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I highly recommend the series: Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE. This series includes tips on how to answer questions and also gives you the black letter law. Of all of the MBE resources I used, I found those to be the most helpful.
Here is the book that summarizes 6 topics (not civ pro): Bootcamp for the MBE
I read that book the night before the MBE as a refresher. You can also buy individual topics, most of which are available for immediate download on the Kindle. Here is the one for Constitutional Law: Bootcamp: Constitutional Law
Try out one of the books and see if it helps. Each book is only $20 on the kindle so the most you have to lose is $20. If it works for you, then you can buy the other topics that you need help in.
I recommend this book: Emanuel Bootcamp for the MBE: Constitutional Law
The outline is easy to understand and also offers tactics in answering MBE questions.
It comes with more practice. You still have time. Keep practicing the MBEs. At this point practicing is more helpful than reading outlines or listening to lectures. If you want extra help with real property MBE questions, I recommend this book: Bootcamp for the MBE: Real Property
Adaptibar is absolutely fantastic. Definitely use that! Put the app on your phone so that you can practice questions while you’re not actually sitting at home and studying - I found that to be very helpful. Also, this book is AMAZING. I worked my way through just about the entire thing back when I was studying. I highly recommend it! I am not sure if this is the most recent version, but I think any of them would be incredibly helpful! Just keep practicing problems. I absolutely understand the hopeless feeling and frustration, but eventually you will start to notice yourself just all of a sudden improving. You’ll do great!! Adaptibar and THIS book!! https://www.amazon.com/Strategies-Tactics-MBE-Bar-Review/dp/1454873132/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=mbe+strategies+and+tactics&qid=1623888290&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNUczMzhYSEZON043JmVuY3J5...
Some people found writing out the rules to be helpful, but I found it didn't help me much and used up a lot of precious time. If outlines help you, then I highly recommend the Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE. Their outlines are written with the MBE in mind and offer tips scattered throughout to help you find the right answer. Each subject has its own book and then there is 1 book that includes a summary of all topics. (The exception is civil procedure because the books came out before civ pro was included on the MBE).
You can buy the outlines on Kindle or in paperback on Amazon. I found those outlines helped me the most in learning the law to the test. Here is the one for real property so you know what it looks like: Bootcamp for the MBE: Real Property
Congratulations to everyone that passed. To everyone that didn't - my heart feels for you, this is such an expensive test & process. When I was studying for February, 2020's exam I kept wanting to read posts about other people's experience taking the test, and how many questions they did etc. I did not sign up for a formal bar prep course (just Adaptibar & a hodgepodge of other resources).
In an effort to pay it forward, I wrote a blog post about what I did that includes my scores. I hope my tips and tricks are helpful. Thinking of you all - https://wordpress.com/view/socialitefashion.wordpress.com
I have bad adhd. Failed 3 times and finally just passed. Accommodations helped (but I had to file an appeal after being denied to get them). I also used my meds, therapy and really leaned on my support system. This test isn't designed for us, so you need to use every advantage you have to just level the playing field. Also, I highly recommend website blockers. I block all of the websites that will distract me on both my phone and laptop during hours I need to study (I use freedom.to, but there are other ones). I also put my phone in a k-safe while I was studying. It really was a pain in the ass, but I dont trust myself. You can do it, but it takes so much extra bullshit to get there.
I used Adaptibar... but the material I found most useful that truly improved my score was Emanuel's Strategies and Tactics for the MBE. Hands down the most useful thing to improve your score!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1543805728/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_M79Y8473AFVX3510JNG7
Good luck!
I found the Bootcamp for the MBE series to be very helpful because it teaches not only the black letter law, but offers actual strategy tips in how to find the right answer. I think most, if not all of the series, is available by the separate books on Kindle. Here is the contracts one: Bootcamp for the MBE: Contracts
I would also recommend something like BarMax's question bank or Adaptibar. Practicing actual NCBE questions is key.
I say this a lot because this super helped me: Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE. This volume includes 3 books in it (contracts, torts, criminal) and there is a used copy for about $10 plus shipping. I read all the Barbri outlines, the critical pass cards, Strategy and Tactics, and none of them compare to the Bootcamp series for learning the MBE. It teaches you the law to the test. It gives you pointers on how to find the right answers.
I never wrote out the rules. I just read the Bootcamp series and practiced with the BarMax MBE question bank (which has lifetime access instead of just a few months). I consistently scored above 70%.
