Tackling Your Bar Exams with Confidence and Choosing to Write them in French: A Strategic and Identity-Based Choice

Every year, many Francophone law students in Ontario face a critical choice: to write the Bar exam in English or French. Despite their fluency in French, many opt for English, often out of pragmatism or fear.

The reasons given are well known: materials in French are perceived as taking longer to study, there is limited access to practical exams, and there is a lack of indexes or adapted tools. At first glance, these considerations may seem to justify the choice of English.

But this perception deserves qualification.

A demanding exam, regardless of language

First, it is important to remember a fundamental reality: the Law Society of Ontario's examination is demanding, regardless of the language chosen. It doesn't become inherently easier in English.

On the contrary, success is based on your preparation, your endurance, your scouting strategy and, above all, your ability to quickly and accurately understand what you are reading. In this context, writing the exam in a language that is not your own can add unnecessary complexity, especially in terms of comprehension, analysis speed, and accuracy.

Thus, choosing French means placing oneself in the most favourable linguistic conditions for its success.

The myth of structural disadvantage

It is true that some French-language resources are less developed. However, this observation is not inevitable but the direct consequence of a low rate of use.

In other words, the lack of resources in French is not a cause, but a symptom.

The reality is that the more Francophones choose English, the more limited the French-language offer remains. Conversely, an increase in demand would inevitably lead to an improvement in the supply: more tools, question banks, indexes and adapted resources.

A choice that goes beyond the individual

Opting for French is not only a personal strategy, but also a collective gesture. This is to affirm that French has its place in the practice of law in Ontario. It is to contribute to strengthening access to justice in French. Finally, it means actively participating in the development of a stronger, more visible and better-equipped Francophone legal community.

A concrete testimony

For my part, I chose to write the exam in French. Not out of constraint, but out of coherence. French is my mother tongue, the one in which I think, analyze and express myself with the most precision. Despite the challenges, I succeeded. This demonstrates one essential thing: passing the exam in French is not only possible, but also realistic.

Make an informed choice

The choice of language of examination should not be dictated by amplified perceptions or concerns, but by a lucid reflection on one's own strengths. Francophone students should be asked the following question: In which language are you really the best performer? If the answer is French, then dare to choose it. And in doing so, help build a future where that choice is no longer seen as a risk, but as a given.

Get help with your preparation

The Ontario Bar Association is committed to supporting students on their path to the lawyer licensing process by offering free bilingual workshops designed to help them prepare for their Ontario licensing exams. These workshops cover essential topics, providing participants with targeted study strategies, practice questions, and expert guidance from experienced professionals in the field. Open to all student members, the sessions are structured to build both knowledge and confidence, ensuring that candidates feel fully equipped on exam days.

During these workshops, you will hear directly from former candidates who followed the same path, faced real challenges, including hardships that tested their resilience and setbacks like not passing the exam on their first try. Their stories show perseverance, honest reflection, and eventual success. By sharing their experiences and strategies, the speakers offer invaluable insight into maximizing your success.

To learn more and register:

Workshop in French : The Canadian Bar Association : Aborder les examens du barreau avec confiance : Stratégies de préparation aux examens

Workshop in English: The Canadian Bar Association : Tackling Your Bar Exams with Confidence: Exam Preparation Strategies