With just about 6 weeks left until the February 2012 bar exam, I wanted to share some advice and thoughts for all the bar exam takers out there.
First of all, if you have been putting off studying until now, stop putting it off. The bar exam is not something many people can cram for. It requires many weeks of studying to retain the large amount of material that will be tested. If you have started studying, but have been letting other things (work, personal life, travel, etc.) prevent you from studying as much as you had planned, this is the time to really prioritize your study time and create a plan and stick to it.
Speaking of a plan, everyone should have a plan for the bar exam. You need to focus on your weak areas, prioritize those areas along with heavily tested subject areas. Few people have the time or stamina to spend months and months studying every day to learn every subject equally, so we must make trade offs. Those of us who work full time have one of the biggest challenges as juggling a full time job and studying for the bar don’t mix too well. So, come up with a plan of how many hours a day you can realistically study and stick to it. No excuses. If you are serious about passing the bar exam, then excuses should not be part of your universe.
For DC bar exam takers, I can tell you to not underestimate the MBE or MPT. The MBE is a very difficult exam for most people. It’s 200 questions in 6 hours (1.8 minutes per question) that test fine line knowledge of 6 major subjects. The MPT is a closed universe of law but it requires practice and sharp legal research and writing skills. It’s a speed reading and speed writing exercise. And, since you cannot use a laptop, you are either handwriting or using a typewriter. Either one is probably not something many of us are used to doing so keep that in mind.
For VA bar exam takers, realize that Virginia is, in my opinion, the hardest bar exam in the country. They test a huge number of subjects (almost 30) and the essays are very well written and the graders are usually looking for a clear and concise answer (i.e. – B.S. on the VA bar exam won’t get you far). So, be sure you know the format of the VA bar exam well so you are not surprised on test day. They recently switched and instead of testing 20 multiple choice and short answer questions, they now are testing 10 multiple choice and short answer questions.
Also, for VA takers, be sure and read the laptop or handwritten instruction letter carefully. The bar examiners have a strict dress code (yes, you must wear a suit and tie) and what you bring into the exam room is strictly controlled.
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