ABC = Always Be Checking

Tommy Sangchompuphen
Jun 18
4 min read

You’ve probably know the shorthand "ABC" as "Always Be Closing," especially if you’ve seen Alec Baldwin’s intense (and let’s be honest, slightly terrifying) monologue in Glengarry Glen Ross. In the sales world, it means stay focused on the goal: Seal the deal, and close the sale.

But in bar prep, there’s a better version of "ABC": Always Be Checking.

This mantra isn’t about pressure. It’s about being intentional—taking ownership of your learning so you're not just going through the motions.

Let’s break it down:

✅ 1. Always Be Checking Your Understanding

Bar prep moves quickly. It’s tempting to finish a lecture or outline and immediately jump to the next topic. But surface-level completion isn’t the goal—comprehension is.

Every time you finish a video, page, or quiz, pause and ask: “Do I actually understand this?”

Could you explain it to someone else?
Can you write a rule in your own words?
Do you see how the rule applies to different fact patterns?

If not, flag it. Use a sticky note, a digital bookmark, or a running list. Those are the concepts you need to revisit later—not just rewatch, but actively work through with practice and self-quizzing.

Bar prep isn’t a race to finish materials. It’s a mission to learn what you need to pass.

✅ 2. Always Be Checking Your Accuracy

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking bar prep is about getting a high score on practice sets. It’s not. It’s about understanding the “why” behind the right answer.

Whether you got the question right or wrong—stop and analyze:

Why was my answer correct? Was it luck, or did I spot the key issue and apply the right rule?
Why were the other options wrong? What made them tempting, and what makes them definitively incorrect?

And if you got it wrong?

Don’t just mark it as incorrect and move on.
Write a quick explanation of the correct answer in your own words.
Keep a running list of missed concepts and confusing topics.

✅ 3. Always Be Checking Your Weak Spots

We all have that one subject or topic we secretly hope doesn’t show up on the bar exam. (Looking at you, Secured Transactions.)

But here’s the truth: Avoiding your weaknesses only strengthens them.

The bar exam doesn’t reward comfort zones. It punishes blind spots.

Always Be Checking:

Which subjects you’re consistently missing points in.
Which subtopics (e.g., hearsay exceptions, negligence defenses, personal jurisdiction) slow you down or confuse you.
Whether your discomfort is due to a lack of understanding, lack of practice, or just plain intimidation.

Then take action. Make time each week to tackle one or two of your weakest areas. Write practice essays. Do targeted question sets. Watch a short review video.

Bar success doesn’t come from perfecting your strengths—it comes from patching the holes in your knowledge.

✅ 4. Always Be Checking Your Time

One of the biggest dangers in bar prep is underestimating how long things take.

“I’ll just write this essay in 30 minutes!” (35 minutes later, you’re halfway through analysis.)
“I’ll get through this MBE set after dinner.” (It’s 11:30 p.m., and you haven’t started.)

Start tracking:

How long it takes you to read, outline, and write a practice essay.
How long you spend reviewing answer explanations.
How much time you're spending on productive study versus passive or distracted time.

Not only does this help you pace better during the exam—it also makes your daily schedule more efficient. You might discover that you waste 15 to 20 minutes each time you transition between tasks. Multiply that by 4 to 5 times a day and you’ve found an extra hour.

Want to squeeze in an extra MPT each week? A full MEE set? 50 more MBE questions?Start by checking your time.

✅ 5. Always Be Checking Your Mindset

Bar prep is a grind—not just academically, but emotionally. It’s easy to spiral into doubt:

“I’ll never remember all this.”
“I’m too far behind.”
“Everyone else seems to be doing better than me.”

You may not be able to control how hard the bar exam is, but you can control how you talk to yourself about it.

Always Be Checking:

Your internal dialogue. Is it helping or harming your focus?
Your emotional energy. Are you balancing work with rest?
Your support network. Are you reaching out when you need help?

Remind yourself daily: You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to pass.And if you’re struggling—talk to someone. A professor. A mentor. A classmate. You don’t have to carry it alone.