Everyone learns differently, but for $15, give those books a chance and see if it helps you out. If that book works for you, then Amazon has the rest of the series. There is a book for each topic except for civil procedure.
I had practiced a couple thousand MBEs, so I was consistently scoring between 75 and 80% towards the end. You only have a week left, so I would recommend the book, "Steve Emanuels Bootcamp for the MBE: Emanuel Confidential." This is a brief review of all the MBE subjects except for Civil Procedure. I read this book several times, including the entire book the night before the MBE. It does an overview of the law and gives last minute pointers. There were 2 questions that ended up being on the actual MBE that reading the book the night before helped me with.
You can order the book an Amazon with the two day shipping and have time to read it still. Bootcamp book
do yourself a favor and look into Anki / spaced repetition software. formulate your study notes into succinct rules that you want to commit to memory. use the SRS technique; you will be amazed by your own memory.
Congrats on passing the bar! Yes 🙌🏻 we can't stress to people enough about your 2nd tip and how helpful using spaced repetition is for learning. Thanks for the inspiration you've no doubt given others with this post and taking that exam 4 times is a test in itself of self-discipline and willpower, seriously way to go!!
Here:
I got this massive mega nerdy eye level book holder. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KVDLYK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Hit our friendly Sbux at 5 AM, until closing time 9pm, everyday, no exceptions. Set up my mega nerd center.
Everyday I rote memorized, at least attempted, Seperac's MBE Rules Outline, by underlining each rule with a red ball point Bic, and my home made 27" oak ruler. Again, and again, and again until nauseated.
Solved perhaps 400 Adaptibar questions, but wrote each missed answer/rule statement to a giant A3 quadrille ledger. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TISIL4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lather, rinse, repeat. Since I am a non native speaker I abhor MPT and loathe Essays. But, of course I was out of time. Ended up 90th percentile at Civ Pro; Seriously, the rest was 40ish 50ish. Hah funniest party is that I bombed the easiest subject of all: Torts, with a whooping 18th percentile.
The mindfulness is SO important. I bought Bar Exam Mind on audible and it helped me get into a positive mindset for the exam. The morning of the exam as I got ready, I played I Got This over and over. I told myself - I am going to know every single essay question.
To my great surprise, on exam day, I didn't feel nervous. It was weird. I was expecting, despite telling myself that I was going to do well, that I would still feel choked with nerves. Instead, I felt ready. I felt like - I had done so many practice tests and was passing them that I was going to pass this too.
The first thing I did was flip through each essay to skim over each question and I felt such relief and excitement that I knew enough law to answer each question. I walked out of the morning session feeling very lucky and hoped that my luck would keep up, but a little worried that the afternoon would ask me stuff that I didn't study for. When I received the second half, I was so happy and relieved that I knew those too! I walked out of the exam feeling like I had passed. (I wasn't worried about the MBE, it was the essay portion that had scared me).
I think mindset is an important factor. If you feel like you are going to fail, you are going to fail. Feel confident, write with confidence, and increase the chances of passing.
Blue light screen protector 2-Pack 15.6 Inch Laptop Screen Protector -Blue Light and Anti Glare Filter, FORITO Eye Protection Blue Light Blocking & Anti Glare Screen Protector for 15.6" with 16:9 Aspect Ratio Laptop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D48LXJ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HS76Y47NZXY7SXE8XBXB
I would highly recommend the Emanuel MBE Bootcamp series. There is a used book that includes contracts, torts, and criminal law that is only $10 plus shipping. If you like it, then you can buy the rest of the books in the series. It is really good because it teaches not just the black letter, but the strategy to taking the test.
For the MBEs, quality is definitely more important than quantity. I took the long approach of doing 10 to 20 a day for a longer period of time. I very rarely did more than 20 a day. I read every single explanation for each answer, even if I got it right. It took me about an hour per 10 questions to answer and review. The only time I did more than 20 in one day when I was testing under timed conditions.
The Bootcamp for the MBE was incredibly helpful. This series not only is an outline, but actually teaches you strategy. It'll include things like - if you see this answer, it is likely wrong.
There are seven books in the Bootcamp for the MBE series, one for each topic except civil procedure and the one summary book. Bootcamp for the MBE
Reading the bootcamp books and practicing should hopefully be enough to raise your score. Once you learn the patterns that the MBE has, you can learn how to predict the right answer.
