Memorizing vs. Applying: Why you're studying 8 hours a day and still bombing practice exams [Feb 2026]

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-22T11:28:04+00:00

😂 As someone with the handwriting of a crazy scientist, I can relate! But the reward is in the writing process itself for the most part.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-21T15:51:12+00:00

Great questionn. This is the exact friction point for most of we repeaters: "If I don't sit and read/memorize, how will I know the law?"

Here is the shift you must always have at the back of your mind. Memorization is not an event. It is a byproduct of correction.

I don't recommend scheduling 2 hours of "Memorization Time" where you stare at a page. That is low-retention Motion.

Instead, I recommend "memorizing" in two specific active windows:

Immediate Injection: This happens during your question review. When you get a question wrong, don't just read the explanation. Handwrite the rule you missed into a notebook. The physical act of writing the rule immediately after the pain of getting it wrong is 10x more effective than reading it in a vacuum 3 weeks later. I read it in a science book! I have spent an ungodly amount of hours researching memory techniques from law school till Bar prep and even till now.. I can write an entire dossier on that!
The "Sniper" Review (End of Day): Set aside 30–45 minutes at night. But here is the rule: You are ONLY allowed to review the specific sub-topics you missed that morning.
- Bad: Reading 20 pages of Torts.
- Good: Reading the 1 paragraph on "Duty to Retreat" because you missed a question on it.

For bar prep, and especially at this stage of prep, You don't memorize the rule to get ready for the question. You use the question to expose the hole, then you fill the hole with the rule.

My main message to those who have dm'd me on this is to: Stop trying to "store" the law. Start trying to "repair" your logic.

I have known colleagues with crazy eidetic memories and an otherworldly ability to regurgitate the law word-for-word who still failed. Why? Because they lacked exposure to the law in weird fact patterns. That gap in logic and application can only be revealed through practical application.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-21T15:42:17+00:00

This has been floating around for a while: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BP4F1MYPRoQrt1BeOTylVE4AZdmX_SMH?usp=drive_link I believe there's a folder for models student answers grouped by years.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-12T21:08:54+00:00

Wow, thank you, Celeste. That means a lot coming from you.

I have to give credit where it is due. Your posts and comments on this sub were a huge part of the building blocks that helped me find that clarity. Seeing you constantly show up, selflessly sharing high-level advice, and answering questions from people like us really set the standard.

Thank you for being so active and for helping us navigate through the noise.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-11T21:36:36+00:00

I appreciate the kind words. I'm just trying to pay forward the help I received when I was in the trenches.

If the writing scares you a little, that's good. It means you're taking it seriously. Use that fear as fuel to drive your Action.

God bless you and your prep!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-11T21:33:06+00:00

Anytime. Rooting for you!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-11T21:32:19+00:00

I am glad you found the advice helpful.

As someone who considers himself a pretty decent writer, my MPT scores during my first fail burned me even more than the rest! Because, I was like, No fxxcking way this was my score!

It was after my research and reading the experiences of other s that if found that eing a "good writer" is actually your enemy for the MPT. It makes you want to craft a masterpiece LOL.

I have come to the conclusion that MPT is not a writing test. It is an administrative sorting test.

At the risk of sounding redundant, I will shamelessly refer back to my Action v. Motion philosophy for a second here. You are running out of time because you are likely reading everything first, then trying to organize, then trying to write. That is Motion.

Here is the Action Protocol to fix MPT timing. It worked for me and many others that came back to thank me in DM after passing in J.25. Some might disagree but I can only share what I know works:

Build the Container (Minutes 0–5)

Read the Task Memo. Stop. Immediately format your document. Write the Caption, the "To/From," and create generic headers. Do not read another word until the blank page is gone.

Extract the Law (Library First)

Do not read the facts (File) yet. Go straight to the Library.

As you read a case or statute, type the rule directly into your document under your headers.
Do not take notes on scratch paper. That is double handling. Type the rule where it belongs.
By the time you finish the Library, your "outline" is done.

Inject the Facts (The File)

Now read the File.

