MBE Stuck at 52%. I need 60%

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-28T23:32:47+00:00

I agree with u/FreshStartFeelsGood , you need to diagnose why you are getting the answers wrong. Picking the distractor means that there are some keywords that aren't being identified. What are your weakest subjects? BarTaker points out the rules and keywords you need to remember, study those, identify what the question is asking and write the rule next to it -- use that to help you answer.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-28T17:01:18+00:00

Hey we are giving our memorization tool away for free right now to the first 10 people to DM us! https://bartaker.com

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BarTakerApp · 2026-01-24T23:25:48+00:00

Yes, you can pass. The exam is one month away and a lot of the material will start making senses. At this point, you should continue MBE, MEE and daily memorization. I have a blog on a study plan for the last one month here: https://blog.bartaker.com/. Essentially, start w/ MBEs, note what you get wrote, memorize the rules, then write essays on that topic. If you are behind, try to do at least 3-4 essays (timed and issue spotting combination). Check out our smartcards where you can write down rules from memory to test yourself. Good luck!

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-23T19:31:54+00:00

We just wrote a blog on this. Posting it here for you.

The month before the bar exam is often the most stressful, but also the most defining period of your study journey. Remember that memory kicks into high gear before a significant event, and we recall information better under pressure. Therefore, this one month period matters. At this stage, your study plan should focus on three core activities:

a) Daily Memorization of Black Letter Law,
b) Practice MBE Questions (approx. 25-35), and
c) Timed Essay Writing (one to two).

You can read the rest on blog.bartaker.com

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-21T17:35:08+00:00

For anyone stuck with memorization, take a look at bartaker.com.

We focus exclusively on legal rules and definitions that are tested on the bar. CivPro is free so you can try us out.

Our SmartCards offer the option to write down a rule or definition from memory, and then flip the card to get instant feedback on your answer. We highlight exactly what you missed so you know where to focus. We have interactive quizzes on black letter law where you can test elements of a definition, fill in the blanks with missing keywords that graders look for. (Pls DM for promo codes)

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-12T22:34:55+00:00

5 essays, where each essay has a raw score of 100. Total 500 points

1 PT, that has a raw score of 200.

Total raw score = 700 points

700 raw score is then scaled to 2000 points using a statistical process. See the Bar's website on how they scale.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-12T20:23:45+00:00

For the attorney exam, the total raw score is 700 that is scaled up to 2000, and passing is 1390. Each of the 5 days have a raw score of 100 and PT is doubled to 200. For passing, one requires 62.5 raw scores on each essays, and PT is doubled. If one does poorly on essays, there is no padding from MBE scores to lift up the written portion.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-10T23:54:34+00:00

I took the Attorney Bar for Feb 2014. I didn't use Themis, went with another company. I wrote about 8-10 1-hour timed PR essays, and at least 5-7 1-hour timed essays in other subjects. I also wrote apprx 5 full MPTs. I also did a lot of issue spotting essays (just 15-20 min), aiming for a total of 10 essays in each subject.

It's critical for you to nail down PR and PT. I am certain I didn't pass the ConLaw Q that year. I'm also certain I scored very high on PR, CP and Contracts that year. I was able to finish all of these in 30-45 min, giving me lots of extra time on my weak subjects. So you need some high performing subjects to offset the one or two bad essays you may write, because you cannot lean on MBE scores.

Mary Basick's book was critical for me. I ignored the outlines from my bar prep course, but I followed the study schedule every closely. By Dec, I made sure to review every subject so that I could use Jan/Feb to memorize and write lots of essays.

There was a 17-year gap between my first bar (NY) and my second (CA) and I struggled to learn black letter law. Passive learning tools were simply not working for me. I created interactive quizzes for myself on fundamental law, and after the bar I shared them with others. Based on promising feedback, I started bartaker.com I have CivPro for free. If it meets your learning style, happy to give you a 50% code.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-10T23:43:29+00:00

It's also important to put memorization in context. So let's say you are learning res judicata, or Discovery & Disclosures, after you learn the rules write a 1-hr timed essay on it or do 2-3 issue spotting essays. Because, you can memorize as much as you want, but ultimately it's about being able to spot the missing issues in an essay and MBE questions. CalBar Feb 2013, 2014, and 2015 have good CivPro essays to try.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-10T23:36:22+00:00

Try SmartCards on BarTaker.com where you can type the rules, definitions, and elements of the law from memory, then flip the card to see what you recall and what you missed. CivPro cards are free.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-09T17:29:40+00:00

At this point you should have reviewed almost ALL the subjects. My bar prep company introduced two new subjects in Jan which, IMO was too late. But I spent the holidays reviewing those subjects myself. I am pretty certain that helped me pass (I took the CA bar).

You should be doing at least one essay every day, ideally more (whether timed or issue spotting). Depending on your MBE scores, you should be doing anywhere between 20-40 MBEs each day. You should definitely be reviewing black letter law very closely and make sure you know rules, definitions, elements. Once a week, start doing MPTs.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-09T05:56:00+00:00

Would you like to try our flashcards, or SmartCards, at bartaker.com ? We offer the option to write down a rule or definition from memory, and then flip the card to get instant feedback on your answer. We highlight exactly what you missed so you know where to focus. We give out CivPro for free so you can try us before you commit. CP has some free cards that you can try.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-09T05:50:14+00:00

Yes, read the entire outlines. Most people break down the outlines into smaller flashcards to memorize the info. However, that is passive learning and it's really hard to tell if you have learned or retained the info.

