Many bar takers find the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) to be the most anxiety-producing portion of the bar exam. Even those who excel at essay writing often struggle with the multiple-choice format, which tests your ability to apply legal knowledge in a very specific way.
Understanding Why the MBE Challenges Bar Takers
Before diving into strategies, it helps to understand why so many find the MBE difficult. There are several key reasons:
First, legal analysis doesn’t naturally fit into a multiple-choice format. In law school, you’ve been taught that the answer to most legal questions is “it depends.” But on the MBE, you have to select a single correct answer.
Second, many bar takers struggle with specific areas of law but avoid studying them because they’re uncomfortable. This avoidance strategy backfires when these topics appear repeatedly on the exam.
Third, test-taking “tricks” that might work on other exams often don’t translate to the MBE. Research shows the MBE tests legal knowledge and analysis skills, not general test-taking ability.
Fourth, poor time management trips up many test-takers. With 100 questions per three-hour session (unless you get accommodations), you have less than two minutes per question. Managing this time effectively is crucial.
Finally, mental fatigue is real. Six hours of multiple-choice questions (without accommodations) is mentally exhausting, and many bar takers push through without taking breaks, leading to a series of missed questions that can significantly impact their score.
Effective MBE Preparation Strategies
- Know What’s Heavily Tested
When preparing for the MBE, focus on understanding what’s most frequently tested. The NCBE publishes subject matter outlines that include information on the most heavily tested issues in each subject. Print these out and highlight the areas that receive the most attention.
For example, one-third of all Evidence questions focus on relevance, so even if you dislike studying this area, you need to master it to maximize your score. Similarly, approximately half of the Constitutional Law questions focus on individual rights.
- Use Practice Questions to Learn the Law
MBE questions can be excellent learning tools, not just assessment tools. When you answer a question, check your answer immediately and ask yourself:
- Did I get it right for the right reasons?
- Do I understand why the other choices are wrong?
- What rule of law is being tested here?
Keep a “Missed Multiple Choice” (MMC) document (or flash cards) to track the rules you’re getting wrong. This helps you focus your study on areas where you’re struggling.
- Practice Under Timed Conditions
Practice timing by doing questions in one-hour blocks (about 33-34 questions). This helps you develop the pacing needed on exam day.
Take short breaks (about 60 seconds) every 33 questions to clear your head and refocus (this can be incredibly important for students with ADHD or any attention issues. During these breaks:
- Look up and close your eyes to rest them
- Do some simple stretches in your chair
- Take 10 deep breaths
- Get a quick drink of water
- DON’T LOOK AT YOUR PHONE
These small breaks can boost your accuracy by fighting mental fatigue.
- Never Leave Questions Blank
The MBE doesn’t penalize incorrect answers, so you should never leave a question blank. Even if you’re completely unsure, make an educated guess:
- Eliminate obviously wrong answer choices
- Eliminate answers that address unrelated principles of law
- Go back to the question and determine legally significant facts
- Take your best guess and move on
If you find yourself spending more than 4 minutes on a question, it’s probably better to mark it, make a guess, and come back if you have time.
- Track Your Performance
Use tools like AdaptiBar or UWorld to analyze which subjects and subtopics are giving you trouble. All this technology gives you great information!
For example, if you’re getting 95% of Torts questions right but only 30% of Real Property questions correct, you know where to concentrate your efforts. Dig deeper to see which specific topics within Real Property are most challenging.
Mental Preparation for the MBE
Remember that a “good” score on the MBE can be just 65-70% correct. Many high-achieving law students find this frustrating because it feels like failing. Prepare yourself for these feelings of frustration on exam day.
The MBE is challenging, but with strategic studying and targeted practice, you can master it. Focus on understanding the law, practicing efficiently, and managing your mental state during the exam.
Ready to improve your MBE score? Start by implementing these strategies today and track your progress. Remember, it’s not about memorizing every rule of law—it’s about knowing how to apply the law to fact patterns in a time-pressured environment.
Ready to pass the bar exam? Get the support and accountability you need with personalized one-on-one bar exam tutoring or one of our economical courses and workshops. We’re here to help!
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