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Mr. TBA,
4 credits day; 4 credits evening. This course is designed to provide students in their last year of
law school with a thorough grounding in the format, structure and substance of the
Massachusetts bar exam. After an initial introduction to the format and scoring of the bar exam,
we will spend two full classes on each on the six MBE subjects, targeting frequently tested topics
on both the MBE and essay portions of the exam. We will then have a series of classes focusing
on the state-specific subjects on the essay portion of the exam, again targeting the highly-tested
topics. Teaching method: The instructor‘s teaching style will combine lectures on the substantive
law with discussion of problems to illustrate applying the substantive principles to properly
answer both multiple choice and essay questions. Methods of Evaluation: Writing Assignments:
Approximately 40% of the course grade will be based on a series of writing assignments that
students will complete over the course of the semester. The writing assignments will be answers
to old bar essay questions, and will typically be short answer responses (e.g. 800 to a 1000
words). Multiple Choice Assignments: Approximately 40% of the course grade will be based on
a series of assignments where students will be required to answer multiple choice questions
grouped by MBE topic. Mid-semester in-class quiz: Approximately 10% of the course grade will
be based on a mid-semester in-class quiz that will consist of a combination of essay questions
and multiple choice questions focusing on topics covered during the first half of the semester.
End-of-semester in-class quiz: Approximately 10% of the course grade will be based on an end-
of-semester in-class quiz that will again consist of a combination of essay questions and multiple
choice questions focusing largely on topics covered during the second half of the semester. Class
participation: Participating in class is a part of the learning process for all students and the
instructor. Regular class attendance, therefore, is required. For truly outstanding participation in
class, course grades may be raised by a half letter grade, e.g., from ―B‖ to ―B+‖.
The primary purpose of this course is to prepare students for the Massachusetts bar examination.
More specifically, the course would have a three-fold focus. First, on a substantive level, the
course will expose students to the essential, frequently-tested principles and concepts in each of
the subjects on both the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) multiple choice and Massachusetts essay
portions of the bar exam. The MBE is a two hundred question multiple choice test that
encompasses the following six subjects: (1) Constitutional Law; (2) Contracts (including article 2
(Sales) of the Uniform Commercial Code); (3) Criminal Law and Procedure; (4) Evidence; (5)
Real Property; and (6) Torts. The essay portion of the Massachusetts bar exam consists of ten
essay questions that encompass the six MBE subjects as well as approximately a dozen other
subjects (e.g., Agency, Business Associations, Domestic Relations, Federal Jurisdiction, the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure, Professional
Responsibility, Trusts, Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices (Chapter 93A), UCC. art. 3
(Commercial Paper), UCC art. 9 (Secured Transactions) and Wills). Second, on a skills level, the
course will provide students with techniques and approaches necessary to properly answer bar
exam multiple choice questions and to draft organized, well-written bar essay responses.
Students will receive weekly assignments requiring them to answer multiple choice questions
and draft answers to essay questions, and the instructor will provide frequent feedback to
students on their performance. In addition to the classroom instruction during the semester,
students will have several opportunities to meet individually with the instructor to review their
progress. Third, on a practical level, the course will expose students, through both assignments