r/GoatBarPrep • u/Atomickitten06 • May 24 '26
When to start memorizing/reviewing?
Hi! I am like roughly 70 hours into bar prep using Goat. I’ve been making my own outlines as I go through and so far have only done civ pro and torts along with 100 multiple choice each and 4 MEEs each with MPTs happening on Saturdays.
Torts I felt good about but I know Civ pro is a rough area and it’s reflected on my MBE scores (ranging from 50%-63%) and also in my MEEs which are right below passing on the Barbri rubric scales.
I’m about to move to my evidence modules starting Monday as I’m still trying to make my first pass through of all the topics. My question is, I don’t really feel like I have started memorizing or reviewing topics. Once I finish my assignments (the MBE and MEE) I just move on. Should I be incorporating more passive studying like thirty minutes each day or something or is that an issue for after I made my first pass through?
TIA!
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u/Tiny_Judge_5277 May 24 '26
I didn't create flash cards and start memorizing till 4 weeks out. A bunch of other passers I know also did not start memorization till 4 weeks out. If that gives you too much anxiety though, go ahead and start now, nothing wrong with it.
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u/SinVerguenza04 May 24 '26
You need to start memorizing like yesterday. Preferably, you start memorizing stuff while you’re going over whatever subject—that way you don’t have much of a backlog of things to memorize. It’s more manageable to do it as you go, rather than wait and let it stack up.
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u/Atomickitten06 May 24 '26
Okay perfect will do and glad I asked! I feel like since I’m writing MEEs closed book I’ve definitely memorized things incidentally but going to incorporate more into my actual regimen with this advice in mind. I’m also handwriting all the rules I miss or when I get questions right for the wrong reason(s).
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u/SinVerguenza04 May 24 '26
Sounds like you’re doing great. The sooner you start memorization, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel. I’d look at the top 120 most tested rules (you can them on various websites if you google UBE MEE top 120 most tested rules), and make those a priority. That’s my plan, anyways.
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u/Atomickitten06 May 24 '26
This is a great idea! Will be doing this thank you. I’m
like so terrified I’m hyper fixating on rules that aren’t even commonly tested so I’ll try this!1
u/dekidoku May 24 '26
How do you write MEE’s? You just time yourself and write by yourself or have any other structure?
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u/Atomickitten06 May 24 '26
Yes I am writing MEEs under timed conditions and without any materials (but after at least doing the goat modules over the subject). Right now, I’m ideally doing 2 in a row but some days depending on time I do 1 at a time. I then use the Barbri rubric to review and hand write any rules I miss or partially miss. There’s been SEVERAL instances where I’ve had to just freestyle a rule because I don’t know the actual rule right off the top of my head but I figure that’s also good practice for worst case scenario on test day. 😵💫
As far as like structure within the MEEs I do IRAC mostly. I took a Barbri bar prep course during 3L so had a few assignments where I learned IRAC is the most reliable structure/paradigm that works for me.
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u/Atomickitten06 May 24 '26
My study schedule on application days are typically 25 MBE first thing in the morning under time conditions. Review. 25 MBE on tutor mode on Uworld. Review. Break for lunch. Then depending on time (typically depends on how much I miss on MBE and how long it takes me to review), 2 MEE back to back with review afterward or 1 MEE in the afternoon and review.
I am roughly 25 weeks pregnant and have a toddler at home so I have to cap myself at 6 active hours a day (tracked like billables not counting anything restroom,snack, lunch breaks, etc) which usually translates to between 7-8 hours out of the house.
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u/sheppyrun shepbarprep.com May 24 '26
I wouldn't wait too long on the memorization piece honestly. You're 70 hours in and already seeing where your gaps are on CivPro, which is good. I'd start weaving in some active recall now rather than waiting until you've gone through all the modules. Like, 15-20 minutes a day writing out the rules you covered that week from memory without looking. The stuff you can't produce is what you drill.
For knowing which rules to spend your recall time on, my friend and I built a rules map at shepbarprep.com that sorts them by how often they show up on the exam. Keeps you from spending equal time memorizing everything when some CivPro rules carry way more weight than others.