While on the ncbex website, click on mpre and then click on the information booklet. You can download it for free. Also download for free the MPRE VI exam that is available on line.

How to study for the exam:
1.) review the content covered by the exam. The NCBE Information Booklet on the MPRE gives you an outline of the topics covered and the % of questions to expect from each area. Knowing the material is critical. In addition to what you covered in legal profession, the exam tests judicial ethics. BarBri offers a day long lecture in preparation for the exam. See the BarBri rep. I recommend you take the BarBri course and attend the lecture, but if you do not, be sure to get old BArBri outlines of the material available for purchase on line or from fellow students. And be sure you practice.
2.) practice multiple choice questions for the MPRE. You can know the material but if you have not practiced MPRE m-c questions, you will have trouble. The MPRE booklet has 20 or so practice questions in the format now being used; the MPRE VI test booklet contains some 150 practice questions, tho many are of the format no longer being used. They are still good practice questions.
2.a.) read - read - read the key terms presented in the guide and the MPRE VI test booklet. Learn the difference between "proper" and "must" or "may." Note when the question asks for "criminal liability" or "civil liability" or "discipline" or "or "disqualification."
2.b) learn how to read m-c questions. Even if you think you know, read below.
2.c.) go on-line and take the online mpre exam for $24 or so, for practice.

Step one: start by reading the call of the question - not the top of the question. This will focus you on - legal or judicial - which attorney's behavior - am I looking for liability or being disqualified, etc.

Step two: now read the facts once, slowly and careully. Re-read the call of the question.

Step three: now read each choice carefully and make a true-false analysis. You will usually find the word "because" separating the conclusion and the reasoning. Start on the right side of "because." Is this statement true or false? If false, move on.
If true, ask - if this statement is true, is it the reason for the result? Sometimes, it is true but irrelevant. Sometimes, it is true but only a partial reason for the result.

Keep going until you have reasoned through all four choices. Make your best decision, move on, do not change your mind, unless you see something you failed to read the first time. But if you followed this advice, you will not miss much the first time.

I recommend you read the long outline in preparation for each lecture, but if you are not, at least use the long outline as a reference when you write an essay question.

After July 10, try writing the essays under exam conditions - closed book and 30 minute timing, but for now, use the long outline and write them open book.

If you have not yet done so, this week (June 22) would be an ideal time to write one essay on torts, criminal law, and evidence. Next week write essays on constitutional law, property and agency. In that way, you will review the law of five of the six MBR topics for the simulated MBE coming July 6, as well as review the essay topics from early June, as well as practice essay writing. Then the week of July 6, in the evenings after the MBE simulation, write one essay each evening - on IL civ pro, corporations, and commercial paper. Use July 9-10 to write essays on contracts, equity, family and fed jur and wills and to do another MPT.

BarBri gives you a sense of the content but there is nothing like checking out the original source.

If you are not taking the PMBR course nor the BarBri 5-day workshop, you really want to check this out.

NCBE has released two sets of 100 each, actually used questions - MBE Online Practice Exam 1 and 2. Each costs $26 for one year subscription.

You take the exam online. You can ask for only evidence or crim, etc. You can mix them up. You get computer feedback re your progress, along with annotations as to the correct answers and why-written by the same drafters who wrote the question. You can ask for only those questions you have missed in the past.

Both BarBri and PMBR either buy their questions from NCBE or make them up. Both make up the explanations. When using the NCBE Online exam, you are using the original source along with annotations from the actual drafters.

Prof. Schmitz says this is the best investment of $26 or 52 that there is in relation to the bar prep.

go to ncbex.org and look for MBE OnLine Practice exam.

If you do not have insurance through SIU or are not studying here, you may want to find some insurance for the summer. You do not want to have a case of sinus trouble, serious flu, allergy attack mid-way through the summer and let it set you back.

In the past the Rec Center has offered a deal (a lower fee for the 7 weeks you here) to those SIU grads studying here for the summer; the front office is looking into this and we will let you know. This has been a courtesy on the part of the Rec Center and one we have to ask about every year. Linda and Kristy head the effort so we will keep you posted.

If you would like a bar buddy, a recent grad who survived the exam process, with whom you can ask questions and share concerns, see Prof. Schmitz

Last summer, graduates found it very helpful to talk with someone (by phone, e-mail or in-person) who had just gone through the bar– about a schedule, a routine, how to use the materials, how to make the family understand, etc. These recent grads have volunteered to assist you.

WE have a list of recent grads ready and eager to assist. Just let us know that you are interested.

here are some tips for essay writing for the b ar.

1. On Day 1, you will have three essays written and graded in IL in the am, then an MPT, and then six essays written by NCBE but graded in IL in the pm. You will not go wrong by using IL law. In MO, you will have four essays in the am, the MPT, and then six more and MO tends to mix up MEE and MO questions. You will not go wrong by using MO law. The MO questions often require short answers where CIRAC may not work.

