Nationwide — Brionna Pratt, a 30-year-old African American woman from Illinois, spent years working toward her goal of becoming an attorney. After five attempts and more than $25,000 spent, she has finally passed the bar exam in 2026.
Her first attempt in July 2021 ended in disappointment, coming at a time when she had just moved to Illinois, bought her first home, and started working at a Fortune 500 company while studying for the exam. The setback hit her hard, bringing sadness, anger, and frustration all at once.
“After sitting with those emotions, I reminded myself how far I had already come: I was a first-generation college student, law student, and homeowner,” Pratt told People. “I leaned on my faith and my support system, who truly carried me through that time. So, in true Brionna fashion, I picked myself back up and kept going.”
She returned stronger for her second attempt in February 2022, confident her effort would pay off. When she failed again, she said it was a painful reality check after pouring in so much time and energy.
By her third attempt in July 2022, burnout had started to take over. Her job in risk and compliance became more demanding, making it harder to balance work and study. Looking back, she admitted she should have taken a break as the mental and emotional strain built up.
In 2023, Pratt stepped away from the exam entirely. She focused on her mental health, her career, and rebuilding her confidence. During that period, she reflected, traveled, and reset her mindset.
“That time away helped me rebuild my confidence and reconnect with who I was outside of the exam,” Pratt explains. “I was finally getting back to myself. That break didn’t set me back; it prepared me.”
She returned in February 2025 for her fourth attempt and felt more grounded, but missed the passing score by just eight points. The close result led her to pause again and reassess her strategy instead of immediately retaking the exam.
“I couldn’t understand how I could put in so much effort and still fall short,” Pratt admits. “There were moments I questioned everything, where the rejection felt personal, and the constant delays made me wonder if I was even meant to be in the legal profession.”
During her breaks, she also launched a scholarship to help other bar exam retakers. All four recipients eventually passed, which strengthened her belief that she was still moving in the right direction despite setbacks.
For her fifth attempt, Pratt shifted her study approach, especially for the Multistate Bar Examination section. Instead of focusing on volume, she prioritized accuracy and understanding. In February 2026, she finally passed the bar exam and captured the emotional moment on video with her loved ones.
“I truly believe in divine timing; that what is meant for you will not pass you. That season taught me resilience, humility, and discipline, but it also strengthened my faith,” she tells People. “I learned that rejection can be redirection, and delay can be preparation.”
Now preparing for a legal role at her company, Pratt shares advice for others facing repeated setbacks. She encourages persistence and reminds aspiring lawyers that exam results do not define intelligence or future success.