Knowledge of the law. Your answer should demonstrate your knowledge of legal principles and your ability to repeat them accurately on the examination as they relate to the problem presented by the question. You should state concisely the principle(s) and rule(s) governing the issue(s) presented by the question.

Application and analysis. Your answer should reveal your capacity to reason logically by applying the appropriate rule or principle to the operative facts of the question as a step in reaching your conclusion. This involves making the correct preliminary determination as to which facts in the question are legally important and which, if any, are irrelevant.

The line of reasoning that you adopt should be clear and consistent without gaps or digressions. This is the most important element in your answer and, therefore, carries the most weight in the grading process.

Conclusion. You should address yourself to the task that the question asks you to perform. For example, if the question calls for a specific conclusion or result, such conclusion should clearly appear in your answer and should be stated concisely and without equivocation.

An answer that consists entirely of mere conclusions unsupported by any statements or discussion of the rules or reasoning upon which it is based is entitled to little credit. Clarity and conciseness are important, but make your answer complete. Do not volunteer irrelevant or immaterial information.

• Do not anticipate trick questions or attempt to read into the question hidden meanings or facts not clearly expressed.
• Read and analyze the question carefully before commencing your answer.
• Think through to your conclusion before you begin writing.
• If the question has separate parts, clearly mark your answer accordingly.
• Your answer should clearly indicate:

(1) the relevant facts,
(2) the applicable law,
(3) your analysis and
(4) your conclusion.

Unless specifically called for in the question, it is not necessary to engage in an academic discussion of the applicable law or its historical basis and ramifications.

• After you have answered the question fully, STOP.
• ANALYZE.

1) The following are PERMITTED in the examination room: photo ID, wallet, medications, tissues, earplugs, #2 pencils, pens, erasers, "hi-liters", watch or silent timer. You may bring these items in a small, clear food storage bag. You should dress in layers. Often the testing room starts off very cool and warms up as the day progresses.

2) All items not mentioned in #1 above are PROHIBITED. Specifically, no food, drinks, books, papers, handbags, briefcases, backpacks, pagers, calculators, PDA’s, telephones, headphones or headsets, programmable watches, weapons, etc. will be permitted in the exam room. These items should be left at home, in your car or in your hotel room.

3) Smoking is not permitted in the examination room.

4) Permission to leave the examination room during the examination must be obtained from the proctor.

5) Applicants must be at the test site on time. No additional time will be given to an applicant who arrives late.

6) Applicants are not permitted to leave the examination room during the last twenty (20) minutes of each testing session.

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7) Abbreviated instructions for taking the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) can be found in the MBE Information Booklet available on-line at www.ncbex.org/tests.htm. Detailed instructions will be provided the morning of the examination. Bring plenty of #2 pencils.
 

8) The Connecticut Essay Examination is a 12-question, essay-style examination. Each question should be answered in 30 minutes. Questions 1 - 6 are distributed in the morning and questions 7 - 12 in the afternoon. Applicants must answer the questions in order. Questions are collected every hour: Questions ## 1 & 2 in the first hour; Questions ##3 and 4 in the second hour, etc. If you finish a pair of questions early, you may go on to the next question. Detailed instructions will be provided the morning of the examination. Bring plenty of black pens.

9) On the cover of each examination book write only the examination number assigned to you. DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME ON ANY BOOK. Make certain that you answer each question in the examination book for that question.

10) Use a separate book for each question. If you use more than one book, make sure that each book is properly numbered. Additional books may be obtained from the proctor.

11) WRITE PLAINLY. Credit cannot be given for answers which cannot be read. Use both sides of the paper. Single space your answer. Skip lines only if necessary.

12) The proctors are at the site to administer the examination. The proctors cannot answer questions about possible problems with essay (or MBE) questions. Answer the questions to the best of your ability. If you believe there is a problem with a test question, advise the Committee immediately after the examination.

13) All applicants must cease writing when told to do so by the proctors. Failure to comply with this instruction may result in your disqualification.

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Directions to exam site

From points West and South (New York):

• Take Route 84 East to Exit 25A (Austin Road).
• Take a left off the exit over Route 84.
• Take a right 1/4 mile ahead at the light onto East Main Street. The hotel will be immediately on the right.

From points East and North (Hartford):

• Take Route 84 West to Exit 26.
• Take a right off the exit and the hotel is 3/4 mile on your left.

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