Kaplan Bar Review (2026): The Reliable Middle Ground

The “Safe” Alternative

NextGen update (2026): The NextGen UBE debuts July 28-29, 2026 in a first wave of early-adopter jurisdictions, while most states stay on the legacy UBE for now. Before buying any course, confirm which exam your jurisdiction administers and check the provider’s NextGen readiness.

Kaplan is the Toyota Camry of bar prep. It isn’t flashy, it isn’t the fastest, but it will get you there. For years, Kaplan has positioned itself as the “cheaper Barbri,” but recently they have added features to compete with Themis.

Unlimited Essay Grading

Kaplan matched Themis on this feature. You can submit as many essays as you want for grading. This is a huge value add over the basic Barbri tier, which caps your graded essays.

• Why it matters: The only way to get better at writing bar essays is to write them and get feedback. Kaplan gives you that opportunity.

The QBank

Kaplan’s QBank is massive (4,000+ questions).

• Pros: You will never run out of practice.
• Cons: Some students find their “simulated” questions to be slightly different in tone from the actual NCBE questions. However, they are still excellent for drilling black letter law.

Live Options

Kaplan is one of the few providers (besides Barbri) that still offers robust Live Online classes. If you need a teacher to tell you what to do at 9 AM every morning, Kaplan is a good fit. This structure can be a lifesaver for students who struggle with self-discipline.

Verdict

Kaplan is a perfectly adequate course. It sits in an awkward middle ground between the premium Barbri and the modern Themis. Most students today prefer Themis for the UWorld integration, but Kaplan remains a solid backup, especially if you prefer live instruction.