Multistate Performance Test Tips to Maximize Points

Multistate Performance Test Tips to Maximize Points

Here, we tell you some simple tips to maximize the number of points you receive on the MPT portion of the bar exam. These tips won’t take long to master–and they will significantly boost your MPT score!   You can see the Multistate Performance Test tips conveniently summarized in the chart above. 

Multistate Performance Test Tips to Maximize Points

1. Use the right tone.

If you are assigned an objective task (like a memo where you are simply analyzing issues or an opinion letter, which you are providing a neutral opinion on an issue) make sure to use an objective tone. Recognize strengths and weaknesses and avoid arguing on behalf of both sides.

It helps to use phrases like “On one hand… On the other hand…”

If you are assigned a persuasive brief then make sure your tone is persuasive. You do not want to ignore weaknesses–simply recognize them and minimize them in the most persuasive way possible.

If you have the right tone, you will immediately gain credibility with the grader. On the contrary, if you have the wrong tone, the grader will instantly see that you did not follow directions and your score will reflect this flaw.

2. Pay attention to the recipient.

Usually, your recipient is a lawyer, as you can see from the chart above. However, if you are assigned an opinion letter then generally your recipient will be a client. This means that you should avoid legalese and you should explain things in layman’s terms.

3. Use the right kind of headings.

The most important time to get this right is if you are assigned a persuasive brief. The grader will be looking for strong, persuasive headings. You should have arguments–both law and facts–tied into your headings. If you are writing anything else, you can use simpler headings (sometimes just a word or two is fine and other times you may want to use sentences). But make sure you use those persuasive headings for persuasive briefs! It is the quickest way to gain credibility with the grader!

4. Remember the goal of the task.

This goes back to tip #1. If you are writing an objective memo or opinion letter, your goal is to determine how a legal issue would be resolved or to provide advice on an issue. If you are writing a persuasive brief or demand letter, your goal is to persuade (usually a judge or an opposing counsel). If you are writing a wildcard task, you simply want to follow directions!

Keeping the goal of the task memo in mind–and going back to the task memo if you start to lose track of the goal–is a great way to get easy points!

We hope you find these Multistate Performance Test tips useful!

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