When it comes to bar exam resources there are a few that most people will be familiar with. There are both local and national companies that provide organized bar exam preparation services. Most of these services are fairly well known. However, there are additional bar exam resources that are less well known that can help supplement your studies. The following article provides an overview of these other bar exam resources along with information to help you determine which ones will help meet your bar review needs.
Additional Multistate Bar Exam Resources
The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) makes up a large portion of nearly every state's bar exam. In many cases a strong enough understanding of the MBE alone would be enough for a person to pass the bar. For this reason, a considerable amount of time and effort should be made to learn as much as possible about the MBE. Some bar exam resources focus on the MBE specifically, including:
AdaptiBar -- AdaptiBar's online program targets MBE study specifically. Their program consists of authentic MBE questions written by the National Board of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and includes detailed explanations for all of the answers provided.
National Conference of Bar Examiners -- Of course, AdaptiBar isn't the only company that offers authentic NCBE questions to help you prepare for the MBE. The NCBE itself offers study aids. There is a selection of online practice exams available at their website testing in all MBE subject areas except Civil Procedure, which was only recently added. At present there are a limited number of MBE civil procedure sample test questions available.
Additional Bar Exam Essay Resources
The bar exam essays are possibly the most difficult part of the test to prepare for. Unlike a multiple-choice question it is more difficult for you or a review course to determine whether you have given a good answer. There are a few resources that can help you refine your essay writing skills in advance of the bar exam. They include:
Bar Graders -- Bar Graders provides model answers for each of the essay questions. Their graders are made up of former California Bar Exam staff who use their experience to grade your essays accordingly. Tests can be taken under simulated exam conditions and there are pricing options for one or many practice essays, depending on your needs.
Additional State Bar Resources
The portions of the bar exam that are specific to your state are typically the hardest to find materials for. Unless you are planning to practice in a large market such as New York or California there may not be many options. Fortunately, there are a few companies that have produced materials to help study for the bar in all 50 states.
Lean Sheets -- Lean Sheets provides outlines, charts, diagrams, and flashcards for all 50 states and even include materials for some other markets such as Washington D.C., Guam, and Palau. The company frequently employs mnemonic devices to help remember key concepts and key subjects are reduced to 2-3 page outlines. The concise nature of the materials provided by Lean Sheets makes it an appropriate supplement to your other bar review materials.
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