When it comes to the challenges presented by the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), it’s best to not overthink this exam.
Yes, the MBE may seem daunting. It’s one big final exam covering all your first-year studies and more. You have only six hours to answer 200 questions, each of which has four answer choices. (In other words, you have just six hours to sort through 800 answer choices trying to find the right one for each question.) The good news is there’s a way to make it a bit more manageable.
Success largely hinges on your ability to navigate through challenging questions with confidence and precision. When you see an answer choice on the MBE that looks completely unfamiliar, more often than not, that answer choice is wrong. The correct answer will probably be familiar to you. It will contain a rule of law or use a line of reasoning you’ve seen before during your BARBRI Bar Review course. So don’t get caught up in wondering if the exam is trying to trick you.
Trust What You Know
If you come across any obscure answer choice, don’t mark it. The knowledge you’ve gained through your studies is your strongest asset.
The purpose of the MBE is to test your substantive knowledge and legal reasoning skills. It rewards both your understanding (not just memorization) of the law and your ability to apply that law quickly and expertly to 200 fact scenarios. You don’t want to spend your time second-guessing the bar examiners or spending too much time pouring over an obscure answer choice. If an answer includes something you’ve never studied in law school or did not see in BARBRI, chances are it’s not the correct answer.
With a systematic problem-solving approach to your answer selections, you’ll reduce the risk of getting caught up in details that are irrelevant to the call of the question. Obscure answers can lead you astray by introducing unrelated details or overly complicated interpretations, especially when you’re under exam pressure. Instead, focus on selecting answers that directly address the question based on established legal doctrines. Form your own conclusion first and then find the answer that most closely matches what you know. You’ll build confidence in your selections and be one step closer to a strong score on the MBE. Learn more about approaching the MBE with confidence.
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