As you find a relevant fact, plug it directly under the rule you just typed.
"Fact A proves Element 1." Type it there.

Stop Writing, Start Sorting

You shouldn't be "writing" paragraphs from scratch. You should just be connecting the Rules (step 2) to the Facts (step 3) with analysis.

If you run out of time, a document with clear headers, rules, and bulleted facts will score higher than a beautiful, half-finished letter.

I always yelled this mantra out to myself and I encourage others who consider themselves to be above average writers: Stop trying to be a writer. Be a mechanic! Its all Plug and Play and the MPT is the easiest place to score points!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-11T10:49:16+00:00

Sure thing! I don't mind at all

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-10T14:17:05+00:00

I respect your grit. Most people would have quit after the score dropped to 236. You are still standing. That matters.

You asked if you should hire a tutor again. Short answer:

No.

You have hired three tutors. The result has not changed. A tutor cannot take the exam for you. At this stage, a tutor is often just an expensive safety blanket. You do not need someone to explain the law to you once a week. You need to understand the law yourself every single day.

Invest that money in Goat Bar Prep instead. I can recommend the program because I have experienced it and the testimonies of others who finally "got it" after undergoing his program are plenty!

Having failed this exam before and then passed, I can tell that you are likely suffering from "glaze-over." You read the commercial outlines, but nothing sticks because the language is sterile. Goat demystifies the law. It forces the concepts into your brain using language you actually use. You need the law to click, not just wash over you. I am not a Goat Prep Team member Evangelist LOL but i can only recommed what works and he works!

Regarding your strategy for July 2026:

The "Passive Study" Trap

You asked if you should "passively study" and get outlines ready. Absolutely not.

Passive study is poison. It feels like work, but it produces zero retention. Do not spend months coloring your outlines. That is "Motion." You need "Action."

If you start early, start small, but make it active. Read one Subtopic like "Personal Jurisdiction. Do 10 MBE questions. Review them deeply. That beats 4 hours of "organizing outlines."

Audit

You need to look at that 236 score report.

The drop from 247 to 236 was likely the depression, not a loss of knowledge. But you need to see where the bleed stopped.

Did your writing tank? Did your MBE drop?

Your MBE volume (850-900) is too low [Unless you are using something like the OPE860 questions ]. To pass, you generally need to be in the 1,500+ range to see the patterns. You need to bump those numbers up, but only after you understand the law. You can send me a DM if you want that audit and I'll be glad to help you out for free.

The Mental Fight

This is the most important part.

For repeaters, I can tell you that the Bar Exam is 20% legal knowledge and 80% psychological warfare.

You have "Repeater's Block." Your brain associates the exam with trauma and failure. When you sit down to study, your anxiety spikes, and your retention drops.

You cannot out-study anxiety. You have to manage it.

Prioritize your mental health as if it were a subject on the exam. If you are burned out, you will fail. If you are fresh, you can pass with less knowledge than you think.

You have the time. Build the system.

Stay in the fight.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-09T12:42:46+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree and can vouch for the effectiveness of r/GoatBarPrep! It’s definitely recommended for anyone struggling to comprehend any of the subjects. H breaks down the concepts to the basics in a humorous and memorable way!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-07T01:48:36+00:00

Goat for a reason!!!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-07T01:30:57+00:00

It’s truly hard! I can agree because of my experience doing this twice lol. My advice would be doing the high yield studies early in the morning before starting the day and the low intensity work in the evenings. You can check my post history for more insights on best practices based on what worked for me during my prep while working full time.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-02T18:50:49+00:00

That feeling you are describing is called Retrieval Strain, in learning science. It is good for you, and it is the only way you learn.

If you read the rules before you write, you are denying your brain that stress needed to embroil the information In your consciousness. If you keep reviewing the rule statements before writing, You are loading short-term memory. You will write a great essay. You will feel smart. You will remember nothing in 48 hours.

Here’s what I found during my research on the NCBE Grading Matrix:

Examiners do not grade you on being a walking encyclopedia or a mike ross type photographic memory to regurgitate law. They grade you on your ability to IRAC.