Edit: I know that everyone has a different strategy. This strategy was very successful for me and I usually scored between 70 and 80% on MBE questions. Ultimately, you have to find what works for you.
Check out Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE series. There is a book for each topic. It teaches the black letter law as it applies to the MBE and tricks to go along with it.
Try this book for property. It really helped me out:
I am telling you, buy this book. It did wonders for me. Only reason I passed was cause on mbe and I give all that credit to this book and mind you, I took I was a third time taker.
This book presents each MBE subject in a very digestible format - simple rules and everything broken up into easy to review/memorize bits.
Strategies are presented cohesively, in simple language with a flow and focus on each section. Chapters are easy to absorb and not a heavy review, like Themis or Barbri. Also very user-friendly (color/font-coded) in how MBE tips are given, high-tested areas are highlighted and many decoy tips. There are visual cheat sheets and then there is a subject-based cheat sheet to help memorize rules and test yourself.
I am telling you, buy this book. It did wonders for me. Only reason I passed was cause on mbe and I give all that credit to this book and mind you, I took I was a third time taker.
This book presents each MBE subject in a very digestible format - simple rules and everything broken up into easy to review/memorize bits.
Strategies are presented cohesively, in simple language with a flow and focus on each section. Chapters are easy to absorb and not a heavy review, like Themis or Barbri. Also very user-friendly (color/font-coded) in how MBE tips are given, high-tested areas are highlighted and many decoy tips. There are visual cheat sheets and then there is a subject-based cheat sheet to help memorize rules and test yourself.
Third time repeat taker here too. Just passed with 277 and only thing I did differently was improve by 28 points on mbe.
This book presents each MBE subject in a very digestible format - simple rules and everything broken up into easy to review/memorize bits.
Strategies are presented cohesively, in simple language with a flow and focus on each section. Chapters are easy to absorb and not a heavy review, like Themis or Barbri. Also very user-friendly (color/font-coded) in how MBE tips are given, high-tested areas are highlighted and many decoy tips. There are visual cheat sheets and then there is a subject-based cheat sheet to help memorize rules and test yourself.
Went from 249 first time and 249 again second time and third time I went to 277. Only thing I did differently was improve my mbe score by a lot. And I did that by buying the mbe decoded book.
This book presents each MBE subject in a very digestible format - simple rules and everything broken up into easy to review/memorize bits.
Strategies are presented cohesively, in simple language with a flow and focus on each section. Chapters are easy to absorb and not a heavy review, like Themis or Barbri. Also very user-friendly (color/font-coded) in how MBE tips are given, high-tested areas are highlighted and many decoy tips. There are visual cheat sheets and then there is a subject-based cheat sheet to help memorize rules and test yourself. And if you don’t like it then just return it within 30 days.
I am telling you, buy this book. It did wonders for me. Only reason I passed was cause on mbe and I give all that credit to this book and mind you, I took I was a third time taker.
This book presents each MBE subject in a very digestible format - simple rules and everything broken up into easy to review/memorize bits.
Strategies are presented cohesively, in simple language with a flow and focus on each section. Chapters are easy to absorb and not a heavy review, like Themis or Barbri. Also very user-friendly (color/font-coded) in how MBE tips are given, high-tested areas are highlighted and many decoy tips. There are visual cheat sheets and then there is a subject-based cheat sheet to help memorize rules and test yourself.
I am a third time taker who just passed.
^this book and the AdaptiBar grossman videos did wonders for me. I didn’t use any commercial bar prep courses this time. This book is all you need and if you are an Audio learner, then the grossman videos will also help. DM me for more info on the book if you want.
i didn't have any accommodations, unfortunately. while my syndromes and such have been present... well, all my life, i didn't have the chance to get diagnosed completely until recently.
i didn't request them either; the process through law school to get accommodations was so arduous JUST for me to get a room by myself that it wasn't worth it. and i know for a fact that i wouldn't get anything for the bar.
that absolutely sucks btw-- but we've all known the ncbe and bar exam itself is ableist as all get out!
my particular recommendations are that it was like... CRUCIAL for me to make a loose schedule. what do i mean by that? i mean that it was a schedule that had things and studying set at certain times but enough buffer built in for wiggle room. i knew that if i made it too rigid, it would fail-- the moment i messed up once, i would throw the entire thing out. so, make it so messing up doesn't ruin it completely!
another thing i did during the test itself was find ways to stim/fiddle that wouldn't bother others. that included using those big pencils that are usually for kindergarteners. my hands loved holding them and it was fun to stim with them.
my last recommendation was getting ear plugs and PRACTICING WITH THEM!! as someone with sensory issues, if i hadn't practiced with them/used them before the bar i would have shrieked.
i hope this helps, and trust me, i understand the frustration. the bar and studying for it is hell for neurodivergent people.
