The bar exam is the final hurdle between you and a legal career. It's a grueling, high-stakes test that requires months of preparation. But with the right strategy, you can pass on your first attempt. Here's a comprehensive guide to bar exam success.
Understanding the Bar Exam
The bar exam format varies by state, but most include:
Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
200 multiple-choice questions testing seven subjects:
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
Format: 100 questions in the morning (3 hours), 100 in the afternoon (3 hours)
Scoring: Scaled score, typically 50% of total bar exam score
Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)
6 essay questions (30 minutes each) covering:
- Business Associations
- Civil Procedure
- Conflict of Laws
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Evidence
- Family Law
- Real Property
- Torts
- Trusts & Estates
- UCC (Secured Transactions)
Not all states use MEE—some have their own essays.
Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
2 practical tasks (90 minutes each) where you:
- Draft a memo, brief, or letter
- Analyze a fact pattern using provided legal authorities
- No outside legal knowledge required
State-Specific Components
Many states add:
- State essay questions
- State multiple-choice questions
- Additional performance tests
Check your jurisdiction's requirements early.Study Timeline
8-10 Weeks Before the Exam (Ideal)
Most students take 8-10 weeks to study full-time (40-50 hours/week).
Week-by-week breakdown:
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Watch all lecture videos
- Complete subject outlines
- Start MBE practice questions (untimed)
Weeks 3-5: Practice & Review
- 50-100 MBE questions/day
- Write 2-3 MEE essays/week
- Review wrong answers thoroughly
- Update and condense outlines
Weeks 6-7: Intensive Practice
- 100+ MBE questions/day (timed)
- 1-2 MEE essays/day
- Complete 1-2 MPTs
- Identify weak subjects and drill them
Week 8: Simulated Exams
- Full-day simulated MBE (200 questions)
- Full-day simulated MEE/MPT
- Review and adjust strategy
Weeks 9-10: Final Review
- Focus on weak areas
- Review outlines and flashcards
- Light practice (avoid burnout)
- Rest and mental prep
6-Week Accelerated Timeline
Doable but requires 50-60 hours/week.
Weeks 1-2: Lectures + outlines
Weeks 3-4: Heavy practice (MBE + MEE)
Week 5: Simulated exams
Week 6: Final review and rest
Choosing a Bar Prep Course
Commercial Courses
Barbri: Most popular, comprehensive. Expensive (~$3,500-4,000).
Themis: Similar to Barbri, slightly cheaper (~$2,000-2,500).
Kaplan: Good for visual learners.
AdaptiBar: MBE-only practice questions (licensed from NCBE).
Pros of commercial courses:
- Structured study plan
- Video lectures
- Practice questions and essays
- Simulated exams
Cons:
- Expensive
- One-size-fits-all approach
- Can be overwhelming (too much content)
Self-Study
Possible but requires discipline and access to practice materials.
Resources for self-study:
- State bar's recommended reading list
- Barbri or Themis outlines (often available used)
- AdaptiBar or UWorld for MBE practice
- NCBE practice exams
Best for: Repeat takers or very disciplined students.
MBE Strategy
The MBE is the most important component of the bar exam (usually 50% of score).
How to Practice MBE Questions
1. Untimed practice (Weeks 1-4)
Focus on understanding the law and reasoning through questions.
2. Timed practice (Weeks 5-8)
Simulate exam conditions: 1.8 minutes per question.
3. Review wrong answers thoroughly
Don't just note the right answer—understand why you got it wrong.
Common mistake patterns:
- Misreading the call of the question
- Not reading all answer choices
- Confusing majority vs. minority rule
- Rushing through facts
MBE Question Strategies
Read the call of the question first
Know what you're looking for (e.g., "Which of the following is the strongest argument for the plaintiff?").
Eliminate wrong answers
Usually 1-2 answers are clearly wrong. Eliminate those first.
Watch for qualifiers
"Most likely," "strongest argument," "best defense"—these matter.
Don't overthink
Your first instinct is often correct. Don't second-guess unless you have a clear reason.
Flag and move on
If you're stuck, flag the question and come back. Don't waste 5 minutes on one question.
Weak Subjects
Everyone has weak subjects. Identify yours early (Weeks 2-3) and drill them.
How to improve weak subjects:
- Re-watch lectures
- Create targeted flashcards
- Do 50-100 questions on that subject
- Teach it to someone else (best way to solidify understanding)
MEE Strategy
The MEE tests the same skills as law school exams: issue-spotting and IRAC analysis.
How to Practice MEE Essays
1. Outline before writing (Weeks 1-4)
Don't write full essays yet. Read the question, outline the issues and rules, then compare to the model answer.
