Table of Contents
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The weeks leading up to final exams can feel daunting for most law students. This checklist will help keep you organized and feeling prepared to do your best on your essay exams.
- Confirm the Exam Style. An easy starting point for exam prep is figuring out what type of exam you’ll be taking. In general, essay exams can be given in either a closed-book or an open-book format. Because your preparation strategies might be different depending on whether your exam is closed-book or open-book, it’s important to know which type of exam your professor will be using. It’s also important to know how long you’ll have to complete the exam and whether the exam will be in-class or take-home. Mastering these types of logistical details will let you set expectations for the exam and help you feel more confident that you’re preparing as effectively as possible.
- Create Your Outline. Outlining is the process of synthesizing your class notes, case briefs, and other relevant information into one document. Creating a thorough outline will help you develop your understanding of the legal rules, including how the rules work and how they apply to fact patterns you’ll encounter in your exam.
- Know Your Outline. Once you create your outline, you should know it inside and out. Spend time studying the rules and creating plans of attack for the most likely issues you might see on the exam. If your exam is open-book, you can also spend time creating issue-spotting checklists and ensuring that your outline is easy to navigate on exam day.
- Take Timed Practice Essays. A major factor in exam stress is the fear of the unknown: What questions will I be asked? Will I be able to spot the issues and remember the rules? Will I have enough time? Of course, there’s no way to know exactly what your exam will look like on exam day. But taking timed practice exams is the best way to hone your skills and increase your confidence in your ability to spot issues, apply rules, structure your legal analysis, and manage your time. Quimbee’s library of 219 practice exams, including 30 practice exams for each 1L subject, gives you everything you need so you get the practice necessary to feel confident on exam day.
- Review Model Answers. Once you’ve taken a practice exam, it’s important to spend time thoroughly reviewing the model answer. Comparing your own answer to the model may be intimidating, but in the end, it will help you reassure yourself about what you’re doing well. It’ll also identify areas where you might need additional practice and review. Each Quimbee practice exam includes a model answer written by a real law professor.
- Review Past Exams. Many schools and professors make past exams available for students. Reviewing these exam questions can help you get a sense of the issues your professor likes to test and how your professor structures questions, which can give you a better idea of what to expect on exam day.
Take Time for Self-Care. Some stress can be motivating, but too much stress can negatively affect your ability to perform your best on your exams. It’s important to develop strategies for managing your exam anxiety and to build time for self-care into your study routine. It’s also important to get a good night of sleep before the exam and take a few deep breaths right before you start the test, just to make sure your brain is ready for peak performance.
Make your first attempt at the bar exam your last with Quimbee
- 91% bar exam pass rate*
- 100% money-back guarantee
- 1,600+ real questions from past bar exams
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