I say ditch the lectures entirely next time - that is what I did halfway through the first time and entirely second time (I had to take it in another jurisdiction). It is entirely too passive and you need to use the time you have to focus on actively memorizing the BLL.
To improve your essays, I strongly recommend the below book. You are going to have to adapt it to your state (it is a bit tailored to CA) but it was a complete game changer for me.
I found the Strategies and Tactics book to be super helpful. If you're tight on money, you can buy an older version for pretty cheap here: 2008 strategies and tactics for the mpre
I also found Quimbee to be pretty helpful. Between Barbri, Quimbee, and S&T, you should be good. I passed with a 128 using those three sources.
If you don't normally get them, they are probably tension headaches. Try some advil/tylenol for relief. Take a hot shower and use the hot water to try and relax the muscles in your back/neck. Also if you can find one of these, or something similar, apply it to the back of your neck.
These eye drops are the only kind my eye doctor recommends for use with contacts! Something about the ingredients. I've used them and they're great for when your eyes dry out (which happens a lot when starting at screens all day).
There's double-sided tape on Amazon that was made specifically for this purpose. I highly recommend getting some (the one I got is called MaskTite). FYI once you "stick" it onto your nose, it's better to just leave it like that if you can—it will lose stickiness or twist/stick to itself if you keep taking the mask off.
During the exam, when I needed water or snacks, I would just lift up the bottom of the mask and leave the top stuck to my nose. Felt a little like a Hungry Hungry Hippo but it did the job.
Best advice is:
- In the beginning, do most of the essays open book with your notes. Don't feel like you need to write out a whole response, just try to spot the issues in the essay. E.g., in a Secured Trans question, if you see two or more security interests, you know there's going to be a question of priority (who gets paid first).
- If you feel confident enough, at some point, try to do them closed book and write as much as you remember. Even if it's wrong, it'll get you in the habit of memory recall to some extent.
- Look at past NCBE essays and the model STUDENT answers. If you're using Themis (like me), from what I've read on this sub, the model answers are waaaaaay more detailed than necessary. I'm sure the same applies to Barbri. I've even seen some people write that they made up a rule that was objectively wrong as it related to the issue, but because the rule made some objective sense and their application worked, they got points and did fine on the MEE.
- If you're a tactile (writing) learner like me, when you get either the model answers from your prep course or the model student answers from NCBE/state bars, take the rule statement, try to deconstruct it and understand it, and re-write it in your own words either physically or in a Word document.
- You can also try the Fck the Bar method, which some people say helps. It's basically the same as #3 & #4 above, but at some point you re-write your own answer after reviewing and copying the model one.
I agree with talking to the neighbor, but also, if you have the cash to throw at the problem, this kept my roommate's smoke from hot boxing my own bedroom:
Blue Air 211
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WJL99W?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_WD55YTGB4NEC5FBBNGHE
Hey blood sister! Last year, mom-reddit recommended these to me for postpartum bleeding and they ROCKED. They were incredibly comfortable, and far more absorbent than my maximum absorbency Thinx underwear. Plus, while I love the earth, there are some times when you just don't want to deal with changing and storing blood-soaked underwear, and that time is when you have a new baby and also when you are taking the bar.
I'm going buy a pack for July because I will also be on my period (hooray). Pro-tip: you can go to their website and request a free 2-pair sample. If you have a friend or family member willing to do it, too, you may not even have to buy any. I ordered the samples when I was pregnant to get a sense of the sizes before shelling out for a box.
​
Depends Silhouette
No joke I literally ordered THIS from Amazon last week and it makes a difference. I spend all day writing out shit and doing the Themis coursework and my hand is literally numb from carpal tunnel. If you've got the extra dough, it's def worth a shot.
Here is what I am doing 1. Get some file folders that are about the size of the flash cards. I picked up these on Amazon but you would likely be able to find something equivalent at staples. I found that 5 works for the mbe + mee cards.
BTSKY Expanding File Folder -13... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NVB3H2N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Make sections in the folios labeled either 1-4 or 1-5 depending on how much space you have. 1 is your unfamiliar cards while 4 or 5 is your mastered cards.
