internet access
💡 Important: Open-book does NOT mean unlimited time. If your materials aren’t well-indexed, they will slow you down.
Many candidates assume open-book exams are easier they’re not.
Most students fail because they:
The bar exam rewards organization and familiarity, not reading ability.
You should know:
High-scoring candidates:
This alone can save 30–60 minutes on exam day.
Practice exactly how you’ll write:
This is where tools like BarBuddy help by simulating real exam pressure and tracking speed.
✔ Skim fact patterns first
✔ Identify the legal issue
✔ Go straight to the correct section
✔ Answer and move on
✔ Mark tough questions and return later
Do NOT:
❌ Panic
❌ Re-read every word
❌ Search blindly through materials
❌ Spend 5+ minutes on one question
Students fail because they:
The exam isn’t about knowing more it’s about executing faster.
BarBuddy was built specifically for the Ontario Bar Exam format:
✔ Realistic practice questions
✔ Timed drills that mirror exam conditions
✔ Progress tracking dashboard
✔ Weak-area analysis
✔ Speed and accuracy monitoring
✔ Navigation-focused training
Instead of guessing what to study next, BarBuddy shows you exactly where to focus.
Understanding the Ontario Bar Exam format is half the battle.
When you know:
…you move from anxiety to confidence.
With the right strategy and the right tools, passing the Ontario Bar Exam on your first attempt is absolutely achievable.