2. A well-organized answer is better than one that is not. Also, you need to use some judgment to determine the value of one part of the question over another.

3. Seldom will you address the same law twice. Read all parts of the call of the question before starting to write so that you know what law to use where. Also if you are needing the same law again, it is OK to refer to above, and not re-write the law.

4. For the exam, use non-erasable blue or black ink pens that do not smear. Avoid abbreviations other than P and D (HDC OK) and if making an error, put one line through it. Anything you write in the margins will not be read. Label each part – a, b, c or 1, 2, 3. The graders hate arrows. You have one answer book per question and only one. So plan ahead. I am giving you 2 exam “books” - make your own copies and use this for practice so that you stay within the limits. For typists, the character limit is _____ .

5. Take each question in order, giving it 30 minutes. Do not read all the questions first - you will just worry about them. Be sure you coordinate answer books with question books. The MEE (afternoon) essay and answer booklets are color coded and numbered.

6. For each question, use ten minutes to read and organize and 20 minutes to write. Read the call of the question first, all of the call, then the facts. Organize as below. Then skim the call and facts to be sure you are on target. Only then begin to write.

7. You may organize in the question book, not the answer book. A quick mode of organizing is this, using Equity #24, part 3:

spec perf?
1. K Facts: A&D - K w/G
2. Conditions fulfilled G ready to pay?
3. Legal rem. Inadq. D not enough tiles special design, unique
4. Mutuality Ct can order either party
5. Enforcemt feasible Ct need only super. transfer of tiles
Box and deliver
6. No defenses none apparent

8. Most of the time, you must take a stand. Seldom will you argue both sides.

9. Write in CIRAC fashion, giving the C, I, R, A and C each a paragraph or more - this makes it easy for the grader.
Leave the first 2-4 lines blank for the conclusion.
State the Issue, using the call of the question - this keeps you on target.
State the rule that is relevant to the issue, not every rule you know.
Define terms in the rule that are at issue.
For each part of the rule, show how it is or is not met by using the facts in the problem. Skim the problem for all the facts that can be used to show how the rule has been or has not been met.
If necessary, use CIRAC, RAC, RAC, major C.
Adding policy where appropriate is nice but probably not needed.
Reach a conclusion and now write it at the top as well.

Be sure you are consistent. Do not disagree with yourself.

10. Incorporate reading essays into your review. Work from the highest numbered essay question backwards. The oldest questions are no longer typical. As part of your review, read 4-5 essay questions and spot the issues. See if you can recall the law; if not, review it. If so, move on. When finished reviewing, write out, with open book or notes, 1-2 essays per topic. A week later, try another one closed book. Open if needed. In July, write out another 1-2, closed book in 30 minutes. In July, outline another 3-4. Read at least ten questions and answers per topic.

11. Try to do a variety of issues - not all SMJ, but some SMJ, some PJ, some RJ and CE, etc. See my list so you can be sure to cover a variety.

12. It is a difficult balance to quit telling the grader everything you know with the danger of being too concise. The only sure way is practice; bring answers to one of us to review. We have seen model answers and have a sense of what is wanted.

13. Prepare for the endurance of writing or typing ten essays in one day. Just as BarBri simulates the multiple choice portion, we will simulate the essay portion, using three Illinois (Three Mo for Mo takers) essays, an MPT, and six national essays, on July 21, 9-4, in 202.

14. Bring essays you have written to Prof. Schmitz and she will give some to Prof. Basanta to read. Bring completed performance tests to Prof. Basanta or Robertson.

15. Timing tip for the exam: at the beginning of each exam period, set your watch to 12. You will then know that at 1:30 or at 3, the exam period is over.

Everyone learns differently so we will present three approaches here. You will be wise to consider these, talk with friends, ask your bar buddy, and then do what works for you. But to get you started, here are three suggestions:

Method A. Read first, then lecture, then review, using questions.

1. Read the long outline (the short outline has 40% less material) before class.
Read it in 5-7 page chunks – follow the Roman numerals.
Read one chunk. Then do one of these that works for you:
make a flash card;
take notes;
make an outline or a flow chart;
talk it through out loud to any one or any thing that will listen or to no one;
review the short outline for charts, exam tips, etc.
Just do something with the material to make it mean something to you.
Read another chunk and do one of the above.
After 3-4 chunks, review some essay questions (cover up the answers) or multiple choice questions – just to spot issues and see what you can remember.
Continue until you have read all the material.

4. Listen to the lecture; use the lecture handouts and write in the material requested.

5. After the lecture, review any material you just did not understand when you read it and then heard it.

6. Then go to questions for a review. Test yourself. See the recommended essay questions to be used for testing yourself. They are posted here.

7. Start over for the next day.

B. Questions first, then read, then lecture.

Some of you may find it hard to read the material. You might try this method.

1. Go first to the questions and get a sense of what the issues are.
This works best if you review 3-4 fact patterns around one topic, such as specific performance or termination of an agency relationship.

