Dayton Docket

For bar-takers this is the final stretch.

They are in their “Two-week Tunnel” when they review the bar subjects they’ve been studying for months.

So what should they be focused on as they enter these last few days? We asked the School of Law’s Director of Bar Preparation, Sheila Miller.

STOP WRITING ESSAYS

For weeks bar-takers have been writing practice essays, but Miller says these final few days are not the time for that. She says instead it’s best to read through essay questions from past bar exams and outline how you would answer them. Then look at the sample answers and see if you spotted the issues and knew the rules of law involved.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Miller says you want to continue to practice answering the MBE multiple-choice questions, but it’s important to time yourself since you’ll be timed during the bar exam.

“You want to make sure you get to “race-pace” when you practice these,” Miller suggests.

GET ON SCHEDULE

Miller says it’s important to do your final studying during the same time period you’ll be taking the exam. So if you need to be up at 7 a.m. on exam day, you should be getting up at 7 a.m. each day.

Also, be sure your schedule includes time for rest.

“You can work hard and still take your breaks and get sleep,” Miller says.

STAY POSITIVE

It’s only natural to be nervous as the exam approaches but Miller says it’s important to have faith in your abilities.

“Maintain the confidence that you can do this,” Miller says.