What you need to know about the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) before starting your law degree.

What you need to know about the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) before starting your law degree.

put ESEG Team

17/09/2025

8 min read
What you need to know about the OAB exam before starting your law degree.

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What you need to know about the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) before starting your law degree.

Entering a law school is the dream of many students who wish to build a solid career in law or other legal fields.

However, along with this dream comes one of the main concerns: the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) exam.

This exam is mandatory for anyone wishing to practice law and often generates many questions for those starting law school.

If you are thinking about taking the entrance exam for Law Whether you're already enrolled or not, it's important to understand early on what the OAB exam is, how it works, and what you should do to prepare.

In this article, we will answer the main questions on the subject and show you how to plan to obtain your coveted Bar Association license.

So, keep reading!

What should every beginning lawyer know?

Before worrying about how to pass the OAB exam, it's essential to understand the role of this institution.

The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) is the entity responsible for regulating and overseeing the legal profession in Brazil. Only those who pass the Bar Exam can practice law.

In other words, even if you complete the entire curriculum of a law degree, you cannot practice law without passing the bar exam.

This doesn't mean your education will be in vain; after all, a law graduate can pursue other paths, such as public legal exams, academia, or business consulting.

But if your goal is to practice law, the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) will be mandatory.

Another key point is that the OAB exam requires dedication and continuous preparation. Many students underestimate the exam and only start studying at the end of their undergraduate studies, but the sooner you familiarize yourself with the exam, the greater your chances of passing.

So, keep reading to learn more about this topic!

What is the OAB exam like?

What is the OAB exam like?

One of the most common questions among students is: “"How does the OAB exam work?".

The exam is divided into two phases., See below how to pass each one:

First phase of the OAB exam

A The first phase of the OAB exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions., which cover the main subjects that appear on the OAB exam, such as Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law, Professional Ethics, and many others.

To pass this stage, you need to answer at least 40 questions correctly.

Second phase of the OAB exam

Also called a practical-professional test, In the second phase of the OAB exam, the candidate chooses an area of specialization. (Criminal Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Constitutional Law, among others) and must draft a procedural document, in addition to answering 4 essay questions.

At this stage, the candidate needs to achieve a score of 60% to pass.

Many students seek information such as "how many questions do I need to get right on the OAB exam" or "how many points do I need to pass the OAB second phase".

The answer is simple: in the first phase, 40 out of 80 questions; in the second phase of the OAB exam, 6 points out of a total of 10.

How to start studying for the OAB exam from scratch?

How to start studying for the OAB exam from scratch?

If you want to know: How to study for the OAB exam from scratch?

The answer involves: Discipline, planning, and good strategies.

Therefore, we're going to give you some tips on how to pass the OAB exam, especially for students in their first semesters.

Here are 3 tips for studying for the OAB exam.

1. Understand the test and its content.

The first step is to understand the structure of the exam. Read the exam announcement, see which subjects are most frequently tested, and analyze previous exams.

This way, you'll have a clear overview of the subjects covered in the OAB exam and you'll be able to organize your study schedule intelligently.

In addition, keep in mind that some subjects are tested more frequently than others.

Professional ethics, for example, usually carries more weight in the first phase of the OAB exam.

For the second phase of the OAB exam, you need to choose the subject in which you have the most ease and affinity.

2. Create a study schedule.

Many students only start revising in their final year of study, but ideally, preparation should begin early.

  • Create a schedule. that divides studies between college and preparing for the Bar exam.
  • Set aside a few hours dedicate the week to reviewing content, solving problems, and watching video lessons.
  • Use resources such as summaries, mind maps and simulations This can help to better retain the information.

And remember: Consistency is more important than intensity. It's better to study a little every day than to try to absorb everything at once.

3. Use appropriate support materials.

Having the right materials makes all the difference in preparation.

Many candidates invest in books to pass the OAB exam, online courses, specific study guides, and question-and-answer platforms.

These resources help guide studies and provide practical explanations on the most frequently tested topics.

Another important point is Practice a lot with past exams.. Solving practice tests in the same format as the official exam helps to manage time and reduce anxiety on exam day.

    What should I know before studying Law?

    Before choosing a law degree, it's important to be aware of a few things:

    • Read load: Law is a course that demands a lot of reading, interpretation, and writing. If you don't enjoy these activities, you may face difficulties.
    • Curriculum: Throughout the 5 years of your undergraduate program, you will study subjects such as General Theory of Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Business Law, Administrative Law, Labor Law, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, among others. Each faculty organizes its Law curriculum in its own way, but these are the most basic topics.
    • Job market: A law degree opens up various employment possibilities: practicing law, public service exams, legal careers, diplomacy, among others.

    Knowing this before starting law school helps align expectations and better plan your studies. career in Law.

    Can I take the Bar Exam before I graduate?

    A very common question among students is: “"Can I take the OAB exam before finishing my studies?" law school?”

    The answer is yes, but with one condition: The candidate must be enrolled in the last two semesters of their undergraduate program (usually the 9th and 10th semesters).

    I.e, Taking the exam in the 7th semester or earlier semesters is not permitted., even as a trainee.

    Many students research from which semester they can take the OAB exam, but the rule is clear: only in the final year of the course.

    Attempting to anticipate this step can lead to serious problems, including the invalidation of approval and even accusations of falsifying documents if false information is included in the application.

    This requirement exists because the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) believes that a student will only be truly qualified to take the exam when they already have knowledge about... all areas of Law, including essential subjects that appear on the exam.

    Therefore, if you are at the beginning or middle of your course, you are not yet eligible to take the OAB exam.

    But if you've already reached your final year, you can register, and if you're approved, you'll only need to present your diploma after graduation to receive your professional license from the Bar Association.

    Conclusion on how to pass the OAB exam?

    Passing the OAB exam is a challenge, but it's far from impossible. The secret is to start studying early, maintain discipline, and use good study materials.

    If you are about to start your law degree, you can begin preparing from the first semesters by reviewing basic content and following previous exams.

    Don't wait until the last few months of your degree to dedicate yourself. The path to success is built little by little, and consistency makes all the difference.

    With organization, good study methods, and consistent practice, you will be ready to achieve your goal of passing the exam and begin your career in law.

    Are you thinking about pursuing a career in Law? ESEG College offers a complete law course, with an updated curriculum focused on Artificial Intelligence in Law and geared towards the job market.

    98% of the students leave the university employed or starting their own businesses.

    Here, you will have the support you need to pass the OAB exam and excel in your profession.

    Access the ESEG website Discover how to transform your future in the legal field!

    ESEG Team

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