The bar exam varies depending on what state you’re in unless you’re in a jurisdiction that administers the Uniform Bar Exam or UBE. Since over half the states are now using the UBE, we’re going to focus in this post on the 6 best books for preparing and passing the UBE.

For starters, let’s look at some of the best prep books for the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). And remember, everyone, no matter what state you’re in (except those lucky test takers in Louisiana), will have to take the MBE.

Best MBE Books

The MBE is a six-hour exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions. You have to work methodically through the questions to answer 100 questions during each three-hour block, so you’re going to need to develop an efficient approach, learn the MBE subjects well, and complete a lot of practice problems. Here are some of the best books to help you prepare and succeed on the MBE:

• Strategies & Tactics for the MBE, by Emanuel Bar Review: In addition to a full length practice MBE, this book contains advice on how to tackle questions on each of the MBE subjects and strategies to handle the most difficult questions you’re likely to see on the MBE. There are also 325 practice MBE questions, so you can complete a lot of individual practice problems and strengthen your knowledge on particular subjects.
• Sterling Bar Exam Review MBE Essentials: Governing Law Outlines, by Sterling Test Prep: Similar to your first year law school approach, this book contains outlines of the substantive law tested on the MBE. If the outline approach worked well for you during law school, you can’t go wrong studying from this book. Additionally, Sterling contains helpful advice and strategies for approaching multiple choice questions.

Best MPT Books

Everyone taking the UBE will need to do well on the Multistate Performance Test or MPT to pass. Even some states that do not administer the UBE still use the MPT as part of their bar exam, so the MPT is important for the majority of bar exam takers. Here are a couple of books to help you succeed on the MPT:

• Perform Your Best on the Bar Exam Performance Test (MPT): Train to Finish the MPT in 90 Minutes, Like a Sport: This book contains a quick approach to note all of your research in an organized fashion to allow you to get the most points possible for each essay. There are twelve practice MPT prompts in addition to sample responses for you to review. With that much practice, you’re sure to crush the MPT!
  
• Rigos Primer Series Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) Multistate Performance Test Review: In addition to chapters dedicated to helping you understand and tackle the different MEE tasks, Rigos also includes a chapter on a recently tested topic on the MPT, professional responsibility. Many of the MPT tasks are outlined in detail, so you can get a sense of what the MPT graders are looking for in your responses.

In addition to these great books, don’t forget to look at the series of helpful MPT Study Aids developed by the NCBE.

Best Bar Exam Essay Books

The essay portion of the UBE is the Multistate Essay Exam or MEE. To help you learn the subject areas tested on the MEE and the best approach to efficiently reading, outlining, and responding to the essay prompts, check out the following books:

• How to Write Bar Exam Essays: Strategies and Tactics to Help You Pass the Bar Exam: If you’re looking for a quick read with excellent tips and strategies to strengthen your bar essay writing skills, this is the book for you. The book outlines the four pillars of essay writing and then provides in-depth explanations of sample responses to bar exam essays.
• Rigos Primer Series Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) Review Multistate Essay Exam: This book includes “Magic Memory Outlines” designed to help you remember all of the MEE topics that are tested. The book also contains practice essay prompts and five, full length sample explanations on each topics to help you understand what essay graders are looking for in your responses.

Recap

There are a lot of helpful resources out there to help you succeed on the bar exam. Try a few different books and find the approach that works best for you. It’s going to seem overwhelming at first, but armed with the right books, you’ll be well on your way to passing the bar exam!