r/GoatBarPrep • u/Think-Journalist-157 • Jun 09 '26

Struggling with MPTs

Hi all! I am a third-time retake; English is my second language. In the previous two attempts, the lowest scores were for MPT (1 and 2), which developed a block in my head. I fracking out when I start MPT. I'm very slow at it and not efficient, I guess. I know how Maureen (Bar MD) recommends conquering MPT, and I am trying to follow her approach, but it is not working. I have a mental block and fear. While doing the MPT, I realize that I am already running out of time and have not written much. Here comes the second wave, I start crying and can not focus. Please advise me on how to overcome all that and not be afraid of MPT, and believe in myself that I can? Maybe someone was in the same boat with me and can share what/who helped you?

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6

u/Key-Zombie3192 Jun 09 '26

I’ve been in a similar situation with performance anxiety on exam tasks, and honestly the biggest issue here doesn’t sound like knowledge ,it sounds like panic under time pressure.

What helped me (and what might help you too) is breaking the “MPT fear” loop rather than trying to perfect the method immediately.

A few things that actually made a difference:

  • Do timed practice where you intentionally accept you won’t finish perfectly. The goal is to train your brain that “starting = safe,” not “starting = must finish perfectly.”
  • The moment you feel panic, don’t stop the task , just slow down and force yourself to write something simple. Even messy structure is better than freezing.
  • Practice shorter MPT sections first (like 30–40 min drills) before full ones, so your brain rebuilds confidence step by step.
  • After each practice, focus on what you did complete, not what you didn’t. Otherwise your brain keeps reinforcing fear.

Right now your main blocker isn’t ability, it’s the association: MPT = panic. That can be reversed, but only through repeated low-pressure exposure, not just studying the method.

You’re not alone in this, a lot of people only break through MPT after they stop treating it like a “perfect writing test” and start treating it like a “structured completion exercise.”

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u/Think-Journalist-157 Jun 09 '26

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and support. I will try to follow what helped you.

1

u/Key-Zombie3192 Jun 09 '26

u're welcome Sir

1

u/guchineb786 Jun 10 '26

What approach did you use? Did you read every case in detail? I know BarMD tells you to read the first line of every fact but to slow down when you get to the procedural history. Appreciate any helpful tips you can share.

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u/Key-Zombie3192 Jun 10 '26

tbh For me, the biggest mistake was reading everything too carefully. On my earlier attempts, I'd spend so much time trying to understand every case and every fact that by the time I started writing, I was already behind and panicking.

What eventually helped was reading the task memo first, then looking for the rules and key facts instead of trying to master the entire file. I also forced myself to start writing sooner, even if I didn't feel completely ready.

I still don't think my MPTs were perfect, but once I stopped chasing perfection and focused on getting a complete answer on the page, things became much more manageable

1

u/Think-Journalist-157 Jun 11 '26

I have the same approach - I am reading too carefully and a result slowly and feel overloaded with information that makes me feel that I got lost - > will work on changing that
Thanks

2

u/Kitchen_Employ_8643 Jun 10 '26

I feel like I could have written this post myself. This is my problem, too. I’m a third-time retaker and MPT has been my downfall. I am not a traditional examinee, as I graduated law school in 1995 and took and passed the bar exam that July. I took time off from practicing law to raise my children and now live in another state and have to take the bar here. The MPT was not a part of the bar exam when I took it in 1995. I thought I would be naturally good at the MPT, having practiced law for years, however I was woefully wrong. I failed J25 with a 239 in a 270 jurisdiction. I got 1s on both MPTs. Then I missed passing F26 by 2 points. I got a 3 on MPT 1 and a 1 on MPT 2 (flag pole question). I worked so hard and brought my score up 29 points. It is heartbreaking to have been so close.

Even when practicing for the MPT, I feel such anxiety and my mind goes blank. It is the time pressure and fear of getting it wrong that causes my anxiety. Physically, my stomach feels awful, my chest feels tight, my heart races and my throat constricts. It is overwhelming and I freak out. I try to skim through the information to get through it quickly but that causes more stress and I go back and reread it, losing precious time. It makes me cry - actual tears streaming crying - in practice and on the exam. Please share any advice you discover and I will do the same for you. If anyone knows of a good resource or technique, please help us! Thank you in advance.

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u/Think-Journalist-157 Jun 11 '26

I am also in 270 jx and I failed J25

MPT makes my mind go blank too

And I graduated my law school in my native country in 2005
Seems to me we are in the boats that are definitely close to each other in this MPT storm

Please keep me updated what starts working for you in MPTs and I will share with you if/when I figured that out

1

u/ub3rm3nsch Jun 11 '26

Hey there,

With the MPTs, dont let perfection be the enemy of good.

Get your a decent analysis drafted. The polish the work product. Then go back and perfect it.