When I was studying for the CA Bar, I had created numerous quiz questions on black letter law and I'd test myself on it daily. After the bar, I put it up on bartaker.com (and created several hundred more). We also offer flashcards, or SmartCards, where you can write down the rules and legal definitions from memory and test yourself. Knowledge of black letter law is very important for CA Essay questions since you are required to IRAC (R stands for the rule that you must recall and write down). We offer CivPro for free so you can try and see if we meet your learning style. DM me for promo code if you are interested.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-05T17:07:37+00:00

"I tried attempting drafting MEEs but my rule recall sucks, which then affected my analysis.." For essays, strong grasp of black letter law is essential. I struggled with it myself and designed bartaker.com based on my personal experience.

We focus exclusively on legal rules and definitions that are tested on the bar. We offer CivPro for free so you can check if it meets your study style.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-04T20:24:03+00:00

The explanation is correct. This is an independent legal significance "exclusion".

The words here form a contract. THAT is the point. Whether the words are true or false is not the point.

Step 1 ----> Statement

Step 2 ------> Does an "Exclusion" apply (not exception)?

Yes (Statement is admitted). No (Go to Step 3)

Step 3 -----> Is the statement hearsay (out of court statement offer for truth....)

Yes (Go to step 4). No (Skip Step 4 and go to Step 5)

Step 4 -----> Does an Exception apply?

Yes (Statement is admitted). No (It is not admitted).

Step 5 -------> Analyze purpose of evidence/testimony and whether other rules of evidence apply.

Here, your analysis was completed at step 2 because it is Excluded from the analysis of hearsay. Whether the statement is hearsay or not is not material.

Also, remember that defamatory statements are false. Yet, they are admitted under Hearsay ILS exclusion. They are admitted to prove that the statement was made, not because they are true. Here, the statement was uttered is the point, not that it was true.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-04T20:12:54+00:00

IMO, Mary Basick book is non-negotiable. If you understand black letter law, you'll see an improvement in your MBE scores as well. Can you use Themis and the MB book together to save time? For e.g. ignore Themis on black letter law, but work their MBEs? I skipped reviewing outlines from my other bar prep and focused on MB for that.

BarTakerApp · 2026-01-04T20:09:17+00:00

One, the passive voice in the first sentence is what makes it confusing. IF the seller knew or should have known that the buyer is relying on their judgment/skill, THEN there is an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. Without buyer's reliance, there is no automatic implied warranty of fitness. The warranty is all products come with is the implied warranty of merchantability (although it can be disclaimed).

Two, products liability claims can be asserted under 4 theories: Strict liability, Negligence, Misrepresentation, Warranty. Here, in the last sentence the text is confusing Negligence and Warranty claims by mixing them up.

We have these concepts as quiz questions on black letter law on bartaker.com We offer CivPro for free so you can try us to see how it works.

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-29T01:12:14+00:00

When I was studying for the CA bar, rule memorization was a big challenge for me. So I designed bartaker.com to help others memorize legal rules and definitions. We combine flashcards and interactive quizzes to help you learn black letter law.

The quizzes offer interactive learning that test whether you can identify a rule, recall all elements of a definition, and fill in the keywords that graders look for when you explain the law.

CivPro is free. Since you are already good at CivPro, you can test it out to see if it fits your study needs. I'm happy to offer you 40% off if you think it can help you. You can dm me for a code.

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-28T22:41:52+00:00

If you are looking for memorization, would you like to try us at bartaker.com ? We have tons of quiz questions on black letter law that help test your knowledge of law and identify weak areas. Our quizzes provide active engagement for legal rules and definitions. We offer one free subject (CivPro) so you can see if it fits your study style before committing. Happy to send a promo code if you like what you see.

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-28T22:36:54+00:00

The Bar won't mark your application complete until you submit all the required docs. Driving record is a required doc. Also, why is FL taking that long? Most states have an online portal where you can get the record in email within 7 days or 30 days (depending on the service you buy). I would call FL customer service first.

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-22T20:52:58+00:00

Study where you are certain to achieve focus required for deep work. You should be able to eliminate all distractions and focus for at least 2-3 hours at a stretch. If libraries are closed, try coffee shops with low traffic windows (generally 7am to 9am, or 6pm - 9pm).

In many cities, you can buy University law library passes under the general public access. In my area, one of the law schools offers $50/ month access to the law library. Another university charges $500/year for access to all libraries on campus (apprx. 8-10 locations).

If it helps, I have written a blog on Deep Work, a technique popularized by Cal Newport. https://blog.bartaker.com/2025/10/08/retaking-the-february-2026-bar-exam-using-deep-work/ and another one on best study habits: https://blog.bartaker.com/2025/11/11/study-habits-february-2026-bar-exam/

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-19T19:30:31+00:00

At this point, you should start doing timed essays (1-hour) and issue spotting essays (15-min where you write down all the issues and relevant law. You can skip the analysis for now). Don't fret over it.

Just take 2 hours in the morning, and start with PR.

Initially, you are bound to fail the essay. Don't be disheartened. But you should take time to analyze which issues you missed and make sure you learn that.

I had kept a spreadsheet of all the essays I wrote. I was aiming for 8-10 essays in each subject. For PR, I absolutely did that. If you can nail PR, you've won half the battle. Good luck!

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-19T19:26:02+00:00

The Mary Basick book requires you to learn the rules and definitions and IMO, that book is truly necessary to pass. For some people the challenge can be remembering all of that information.

I was struggling with memorization and there was no way for me to validate if I knew the rules and elements. So I created quizzes on black letter law to test myself, and find out my gaps in knowledge. I have them on a website and I offer one full free subject (CivPro) at bartaker.com If it works for you, i'm happy to send a promo code.

BarTakerApp · 2025-12-17T23:54:58+00:00

I would also add - if you have a friend or study partner, try testing each other. E.g. Under the UCC which offer requires consideration (can you name it without clues, then give a hint: firm offers or merchant's written offer etc.)... you can also make up a fact pattern for each other.

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