Introduce about 5-10 cards per subject to start memorizing. As you get a card correct it goes a space back. E.g. you get a card in section 2 100% correct, it goes backwards to section 3.
Create a spreadsheet to keep track of when you have last reviewed a subject. I flip through cards in the 1 section every day (except non-study days), section 2 is spaced by once every 3 study days. Section 3 is once every 5 days and mastered cards are reviewed once every 7 days.
As you get cards correct in the first section, backfill the section with cards you have yet to see. You want to keep your unfamiliar cards to about a 5-10 max so you don’t overwhelm yourself.
Trust that through spaced repetition you will memorize more than if you reviewed the exact same card 5 times in an hour.
I think I finally understood evidence when I actually read the federal rules before consuming any lectures or secondary study materials. These are obviously available on the internet but I bought this and used it all the time.
Federal Rules of Evidence; 2022 Edition: With Internal Cross-References https://smile.amazon.com/dp/164002106X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SXGDHAJE0TNPRXA2YAX8
Try this! I used it to help me study for my evidence final in law school and it was a quick read with an overview and explanations!
If you can raise your real property and civil procedure, you're going to be set. I recommend Bootcamp for the MBE: Real Property. Unfortunately there is not one for civil procedure.
Focus on real property and civil procedure, while also practicing the other topics, mpt, and essays just so you can manage to pull off the same scores there.
Found on twitter - https://www.notion.so/cf1a257d9dc94cd3914c991dc88ff926?v=4ce1c051a93147cb912765180604e923 (outlines)
I'm a no extra-unnecessary-fluff type of person so I didn't use any of the mentioned.
Instead, I got this book. It ended up coming in handy for my PR class too. Spent about a weekend and a half reading through it. Highly recommend.
Great that you narrowed in on your two weakest areas! I'd suggest going through the strategy section, then the questions (about 65 or so for each subject) in Emanuel's S&T for those couple subjects. Then read the responses for the questions you missed + any you were even slightly unsure of. That should boost you by at least a couple points in both!
If you can wear a cloth mask try one of the mask brackets - it helps prevent the mask getting sucked into your mouth when you breathe and makes it feel less humid mask bracket
Basically typing out the model answer before or after you do yours. Klein lays out certain steps that I'm too tired to fully type out. Not trying to be a shill, but her book is worth it and is a very quick read: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1096594625?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Individual envelopes for each set of cards so you can just carry the ones you need with you for that particular day. These are the ones I got: https://www.amazon.com/TIENO-Plastic-Envelopes-Closure-Organizer/dp/B07M5WFHFM/ref=sr\_1\_4?keywords=plastic+envelopes+with+string+closure&qid=1642493943&sprefix=plastic+envelopes+with+string%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-4
Buy this book stat. Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE series is the best for teaching test taking strategy and the black letter law. There are tricks in this book on how to find the right answer.
At this point, my recommendation would be to not bother with the 100+ page outlines. It's too much information, most of which will not be tested. Focus on the most heavily tested rules. Steve Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE, the Emanuel Confidential edition, outlines the absolute must need to know stuff for all topics (except civil procedure) of the MBE in about 80 pages. I read the entire book as a refresher the night before the bar exam.
Practice the Adaptibar questions and read all of the explanations - including when you get it right and the wrong answers. You will learn so much information from the explanations. The most important thing to do is practice.
If you are in a UBE state, I recommend buying Studicata's Attack Outline. It covers all the must need to know material for essays. Focus on what is tested the most. Don't get bogged down in the Barbri details.
I bought pens for the bar exam (in case an emergency happened and I had to handwrite my essays). These are my favorite pens. I bought a whole bunch more. I love the way they look and they always write easily.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PQL4CX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Try this book: Bootcamp for the MBE - Contracts
It has an outline to teach the black letter law and tips on how to answer the questions on the MBE
No worries. The MPRE is cake comparatively. You do need to study though. This book helped me score 146 Strategies & Tactics for the MPRE https://www.amazon.com/dp/1454891890?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I used Themis and passed the July bar, and used Barbri and passed another state bar a few years ago. Much of the content is similar, obviously, so there’s no wrong choice.
