Pace Yourself for the MBE

I spent part of New Year’s Eve attending an NBA game in Indianapolis, where the Indiana Pacers took on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers built a substantial lead, at one point ahead by 21 points in the third quarter. However, they couldn't maintain this advantage and ultimately lost 120-112. This game was emblematic of a recurring issue for the Pacers this season: building early leads only to see them slip away. As of now, the Pacers have experienced 15 such losses after leading at some point, with six of those involving blown fourth-quarter leads.

If you don't follow the NBA, the Pacers were named to honor Indiana’s rich history of auto racing, particularly the Indianapolis 500 and its iconic pace car. For Hoosiers, the idea of setting the right pace—whether on a basketball court or a racetrack—is second nature.

That got me thinking about another kind of pacing: pacing yourself on the Multistate Bar Examination. While you won’t have a pace car leading you on test day, finding and maintaining the right rhythm is critical to crossing the finish line successfully. Pacing yourself is essential so that you don’t lose your momentum, much like the Pacers often do when they fail to maintain their early advantages.

So, instead of taking a page from Indiana’s playbook, let’s learn from their struggles and focus on maintaining a steady pace that ensures you finish strong and explore how to pace yourself for the MBE.

Setting the Right Pace from the Start

The Pacers often begin their games with an explosive pace, building significant leads early on. However, as the game progresses, their inability to maintain that pace often leads to late-game collapses. Avoiding this pitfall on the MBE means starting strong but ensuring you have the stamina to keep going until the very last question.

In the Indianapolis 500, the pace car ensures that drivers start the race at a steady speed, preventing chaos in the opening moments. Similarly, you need to approach the MBE with a measured plan to avoid burning out too early or falling behind. The key is to break the test into manageable chunks so you can stay on track throughout.

For practice, try working in smaller sets of 17 or 18 questions, timing yourself for 30 minutes per set. When doing full-length 100-question simulations, write time markers in your test booklet or notes:

✍🏼 “30 minutes” next to Question 17

✍🏼 “60 minutes” next to Question 34

✍🏼 “90 minutes” next to Question 50

✍🏼 “120 minutes” next to Question 67

✍🏼 “150 minutes” next to Question 84

This same strategy can be applied on the actual exam day. Write similar time markers directly in your question booklet or keep a mental note of where you should be at regular intervals. These markers serve as mental checkpoints, helping you gauge whether you’re on pace or need to adjust. Think of them as your own personal pace car, keeping you steady as you move through the exam.

Avoiding the Red Flags of Rushing or Dragging

The Pacers’ frequent losses after early leads are a cautionary tale of what happens when momentum isn’t sustained. Rushing through the initial phases of the MBE might give you a false sense of progress, but it can lead to careless mistakes and burnout. Similarly, dragging too much at the start can leave you scrambling to catch up, just as the Pacers struggle to recover when their opponents take control.

Just as a driver who pushes too hard early in a race risks blowing out their engine, an MBE taker who rushes through questions risks making careless mistakes. On the flip side, moving too slowly can leave you scrambling in the final stretch.

The solution? Stay in your lane and find your Goldilocks pace—not too fast, not too slow, but just right. Practicing your timing during bar preparation is crucial because how you practice is how you will perform on exam day. If you notice yourself consistently finishing questions too quickly during practice, take a deep breath and slow down to ensure you’re analyzing each one fully. If you’re falling behind, try to make small adjustments to your speed rather than panicking and racing through the remainder of the test.

Planning Restroom Breaks Strategically

In racing, pit stops are carefully timed and calculated. Similarly, on the bar exam, it’s important to plan for restroom breaks during the session. While the test is long and mentally taxing, taking a quick restroom break—strategically timed to minimize disruption—can help you reset and stay focused. A well-timed break allows you to briefly step away, clear your mind, and regain mental clarity, which can improve your performance for the remainder of the exam. These breaks give you the opportunity to recharge, ensuring that you can approach the next set of questions with renewed focus and energy. Incorporating these breaks into your practice sessions can ensure they don’t throw off your pacing on exam day.

Trusting Your First Instincts

When answering MBE questions, one of the most effective strategies is to predict the answer before even looking at the answer choices. This approach helps you engage with the question critically and reduces the influence of potentially distracting or misleading options. Only rely on process of elimination if you cannot confidently predict the answer.

Once you’ve selected an answer, trust your process. Don’t circle back unnecessarily to second-guess yourself, as studies suggest that more often than not, your first instinct is correct. Revisiting questions too frequently can lead to changing a correct answer to an incorrect one, which can be detrimental to your score.

Instead, treat each question as if it’s your only opportunity to score points. Be methodical, systematic, and confident in your decision-making. This mindset will not only improve your accuracy but also help you maintain a steady pace throughout the exam.

Using Every Second on the Clock

Just as the Pacers might benefit from better time management in the final minutes of their games, you can benefit from fully utilizing the time allotted on the MBE. Whether it’s the first or the last set of questions, pacing yourself to stay consistent ensures you don’t falter at the finish line.

In many jurisdictions, you won’t be allowed to leave the testing room early, even if you finish the MBE ahead of schedule. So, there’s no reward for racing to the finish line. Instead, focus on using every second to your advantage. Take the time to carefully read each question, critically analyze the answer choices, and ensure your responses reflect your best reasoning.

If you find yourself finishing early during practice exams, consider revisiting your pacing strategy. Are you truly giving each question the time and attention it deserves? The goal isn’t to finish first; it’s to maximize your score. By practicing deliberate pacing, you can build the stamina and focus needed to stay sharp through the final question.

Just like the Pacers sometimes sprint to build a lead in the first quarter, but falter later, you shouldn’t rush through the first few questions or the first half of the MBE. Instead, pace yourself evenly, ensuring that your mental energy lasts for the entire exam.

The Final Stretch

The MBE is a marathon, not a sprint—or in keeping with our theme, a 500-mile race. By setting a consistent pace by breaking the test into smaller chunks, timing your progress at regular intervals, and trusting your instincts to guide your decision-making, you can manage your time effectively and cross the finish line confidently.

So as you ring in the new year, channel the spirit of the Pacers and the Indy 500 pace car. Whether you’re preparing for February or July, this is your year to set the pace and achieve your bar exam goals.

Happy New Year, and here’s to pacing yourself to success!