Deciding how to approach your bar exam prep is a difficult decision. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it can become overwhelming quickly. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get on the right path to passing the bar exam. Whether you’re early in your MBE prep or have been at it for a while now, these five study tips will help you use your prep time most effectively.
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Pass the MBE with licensed NCBE questions.
Licensed questions are the best representation of what you will see on the upcoming MBE. They are written by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), the organization that writes the exam. AdaptiBar licenses nearly every question in our program directly from the NCBE. This way you gain experience working with the same style and format of questions you see on the actual exam. We suggest answering a minimum of 1,300 questions and achieving an overall accuracy rate of 70% or higher. This will put you in a good position going into the exam.
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Use the MBE Subject Outline to guide your preparation.
The best way to study efficiently for the MBE is to focus on the highly tested topics within each subject. The NCBE’s MBE Subject Matter Outline is a comprehensive breakdown of the subjects tested and the frequency each subtopic will occur on the MBE. For example, about 50% of the Constitutional Law questions you see on the exam will be in Individual Rights. This means you know it is an area you should be proficient in on exam day.
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Split your MBE practice questions into “stages.”
If you are a first-time taker, you should start the first stage by doing 50 questions in all subjects over the course of 10-12 days. If you’ve taken the exam before, simply answer the first 350 questions the AdaptiBar algorithm presents based on your performance. Take your time answering each question and thoroughly read the explanations.
To diagnose your weaknesses, in the AdaptiBar MBE Simulator, simply look under the Past Performance Table to see your progress in sets of 350 questions, or Subject Performance to view your overall performance statistics in all 7 subjects and 36 subtopics. Spend some time reviewing your outlines, flashcards, and/or watching the video lectures or animated video explanations (in Real Property) in your weakest subtopics. As you answer questions, the program monitors your performance. It then adjusts the presentation of questions to focus on your weaknesses without neglecting an area of strength.
If you are retaking the bar exam, check out AdaptiBar MBE Simulator for retakers.
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Focus on QUALITY rather than QUANTITY.
When preparing for the MBE, quality is far more important than quantity. Anyone can answer hundreds of practice questions, but answering them and fully understanding why you answered a question correctly or incorrectly is another story. AdaptiBar doesn’t just tell you whether you got a question correct or incorrect; the program provides detailed explanations and performance statistics per question. To generate a report of all the questions you marked incorrect, click on Past Questions and fill out the form to generate the report. Review each question. Don’t move on to the next question until you fully understand why each answer choice is correct or incorrect.
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Embrace self-care.
The stress that comes along with preparing for the bar exam is almost impossible to avoid. However, there are ways that you can manage stress and reduce your chances of feeling overwhelmed. First and foremost, make sure to breathe. This may seem simple enough, but it’s something many people don’t do well when they become anxious. Taking frequent breaks from studying. Even just a few deep breaths or a quick walk will help tremendously when you start to feel anxious.
Another effective stress reliever is to simply make taking care of yourself a priority. Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep, eating a balanced diet, and moving when you can. A healthy body supports a healthy mind!
Study smart with AdaptiBar and go into the exam with the confidence you need to pass the MBE.
