The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Bar Exam Toolbox
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The Bar Exam Toolbox podcast helps bar takers pass with less stress and anxiety. Hosted by bar exam experts Lee Burgess and Alison Monahan, the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from how to learn and memorize all the law you need to know for the bar exam, to how to write a passing essay, to how to get bar exam accommodations. If you're struggling with the bar exam, or work with students who are, tune in for practical strategies for bar exam success!

  1. 20 HR AGO

    Mastering Bar Exam Multiple-Choice Questions (w/Chris Fromm from Themis)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with Chris Fromm - National Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Themis Bar Review - about strategies for tackling multiple-choice questions on the bar exam, including the upcoming NextGen format. We discuss how to manage your time effectively, leverage practice tools, and seek support during the challenging bar prep period. Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. With this special promotion, you can save $1,000 on any 2026 Themis Bar Review course using the code BAREXAMTB1000 at checkout. (This offer is valid until December 1st, 2025.) In this episode, we discuss: Why are multiple-choice questions stress-inducing for many people? Tips for approaching multiple-choice questions on the bar exam Effective time management and scheduling Turning to your support network for help Accommodations and focus strategies Six-option questions on the NextGen exam Resources: Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/) Podcast Episode 18: Strategies for Mastering the MBE (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-18-strategies-for-mastering-the-mbe/) Podcast Episode 244: Spaced Repetition and Memorization During Bar Prep (w/Gabe Teninbaum) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-244-spaced-repetition-and-memorization-during-bar-prep-w-gabe-teninbaum/) Podcast Episode 261: Quick Tips – Bar Exam Accommodations Basics (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-261-quick-tips-bar-exam-accommodations-basics/) Practice a Full Bar Exam Session – Go for the Gold (https://barexamtoolbox.com/practice-a-full-bar-exam-session-go-for-the-gold/) How to Plan Your Bar Exam Study Day for Maximum Success (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-plan-your-bar-exam-study-day-for-maximum-success/) Manage Expectations Before Bar Prep Begins: Keeping Friends & Family on Your Side (https://barexamtoolbox.com/manage-expectations-before-bar-prep-begins-keeping-friends-family-on-your-side/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-332-mastering-bar-exam-multiple-choice-questions-w-chris-fromm-from-themis/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    51 min

  2. 27 OCT

    Should You Take the Legacy UBE or Wait Until the NextGen UBE?

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explore whether law students should take the current Legacy UBE or wait for the upcoming NextGen UBE. We take a look at the timing and the strategic considerations, and help you figure out which path makes sense for your specific situation. In this episode, we discuss: Timeline of jurisdictions adopting the NextGen UBE Who should take the Legacy UBE now? Who might benefit from waiting for the NextGen UBE? A few case study scenarios Resources: Podcast Episode 328: The NextGen UBE 101 (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-328-the-nextgen-ube-101/) NextGen Bar Exam 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Biggest Legal Education Change in 25 Years (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-biggest-legal-education-change-in-25-years/) NextGen Bar Exam Technology Requirements: What Is the New Digital Reality? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-technology-requirements-what-is-the-new-digital-reality/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-331-should-you-take-the-legacy-ube-or-wait-until-the-nextgen-ube/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    30 min

  3. 20 OCT

    NextGen UBE: Let's Walk Through an Integrated Question Set (IQS) Together

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're continuing our discussion of the NextGen UBE. We've created an integrated question set (IQS) similar to the ones that will appear on the NextGen bar exam, using a sample scenario involving a shoplifting incident and subsequent legal analysis. We discuss the structure of these new question sets, review relevant statutes, and work through multiple-choice and short-answer questions to illustrate the reasoning and factual investigation required. In this episode, we discuss: Overview of integrated question sets A read-through of a client interview excerpt and the relevant legal authority Sample multiple-choice and short-answer questions based on the factual scenario Resources: NextGen UBE Sample Questions (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/sample-questions) NextGen Bar Exam 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Biggest Legal Education Change in 25 Years (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-biggest-legal-education-change-in-25-years/) Podcast Episode 327: Facts and Fears Around the Integrated Question Sets (IQSs) on the NextGen Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-327-facts-and-fears-around-the-integrated-question-sets-iqss-on-the-nextgen-bar-exam/) Podcast Episode 328: The NextGen UBE 101 (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-328-the-nextgen-ube-101/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-330-nextgen-ube-lets-walk-through-an-integrated-question-set-iqs-together/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    31 min

  4. 13 OCT

    Listen and Learn -- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Torts)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode explains the concept of negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED) in tort law, outlining the four specific situations in which a plaintiff can recover for emotional harm caused by another's negligence.  In this episode, we discuss: A review of the elements of negligence The four situations in which NIED claims are valid Negligent versus intentional infliction of emotional distress Hypotheticals and examples illustrating NIED Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2010 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2010-CBX.pdf) California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2011 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/February-2011-CBX.pdf) Podcast Episode 316: Spotlight on Torts (Part 1 – Negligence) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-316-spotlight-on-torts-part-1-negligence/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-329-listen-and-learn-negligent-infliction-of-emotional-distress-torts/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    18 min