2. Then when you have a sense of what the issues are, how the problem arises, go to the reading on that topic.
After reading just that material,
make a flash card;
take notes;
make an outline or a flow chart;
talk it through out loud to any one or any thing that will listen or to no one;
review the short outline for charts, exam tips, etc.
Just do something with the material to make it mean something to you.

3. Then examine 3-4 fact patterns (essay or multiple choice) on the next issue and repeat.

Be sure to check off the material that you have read because you may need to go back and read some material not studied using the problem method.

4. Then attend the lecture and use the lecture handouts.

5. Then test yourself with additional questions. See the questions we recommend for testing yourself – we handed these out and will soon post some here.

If using this method, watch for the problem postings we will put here to help you find problems to read.

C. Combined.

Perhaps you will want to experiment to see which works for you or maybe you will use one method of subjects you understand fairly well and the other for subjects that are new or difficult for you.

Agency and Partnership
#26 – form, authority, liability of Partners
25 – limited Partnership
24 - formation and liability of P
23 - P liability and a duty
21 – liability of P to A
20 – independent contractor
19 – termination of P
17 – vicarious liability
16 – actual, apparent, termination
15 – limited liability
14 – liability of P

Trusts and Future Interests
19 - trust revocation, discr. Trust., power of apptmt
18 – lack of def. benefic., tr. Form, cy pres
17 – validity of tr. Creatn, funding, pour over trusts, creditors
16 – lack of def. benefic.,power of appointment
15 – creation of enf. Trust, class gift
14 – distrib. Of estate, RAP, t’tee duties
13 – spendthrift trust, tr termin.
12 – will and tr – revoc. Tr, distrib.
9 - RAP

Wills
30 – disclaimer, lifetime gift, abatement, stock dividends
29 – contrac.will, indept significance, extrinsic document
28 – slayer, advancement, per stirpes
27 – life insurance, joint tenancy, anti-lapse, class gift
26 – revocation, dependent relative revoc., ademption
25 – intestacy, advances
24 – will contests
23 – validity, revocation, distrib.
22 – form., incorp., ademption
21 – incapacity, validity, power of attny
20 – powers of apptmt, specific bequests, ademption
19 – DRR, revoc., holographic
18 – revoc., validity, distrib.
15 - intestacy

Illinois Civil Procedure
50 – attny-client privileges, work product
49 – PJ, service, RTA, venue
48 – class notice, class cert
47 – PJ, preclusion – RJ and CE
46 – jury demand, lmtd discov., atty fees, waiver
45 – joinder of p, amend c/a, MSJ – c’claim
44 - PJ
43 – vol. dism., subst. judges, RJ
42 – PJ, pleadings, RTadmit
41 – amendment, relation back – amending
40 – venue, pleading, joinder, consolidation
39 – pleading, joinder, MSJ, court powers-settlement
38 – PJ, service, amendment
37 – discovery, appeal
36 – venue, vol;. disml, MSJ – affidavits
35 – class cert, MSJ, RJ and CE

Illinois Equity
25 – nuisance – injunction, laches, estoppel
24 – spec. perf., restitution
23 – prelim. Inj.
22 – spec. perf., eq lien, constr. Trust
21 – spec. perf., rescission
20 – unconscion., spec. perf.
19 – duties of t’tees, eq. lien
18 – TRO, spec. perf., eq. defenses
17 – TRO & First amendment

Corporations
20 – LLC
19 - merger, dissenters rights
18 – corp. meetgs, proxies
17 – promoters
16 – corp. pres. Authority
15 – proxies, cumulative voting
14 - dir=s conflicting interests, business judgment, director duties
13 - record date, quorum, election of directors
12 - transfer of shares, stock restrictions, jud. dissolutions
11 - issue options, shareholders rights, preemptive rights
10 - promoter liability, corp power, charities

Family
27 – set aside mediated div agreement, spousal mainten
26 – div jurisdictn, consent to divorce, eq distribution property
25 – div jurisdiction, unwed F’s adoption rights
24 – annulment, sp. Maintenance, void marrg
23 – paternity, child suppt, visitation, d. p. rts
22 – relocation, ch. Support, jt decision-making – child
21 – ch custody
20 – marital property
19 – premarital agreemt, marital property

Fed. Civ Pro

29 – removal, compul c’claim
28 – discov.
27 – relatn back, appeal, sanctions – pretrial conference
26 – diversity jursd., PJ
25 – inj. – non compete clause
24 – MSJ, venue
23 – SMJ, FFC
22 – joinder claims and parties, SMJ – state claim
21 – abstention, class cert.
20 – MSJ, preclusion
19 – forum selection, protect. Order
18 – SMJ, venue, jurisd. State claim
17 – preclusion, appeal, collateral orders
16 – contempt, misc. procedures

Sales

6, 8 – replevin
5 – warranties
4 – damages
3 – nonconform. Goods

Conflicts
11, 12, 13, 15, 16 – conflicts and family law
10 & 14 – conflicts and civ pro
9 – conflicts and wills