Writing Strategies
for the Bar
Bar Exam: Writing vs. MultipleChoice
Bar Exam: Emphasis
on Writing
● 55% of grade in PA (essays & PT)
●
50% of grade on UBE (MEE 30%;
MPT 20%)
● No state weights essays/PT less
than 50%
● Many states weight written
portion over 50% (e.g., AR, AK,
CA, DE, MD, NY, NC, OH), some
as high as 67%
Bar Exam: MultipleChoice (MBE)
● 45% MBE in PA
●50% MBE on UBE
● Learn most of this law in
commercial bar review course
Bottom Line: You must know the
law for both the essays and
MBE and how to use the law for
the Performance Test!
Components of Bar Exam

Different for each state, but generally:

Essays: 6 in PA, 6 on UBE

Performance Test – PA – 1 PT; UBE – 2 MPTs

MBE: 200 multiple-choice Qs, 6 hours

MPRE: Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, 60
Qs, 2 hours, offered 3xs per year
Note: The weight given to each component of the test
varies from state to state.
Overview of WSB

Understand time commitment, skills & techniques
necessary to study for, and pass, the bar

Learn how to write bar exam essays effectively and
quickly, then . . .

Practice, practice, practice!

Self-assess as you go, and meet with Prof.

Learn MBE test-taking strategies

Intro to substantive law study: Themis
Themis Program

Themis Online Program
 Online video lectures and
comprehensive outlines covering
Evidence, Torts, and Contracts
 MUST
review assigned videos and outlines
before designated classes in order to
complete essay and MBE exercises
Instruction and practice on MBE
questions and performance test
 Preview of commercial bar review
course

Commercial Bar Review Courses
versus WSB

Writing Strategies for the Bar (WSB)
 NOT significant substantive review of law
 Teach effective strategies for tackling both
MBE and writing portions of bar exam
 Weekly modules PLUS individual conferences
to review essays
 Significant deconstruction of essays and MBE
questions
 Complete at least two full PTs/MPTs
 Complement to commercial bar prep course
(not a substitute)
Obligations & Expectations

To pass this class:

Complete all assignments

Review all assigned Themis outlines, watch the Themis
lecture videos, and complete assigned Themis MCQ
sets.

Attend all individual conferences
To Pass the Bar, Expect to:

Study 40-50 hrs/week – at a minimum – during bar
prep period

Review/learn 7 subject areas for the MBE: Con Law
(inc. First Amendment), Property, Contracts/Sales,
Torts, Evidence, Crim Law/Crim Procedure, Civ Pro

Review/learn 15 add’l state-specific subject areas,
depending on your state’s bar exam


E.g., Corporations, Federal Income Tax, Family Law,
Decedents’ Estates, Employment Discrimination, Oil &
Gas Law
Create a written
plan to study for the bar
Some Risk Factors

Gaps in substantive knowledge (never took bartested class or got “C” or lower)

Difficulty w/multiple-choice/essay Qs

Low law school GPA

Economic and/or family responsibilities

Family or personal crisis

Test anxiety

Not taking a bar review course

History of engaging in “self-defeating behaviors”
Overcoming the Risk Factors

Start reviewing substantive material sooner (e.g.,
Themis)

Establish study schedule & plan

Arrange finances (bar loans) ahead of time

Make dependent care arrangements

Get exercise; get sleep; eat healthy

Register for & attend bar review course

Pace yourself: you’re in this until end of July

Get a coach (friend or professional)
Four Universal Truths about Bar
Exam

(1) Hard & taxing, but don’t have to get “A”

(2) Passing requires commitment of:



Time

Money and/or financial opportunity loss

Hard, sustained work
(3) Most important thing to ensure pass:

Take control of learning & attitude

Make a plan to succeed
(4) Failing does not mean the end of your
career
Important Dates to Remember



Tuesday, January 26 – 5:30 to 6:30
p.m. – Virtual Bar Fair presented by
BarBri, Kaplan, and Themis
Thursday, January 28 – MPRE
Registration Deadline for March
Exam
Monday, February 1 – graduation
application deadline (apply on
DrexelOne under the Academics
tab)
Assignments

If you have not already done so, please complete
and submit the pre-class Questionnaire

Complete and submit your interoffice memo on the
Bar Exam and Application by Friday, Jan. 15 at 12:00
p.m.

Post to the WSB Intro Discussion Board by 11:00 p.m.
on Sunday, Jan. 17. Then respond to another
student’s post by Wed. Jan. 20 at 11:00 p.m.

Complete the Themis Evidence Homework in
preparation for Module 2