I Haven’t Started Studying for the MPT…What Should I Do?

I Haven’t Started Studying for the MPT…What Should I Do?

If you haven’t started studying for the MPT (multistate performance test) portion of the bar exam, you are not alone. The MPT is by far the portion of the bar exam that students put off the most! Here, we tell you how to methodically approach the MPT so that you can boost your score in the shortest amount of time! Whether you are studying for the MPT at the very last minute or whether you still have a bit of time before the exam, here we tell you how to boost your score quickly and efficiently. 

I Haven’t Started Studying for the MPT…What Should I Do?

1. Learn the basics of the MPT.  

What is the MPT?

With each MPT question, you will be given a file (with a task memo) and a library.

• The file contains the facts of the case. Many times this includes client interviews, emails, letters, or other documents.
• The task memo contains the directions. It tells you what to do.
• The library contains the law. Usually, you have cases and statutes. Occasionally, the library will only have cases or statutes.

If you are in a Uniform Bar Exam state, you will have 90 minutes to use these documents to respond to the task posed in the task memo.

What kind of tasks should I expect?

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. You should learn what these tasks are and the basic format you will want to use should you see a task tested.

Two of the tasks — the objective memo and the opinion letter — are objective. So your tone is objective and you are not “arguing” when you write. Generally, in an objective memo you are asked to write a letter to a supervising attorney, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of a case. The opinion letter is similar, except you are often writing to a client.

Two of the tasks — the persuasive brief and the demand letter — are persuasive. So you are “arguing” when you write (but you should be careful not to purposely ignore or omit unfavorable facts!). The persuasive brief is often written to a judge. The demand letter is often written to opposing counsel.

You could also have a “wildcard” task where you will be asked to write a wholly different kind of task. Generally, the task memo will give you explicit directions.

Tip: You will generally see one objective task and one persuasive task tested. The Examiners like to see if you can write in an objective or persuasive format. 

2. Learn the format that goes with each type of MPT task mentioned above. 

Learning the MPT formats will save you time and it will also relieve anxiety. You should memorize these formats so you know how to structure your MPT answer right off the bat.

Please review the MPT formats here! We give you an overview of each type of task, its format, and some basic tips! We also have an MPT one-sheet if you are looking for the formats in one convenient sheet.

3. Figure out your MPT strategy. 

If you are studying for the MPT at the last minute, here is the MPT attack strategy that works best for most students:

• First read the task memo. The task memo is essentially your roadmap. It tells you what to do (and what not to do). Pay close attention to it!
• Structure your answer. Some students find it helpful to write down the general MPT format (e.g., write the letter caption or whatever).
• Next, read the library. As noted above, the library contains the law, in statutes and/or cases. Pay close attention to which jurisdiction the case comes from. Do not brief cases! This wastes too much time.
• Next, review the file (i.e., the facts of the case) and start writing your answer as you read the file. 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.

4. Pay special attention to the tasks you are most likely to see. 

More likely than not, you will see an objective memo and/or a persuasive brief tested. (Oftentimes, you see one of each!) 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.

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

Here, we tell you where to find past MPTs, point sheets, and student answers.

The best way to get good at answering MPT questions is to practice. Even if you have a limited amount of time, you should try out a few MPTs. If you are intimidated by this process, check out our MPT Seminar and MPT guide. Our MPT guide is available for instant download and has “baby MPTs” that you can practice.

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!

Looking for more MPT help?

As noted above, we also have an MPT Seminar and MPT guide that are perfect for those looking to learn a lot about the MPT in a short amount of time! Further, we offer last minute tutoring for the MPT if you are looking for personalized attention!

• Need Expert MPT Guidance?

  🔥 Top-Rated MPT Resources

  • New MPT One-Sheets: Discover crucial formats and tips distilled to simplicity.
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  • Bar Exam Crash Course and Mini Outlines: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the big picture.
  • MPT Mastery Class: Deepen your understanding and skills for MPT excellence.
  • Comprehensive MPT Guide: Navigate the MPT process with our step-by-step guide.
  • Targeted MPT Feedback: Refine your approach with structural and organizational insights.
  • Real MPT Questions Compilation (2000 to present): Engage in hands-on practice to enhance your readiness.

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