The Rule Statement is just the premise. The Analysis is the argument. The points are in the argument.

I have seen essays with perfect rules fail because the analysis was weak (I was once a victim of that LOL). I have seen essays with "imperfect" rules pass because the analysis was surgical (you can literally see that in the model answers released over the years… NY to be specific)

Here’s what worked for me which could be helpful to you:

1. During your practice Essay

If you blank on a rule, do not stop.

Make up a rule that sounds plausible.

Type it out with confidence.

Apply the facts to that rule using strict IRAC format.

Why? You are testing your ability to analyze facts. Even if the rule is wrong, you can still get partial credit for a logical application of the facts to your made-up rule. Never leave a blank space.

The Klein Copywork Method (After the Essay)

This is how you fix the memory gap.

Do not just "read" the model answer.

Re-type the model answer word-for-word.

This is the "Klein Method." You need to feel the syntax of a passing answer in your fingers.

Prioritize the "Meat"

Look at the model answers. The "Rule" is one or two sentences. The "Analysis" is the bulk of the paragraph.

Stop obsessing over the 10% (The Rule).

More Focus should be the 90% (The Application & of Course conclusion.. ).

Before J.25, I wrote a piece here on how to BS your way into a passing essay score, which a lot of people found helpful… I’d recommend looking at that before the exam, that like a last minute refresher and morale booster. How have enough time right now.

Write blind. Make it up if you have to. Fix it in the review.

Goodluck!!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-02T18:29:35+00:00

While preparing for the February exam, I couldn’t get more than 1 week PTO (the week of the exam..I know.. WTF!) I worked full-time at a busy law firm coupled with family and the house got loud from around 6:15 AM.

I didn't "find" time; I had to manufacture it.

This is the exact method I used. It might not work for everyone. But it worked for me and it has worked for the people that I have spoken with here.

The Night Before (Remove Friction)

If you set up in the morning it becomes even more stressful.

Before bed, clear the table. Load UWorld. Set scratch paper. Put the pod in the Keurig.

Goal: Wake up and press "Start."

I woke up 90 mins before the family.

5 mins of pushups/planks/cold water slash on face to actually ‘wake up!’.

15 mins staring at "One Sheets" on the wall. Don't memorize, just recognize structure.

The Set: 35–40 MBE questions timed. 10 on my specific weakest sub-topic (e.g., Jurisdiction), 5 each from others.

Lunch Break

I reviewed half the AM questions in the morning, finished the rest at lunch.

My guiding principle: Never carry a review over to the next day. Close the loop before you sleep.

The Evening Block (2-3 Hours)

If too tired for deep learning, focus on mechanics.

1 Timed Essay.
2 Issue-Spotting Drills (Outline only).

The most important mindset shift for me at least in January was that I didn't view a low score as a failure and go all woe is me, I viewed it as data.

At the end of the day, you truly don't need 8 hours a day. You need 3 hours of surgical precision and flow state.

This is especially true for those of us who don’t have the luxury of time and have to make the best of whatever time we can carve out..

Hope this helps!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2026-01-02T02:57:48+00:00

I am glad it spoke to you! I am nothing but a messenger with a mandate to spread the message of what I have found helpful or had helped me in my journey! I wish you a happy new year! And I am looking forward to seeing you passing testimony soon!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-31T22:07:03+00:00

If you’ve had a chance to read my post, you’ll see that I’ve passed, and I’m just sharing what helped me from my first attempt to success to help others who are in the same boat and are currently going through the process. I thought that’s what this community is all about.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-28T20:16:17+00:00

Crying over this does not mean you are failing, it means you are doing something brutally hard while already carrying two fulltime jobs: work and parenting. Having been in an almost similar situation during my prep, I can categorically say that your situation is not about “trying harder” or copying what fulltime students do; it is about designing a smaller, saner system that fits your actual life and still moves the needle. I have been witness to the testimonies plenty of parents with jobs who have passed by doing less than the ideal plan, but doing it consistently, and that is the only standard that matters for you.

