NCBE materials
Some are free and some cost money.
Your jurisdiction's past exams
Many state boards publish past essays, sometimes with selected passing answers, and some publish study guides or subject lists. If your exam includes state components, these are the most important free resource, because commercial courses cover them unevenly. Search your board's site for past exams.
Free MPRE and NextGen practice
NCBE provides MPRE sample questions and, for NextGen, sample items and a practice on the exam platform when available. Several providers offer free MPRE courses as a way to introduce their products, which can be perfectly good, but confirm that the material follows the current Model Rules.
Law school, alumni and library access
Ask your law school about academic success programs, discounted or free course access, and alumni access after graduation. Public and university law libraries often keep bar prep materials and quiet study space that alumni can use.
Videos, podcasts and webinars
Free video and podcast content ranges from good to inaccurate. Prefer sources that name their authors, cite current rules and date their videos. Use free lessons to fill gaps and confirm any rule you plan to memorize from a primary source.
Building a full free study stack
A workable free stack combines official questions, a free or borrowed outline for each subject, your state's past essays, a homemade error log and a schedule. It requires more self-direction than a paid course. Our free resources guide shows how to assemble it in detail.
Common questions
Where can I find free MEE questions and answers?+
NCBE and many state bar examiners publish released essay questions, and some include sample answers or grading notes. Start with NCBE's study aids page and your own board's site.
Are free bar exam resources enough?+
They can be if you build a plan around them: official questions, an outline for each subject, timed practice and graded writing. It takes more self-direction than a paid course.
Can I use my law school's resources after graduating?+
Many schools extend some bar support to graduates, including alumni access to materials and library space. Ask the academic success office before you graduate.
What to do next
- 1
Bookmark the NCBE study aids page and your board's past-exam page.
- 2
Ask your law school what bar support it offers.
- 3
Date every free resource before you rely on it.