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Uniform Bar Exam Prep: What Should I Do to Prepare for the UBE?

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Uniform Bar Exam Prep: What Should I Do to Prepare for the UBE?

Are you about to begin your Uniform Bar Exam prep? Are you unsure of how to get started? There are several things to consider before you jump into your review. Take a few moments to answer the following questions before you decide how to proceed.

Uniform Bar Exam Prep: What Should I Do to Prepare for the UBE?

1. Should I get a course or a private tutor or self-study?

There is no one size fits all approach to Uniform Bar Exam prep. Are you comfortable sitting in a class of 50-100 people listening to lectures and taking notes with little or no individualized attention? Or are you more effective in a small-group or one-on-one setting that meets in person or online and allows time for you to ask questions? Or do you study best by yourself with no supervision? Think about your law school classes – did you enjoy the smaller seminars, stadium seating classes or independent studies? Did you find yourself procrastinating and in need of someone to hold you accountable? Be honest with yourself about your learning habits, and then structure your study from there.

2. How did I do my first year of law school?

Did you do relatively well during your first year of law school? Or did you barely get by in your classes? Did you find that you struggled with essay exams and never understood how to IRAC your answer? It is important to answer these questions because all of your first year law school subjects will be tested on the multiple-choice section (MBE) and some of those same subjects will be tested on the essay section (MEE). If you struggled with any or all of your 1L subjects, set aside extra time when you review the substantive law. Take some time to familiarize yourself with effective test-taking strategies.

 3. How do I learn best?

Memorization is critical to your success on the bar exam. However, some memorization techniques are better for some than others. So if you are a visual learner, it might be good to write and re-write sections of your outline from memory, doing small sections each time. Others find that mnemonic devices are more effective. Some auditory learners prefer to record themselves reading their outline and play it back to themselves while they are driving or taking a walk. Find out which techniques work best for you.

4. How much time should I set aside to study for the bar exam?

How much time you set aside to study for the bar exam largely depends on your other commitments. Will you be working full or part-time while studying for the exam? Do you also have children or other family members to care for? Be realistic about what your day-to-day commitments are. Students often get frustrated and give up when they set unrealistic timetables for themselves (e.g., working a full-time job, caring for their young children, and then attempting to study 6-7 hours every night).

5. How do I create a study schedule?

It is a good idea to create a bar exam study plan. Write out subject(s) you will focus on each week. Set aside time to memorize the law and practice (this includes practice essays, MPTs and multiple-choice questions). Then, try to finish learning all of the subjects approximately three weeks before the exam so that you can spend the weeks before the exam focusing on practice questions and practice exams. Begin by reviewing a subject you like and then review a subject you are not so fond of and continue alternating. This will give you something to look forward to. Allot sufficient time to your review of the MBE subjects, as you will see them on both the essay and multiple-choice sections.

6. What helps me to de-stress?

When students are knee-deep in bar study, they often forget how to take time to relax and turn their brains off. Make a list of three to five things that help you de-stress before you begin studying. Yoga? Movies? Drawing? Listening to music? Hanging out with certain people? Schedule breaks that include your favorite activities or people.

7. Have I told my family and close friends that I am taking the bar exam?

It is a good idea to tell your family, significant other and friends that you will be taking the bar exam. If none of them are familiar with the exam, take some time to explain it to them. It is helpful to have a support system that you can lean on. So let them know that you won’t have as much time to spend with them (but you can schedule your study breaks to spend time with them!).

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