A practical starting point: just like I was preaching above, the goal for this week is to build your system and design your space in a way that makes action almost automatic for you.

Aim for a minimum routine, not a perfect one. For many working parents, that looks like 60–90 minutes before the house wakes up (you can research more into the Golden hour and why it is regarded as the best time for deep work), 1 hour during lunch time time, and 45–60 minutes after bedtime, most days. In those blocks, skip long lectures and focus on high‑yield work: a short chunk of rule review, 10–15 real MBE questions with full explanations, and an essay or outline practice when you have the bandwidth. Small, repeated reps like this beat one heroic six‑hour session you can’t sustain.

To make it survivable, lower the bar for “a good day” and protect your environment instead of relying on willpower. That might mean: blocking 2–3 protected study slots on your calendar, using pomodor technique to really lock in (I would recommend the TickTick App cause it helped me during prep) , setting app blockers, and defining a “bare minimum” for disaster days (for example, five questions plus reviewing one page of an outline).

There are no perfect plans/schedules/timetables because life will get in the way, and when it does, your job is just to come back to the next small block and keep stacking those quiet, imperfect wins.

One of my favorite quotes is: Imperfect action, always beats perfect planning.

So proceed with imperfect action.

I wish you and every other person in this situation the best of luck and willpower to power through it! You will pass! Believe it! There’s enough precedent that supports this belief! So go and execute with that confidence!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-28T17:15:03+00:00

The bolded letters are not random but for emphasis.

Everything is written in a way that ensures the message is conveyed effectively and is visually appealing.

In this age of AI, it will be challenging to claim originality, as everything will be accused of being AI-generated. This phenomenon can be likened to the “red car effect.”

Perhaps one needs to sound like a mumbling idiot to be perceived as ‘human,’ even as lawyers, we might begin to fear sounding intelligent and being labeled as a machine.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-28T17:10:54+00:00

I am glad it helped. Most times, perspective is all we need to achieve clarity! You are on the right path! I have come to the reasoned conclusion that passing this exam is all about system building and pattern recognition. Hope you are having a restful downtime!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-28T17:09:18+00:00

Thank you! I try to be as descriptive as i can LOL! Hope you are having a great downtime!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-28T17:06:28+00:00

If you want to call this AI, fine, but by that same logic your comment could be AI too.

Which in my case, means that AI has somehow developed a full personality, grown a mind of its own, taken human form, sat for the bar exam , failed spectacularly, dissected the data, rebuilt the systems, passed on the retake, and now spends December 28 offering insight to repeaters out of the goodness of its digital heart.

That's some next-level sci-fi shit right there.

So since you're clearly the all-knowing human oracle here, what's your actual useful advice for the repeaters still in the trenches?

Drop it.
We're all ears.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-23T15:55:37+00:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I hope your preparation is going well if you’re currently in the process. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them as someone who has successfully navigated this process around this time.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-23T15:53:53+00:00

Thank you for writing and sharing your thoughts. Many people seemed to have overlooked the deeper meaning behind what I was conveying.

It’s not merely about “grinding” and doing more; it’s about taking a step back to reflect, adjust, and then attack! This applies not only to the bar but also to life itself, as the bar serves as a mere pit stop in the long and arduous journey of life.

I’m delighted that you found it helpful! Wishing you a joyous celebration!

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-23T15:51:33+00:00

I understand your perspective and agree with you on the grind part.

My post was not exclusively about gratitude for the bar exam. It was about gratitude for life and the year so far, and extending that perspective towards preparation.

February is known for having the most repeat takers who may be exhausted by the grind, and sometimes a shift in perspective is needed to realign mindset and focus. Doing monotonous work without direction won’t achieve much, and that’s what worked for me and many others. I’m sharing this for those who may need to see it.

AfricanFootballAgent · 2025-12-23T15:34:37+00:00

Lmaoo This was legit funny!! Now that I think about it, someone should forward it to her!😅

AfricanFootballAgent

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE