Many of my students have been asking me how to best prepare for success on their final exams. My advice differed when I spoke with those who asked a month or more before exams. With them we talked about slow and steady working through the material, outlining, completing many practice tests under timed conditions, etc. To those who ask what they can do just days before their exam, we talked over the best strategic use of the remaining time. One common thread emerged — go in to the exam in peak form –or, well, as close to peak as possible.
For law exams especially, and certainly in many other disciplines as well, you must be alert enough to read carefully, and critically, to do well. I give the same advice to people who want to stay up all night the night before the bar exam: don’t. (“The guy sitting next to you may know a bit more content than you but if cramming that into his head came at the price of being so bleary eyed that by the afternoon session, Ps and Ds all start to look alike, that extra knowledge won’t help at all.”)
For many exams, particularly essay exams, there is simply nothing more effective than walking in well rested, calm and confident –enough to focus closely on every word. Read the essay thoroughly before you begin writing. Read the question two or three times to make sure you understand it. Then, outline your answer. Only then, after reading carefully and organizing your thoughts should you begin writing and completely address the full question.
Law School & Bar Exam Success 