How to Prepare for Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Final Exams
As a 45-credit-hour program, an MLS degree typically takes anywhere from one to three years to complete — depending on whether you enroll part- or full-time. At the culmination of many classes, you'll be required to take a final exam that serves as a comprehensive review of key topics explored in your coursework. And while taking an MLS exam can be stressful, preparation and planning can go a long way.
So, what should an MLS exam prep schedule look like, and what other tips can you keep in mind as you prepare?
Phase 1: Preparation & Organization (Weeks 8–7 Before Exams)
During the first phase of MLS exam preparation, it's all about taking great notes and getting a feel for what your exam(s) might look like.
Understand the Exam Landscape
Each class and professor may approach the MLS exam differently, so be sure to find out exactly what kind of format your exam will be given in — from multiple-choice to short response and combination formats. You'll also want to find out whether the exam will be closed- or open-book. Although the latter may sound appealing, taking time to refer back to notes and texts can detract from the amount of time you have to answer each question. Thus, an open-book exam is not a substitute for thorough MLS exam prep.
Consider, too, how heavily the exam will be weighted in regard to your final grade. This can vary from class to class, but it's not uncommon for final exams to comprise a large portion of your grade in the course.
If you've taken any midterm or other exams in the class, this could also help you get a feel for the overall format and style of questions you might expect on the final exam. Review these previous exams carefully and make note of question formats (or even specific questions) that you might see repeated on the final exam. If you haven't taken a major exam by this point in your class, consider asking your professor for a practice exam; they may be happy to see that you're being proactive about studying for the final.
Master Your Notes
Additionally, the quality of your note-taking can have a major influence on your ability to effectively prepare for a final MLS exam. As you review your notes from the semester, take time to carefully organize your case briefs — focusing specifically on individual rules, holdings and reasonings.
Also consider synthesizing your class notes into one document that includes notes from readings, lectures and supplement material. By creating one master document per subject, you'll be better prepared to study.
Many students find success in creating a rule summary, too, which means distilling core legal doctrines and concepts into a one- or two-page reference sheet that you can study regularly.
Phase 2: Outlining & Synthesis (Weeks 6–4 before Exams)
As exams near, it's time to move into the next phase of MLS exam prep, which involves writing outlines. Specifically, you'll want to create both a comprehensive outline and a so-called "attack outline."
The Comprehensive Outline (The Foundation)
Your comprehensive outline should serve as a detailed, hierarchical outline for each topic that flows logically from general principles to more specific expectations. This longer document will likely span dozens of pages, but it can serve as an excellent study tool.
The Attack Outline (The Rapid Reference Tool)
From there, you can use your comprehensive outline to build a rapid reference tool known as an attack outline. This document should be a condensed version of your main outline, maxing out at about five to 10 pages. If permitted during your MLS final exam, you can use this as a quick reference sheet.
How do you go from a comprehensive outline to a streamlined rapid reference tool? For many, the most effective approach is to start with your primary outline and work from there. As you review your comprehensive outline, highlight major topics that are most likely to be covered on your exam. From there, focus on listing key legal issues and rules from each topic.
Even if your attack outline isn't permitted for use during the exam, you can still study it for rapid memory recall in a closed-book exam.
Phase 3: Practice & Refinement (Weeks 3–1 before Exams)
During the month of your MLS final exams, continue studying your outlines and notes from class as you move into this next crucial phase of prep.
Mock Exam Simulation
If possible, you may want to take a mock final exam through your school or an online test prep service. A practice exam can help identify areas of strength and weakness, further informing your study habits as you prepare for the real thing.
Mastering Legal Writing Structure (For Essay Exams)
For final exams with an essay component, setting aside dedicated time to sharpen your legal writing skills is a must. More specifically, focus on mastering your top-down approach to writing as well as using the active voice (versus passive voice). These small details can make a big difference in your test performance, so don't hesitate to seek additional support as needed.
Phase 4: Exam Week & Execution
Once exam week arrives, it's important to continue your review and studying. At the same time, try to avoid any excessive study sessions or "cramming," as this could actually have a negative impact on your exam performance.
Final Review
As part of your final review before exam day, take time to review both your comprehensive outline and your attack outline. If you took a practice exam, you may already know which topics or areas you need to focus on; highlight these and set aside some time to review them in your notes in the days leading up to the exam.
Exam Day Tactics
Even with plenty of studying and preparation, a few last-minute tips could prove helpful on the day of your big exam.
Read the Call of the Question FIRST
In an exam, the "call of the question" generally refers to the final sentence of a prompt. It's best to read this part of the question first, as it will tell you what you'll need to do to answer the question properly. With a firmer grasp of what you're being asked, you can dive into the rest of the question and be better prepared to answer it.
Allocate Time
Time management is one of the biggest challenges many students face when sitting for an MLS exam. To avoid running out of time, make note of any questions to which you don't immediately know the answer and move on. If you have time once you reach the end of the exam, you can come back to the questions you skipped.
The Dump (For Closed-Book)
If completing a closed-book exam, you may or may not be permitted to reference a "dump" outline, which can be an invaluable reference tool to guide you. However, because these are not always permitted for use during exams, it's best to use them as a memorization tool for studying.
Even if you are permitted to use this outline on your exam, it's still essential to pay close attention to the clock. Spend too much time referring to your outline, and you could run out of time entirely. By taking the time to carefully study and memorize the majority of your attack outline ahead of the exam, you'll be in much better shape and may only need to use your notes for quick reference.
Prioritize Issues
As soon as you receive your exam (if it's a physical copy), take a minute to flip through it and get a general sense of its structure. From there, you can go into ‘prioritizing’ mode, answering the easiest questions first before going back and moving on to more challenging questions.
Likewise, if you know that some questions will be weighted more heavily than others, the questions that are worth more points may be worth answering first.
Get the Support You Need to Thrive in an MLS Program
Taking final exams for an MLS program can seem overwhelming, but with the right studying and preparation, it doesn't have to be. At the end of the day, it's also crucial to prioritize self-care in the days and weeks leading up to an exam. If you're feeling stressed, explore healthy ways to cope — or reach out for support if you need to. Make sure, too, that you're getting enough sleep and fueling your body well. The more you take care of your body and mind, the better prepared you'll be to tackle your final exams.
Support from your school can also make all the difference. At Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, our faculty and staff are eager to support students in any way possible. Don't hesitate to take advantage of office hours or get in touch with your professors if you need further guidance on a topic. Our instructors want to see you succeed, and plenty of resources are available to help you along the way.
Still interested in learning more about an MLS program at the Kline School of Law? With eight concentrations from which to choose, you can find the niche that suits your interests and career goals. Or, opt for our flexible MLS program. Request more information, learn about our admissions criteria or start your application today.
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