Bar Exam Test Prep in NYC

What To Expect When Taking The Bar Exam

With all of the difficulties that come with being a law student, the biggest stressor is most likely the dreaded Bar Exam. This exam is what determines a NYC law student’s future in becoming an attorney. Jurisdiction does not grant law school graduates access into the playing field without a passing test score on the Bar Exam, meaning that students living in various NYC neighborhoods need all of the help they can get when it comes to test prep. At CATES Tutoring, we have experts in the law field and Bar Exam tutors here to assist any student looking for a boost when it comes to test prep. CATES provides NYC students with excellent study plans, individual sessions, and the best test preparation there is to offer. Book a session with one of our knowledgeable instructors today and you are guaranteed to see improved test scores.

NYC Bar Exam Prep With CATES Tutoring

This exam tests individuals on their knowledge of the law in a specific state and grants them eligibility for selection into the field if passed. Each state has the right to administer their own exams and does not have to follow the protocol. The most common Bar Exam is the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and is broken up into two 6-hour testing days. Day one covers the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT) that explore the understanding of fundamental legal principles and are designed to evaluate skills to apply to real-life situations. Day two of the exam makes up the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) and tests all subjects of the law such as the ability to apply the legal principles, practice legal reasoning, and examine fact patterns. Twenty-six states in the U.S. have adopted the UBE while the other twenty-four have decided to create their own scoring scales, determine particular passing score rates, and manage the possible requirements of added exams.

The Bar exam was created for students who have graduated from law school and are beginning to enter the government workforce. No jurisdiction will accept applications without a passing grade on the Bar exam. This exam is very state-dependent and depending on which state in the U.S. you live in, there are different rules. There are four states in the country that do not require individuals to have gone to law school to take the Bar: California, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington. That may sound like a sign of relief for some, but it only gives these states the excuse to make their tests even more difficult along with higher passing scores.

Each state has the ability to make their own rules and regulations for the Bar Exam. Because twenty-six states take part in using the UBE, scores can be transferred to each of those states within a specific time frame from 2 to 5 years. But if you took a state-specific exam, your scores can not be transferred and you must retake the exam in that state in order to qualify for acceptance. This is a costly decision to make so it is important to do research before coming to a final conclusion.

When is the best time to take the Bar Exam in NYC? There aren’t many options. Depending on the state, the exam is offered twice a year, once in February and another in July. Due to the fact that there are only two options, this leaves plenty of time for studying and test prep. If you are scheduled for the February exam, it is suggested to begin studying in late December and if you are scheduled for the July exam, you should begin studying in late May. These two dates were decided upon because a student can only take the exam after graduation.

Becoming a working member of the government, especially in law, is a massive job that could destroy real lives in a matter of minutes. There are specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are needed to become an attorney and this test is in place to determine that. The exam is very challenging because only the best of the best individuals should be allowed to serve in the law field. CATES Tutoring is happy to lead NYC-based law students down the road of success. Book an appointment today to begin your academic journey.

Taking A Closer Look Into The Bar Exam

There are many different aspects of the Bar Exam so it’s best to start test prepping with CATES Tutoring as soon as possible. Mentioned earlier, there are state-specific exams and then the Uniform Bar Exam. Step one is deciding which one is best for you. Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown of the UBE and state-specific exams.

The UBE is favored over state exams, with over half of the United States adopting it. Day one of the Bar Exam is for the Multistate Essay Examination and the Multistate Performance Test which is made up of six-hours of writing. The MEE portion allows test-takers to show more creativity and express their knowledge when it comes to real-life scenarios. Created by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, test-takers will answer six 30-minutes questions that cover several fundamental points in law:

• Identify legal issues raised by a factual situation
• Recognizing Relevant vs. Irrelevant information
• Present a reasoned analysis of the relevant issues in a concise manner
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental legal principles relevant to the presented issue

According to the NCBE, the Multistate Performance Test covers two 90-minute essay questions packed with legal analysis, fact interpretation, problem-solving, resolution of ethical difficulties, organization and management of a lawyering task, and communication. This essay is for NYC test-takers to prove that they can put their skills to the test in realistic situations.

Day two of the exam is dedicated to the Multistate Bar Exam which covers 200 multiple-choice questions on overall competence of law such as civil procedures, contracts, constitutional law, civil law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, real property, and torts. This six-hour portion requires steady concentration, hours of studying, and a great test prep tutoring service like CATES.

How To Calculate Your Bar Exam Score

The Uniform Bar Exam is weighted with the MBE being the highest at 50%, the MEE at 30%, and the MPT at 20%. There is a 400 point scale used to measure the entirety of the exam. The MBE is scored by the NCBE and worth 200 points. Because each jurisdiction is different, there is not a definitive passing score so you should aim to reach the most points possible. The MEE portion is graded out of 120 by the jurisdiction and they are specifically looking for your ability to identify correct procedures, use facts to support your reasoning, and reach a final conclusion. This section is something that test-takers have been working on since they’ve started law school and should almost seem second nature to them. The final 20% of the UBE is graded out of 80 points. In the performance portion, you are given a case file with a real-life example and are responsible for presenting the facts. Jurisdiction is looking for the correct analysis and application of the law after you’ve determined your verdict.

Raise Your Bar Exam Scores With CATES Tutoring

Whether you are taking the Bar Exam in February or July, it is never too early to begin test prep. At CATES Tutoring, preparation for the Bar Exam begins with a meeting with our trained law tutors. Students living in or near NYC will gain knowledge in essential concepts of the law with help from our experienced instructors. With backgrounds in legal practice, we ensure that Bar Exam test-takers are prepared and confident going into their exam. With establishing test-taking strategies and developing excellent study skills, NYC law students will gain the fearless energy they need when it comes to taking their Bar Exam. Dial at (212) 252-2195 to connect with our Bar Exam tutors today.