Should you study the night before the MBE?

Asked by: Ludie Kassulke  |  Last update: September 30, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Studying the day before the exam tends to make students more panicked…which causes them to lose sleep and perform more poorly on the bar exam. Thus, trying to study the day before the exam can be more hurtful than it is helpful. Further, in general, you are not going to learn that much more the day before the bar exam.

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.

Should you study the night before the bar exam?

That's easy. Under no circumstance should you stay awake all night studying for the bar exam. You should study during the same time of day you will be taking the exam, essentially 8 to 5.

Is it good to study the night before a test?

The night before an exam is just a critical step of the process of studying because it can literally make or break your score on the test. Most people don't realize it, but anything that affects your mind or body can drastically decrease or increase your grade on the exam the following 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 the Bar Exam?

44 related questions found

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.

Is it better to study at night or morning?

For example, in April 2017, experts from University of Nevada released findings that indicated young adult students may need to avoid early-morning classwork, as their brainpower was best between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Should you revise the night before an exam?

Stop revising

You might be tempted to cram in some revision the night before your exam, but realistically, you're not going to learn anything new at the last minute.

Is it better to study for a test at night or in the morning?

For some students, morning hours are the best for studying, while for others studying during the night brings out the best results. According to science, the best hours to study are between 10 am and 2 pm, from 4 pm to 10 pm. This is a time when the human brain is in acquisition mode.

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.

How should I sleep the night before a bar exam?

Take a hot bath, read an actual book, listen to soothing music, or engage in other activities that help you to feel calm and sleepy. This signals to your body that it's time for rest and can help you fall asleep quicker.

How far in advance should you study for the bar?

The typical recommendation is that you spend a total of roughly 400 hours studying for the bar exam. If you can manage full-time study of 40–50 hours per week, you should begin about 10 weeks before the exam date.

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.

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.

What time should you stop studying the night before an exam?

I recommend stopping studying 12-18 hours before the exam, depending on the test. This will give you ample time to relax and decompress, ensuring that you come into the exam fresh and ready to crush it.

How to memorize notes in one night?

Simple memory tips and tricks
  1. Try to understand the information first. Information that is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. ...
  2. Link it. ...
  3. Sleep on it. ...
  4. Self-test. ...
  5. Use distributed practice. ...
  6. Write it out. ...
  7. Create meaningful groups. ...
  8. Use mnemonics.

Is it good to not study the day before a test?

It's important to make sure you start studying early! Cramming the night before will only leave you stressed and frustrated. Knowing how to properly prepare for your test can reduce test anxiety and help you get a better grade.

How can I focus 100% on studying?

How to Stay Focused While Studying: 10 Tips for Students
  1. Create a Study Space. To improve your concentration, start by creating a dedicated study space. ...
  2. Make a Study Routine. ...
  3. Set Yourself Goals. ...
  4. Minimise Distractions. ...
  5. Listen to Music. ...
  6. Sleep Helps You Learn. ...
  7. Feed Your Brain. ...
  8. Exercise Regularly.

Is it harder to study at night?

It has been proven that studying in the evening will help you consolidate your learning and improve your recall. Research shows that studying at night can also help you retain new skills like learning a new language. Studying before bedtime can ensure your memory consolidation process is at its peak.

Is 7 hours of sleep enough?

For adults, getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on a regular basis has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

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%.

What are the hardest MBE subjects?

Contracts and Sales: Contract formation, performance, breach, and contract discharge are highly tested topics and make up 50% of the scored Contracts MBE questions. Notice that 25% of the MBE questions cover UCC Articles 1 and 2. See more in the Contracts and Sales portion of our MBE Guide here.

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.