Mass Black Judge

ABA law schools must offer courses covering seven of the areas tested on the bar exam: constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, real property law and torts. In these core classes students often begin building the foundation for bar success.

Consider enrolling in writing electives and for-credit bar prep courses designed to equip future bar takers. Also consider clinical classes for hands-on lawyering practice.

Constitutional Law

Taken together, these courses form an indispensable prerequisite to taking the bar exam. These are courses tested both on the multiple-choice part (UBE) and written portion of MEE; examples of such subjects would include constitutional law, contracts law and procedure criminal procedure evidence real property torts

As soon as possible, enroll in these classes during your first year at law school, when they are most likely being offered. They provide an invaluable starting point to build upon for future legal studies, and may set you up for success on the bar exam.

Start taking courses that feature final exams as soon as you can to familiarize yourself with the evaluation methods used on the bar exam, as well as developing memorization skills which will be essential in bar prep. Closed book final exams at law schools can provide added practice; you cannot bring outside materials into class on test day so retention of material presented must be key!

Contracts & Sales

The American Bar Association has mandated law schools to offer core classes related to areas covered on the bar exam, namely civil procedure, contracts, torts, criminal law and procedure, evidence, real property law and constitutional law. Students taking both multiple-choice and written sections will find these subjects particularly valuable in preparation.

Many students take basic courses in these subjects during their first year as 1Ls; however, to improve your chances of passing the bar exam more successfully and increase your odds, consider enrolling in an advanced litigation course that explores class actions and preclusive effect issues as well as courses that delve deeper into Articles 1 and 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code, both highly testable MBE topics.

Additionally, enroll in a writing elective that can enhance your legal analysis skills and allow you to communicate clearly – this will make the written sections of the bar exam much simpler! Finally, register for any summer bar review courses offered at your law school.

Criminal Law & Procedure

Criminal Law and Procedure of the Bar Exam explores laws related to crime and how individuals who engage in acts or omissions that are considered socially damaging or threatening are punished by law. Students typically complete one basic criminal law course during their first year at law school; however, more advanced courses on topics like sentencing and punishment of offenders should also be taken.

As part of their law school studies, it is advisable that students enroll in courses with final exams. This will familiarize them with the closed book format of a bar exam where no notes or outlines will be allowed; furthermore, mastery of memorization techniques during law school may lead to improved results on test day.

Students considering becoming lawyers should enroll in courses that give hands-on lawyering experience, such as clinical and simulation classes. Such classes will enable a student to practice applying law in real world situations while building practical skills they’ll apply directly towards their career once graduation comes around.

Evidence

Common law traditions dictate evidence rules which determine what types of testimony, exhibits and documentary or physical proof can be submitted into legal proceedings for consideration by judges or juries. The burden of proof typically falls upon the party requesting consideration by a trier of fact, typically either judge or jury. Evidence must come from reliable and credible sources as well as meet specific criteria like relevancy, authenticity and materiality before becoming admissible evidence.

LL.M students often create their own class schedules, particularly at schools offering flexible programs. However, it would be wise to enroll in courses that will prepare you for the bar exam such as evidence and corporation law classes; both subjects are commonly tested both on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) and state essay examinations, so a solid foundation in both areas would provide an edge when approaching them independently.

Consider enrolling in an elective writing course such as advanced appellate advocacy or judicial writing to develop your analytical abilities and learn to clearly express legal analysis through writing. Doing this will make taking the Uniform Bar Exam much more manageable – or look into for-credit bar courses if available at your school.

Real Property

Real Property Law covers how land is acquired and sold, as well as how regulation of properties occurs. This course typically occurs during first year (1L). Residential and commercial property are explored.

Students gain an understanding of the three forms of property (real, personal and intellectual). Furthermore, they explore landlord-tenant disputes and mortgage issues as well as learning to represent clients before planning and zoning boards and develop best practices for drafting real estate documents.

As is typical in law school courses, this class draws heavily upon casebooks that compile court decisions related to specific areas of law. Professors pose questions during class that encourage students to draw extrapolations laws and principles from cases they read; professors will ask students questions during lecture as they attempt to extrapolate those from reading cases they read for each class they take; at the end of semester final exams are taken that account for 100 percent of course grades, creating pressure upon students who may feel this course is one of their more challenging yet rewarding ones despite it all; most agree this course remains one of their favorite in law school.

Torts

United States first-year law students (known as 1Ls) typically follow a set of core classes in Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law and Constitutional Law, Torts Property Legal Writing Research as part of their curriculum. Since these subjects make up such an integral part of passing the bar exam it’s wise to focus on them early when planning your credits for an LL.M program.

As part of its examination of these key areas, the bar exam also tests professional responsibility and several topics pertaining to business associations like partnerships, limited liability companies and joint ventures. NextGen may also include more criminal law topics or even tort law issues like tubal ligation failure or abortions conducted outside medical standards as additional test items.

As you select courses, speak to other 3Ls and alumni about their experiences with certain classes or professors. Their insights may shed light on any difficulty associated with certain courses as well as workload or grading expectations that might be higher than expected. You could also inquire as to the possibility of field placements or externships to fulfill some graduation requirements of your school.

Legal Writing

Although an undergraduate writing background isn’t necessary to excel in law school, learning how to write well for the bar exam is. Writing well is the final expression of your analysis, so even those with great legal minds can struggle on the MBE if their reasoning can’t be expressed clearly on paper. Attending courses dedicated specifically to writing and grammar will help perfect these skills; additionally make sure that at least one class in legal research is taken as well.

New York State Bar Examiners require law students taking the Bar Examination to demonstrate they possess all of the skills and values associated with practicing law by completing 24 credits of classroom instruction; these hours can be met through various upper division courses such as Appellate Advocacy or law review journals.

Consider taking classes that provide closed-book final exams, and avoid courses using an extensive Socratic method unless this suits you well. In addition to strengthening your memorization strategies for the bar exam, enroll in courses which require lawyering tasks like objective memos, persuasive briefs, demand letters and opinion letters–practical exercises similar to what will be included on the Multistate Performance Test section of the bar exam.