The Barbri lectures were super long (~3+ each), which made it a chore to sit through them. The Themis lectures were ~10-20 minutes each, which was better to sit through. As far as lecturers, it’s probably a wash either way: I remember hating the property professor for Barbri and liking the one from Themis, but you also get Chemerinsky for Con Law at Barbri (or did when I took it). I think the Themis MBE portion was better (used real questions) but I actually scored slightly higher on my first exam with Barbri (I also worked the second time with Themis). Barbri score: 290/152 MBE, Themis score 279/149 MBE. Regardless of what you choose, I would recommend Strategies and Tactics for the MBE: Amazon link.
I thought the Barbri customer service was better but not remarkable(the Themis sales agent I contacted didn’t reply for a few weeks with the contract when I contacted her, and then Themis apparently didn’t order enough hard copy books and sent them like 2 weeks after I started). That was probably just my personal experience, as someone else had recommended Themis and that agent to me.
LMK if you have any specific questions and I’ll try to help.
I don't, but one thing that helped me to memorize was to use the highly tested outlines (essay writing workshop outlines from themis) then to only focus on memorizing those rules. The bummer is some of the rules there aren't fully fleshed out so I took some extra time to fill in gaps using the broader Themis MBE oultine or using a supplemental book I bought that had good rule statements. The moral of the story is to focus only on a highly tested essay topic issues/rules checklist when memorizing. Otherwise there are too many rules to be able to memorize. The smaller issues you can just BS using what you pick up from MBE practice or reading sample answers.
One piece of advice that stuck with me is this: the bar exam is a mile wide, but an inch deep. So don't try to memorize every nuanced issue and sub-issue. Try to get the big rule statements down for all the heavily tested issues.
I'm not familiar with the OneSheets, but they probably achieve this result.
If you're interested in the supplmental book its linked below. It has great rules statements and essay writing tips.
https://www.amazon.com/Essay-Exam-Writing-California-Review/dp/073550993X
for California: https://www.amazon.com/Essay-Exam-Writing-California-Review/dp/073550993X
As a rule supplement and essay attack plan this book was great. I used it to supplement where Themis was confusing or felt incomplete. If you are having trouble with essay writing it has a lot of good pointers and strategies as well.
If you have a credit card, just book a hotel in both cities on hotels.com. They usually allow free cancellation until a few weeks before the check-in date, and they don't charge the card until you check-in if you choose the pay later option. Double-check the cancellation policy before you book either hotel.
For you, and anyone that needs memorization help: sign up for Brainscape, and look up the MBE deck. It is $12 I think for a month, which at this point compared to everything you have already spent is literally nothing.
I spent many hours memorizing on Brainscape, and I think it was the best resource I used during Bar prep. It broke down the rules to a few words for everything.
I took the Bar many years ago, but my wife took it this past summer and she used this: https://www.brainscape.com/learn/mbe
We both used versions of this. Truly it was a game changer for both of us.
I found Finz to be much more like the actual bar than Emmanuels questions (though their strategies are great) and 100% better than adaptibar questions. Strategies and Tactics for the FINZ Multistate Method (Emanuel Bar Review) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1543805965/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7Q6DJY7QCENTY35N1EPA
I personally like these because their ANC (Automatic Noise Cancellation) mode is very good. Also, if you don’t mind listening to music as you study, I have discovered that music helps the background noise fade away better (even with noisy yelling outside your study area). It could be my misconception but I think the ANC software functions even better with music (not because the music is overriding the background noise). Best of luck to you because I empathize with your situation.
A monthly planner that also has a quality yearly overview - meaning it lists the days of the week for each day of the year on a two-page spread. This makes it IMMENSELY easier to plan for certain days of the week instead of peering into my computer screens monthly calendar. Example Amazon link: 2021-2022 Monthly Planner - 18 Months Calendar with Faux Leather, 8.86" x 11.4", Jul 2021 - Dec 2022, 15 Notes Pages, Strong Twin - Wire Binding, 18 Monthly Tabs, Perfect Organizer - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089GMF57X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z2BNNANH7EK99JGX7NX3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
For my JD diploma I used this $50 one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089R2ZW1W. Looks fine to me. They have other sizes, in case yours is not 11x14 in.
I highly recommend the book: Bootcamp for the MBE: Evidence . It teaches the black letter law and MBE tips.
I swear by the Bootcamp for the MBE series. Here is the real property one: https://smile.amazon.com/MBE-Bootcamp-Property-Mbe/dp/0735597391/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=bootcamp+for+the+mbe+property&qid=1624637959&sr=8-3
Buy this book stat! Bootcamp for the MBE: Contracts
It is $20 on the Kindle and helped me with MBEs more than any other study source. The outline takes one to two days to read.
