Ask The Professor: The Most Common Myths About Preparing For The Bar Exam – Are They True?

Law students receiving their diploma this spring are coming to the realization that in just two short months, they will begin studying for the biggest test of their lives — the bar exam. Anyone who has ever taken the exam will give out advice on how best to prepare for the test. While it is well intentioned, some of their advice is just not relevant to today’s bar exam. Here are some of the most commonly thrown-around tips and whether or not you should take them to heart.

Myth: Just focus on studying for the MBE section of the test.

False. This is not the way to go. Each state’s bar exam has different components — the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), the essays, and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Each part of the exam is worth a different percentage of the overall exam. You cannot pass the bar on any one section of the exam. If you focus on the MBE, you will not get enough points to pass. One has to be able to perform well on each section of the exam. You need to have minimal performance across the board.

Myth: The MBE is more important than the essays.

False. Every section of the exam is an opportunity to score points. In New York, for example, each extra point gained on an essay is worth the same as 4 correct MBE questions. Stronger essays can make up for a weaker MBE score. You pass the bar exam by balancing your performance.

Myth: The essay graders know your MBE score and if you do well on the MBE, they do not grade your essays.

False. This is a widely spread rumor that is just not true. The MBE is computer graded and each essay is evaluated by a grader who does not know how you performed on the balance of the test.

Myth: If you are taking one of the big bar review companies, just study exactly what they tell you to and you’ll pass.

False. Unfortunately this advice has caused many, many students around the country to fail. If you think about it, you will see why it makes little sense. Recently, pass rates in most states have fallen. In New York, for example, many law schools had more than 1 out of 4 of their graduating students failing the July 2014 exam. These failing students took big bar review courses and followed their schedules. They were unsuccessful not because they didn’t follow their course’s schedule, but because they did nothing more. What will help these students pass is to get training on how to actually approach the questions on the exam — not just a review of the subjects tested. A supplemental program like the Marino Bar Exam Maximizers will show students how to score higher on the test by training them on how to strategically approach exam questions whether they know the applicable rule being tested or not to maximize their points.

Myth: If you are in the bottom half of your law school class, you have a much higher chance of failing the bar exam.

True. Studies have shown that students tend to pass the bar exam in GPA order, meaning that those ranked lower are much more likely to fail. The good news is that if you fall into this category, there are steps you can take to greatly improve your chances of passing. Taking a supplemental program in addition to your regular bar review course will get you extra points and will provide the training you need to make sure you know how to actually apply the law on the bar exam. Also, bar exam tutors, if they are qualified, are especially helpful in getting students who are ranked lower in their class to pass, providing individualized guidance and support.

Myth: Bar Exam Tutors are for remedial purposes only.

False. Bar candidates hire tutors to make them more competitive. If everyone is taking a bar review course, the playing field is neutralized. Doing something extra is what is needed to maximize your chances of passing.

Myth: While studying for the bar exam, you will not be able to work at all, and won’t have any social life for two months.

Not necessarily. In the “old days” when students had to physically attend a lecture everyday during the study period, this was truer than it is today. Now, however, there are bar review programs that are entirely online, meaning you can study at any time of the day or night that is most convenient for your schedule. If you are taking an online course, you can still work part-time if you have to, and even go out once a week. However, it would be a good idea to take off a couple of weeks just prior to the test date if possible. And while it is true that an online program will allow you to study when and where it is most convenient for you, make no mistake — you will still need to put in a lot of time and hard work studying for a couple of months to make sure you pass. You must study hard and study smart.

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Professor Joseph Marino has been a fixture in the world of legal education for the past 40 years. Whether you’re just starting law school, about to take the bar, or an attorney in need of CLE, he and Marino Legal Academy are here to help. He is the Director of Marino Bar Review and the Marino Institute for Continuing Legal Education. He writes a bimonthly column, Ask the Professor. Visit the Marino CLE page on ATL, connect with him on LinkedIn and Facebook, or email him via info@marinolegal.com.