Bar-exam guides
Phase-based, not hour-count-based. Two plans — 12 weeks (full-time study) and 16 weeks (studying alongside work or school) — with weekly checkpoints so you know when to push and when to rest. Eli checks in at every phase change: he'll quiz you Socratically before you move on.
The 12-week plan · full-time
Assumes full-time study. Non-UBE takers (California, Florida): swap the MEE columns for your state's essays and add state-law subjects in Phase 1 — see the state guide.
| Weeks | Phase | MBE | Writing | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Learn: Civ Pro, Contracts | Untimed sets, 25/day; error log starts | 1 essay/week untimed; read the essay method | Blank-page rule dump for both subjects |
| 3–4 | Learn: Torts, Evidence | Untimed sets, 35/day; flashcards from misses | 2 essays/week untimed; first MPT walkthrough | Eli Socratic check on all 4 subjects |
| 5–6 | Learn: Con Law, Crim Law/Pro, Real Property | Timed sets begin, 50/day | 2 essays/week, first timed; 1 MPT timed | Full subject rule dumps; timing at 1.8 min/Q |
| 7–8 | Drill: volume | 75–100 timed/day; miss-by-subject tracking | 3 essays/week timed; 1 MPT/week timed | Eli phase check: weakest 2 subjects identified |
| 9–10 | Mixed review | Mixed-subject sets only; first full simulated MBE day | Full simulated writing day (6 essays or state equivalent + MPTs) | Simulated scores vs. targets; repair plan |
| 11 | Polish: repair | Error-log only + light mixed sets | Timed essays on weak areas; MPT format check | No new material after this week |
| 12 | Polish: taper | Light review; rule sheets only | One light timed essay mid-week, then stop | Sleep, routine, test-day logistics |
The 16-week plan · alongside work or school
Same phases, stretched — roughly 3–4 focused hours on weekdays, longer sessions on weekends. The extra four weeks go into Phase 1 (learning) and Phase 2 (drilling), not into more total material.
| Weeks | Phase | MBE | Writing | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Learn: all 7 subjects, ~1/week | Untimed sets, 20–30/day; error log | 1 essay/week untimed; MPT walkthrough in week 5 | Rule dumps per subject; Eli check every 2 weeks |
| 7–10 | Drill: volume | 50–75/day, timed by week 9 | 2 essays/week (timed from week 9); 1 MPT every 2 weeks timed | Weakest-subject repair blocks |
| 11–13 | Mixed review | Mixed sets; full simulated MBE day | Full simulated writing day | Simulated scores; repair plan |
| 14–15 | Polish: repair | Error-log only + light mixed sets | Timed essays on weak areas | No new material after week 15 |
| 16 | Polish: taper | Light review; rule sheets only | Stop writing by mid-week | Sleep, routine, test-day logistics |
Our read: the 16-week plan fails when weeks 1–6 become passive — reading outlines after work feels productive and isn't. The rule stands at any pace: every study session ends with retrieval (close the book, write the rules). If you're too tired to retrieve, you're too tired to study — rest instead.
Pair this with the how-to-study tutorial for the habits behind the schedule.