Buy this book! It will really help you learn how to answer contracts questions on the MBE. Bootcamp for the MBE: contracts
The NCBE doesn't release MBE questions until they retire them. That is why we can't talk about them, because they use them again.
BUT if your hardest struggle is the MBE, go buy all of the Emanuel Bootcamp for the MBE series. You can buy Volume 1, which is criminal, contracts, and torts on Amazon here: volume 1
Then if you like it, buy the rest for about $20 each (evidence, constitution, property, emmanuel confidential that is a summary of the 6 subjects).
I cannot sing the praises of these books enough. Yes, they give the black letter law and practice questions like every other MBE book. But, this one goes one step beyond. It gives tips on how to take the MBE. It teaches strategy, like if you see this answer, it is probably right or probably wrong. This book teaches you how to take the MBE.
Strategies & Tactics for the FINZ Multistate Method.
Some people say you need the latest version, but I got this one and was fine:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1454873140/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I cannot recommend this series enough: Emanuel's Bootcamp for the MBE
The series teaches you to the test. There is a book for each subject except for civil procedure. It not only gives the tested law, but it gives you hints on which answer to pick. Like, it'll say, if you see the Necessary and Proper Clause by itself as an answer, it is most likely wrong.
I prefer BarMax over Adaptibar because you have access to the entire MBE question bank until you pass the bar (and maybe even after). It is $399. Doing those questions every day really helped too. Read the explanations for every answer and option, even if you got it right. Part of the strategy is recognizing what kind of wrong answers the examiners repeatedly use to know to avoid them.
Personally, I don't think flashcards or writing out notes for the MBE is that helpful. It is very helpful for essays, but the MBE is a different animal. It's not just knowing the law, it is understanding the strategy to how they design the test. You can know the law and still miss the questions.
My advice then isn't to focus on the law since you've already studied so hard for it and probably know the law. Focus now on the strategy. Understand the nuances they use in presenting fact patterns and asking questions. Look for key words in the fact pattern that will help you pick out the right answer in the answers.
After figuring out the patterns and strategy they used to write the questions/ answers, I was able to look at only the answers without looking at the fact pattern, and answer correctly about 60% of the time. When I looked at the fact pattern, my average was between 72% and 78%.
It's not just learning the law. You can know the law and fail the MBE. It is knowing the law and the strategy. The Bootcamp series teaches both.
Oh my gosh, literally any other time I feel like it would be cool to have Broadway singers for neighbors because they'd always be up for karaoke. But not right now! I'm so sorry! Here's the link to the ones I bought. They had the most consistent good reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MCU0N0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I've read all 7 of the MBE bootcamp books and the 7th edition. I bought the 7th edition thinking that it would be set up like the MBE bootcamp books. I wanted something like that for civil procedure. The 7th edition felt like any other commercial outline.
The books are pretty quick reads, but if you can only read one, I would go with Emanuel Confidential. It reviews 6 subjects of the MBE in about 85 pages. I read the entire book again the night before the MBE. It helped with a couple questions too.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0735597472/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Get the KN95 masks with the metal thing on the top. Bend it over your nose and your breath should not come out of the top any more.
Like this: https://www.amazon.com/LeadPro-KN95-Face-Mask-GB2626-2006/dp/B086JBZXPT/
I live in a suburban area in MA where the power is generally pretty solid, but I got spooked when about a month ago it went out for ~6h for no apparent reason. Then last Wednesday there was a huge wind/rain storm that knocked down a bunch of trees. I didn't lose power but a lot of other people in neighboring communities did.
I'm taking the exam on a desktop with a nice big monitor, so it's not like I can rely on a laptop battery to hold charge for 3.5 hours (which would still be stretching it depending on the processor load ExamSoft draws). The combination of the two above power events put the scare into me enough that I rented this nice generator from Home Depot, and bought this UPS from Amazon. So my plan in the even of a power failure is that the UPS will automatically go on and provide ~30 mins power, enough time for me to go outside, and fire up the generator, replug some extension cords, and get back to work.
The nice gentleman at Home Depot who rented me this generator said his sister went to law school, and thought this was a clever idea. Although he himself agreed it's totally stupid that I have to resort to these extreme measures and spend $ on a contingency plan that I probably won't even need.
Good luck to the rest of you and your power/internet connections!