Bar Exam Toolbox Blog

The bar exam demands mastery of concepts and content. For the multiple choice section, that is enough. However, for the rest of the bar exam, you have to be able to communicate that mastery in written form. The National Conference of Bar Examiners writes, “The primary distinction between the [Multistate Essay Examination (MEE)] and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is that the MEE requires the examinee to demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in writing.” Further, the California Bar explains that answers should “evidence the applicant’s ability to apply the law to the given facts and to reason in a logical, lawyer-like manner from the premises adopted to a sound conclusion.” To “communicate effectively in writing,” it is important to reconsider some of the writing basics you likely learned in elementary school, but that you might have lost track of while focusing on Bluebooking in your legal research and writing class. Give some thought to your writing skills as you grade your practice essays. Try to make tweaks along the way to make your writing as crisp and readable as possible come exam day. [Read more…] about Back to Basics: 4 Simple Writing Reminders for the MEE