2. Timed writing (Weeks 5-8)
Write full essays in 30 minutes. Grade yourself using the rubric.
3. Memorize rules
Unlike law school, you can't rely on an outline. Memorize black letter law for all MEE subjects.
MEE Writing Strategy
Allocate time:
- Read question: 5 minutes
- Outline: 5 minutes
- Write: 18 minutes
- Proofread: 2 minutes
IRAC format:
- Issue: Briefly state the legal question
- Rule: State the black letter law (this is what you memorize)
- Application: Apply law to facts (use specific facts from the problem)
- Conclusion: Brief answer
Don't skip issues
Even if you don't know the rule perfectly, state what you know and apply it. Partial credit is better than zero.
Use headings
Graders appreciate clear organization.
MPT Strategy
The MPT tests practical lawyering skills: drafting, analysis, and use of authorities.
How to Practice MPTs
Weeks 1-4: Read sample MPTs and model answers to understand format.
Weeks 5-8: Complete 4-6 MPTs under timed conditions (90 minutes).
MPT Strategy
Read the task memo first (5 minutes)
Understand what you're being asked to draft (memo, brief, letter, etc.).
Skim the library (10 minutes)
Note the cases and statutes provided. You don't need to memorize—just know where to find information.
Read the file carefully (15 minutes)
The facts are your raw material. Identify relevant facts for your analysis.
Outline your answer (10 minutes)
Plan your structure before writing.
Write (45 minutes)
Use the provided authorities. Cite to the cases and statutes in the library.
Proofread (5 minutes)
Key tip: The MPT is open-book. You don't need outside knowledge—everything you need is in the packet.
Memorization Techniques
Bar prep requires memorizing hundreds of rules.
Flashcards
Use Anki or Quizlet for spaced repetition.
Example flashcard:
Front: "What are the elements of negligence?"
Back: "Duty, Breach, Causation (actual and proximate), Damages"
Mnemonics
Create acronyms or phrases to remember lists.
Example: "Every Good Boy Does Fine" for musical notes → "Elements: Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages"
Repetition
Review your outlines daily. By exam day, you should be able to recite key rules from memory.
Teaching
Explain rules to a study partner. Teaching forces you to organize and articulate your understanding.
Study Schedule and Discipline
Daily Schedule (8-10 Week Plan)
Morning (9am-12pm): Lectures or essay writing
Lunch break: 12-1pm
Afternoon (1pm-4pm): MBE practice questions
Break: 4-5pm
Evening (5-7pm): Review wrong answers, flashcards, outline review
Total: 7-8 hours/day
Self-Care
Sleep: 7-8 hours/night. Don't sacrifice sleep for extra study time.
Exercise: 30 minutes/day. Reduces stress and improves focus.
Breaks: Take one full day off per week (especially in the final weeks).
Social support: Stay connected with friends and family. Isolation worsens stress.
The Week Before the Exam
Stop heavy practice: No more full MBE sets or essays. Light review only.
Review outlines and flashcards: Focus on weak areas.
Rest: Get 8+ hours of sleep each night.
Logistics: Confirm exam location, what to bring (ID, pencils, etc.), and parking/transportation.
Mindset: Trust your preparation. You've done the work.
Exam Day Strategy
The Night Before
- Pack your bag (ID, pencils, snacks, water, layers of clothing)
- Get 8 hours of sleep
- Avoid cramming
Morning Of
- Eat a solid breakfast (protein + carbs)
- Arrive 30-45 minutes early
- Avoid anxious classmates (anxiety is contagious)
During the Exam
MBE:
- Pace yourself (1.8 min/question = 100 questions in 3 hours)
- Flag difficult questions and return
- Don't dwell on past questions
MEE:
- 30 minutes per essay—stick to it
- If you don't know a rule, state what you think it is and apply it
- Use all the time given (don't leave early)
MPT:
- Follow the format requested (memo, brief, etc.)
- Cite to the provided library
After Each Section
- Let it go. Don't rehash answers with classmates.
- Eat, hydrate, and mentally reset for the next section.
What If You Don't Pass?
Retaking is common: 20-30% of first-time takers fail in many states.
Analyze what went wrong:
- MBE score too low? Drill more practice questions.
- MEE weak? Memorize rules more thoroughly.
- MPT struggling? Practice more under timed conditions.
Adjust your strategy: Don't just repeat the same approach.
Consider tutoring or a different bar prep course.
Final Thoughts
The bar exam is hard, but it's passable. Thousands of people pass every year, and you can too.
Keys to success:
- Start early (8-10 weeks)
- Follow a structured plan
- Practice extensively (especially MBE)
- Memorize rules for MEE
- Take care of your mental and physical health
- Trust your preparation
You've made it through law school. You can make it through this. Good luck!
