5 Last Minute Tips for the MPT

5 Last Minute Tips for the MPT

If you are looking for some last minute tips for the MPT, you are not alone! Here, we tell you how to maximize your time so you can still get the highest score possible on the MPT — even if you are studying at the last minute.

5 Last Minute Tips for the MPT

1. Get an overview of the MPT formats.

There are several different types of tasks that could be tested on the MPT — an objective memo, a persuasive brief, an opinion letter, a demand letter, etc. One of the best last minute tips for the MPT that we can give you is to make sure you know the basic formats!

Learning the MPT formats will save you time and it will also relieve anxiety. You will be less likely to panic if you know how to structure your MPT right off the bat.

Further, having a proper MPT structure will make it clear to the grader that you know what you are doing. So you will be more likely to get a higher score.

Please review the MPT formats here! We give you an overview of each type of task, its format, and some basic tips!

2. Get a good strategy for tackling the MPT.

If you are studying late in the game for the MPT, you may not have time to try out different MPT strategies to see what works best for you. So instead, we recommend you follow this general “order of review”:

• First read the task memo. The task memo will tell you exactly what to do. It is the first document in the “file” (which contains the facts of the case).
• Next, read the library. The library contains the law, in statutes and/or cases. Pay close attention to which jurisdiction the case comes from. Do not brief cases. You will waste too much time if you brief a case. Instead, carefully review it and pay close attention.
• Next, review the file (i.e., the facts of the case) and start writing your answer. There is no need to review everything before you start writing. You can start writing as you read the file. This is a great way to save time on the MPT.

3. Focus on the most common tasks – the persuasive brief and the objective memo.

More likely than not, you will see one or both of these tasks on the MPT. You can find our MPT chart here if you are curious to see how common they are.  You don’t want to ignore any task listed above, but you also want to maximize your efficiency. Here we give you an overview of these two highly tested tasks.

Objective Memorandum:

The objective memorandum is the most popular MPT task.  Generally you are an associate who is writing a memo to a supervising attorney. The point is to be objective – that is, not to “advocate” for one side, but to point out both strengths and weaknesses of a case in an objective way.

For an objective memo you will generally have the following structure:

• Caption (to/from/date/matter)
• Introduction
• Discussion (with headings to discuss each issue)
• Conclusion

For more detail on how to format an objective memo, see this post. For a breakdown on how to write an objective memo on the MPT, see this post.

Persuasive Brief:

Unlike the objective memorandum, this popular MPT task will instruct you to advocate for a client. In other words, be persuasive rather than objective! Generally, you will want to only include a caption, statement of the case or statement of the facts if the instructions tell you. Otherwise, your format will look like this:

• Legal argument (with headings to separate each argument — the headings should state each point you are making clearly and concisely!)
• Conclusion

Read this post for more detail on how to format a persuasive brief on the MPT. If you struggle with the persuasive brief, we have tips on how to improve your persuasive brief here.

4. Review actual MPTs, point sheets, and student answers.

Now it is time to dive in and examinea a few MPTs and their corresponding point sheets and high scoring student answers.

What we recommend you do is:

• Review this post (our MPT study schedule) so you can find links to free MPT questions and point sheets in one convenient place. (We also sell MPT books which are a fantastic resource for MPTs. However, if you are a last minute MPT studier, you may not have time to really dive into these books!)
• If you complete more recent MPTs (from July 2011 on) also use the Georgia Board of Bar Examiners’ website to get access to student answers. Student answers are helpful because you can compare your structure to the structure of high scoring student answers. They are also helpful because you can see what is realistic for you to write in the allotted time.

We also recommend you practice a couple MPTs under timed conditions. Make sure to self-grade them when you are done. While this is a bit more time consuming, it is certainly a way to help see your score increase on the MPT!

5. Keep going back to the task memo!

One of our best last minute tips for the MPT is to keep reviewing the task memo. The task memo is your road map. It will tell you what to do – and what not to do. You could write the most beautiful and eloquent answer in the world but if you do not follow directions, you will not get points.

One thing that we see a lot of students do is panic and get lost in the library and facts. If you find yourself heading in this direction, go back to the task memo. It will keep you on track!

We hope you enjoyed these last minute tips for the MPT!

Note: We have a MPT Seminar that we offer before the bar exam as a way to learn a lot about the MPT in a short amount of time. If you are studying for the MPT at the last minute, it is well worth it to consider attending our seminar!

• Need Expert MPT Guidance?

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  Plus, don’t miss our Free Bar Exam Resource Center filled with our top free resources and expert insights!

Ashley Heidemann is the owner and founder of JD Advising. Ms. Heidemann scored over a 180 on the Michigan Bar Exam in February of 2011 after graduating as the #1 student in her law school class of over 200 students in 2011. She, as well as a team of others, offer bar exam courses, seminars, and private tutoring for bar exam students nationwide. This includes services for the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and Michigan bar exam.  Please click here to contact her company, with any questions.