3L Bar Exam Tip: Get the MPRE Out of the Way!

The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a requirement for all but four U.S. jurisdictions.

If you need to take the MPRE, you want to decide when you are going to do that now and then stick it on your calendar! There are exams on November 3, 2012, and April 6, 2013.

If you are sitting for the February 2013 bar exam, you should absolutely take the November 2012 MPRE exam. If you are sitting for the July 2013 bar exam, you should also take the November 2012 MPRE. Although you will likely pass the MPRE with flying colors (with some studying), you want to take the exam early enough so that you could take it again if necessary without delaying your licensing process. (If you pass the bar exam but do not pass the MPRE, you won’t get licensed until the MPRE requirement is out of the way.)

The MPRE is a 2-hour and 5-minute, 60-question multiple-choice test on professional responsibility. You likely have taken a class at this point in your legal studies on legal ethics or professional responsibility. Beyond that though, you need to study for the MPRE. But this preparation isn’t as intensive as your bar exam study. Most people study for the MPRE over a week or two.

How do you study for the MPRE?

Well, you need to get some study materials. If you have already pre-paid for a bar review course, that provider will often give you MPRE materials for free. If you haven’t signed up for a bar review course, some bar providers give access to MPRE lectures and materials to win your business later for the bar exam. Check out the free programs from BarMax (my review here) and Kaplan. These materials can be downloaded electronically; even if you are taking the exam next week, you can get materials today!

So get the materials and review the law. Then, like all other multiple-choice exams, you need to do practice questions in order to learn the testing format and practice applying the law. Practice questions are available through bar providers or through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (you can purchase a practice exam there).

Want more tips for success? Check out my 5 Tips for MPRE Success on Solo Practice University’s blog.

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Check out these other posts to help you get bar-ready!

• Studying for the MPRE? Check out our review of BarMax MPRE.
• 3L Bar Exam Tips: Know Your State Bar Admission Requirements
• 3L Bar Exam Tips: Graduation Requirements and Bar Electives
• Check out our Bar Exam Tips all in one helpful place!

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