Should You Use Scratch Paper During the Bar Exam?

Many bar takers say, "I need to use scratch paper to organize my thoughts." It feels familiar and comforting, especially under stress. However, during the bar exam, which typically uses Examplify, ILG Exam360, or similar software for the written portion, using "scratch" or "scrap" paper (if permitted by the jurisdiction) can be inefficient and may hurt your performance. If you want to maximize your points, it's time to leave scratch paper behind and type your notes and outline directly in your answer field.

It may feel like a big shift, but understanding why this change helps can guide your decision.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Here are three key reasons to consider:

1️⃣ Keeps Your Roadmap Visible, Reducing Panic and Errors

One of my students once took detailed notes on scratch paper during a simulated bar exam, outlining an excellent issue list and several key arguments, but when time was running out, she rushed to type her essay and forgot to include several critical points she had planned. Those points never made it into her typed response, costing her easy points she could have earned if she had typed her outline directly in the answer box. This example illustrates why typing your outline preserves your best thinking and helps it translate into points on exam day.

Using scratch paper requires constantly looking back and forth between your handwritten notes and your screen, increasing the risk that you will skip issues, lose your structure, or miss critical facts under time pressure. Additionally, many students write excellent points on scratch paper but then forget or run out of time to transfer those points into their typed responses. That valuable analysis is lost, costing you points you could have captured if you had typed directly.

By typing your outline directly in your Examplify answer field, you:

✅ Have your roadmap visible as you write, reducing the chance of skipping issues.

✅ Can delete, bold, or highlight issues as you complete them to track your progress.

✅ Calm yourself during panic moments by seeing your structure clearly, helping you refocus.

Additionally, when you type your outline directly in the answer field, it can serve as a skeletal structure for your essay. You can simply place your cursor into your typed outline and develop each point systematically. This ensures that every issue and sub-issue you identified in your outline makes it into your final response without being forgotten or left behind, converting your planning directly into points on exam day.

Your outline is meant to guide you, but it can only do that if you can see it easily as you write.

2️⃣ Saves Time—Every Minute Counts on Exam Day

It might feel faster to jot down notes on paper, but it may actually cost you time because it requires:

✅ Writing your outline by hand, then typing your essay while constantly looking back and forth.

✅ Rearranging issues, which requires rewriting or rethinking your structure.

✅ Flipping between scratch paper and your screen, which slows your progress.

When you type your outline directly in the answer field, you:

✅ Transition seamlessly from outlining to essay writing.

✅ Cut, paste, and rearrange issues quickly as needed.

✅ Eliminate wasted time, allowing you to finish your essays calmly.

Time is one of your most precious resources on the bar exam. Protect it by reducing unnecessary steps.

3️⃣ Supports Efficiency Under Stress

The bar exam is a high-stress environment, and every extra step drains your mental energy. Switching between paper and your screen breaks your focus and increases cognitive fatigue. Cognitive load theory explains that your working memory has limited capacity, and switching between paper and screen adds unnecessary load, making it harder to retain issue spotting, analysis, and structure during writing.

Typing your outline directly:

✅ Keeps your hands on the keyboard and your eyes on the screen.

✅ Reduces distractions and cognitive switching.

✅ Maintains a clean, structured workspace.

Many examinees resist this approach until they try it during timed practice exams and realize how much smoother and more efficient it makes their workflow. Bar exam success depends on making decisions that maximize your performance under stress, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Final Thoughts

While you ultimately decide how to approach your exam strategy, typing your outline directly into the testing software rather than using scratch paper typically offers clear advantages in visibility, time management, and efficiency under pressure. Consider trying this method in your next practice exam and observe how it impacts your timing, focus, and writing flow.

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Reminder: Check Your Jurisdiction's Rules

While the National Conference of Bar Examiners specifically states that "Examinees are not allowed to bring the following to a test room: ... scratch paper or paper of any kind" for the MEE, MPT, and MBE portions of the bar exam, individual jurisdictions may still provide and permit the use of scratch or scrap paper during the exam, like Ohio. So, make sure you check your jurisdiction's list of permitted, prohibited, and provided items.