How To Study For The Bar With Less Than 2 Months Left! (Guide to Passing the Bar Part 2)

by Jonathan Choi


You realize there is less than 7 weeks left until the February bar exam, and you’re about to lose it. Breathe. Relax. Truth is, everyone is in panic mode. I know there is just too much to cover, and not enough time. You’ve done your best up until this point, and you only have a little more to go.

So what should you do? Solve MBE questions! I know I mentioned how important this is in my last post, but I repeat: SOLVE MBE QUESTIONS! Can’t seem to memorize laws and acronyms? Put it away and solve MBE questions. Haven’t done much essay questions? Don’t worry about it and solve MBE questions. Don’t feel like studying? Solve a few MBE questions.

I cannot stress enough the importance of studying for the MBE. That was my golden ticket to pass the bar. According to the NCBE you MUST score between 60 – 66% to pass the UBE. Unless you are killing it in the essays and MPTs (aka scoring in the 80 percentile), you need to work on your MBEs.

In my final weeks of studying for the bar, all I did was practice the MBEs. If I recall correctly I was in the mid 50% range, but I was able to raise it to 70% range after solving over 2,000 MBE questions.

For those who are scoring in the 40%, don’t lose heart. I was in denial when someone told me that it may take me more than a few tries to pass the bar. I was scoring in the 40% range at the time, but I wouldn’t have any of it. I thought I could still pass the very next exam. Unfortunately the person was right. It took time to raise my MBE score to finally pass. I am not saying this to discourage you, but to empower you to not give up.

After realizing I had to focus on the MBEs, it took me two more tries to pass. That is not to say you cannot pass if you’re currently scoring in the 40% range, certainly miracles do happen. However, don’t be too disappointed at yourself if you have to take the exam again. The UBE is a very tough exam, and for many, it takes more than a few attempts to pass. 

Even if your score doesn't seem to improve, keep pushing. I am a firm believer in hard-work, and even if you fail this next one, you'll be even more prepared for the one after. The time you spent on studying for the bar will never go to waste. It will only add-on to what you already know. 

Thus, no matter what people say, don’t give up. I mentioned this before, but don’t let people convince you to consider a different path (nor settle for a JD Preferred job). You wanted to be an attorney, go get it.

Below I am including what helped me during my bar prep.

MBE Practice:

1) Strategies and Tactics for the MBE (Emanuel Bar Review)

2) AdaptiBar Bar Exam Prep – Online MBE Simulator & Prep (side note: I only did the MBE simulator)

Evidence:

Having problems with the law of hearsay? Look up “The Law of Hearsay: Tips for the Multistate Bar Exam” on YouTube. It is by Professor James Duane. You can thank me later.