Should I study the day before the MBE?

Asked by: Eldridge Ruecker Sr.  |  Last update: January 17, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (2 votes)

Instead of studying the day before the bar exam, we generally recommend that students do the following: Make sure you have everything ready to go in the morning, including your admissions ticket and any writing utensils or laptop software you need. Take a night off. Rest your brain.

Should you study the day before the bar exam?

Don't study. Your brain is like an over soaked sponge. You need to give it a break in order to allow for full absorption. When I said earlier that I usually tell my students that they should do ``absolutely nothing'' the day before the bar exam, not studying is what I am referring to.

What to do night before MBE?

Instead of studying, go for a run, check out that documentary you've been meaning to watch on Hulu, or pick up that novel that's been sitting on your bookshelf. These activities can help take your mind off of the bar exam so you feel a bit recharged before sitting for the exam the next day.

What is the best way to study for the MBE?

10 Expert MBE Tips and Tricks
  1. Memorize the law! ...
  2. Focus on the highly tested topics. ...
  3. Answer questions one by one when you are trying to improve your MBE score. ...
  4. Practice answering MBE questions in a timed setting. ...
  5. Use released bar exam questions. ...
  6. When you answer a question incorrectly, write down the law you don't know!

Should you study the day before a major exam?

Studying the day before an exam can be beneficial, but it's important to balance it with rest. Brief review sessions can help reinforce key concepts, refresh your memory, and boost confidence. However, it's equally essential to get adequate rest to ensure you're mentally alert and focused during the exam.

Should You Study the Day Before the Bar Exam?

16 related questions found

What to do 30 minutes before an exam?

It's advisable to avoid cramming as it can lead to anxiety and fatigue. Instead, a quick and focused review of your study material can help refresh your memory. Additionally, simple relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises or visualizing success, can help in reducing stress.

Should I stay up all night to study for an exam?

However, pulling an all-nighter is not something you should be making a habit of. Lack of sleep is really bad for your body and repeated lack of sleep can have some long-term negative health effects. But, if you know you're going to have to do it – and it should be a last resort, not your actual plan!

What is the hardest MBE subject?

Many aspiring attorneys who have taken or are presently studying for the bar exam, however, appear to agree that the following three topics are the most difficult: Real Property. Contracts. Civil Procedure.

Is 1000 MBE questions enough?

Although there's no magic number, there is a general range of MBE practice questions you should complete. For most students, this optimal range is between 800-1000 questions. This includes both untimed questions and timed sections.

How hard is it to get an MBE?

Anyone can be nominated to receive an MBE so long as they meet the necessary King's honour criteria. An MBE award can be given for all types of different achievement, but it is often given in recognition of community achievements or for a local “hands-on” service that has set an example to others.

Is the MBE getting harder?

We don't think the MBE is getting harder, but that doesn't mean you don't have to adequately prepare. The MBE tests Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts & Sales, Criminal Law & Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. These subjects are divided equally among the 200 MBE questions.

How can I get faster on MBE?

First, make sure you have the rules memorized.

The best way to get faster at answering MBE questions is to make sure you know the rules cold! Learning the rules really well will help you answer questions quickly. You won't waste time trying to think of the rule or eliminate answer choices.

Does anyone ever feel ready for the bar exam?

Most students never feel ready for the bar exam.

It is a very difficult test. And it is extremely normal to want (or feel like you need) more time to study!

Do most people fail the bar exam the first time?

Notably, the most substantial disparity occurred in July 2022, with 36 percent of CALS graduates successfully passing the bar exam as first-time applicants, while only 13 percent of graduates from unaccredited schools achieved the same outcome.

What time should I wake up for bar exam?

Wake Up Early

Make sure to set your alarm nice and early to avoid a last-minute scramble. For example, if you're taking the California Bar Exam, you'll likely have a 9:00 a.m. start time. That means you should be waking up around 6:30 a.m. depending on how far you have to travel to the testing site.

Is the bar exam just memorization?

First, realize that rote memorization alone is not the most effective strategy for the bar exam. You need to fully understand concepts and know how to apply the law, versus just memorizing vocabulary out of context (what we call “legal trivia”).

Is 75% on MBE good?

We suggest aiming for at least 60% to be safe. If you are aiming for an MBE score of 136-140 (which is a passing MBE score in jurisdictions that require a 272-280 to pass) you should aim for 62%-65%. If you are aiming for an MBE score of 144 (which is considered passing in California), you should aim for about 67%.

How many MBES should I do a day?

Play the MBE every day with 34 questions at a time for as many weeks as possible before the exam. BarMax Prep makes this easy, as students get 1,750+ MBE questions from previous bar exams, licensed directly from the NCBE.

How to study for MBE?

Practice makes perfect, and for the MBE taking a lot of practice questions must be a priority. Once you learn a subject area, you can start taking questions for that subject – this is why prioritizing learning the MBE subjects first is important.

Can you fail the MBE and still pass the bar?

The answer, in most states, is yes. In most states, as long as you make up for any lost points on the essay portion of the exam, you can fail the MBE and still pass the bar exam. For example, in New York, you need a 266 out of 400 potential points to pass the bar exam.

Is property the hardest 1L class?

P​roperty really isn't that bad. If you decide to take classes more geared toward intellectual property in your future years, those can get quite tricky. But 1L property tends to be a lot of common, blackletter law. Do your reading, pay attention in class, study, and you'll be more than okay.

How many questions can you miss on the MBE?

That means you'll need to get 115 questions correct out of 190 — or that you can miss up to 75 questions and still pass the MBE!

Is studying the day before a test bad?

Cramming last-minute studying

Cramming the night before an exam is one of the biggest mistakes a student could make.

Is it better to cram or sleep?

When it comes to retaining new information, napping has been proven to be even more effective than cramming. There is a delicate balance between napping just enough and napping too much, though. Limit your naps to 20 to 30 minutes, and plan for naps to end by late afternoon.

Should you drink coffee before an exam?

Caffeine takes about 20-30 minutes to take effect, so it's best to drink coffee about 30 minutes to an hour before an exam. Drinking too much or too close to the exam may lead to jitters, nervousness, and decreased concentration, so it's important to moderate caffeine intake in coffee.