Time-Saving Strategies for the MPT: Read Actively, Write Strategically

For many bar exam takers, the Multistate Performance Test feels like a race against time. You’re dropped into a fictional legal task with an overflowing File, a dense Library, and 90 minutes to read, analyze, organize, and write like a practicing attorney.

But here's the truth: Most students don’t run out of time because they type slowly. They run out of time because they read passively. They let the materials lead them instead of taking control.

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To succeed on the MPT, you need to be strategic and proactive—not reactive. That means reading the Task Memo like it’s the call of the question, not just a warm-up. It means using the Library to frame your understanding of the facts. And it means resisting the urge to copy large chunks of information before you know whether they’re useful.

Here are five tips to help you manage your time, sharpen your focus, and write with confidence.

1. Start with the Task Memo—And Treat It Like the Call of the Question

Too many students breeze through the Task Memo as if it's just a formality. But it’s actually the most important document in the entire packet. It tells you the exact task, your audience, your tone, and the legal questions you must resolve—essentially functioning like the “call of the question” in an essay or MBE problem.

Read it word-for-word and annotate it like client instructions in real practice. Pay close attention to what you’re being asked to write (memo? brief? letter?), who your audience is (a partner? client? court?), and whether the tone should be neutral or persuasive. Jot down the issues and sub-issues you’re being asked to resolve.

Also take a moment to predict what kinds of information you might find in the Library and File. What legal authority will you need to complete this task? What facts would help you answer the questions raised by the Task Memo? Treat this like a client just walked into your office: what would you ask them? And what case law or statutes would you look up first? Thinking this way activates your legal instincts and makes you more engaged when you begin reading the rest of the materials.

This early investment of 10–12 minutes may feel slow, but it saves time later by anchoring everything you do next. The Task Memo should become your checklist for reading, outlining, and writing.

2. Read the Library Before the File

Most bar takers instinctively read the File first—after all, it contains the facts. But this usually leads to inefficiency. If you read the File without understanding the law, you’ll likely need to re-read it after going through the Library—doubling your time.

Instead, try reading the Library first. This gives you the rules, elements, and legal standards upfront so you can spot which facts matter when you read the File. You won’t just read the facts—you’ll know how to interpret them.

This is especially effective because the MPT is an artificial scenario. You don’t have to discover facts like in real life—they’re already in front of you. Your job is to identify which ones are legally significant. Reading the Library first allows you to do that with purpose, not guesswork.

3. Predict What You’ll Need Before You Dive Into the File

Once you’ve read the Task Memo and Library, take a brief moment to write down what you're looking for in the File. What legal elements need factual support? What types of information will help you make your arguments? What facts might trigger exceptions or counterarguments?

This “pre-reading outline” helps transform your reading of the File from passive to targeted legal research. You’re no longer wandering through the File—you’re hunting for evidence to support your legal analysis.

Reading the cases in the Library first will also help you see how legal rules are applied and what types of facts mattered to the court in reaching its conclusions. This understanding gives you a sharper lens for spotting legally significant facts in the File. When you approach the File with the law already in mind, you can more easily filter out irrelevant information and zero in on what matters.

This also prevents you from getting distracted by facts that might seem interesting but have no legal relevance. When you read with purpose, you save time and increase precision.

4. Stop Copying Passages as You Read

A common trap: students try to outline by copying large chunks of text from the File or Library, thinking, “I’ll need this later.” But transcribing excerpts from the test packet into your notes or draft without first understanding how you'll ultimately use them is counterproductive. It wastes time, bloats your notes, and leads to overstuffed responses.

Instead, use short notes and margin annotations to mark important facts and legal rules, but don’t mimic entire passages. If something is clearly useful, flag it. If it might be relevant, make a note. But don’t waste time copying until you know it’s needed.

Remember, MPT graders don’t want to see how much you can quote—they want to see how well you analyze. Quality always beats quantity.

5. Build a Simple, Issue-Based Outline Before You Write

Once you’ve identified the relevant law and facts, spend 5 to 7 minutes building a rough outline. This doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to help you stay organized and on task.

Start with issue headers based on the Task Memo. Under each one, note the relevant law and supporting facts from the File. This keeps your writing focused, reduces repetition, and helps ensure you don’t miss any required analysis.

A simple outline turns the MPT from a panicked typing sprint into a calm, structured drafting process. It also gives you a psychological edge—once the outline is done, you know exactly what you’re going to say.

The MPT isn’t just a writing exercise—it’s a reading and reasoning challenge under pressure. Success comes from taking control early, planning strategically, and sticking to the task. When you read reactively, you waste time and wander. When you read with purpose, you write with clarity.