Are you on the path to becoming a lawyer? If so, the LSAT and law school might seem like the biggest hurdles you have to jump through while working towards your career. And while they are difficult, making it through them still requires you to pass one final obstacle: the bar exam.
Helpful Studying Tips For the Bar Exam
The bar exam is challenging and exhausting, but passing it is a must. Only then can you legally practice law in the state in which you reside.
If you’re nervous about passing it, don’t be. The majority of people pass once they find the right studying tips and tricks. Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. Read on to learn about six study tips that will make the bar exam a breeze.
1. Know What Your State’s Law Exam Looks Like
It might seem obvious, but many people don’t take the time to understand what their state’s specific bar exam looks like. Doing so is a mistake as it prevents you from knowing how to approach test prep.
36 states now use the UBE, or Uniform Bar Exam. This includes three different parts:
- The MBE, or Multistate Bar Exam
- The MEE, or Multistate Essay Exam
- The MPT, or Multistate Performance Test
Despite having similar sections, the exact format and duration of the test vary from state to state. Take the time to understand what the bar looks like in your state.
2. Study at the Surface Level
If you made it through law school with flying colors, you might have found that the secret to success was to be as detail-oriented as possible. When preparing to take the bar exam, you first need a mentality shift.
The test questions on the bar exam are far too diverse and varied to make deep-diving into particular topics a practical study tactic. Doing so will actually waste your time.
The bar doesn’t require you to be an expert on any particular subject. It requires you to have broad knowledge about different areas. Make sure to approach studying in a way that lets you learn the material at the surface level and nothing deeper.
3. Track Your Study Progress
As is the case when preparing for any test, tracking your study progress is essential when the bar is on your horizon. As mentioned, the test covers several different subjects. Attempting to get an “A” in a specific one isn’t a winning strategy. Instead, keep track of how your current test score compares to that of others. That’s what’s most important when taking the bar.
You want to be in the 40th percentile or higher when taking the test. Aiming to score that high in all of your subjects will ensure that you have something to fall back on if one area of your test doesn’t go so well.
4. Approach Questions Systematically
Unlike many other tests, the bar, and specifically the MBE portion, doesn’t try to trick you. Most of the questions are logical and straightforward. However, many people struggle with timing.
The MBE throws 200 questions at you over the course of three hours. You answer the first 100 questions in the morning and the second half in the afternoon. What you end up with is a little under two minutes to answer each question.
To answer these questions in the allotted time, make sure to approach them systematically. Create a strategy that lets you tackle each question as efficiently as possible.
Depending on what type of test taker you are, this might involve you reading the questions and answers first or saving them until the end and trying to think of your own answers first.
5. Tackle the Difficult Questions First
Many test-taking experts advise you to skip difficult questions first then return to them later if you have the time. While this might work with some tests, it’s not a good strategy to bring to the bar exam.
The sheer size of the bar exam means that by the time you finish it, you’re going to be exhausted. When most people get tired, their critical thinking skills begin to suffer. In those moments, you’re not going to have the energy to think through the more challenging questions.
Instead of wasting time and energy, spend no more than one minute reading through each question. If you can’t think of an answer after that, you’re better off making an educated guess and moving on.
6. Don’t Ignore Your Writing Skills
Many students like to put off practising for the essay portion of the test until they feel more comfortable with the law. Make a point to avoid doing this, as doing so puts you at a severe disadvantage when taking the test.
Depending on where you live, the MEE portion of the test may carry as much weight as the MBE. The essay portion is also different here than on other tests. There’s a definite “right” answer, as well as a format that examiners want to see it in. The best way to develop your bar writing skills is by signing up for a bar prep course.
Take Advantage of These Studying Tips
The bar exam has the reputation of being one of the most difficult exams that people have to take. While it certainly is difficult, it’s not as hard as many people make it out to be.
Use the studying tips mentioned in this guide to help make the exam as straightforward as possible. By taking the time to study the test format and practice the material beforehand, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
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