Is the MEE or MBE harder?

Is the MEE or MBE Harder?

Bar exam preparation can feel like a lot, especially when deciding how to tackle the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). Both sections are critical parts of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and demand different strategies for preparation. A common question among examinees is whether the MEE or the MBE is harder. The answer really depends on your strengths, weaknesses, and study habits. Let’s dig into both sections to help you figure out which one might be the bigger challenge for you.

What Makes the MEE Tricky?

The Multistate Essay Exam presents six essay questions over a three-hour time period. These questions test your ability to think through legal issues and provide clear, written answers. One thing that can make the MEE hard is the amount of material you need to be prepared for. There are 13 different subject areas that may appear, including Torts, Contracts, Real Property, Family Law, and Secured Transactions.

The hardest part for many people is not knowing which subjects will show up. You need to study all 13 topics just in case, even though only a handful will actually appear on the test. To make things more complex, some essays mix multiple areas of law. For example, you might get a question that ties Criminal Law and Constitutional Law together. Managing this can be tough without practice.

Timing is another challenge. You’re expected to write six essays in just three hours, which means you’re only allowed about 30 minutes per essay. In that short time, you need to read the question carefully, think through the issues, and write a structured response. If you aren’t comfortable working under pressure or you struggle to organize your ideas, the MEE might feel overwhelming.

Why the MBE Can Be a Struggle

The Multistate Bar Exam is a multiple-choice test with 200 questions spread over two sessions within the same day. You’ll have three hours for 100 questions in the morning and three hours for another 100 in the afternoon. The MBE covers seven core topics: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.

What makes the MBE challenging is the way its questions are designed. The exam isn’t just about knowing the law—it also tests how well you can apply it to specific fact patterns. The way questions are worded can be tricky, and it’s common for two or more answer choices to feel like they could be correct. This forces you to think carefully and eliminate the wrong answers, which can be mentally draining.

Another difficulty comes from the amount of material you need to finish in a short amount of time. Tackling 200 questions in one day requires endurance, quick thinking, and good pacing. Many examinees struggle with staying focused for such a long period, and second-guessing yourself can eat away at the time you have.

Comparing Challenges: MEE vs. MBE

When deciding which section is harder, a lot depends on your individual skills. If you enjoy writing and are good at structuring your thoughts, the MEE can feel more doable. Essays let you explain your reasoning, which means you can still earn partial credit even if your answer isn’t perfect.

At the same time, the MEE requires you to study a large amount of material. Covering 13 subjects in depth, especially when you know only a few will appear, can be stressful. You also have to write quickly and clearly, which may not come naturally to everyone.

On the other hand, the MBE can seem straightforward for those who are used to multiple-choice testing. If you’re good at spotting differences between similar answer choices and thinking critically under pressure, the MBE might feel a bit easier in comparison. However, its timed nature and the sheer number of questions can trip up even the best test-takers. The small differences between answers are especially designed to catch those who aren’t completely clear on the concepts.

Both sections require slightly different kinds of preparation. The MEE demands strong writing skills and the ability to remember a wide range of material. The MBE, though, calls for sharp focus and the ability to work through detailed questions quickly without losing steam.

Tips for Getting Ready

Because the MEE and MBE challenge you in different ways, your study strategy should reflect what’s expected of you on each section. For the MEE, preparation should focus on the most likely topics and issues to show up on the test. Some areas, such as Civil Procedure or Secured Transactions, come up frequently and often ask about specific issues that repeat over the years. Focusing on these patterns will save time and help you feel confident going into the exam.

Writing practice is essential for the MEE. Spend time working through essay questions under timed conditions to get comfortable with the pace of the real exam. Practice will also help you write responses that are clear and easy to follow, which is exactly what graders look for. Reviewing sample answers written by others can give you a better sense of how to format your own work for maximum clarity.

For the MBE, taking some Multistate Bar Exam practice questions are key. Start by working through smaller sets and building up to full-length practice exams to build your endurance. Understanding why you chose the wrong answer on a practice test will also help you sharpen your approach to similar questions in the future. Repetition is important here, as it helps build confidence and improves your ability to spot common patterns in questions.

It’s also worth remembering that the MEE and the MBE have overlapping content in many areas, like Contracts, Torts, and Evidence. Studying foundational topics well can give you an edge on both sections, allowing you to reinforce your knowledge without doubling the effort. At the same time, set aside extra time for the specialized areas of the MEE that won’t appear on the MBE, such as Family Law and Wills and Trusts.

Wrapping It Up

Whether you’ll find the MEE or MBE harder largely depends on your personal strengths and weaknesses. Some examinees thrive when they can express their understanding in writing, while others are more comfortable working through multiple-choice questions. The key to success isn’t choosing one section to prioritize, you should be preparing for both with a solid and consistent approach.

With enough practice and focus, you can feel ready for whatever the bar exam throws your way. While each section comes with its own challenges, putting in the work to understand how they’re tested will help you walk into exam day with the confidence to succeed.