Best way to memorize rules Forum

[jir92]

Taking the NY Bar (UBE). I'm doing decent and improving (around 60%) on MBE, and I generally write essays and MPTs pretty well, but for the MEE I am still using my lecture notes for rules. I am having trouble memorizing full rules for the different MEE topics. I can usually recognize most issues in an essay. And for the MBE, I am generally able to recognize the right answer for MBE, but I am very concerned that I have not memorized full rules yet for the MEE.

The Kaplan one-sheets do not seem to be seeping the rules into my brain, and I am trying to figure out the best way to memorize (handwrite out all the rules? Re-read my lecture notes word by word? Just do MEE's until I memorize?) Thanks.

[A. Nony Mouse]

If I want actually to memorize I have to recite everything aloud - start with what I know, go till I mess up, then start over. Usually it helps me to pace around while doing it.

Doesn't work in coffeeshops or libraries of course.

[jir92]

If I want actually to memorize I have to recite everything aloud - start with what I know, go till I mess up, then start over. Usually it helps me to pace around while doing it.

Doesn't work in coffeeshops or libraries of course.

Thanks so basically is your strategy to read your notes aloud and repeat the rules until memorized?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Pretty much. I outlined the material and then just started from the top of the outline. So I'd read the first few lines or so, shut my eyes and try to recite them aloud, and redo until I had it down. Then move to the next few lines, do the same for them, then go back to the beginning and put the two sections together. Then the next section. Etc. It's not fun but it's always worked for me when I really want to know something word for word (I do it now for openings/closings). The further away from the test date, the more you have to review it to maintain it - this isn't a real long-term memory storage method.

For the bar I did also use mnemonics for some of the rules, but the ones I made up were terrible and I can't remember any of them now.

The other thing is to think about what rules you really want to know word for word and what stuff you just need the gist that the rules will trigger. Like if you memorize duty, breach, causation, damages (dumb example but only thing I can remember), how many rules about duty do you want to know by heart? Do you want to memorize word for word rules re:proximate cause or do you feel comfortable enough with the concept that you're okay describing it in your own words? That kind of thing.

[LockBox]

Taking the NY Bar (UBE). I'm doing decent and improving (around 60%) on MBE, and I generally write essays and MPTs pretty well, but for the MEE I am still using my lecture notes for rules. I am having trouble memorizing full rules for the different MEE topics. I can usually recognize most issues in an essay. And for the MBE, I am generally able to recognize the right answer for MBE, but I am very concerned that I have not memorized full rules yet for the MEE.

The Kaplan one-sheets do not seem to be seeping the rules into my brain, and I am trying to figure out the best way to memorize (handwrite out all the rules? Re-read my lecture notes word by word? Just do MEE's until I memorize?) Thanks.

To me, memorizing the rule is the same thing as making a free-throw shot in basketball. Sure, I basically know what anticipatory repudiation is (I know I shoot from the line and should make it in the basket), but do I know it? It comes from practice. The rules I felt most comfortable with are the ones where I opened a blank word document, grabbed a CA bar previous exam and took it.

I FOUGHT with my tutor about this. She said, no do not test yourself. Read from your notes first and then you'll just magically remember. To me, memorizing is about constantly testing my memory, failing, revising, repeating. Over and over. You don't cram for this thing which is why it takes so much time.

By game day, I had tested myself so many times that I actually felt confident (or as confident one can be) while sitting at the bar. Whether the issue was right or not, I know I crushed the rule statements. Obv this is just my experience, but thought I would share. Keep writing.

[tfer2222]

agree re above. my go-to has always been flashcards. drill them over and over and over again.

[maztastic247]

For essays practice timed essays under test conditions basically meaning NO NOTES! Review the explanatory answers after and write the issue down on the front of the card and the rule statement down on the back. Issues are tested over and over again in essays so once you can spot the issue (if you diligently go over your flash cards) you will know the rule statements and from there you can apply the facts to the rule and you will be in decent shape to pass your essays.

For going over your flashcards do what works best for you to memorize them. If writing works best look at the issue and write down the rule statement before looking at it. Say it out loud, record your self and play it back if hearing it helps you! I think constantly testing yourself is key.

[Poets]

Does anyone know any services, books, etc to summarize RULES for MEE only? For instance, for negligence, duty, breach of duty, causation, proximate cause and damages. That contains only keywords or buzzwords.

In the current Themis outlines and lecture handouts, there are so many other rules that I don't have to memorize to take the MEE.

[pdwannabe]

Does anyone know any services, books, etc to summarize RULES for MEE only? For instance, for negligence, duty, breach of duty, causation, proximate cause and damages. That contains only keywords or buzzwords.

In the current Themis outlines and lecture handouts, there are so many other rules that I don't have to memorize to take the MEE.

I would also be really interested in this

[ethanwoo]

Does anyone know any services, books, etc to summarize RULES for MEE only? For instance, for negligence, duty, breach of duty, causation, proximate cause and damages. That contains only keywords or buzzwords.

In the current Themis outlines and lecture handouts, there are so many other rules that I don't have to memorize to take the MEE.

I would also be really interested in this

There is studicata and smartbarprep.

My friend is using studicata and I am using smartbarprep, and imo there isn't much difference except it feels like studicata (is more like westlaw) and smartbarprep (lexisnexis).

also, I saw JD advicing on MEE one sheet. Have no idea how that one is though.

[ndp1234]

Does anyone know any services, books, etc to summarize RULES for MEE only? For instance, for negligence, duty, breach of duty, causation, proximate cause and damages. That contains only keywords or buzzwords.

In the current Themis outlines and lecture handouts, there are so many other rules that I don't have to memorize to take the MEE.

I would also be really interested in this

Rigos MEE Primer was really helpful in memorization. I started looking at this book about a couple of weeks before the exam. It has what they call "MEE Magic Outlines" that focuses on memorization. The rest of the book may not be worth it, but those magic outlines were gold imo. See if your law library has a copy, that's where I got mine so I didn't purchase it.

[Jss]

I am terrible at memorizing, however I found this quite useful.

http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-m ... -text/294/