  5. 6 OCT

    The NextGen UBE 101

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're diving deep into something that's about to shake up the legal profession in a big way: the NextGen UBE bar exam. If you're a law student, recent graduate, or even practicing attorney wondering what all the fuss is about, this episode is your one-stop guide to understanding how future lawyers will be tested. In this episode, we discuss: Structure of the NextGen UBE and key changes Timeline and jurisdiction rollout Implications for law students and schools Is the NextGen UBE going to be harder or easier? Resources: NextGen UBE Sample Questions (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/sample-questions) NextGen UBE Content Scope (https://www.ncbex.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/NCBE%20NextGen%20UBE%20Content%20Scope-Aug%202025.pdf) Podcast Episode 327: Facts and Fears Around the Integrated Questions Sets (IQSs) on the NextGen Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-327-facts-and-fears-around-the-integrated-question-sets-iqss-on-the-nextgen-bar-exam/) NextGen Bar Exam 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Biggest Legal Education Change in 25 Years (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-biggest-legal-education-change-in-25-years/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-328-the-nextgen-ube-101/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    26 min

  6. 29 SEPT

    Facts and Fears Around the Integrated Question Sets (IQSs) on the NextGen Bar Exam

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode discusses the upcoming NextGen bar exam, highlighting major changes such as the introduction of integrated question sets (IQSs) and a shift toward testing legal skills alongside knowledge. We share students' concerns about the unfamiliar format, time management challenges, and the need for new study strategies. In this episode, we discuss: Overview of the NextGen bar exam format Integrated question sets: What will they contain? The introduction of a partial credit grading system Lee and Alison's initial reactions to the IQSs Common student fears around the new bar exam format, and our suggested solutions  Resources: NextGen UBE Sample Questions (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/sample-questions) Podcast Episode 248: Considerations for the NextGen Bar Exam (Plus Questions We Still Have!) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-248-considerations-for-the-nextgen-bar-exam-plus-questions-we-still-have/) Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 520: Preparing for the NextGen Bar Exam with Themis (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-520-preparing-for-the-nextgen-bar-exam-with-themis/) NextGen Bar Exam 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Biggest Legal Education Change in 25 Years (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-2026-your-complete-guide-to-the-biggest-legal-education-change-in-25-years/) NextGen Bar Exam Technology Requirements: What Is the New Digital Reality? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/nextgen-bar-exam-technology-requirements-what-is-the-new-digital-reality/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-327-facts-and-fears-around-the-integrated-question-sets-on-the-nextgen-bar-exam/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    34 min

  7. 22 SEPT

    Listen and Learn -- Intestate Distribution (Wills and Trusts)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode of our "Listen and Learn" series focuses on the three main methods for distributing assets among heirs when someone dies intestate: per stirpes, modern per stirpes (or per capita by representation), and per capita by generation. We walk through each method with examples highlighting how shares are divided among descendants in different family scenarios. In this episode, we discuss: How assets are divided among heirs through the following methods: traditional per stirpes modern per stirpes (or per capita by representation) per capita by generation Walkthroughs of different family scenarios Resources: "Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn) Podcast Episode 27: Tackling an MEE Question: Wills and Trusts (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-27-tackling-an-mee-question-wills-and-trusts/) Podcast Episode 75: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Trusts (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-75-tackling-a-california-bar-exam-essay-trusts/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-326-listen-and-learn-intestate-distribution-wills-and-trusts/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    22 min

  8. 15 SEPT

    Is Distracted Bar Exam Prep Productive?

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! The bar prep period is a time when you need to have clear thinking, mental focus, and be able to learn quickly and efficiently -- however, more and more our daily life is interfering with all of that. Today we're talking about focus, deep work, and how to make sure your brain is primed to work hard and get stuff done. In this episode, we discuss: The cost of social media distraction Task-switching and multitasking: how good are we at it? What is "Flow" and why is it important? Optimizing your bar exam study time Avoiding anxiety-inducing activities Resources: Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Pomodoro Technique (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique) Need to Get More Done in Law School? Try The Circles. (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/08/tips-time-management-awesomeness-with-the-circles/) How Napoleon Would Have Approached Law School. Or, Why It's Good to Be Lazy. (https://thegirlsguidetolawschool.com/12/how-napoleon-would-have-approched-law-school-or-why-its-good-to-be-lazy/) Tricks for Staying on Track and Avoiding Distractions When Studying for the Bar (https://barexamtoolbox.com/tricks-for-staying-on-track-and-avoiding-distractions-when-studying-for-the-bar/) That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week, by Ana Homayoun (https://www.amazon.com/That-Crumpled-Paper-Last-Week/dp/0399535594) Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport (https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Minimalism/dp/0241453577/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-325-is-distracted-bar-exam-prep-productive/) If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)! Thanks for listening! Alison & Lee

    30 min
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About

The Bar Exam Toolbox podcast helps bar takers pass with less stress and anxiety. Hosted by bar exam experts Lee Burgess and Alison Monahan, the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from how to learn and memorize all the law you need to know for the bar exam, to how to write a passing essay, to how to get bar exam accommodations. If you're struggling with the bar exam, or work with students who are, tune in for practical strategies for bar exam success!

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