Tackling Ties: Columbia Football’s Win and Bar Exam Lessons
As a Yale graduate with a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia, I’ve always had a soft spot for my schools’ athletic pursuits—because, honestly speaking, there aren’t many.
Yesterday, the Columbia Lions football team achieved something monumental: a share of its first Ivy League title in 63 years. This historic moment was made possible by two pivotal events: Columbia's victory over Cornell and Yale's triumph over Harvard. At the end of the day, Columbia ended up sharing the Ivy League title with Dartmouth and Harvard, who all went 5-2 in conference play.
In the Ivy League, ties in the standings mean teams share the championship. This tradition, without tiebreakers, is a charming throwback in a sports world increasingly dominated by playoffs and eliminations. It got me thinking: what does a tie mean in bar prep?
Just as the Ivy League embraces ties as part of its history and tradition, the bar exam teaches you to navigate situations where answers or arguments feel equally balanced. Whether it's narrowing down two plausible multiple-choice answers or deciding between competing arguments in an essay, bar prep equips you to "break the tie" with critical thinking and sound judgment.
Here’s how to approach ties effectively, broken down into strategies for MCQs and essays.
Breaking the Tie in Multiple-Choice Questions
Many students say, “I can narrow it down to two, but I always seem to pick the wrong one.” This common struggle stems from overthinking or second-guessing yourself, which often leads to talking yourself out of the correct answer. The wrong choice tends to look tempting because it may include factually plausible but legally irrelevant details that distract from the rule being tested. Understanding this design can help you break ties more effectively.
Why Does This Happen?
The bar exam tests your ability to focus on the application of the law to the facts presented, not to speculate or overanalyze. When you narrow it down to two answers, the correct one is usually grounded in the clearest and simplest application of the relevant rule. The distractor, on the other hand, might appeal to your intuition or include an "almost correct" interpretation of the facts, which creates unnecessary doubt.
Actionable Tips to Break the Tie:
1. Revisit the Call of the Question
Always start by re-reading the call of the question. Is it asking for the general rule, an exception, or the best conclusion? Stay laser-focused on what is being tested.
2. Eliminate the Outlier
Ask yourself: does this answer directly address the question? If one answer includes a "what if" scenario or focuses on tangential facts, it’s likely the distractor.
3. Trust the Specific Rule
The bar exam rewards precision. The correct answer usually aligns with a specific element of the rule rather than generalities or unsupported assumptions.
4. Stop Second-Guessing
Your initial instinct, based on preparation and practice, is often correct. Spending extra time debating between two answers increases the risk of overthinking and switching to the wrong one.
5. Practice with Timed Questions
Simulate the pressure of test conditions. Practice identifying the distractor quickly and moving on to avoid overanalysis.
Breaking ties in multiple-choice questions is a skill you can develop. By focusing on the facts that matter, trusting your knowledge of the rules, and recognizing the traps built into distractors, you’ll increase your accuracy and confidence under exam conditions.
Resolving the Tie in Essays
In essays, the key to breaking ties lies in making a definitive choice while demonstrating your ability to reason through both sides of an argument. Unlike multiple-choice questions, where you select a single correct answer, essays require you to articulate why one side of an argument is stronger while still addressing the counterargument.
Why Does This Happen?
Legal issues are rarely black and white, and bar exam essays are designed to reflect this ambiguity. Questions often present two plausible outcomes to test your ability to analyze the law, apply it to the facts, and make a persuasive argument. Students sometimes fall into the trap of treating essays like a "tennis match," bouncing between both sides without committing to a clear conclusion. Graders want to see not just that you can identify both arguments but also that you can determine which one prevails and explain why.
Actionable Tips to Break the Tie:
1. State Both Sides Clearly, Then Choose
Acknowledge the counterargument to show a balanced analysis. For example: “On one hand, the defendant may argue that their actions constituted reasonable self-defense because … On the other hand, the plaintiff may contend that the force used was excessive.”
Follow this by clearly explaining why one side is stronger: “However, because the defendant’s actions exceeded the scope of reasonable force, they are unlikely to succeed on a self-defense claim.”
2. Focus on the Application of the Law
Graders care more about how you apply the rule to the facts than the conclusion you reach. Use legally significant facts to strengthen your argument and explain why the counterargument is less persuasive.
3. Avoid a "Tennis Match" Structure
Don’t just alternate between arguments without resolution. Present each side briefly, but spend the majority of your time analyzing why one argument outweighs the other. This shows decisiveness and legal reasoning.
4. Prioritize Organization and Structure
Use headings and logical flow to guide the grader through your response. A well-organized essay with clear issue statements and concise paragraphs will score higher than a scattered response, even if the substance is similar.
5. Practice Writing Decisive Conclusions
Strong conclusions reinforce your analysis and leave a positive impression. Summarize why your chosen argument prevails, tying it back to the question prompt to ensure your response remains focused. See my previous blog post, “Give Conclusion and Issue Statements the Attention They Deserve.”
Breaking ties in essays is about showing your ability to think like a lawyer. By clearly articulating both sides, making a persuasive case for one, and maintaining a structured, professional tone, you demonstrate the skills graders are looking for—and set yourself apart as a confident and competent bar exam taker.
Ties and Triumphs: Lessons from Columbia’s Title
In the Ivy League, a tie isn’t broken—it’s shared. On the bar exam, however, ties must be resolved through reasoned choices. Whether you’re breaking ties in MCQs or essays, trust your preparation, think critically, and remember: even in ambiguity, you can emerge victorious.
