There is a method to using AdaptiBar and we will get into what that is in just a minute. For now, here is how the program works, step-by-step:

Logging In

First, you will need to log in to AdaptiBar by using the e-mail address you used to register and the password you created when you enrolled. If you have forgotten your password, click here to go to the password reminder page.

The AdaptiBar Online Test Center

Now that you are logged in, you will see choices that allow you to answer questions, take a practice test, check your status and performance, change your AdaptiBar settings, and update your profile.

AdaptiBar Test Settings

The settings page allows you to choose which areas of law you would like to see questions from when answering questions in practice question mode only.

You will also see a choice to show the timer. If you find the timer is distracting, you can choose not to see it by unchecking the corresponding box. The program will still time you, you just won't see the timer while answering questions. The second choice you will see is to show the question number and subject. We recommend that you choose not to see this. Seeing the subject while answering questions is likely to tip you off to the correct answer.

Another choice is to show the number of questions answered. This will display a small counter at the top of the screen that tells you how many questions you have answered since the last time you logged in, today, and for all time.

After you have made your subject choices, click the "Save Changes" button. Now, let's get to the good part...

Answering Questions

Practice Question Mode

If you click the first choice on the AdaptiBar Online Test Center ("OTC") page, you will be taken to a page that displays the directions that appear at the beginning of the actual MBE. Although many people skip these directions, it is very important that you read and understand them because they will influence the way you answer practice questions. When you finish reading the directions, click the "continue" button and you will be taken to the first question.

The question will appear with the answer choices below it. You will notice the timer running at the top of the page. When the timer exceeds the average time to answer each question (1.8 minutes), it will appear bolded to give you a subtle indication that you better pick up the pace.

When you are taking a paper exam, you may be inclined to exclude certain answers that you feel are definitely incorrect. You would do this by somehow marking that question so that you can more easily choose between the remaining answers. In AdaptiBar, all you need to do to deselect an answer is click on the text of that answer. The text will appear shaded to indicate you have excluded that answer. Click it again to reverse the process. Even if you exclude an answer by clicking on it, you can still choose that answer as the correct one and submit it.

To select an answer, simply click in the circle to the left of the answer. When you are ready to submit the answer, click the answer button at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the length of the question, you may need to scroll down to click the buttons at the bottom of the screen. You may also hit the F11 key on your keyboard to maximize the Internet Explorer screen. If you do not already have a scroll mouse, you may want to invest a few dollars and get one, you will find it much easier to use.

If you do not want to answer that question, you can choose the pass button. This will move you to the next randomly selected question without recording an answer for the one you just saw. PLEASE NOTE: Excessively passing on questions will adversely affect your studying because you do not have the luxury of passing on the actual MBE. However, you are only practicing here, so we gave you the option.

Clicking the stop for now button will take you back to the Online Test Center ("OTC").

When you answer a question, you will be directed to a page which gives you feedback based on your answer. If you answered correctly, you will see GREEN text indicating so. If you are incorrect, you will be shown your letter choice along with the correct letter choice in RED text. You will also be told the time you took to answer the question. There are several types of feedback you will see. Pay attention to it because it will help you with your timing on subsequent questions. The explanation will appear below the feedback. Read the explanation carefully even if you answer correctly so that you learn exactly why your answer was correct. Below the explanation, the original question and answers will be displayed with the correct answer in bold.

To continue to the next question, click next question. To return to the OTC, click stop for now.

Taking a Practice Exam

The second choice on the OTC page allows you to take a practice exam. When you click the button, you will be directed to a page where you can choose the topics and subtopics you wish to be tested. You will also be asked how many questions you would like in the exam. Ideally, you should emulate the AM or PM session of the MBE by choosing 100 questions. At the end of the exam, you will be presented with a report.

Your exam reports will be saved and are accessible anytime from the Performance Analysis Center ("PAC").

PLEASE NOTE: The practice exam feature was added to AdaptiBar due to a number of requests from users. We must caution you against this method of preparation. Students like to use this feature because it allows them to pinpoint particular subtopics. However, doing so will negate the innovative adaptive and timing features of AdaptiBar. We recommend that you do not use this feature. Simply answer questions in practice question mode and allow AdaptiBar to adjust the presentation of questions as necessary.

Checking your Status and Performance

Clicking on the third button on the OTC page will take you to the AdaptiBar PAC. Here you can choose from three different charts and two report options.

The Subject Performance & Benchmark chart will show your accuracy in each subject area. For further detail on your performance in each subtopic within each area of law, click on the area of law (i.e. contracts, torts, etc.) and the chart will expand, showing you each subtopic within the area of law and your performance in each of them. The number in parenthesis is the number of questions you have answered in each subject or subtopic. To see your accuracy rate for a certain time period, rather than the entire session, choose your exact dates by clicking on the calendar icons above the chart. The page will refresh and show you the time period you wish to see. You can also compare yourself to students studying for the same bar exam. To see statistics for all students studying for your bar exam state and date, choose state and then click on "view all dates." To see statistics for all students studying for the same bar exam date as you worldwide, choose national and click "view all dates." State or worldwide statistics will appear next to yours on the charts.

The Timing Performance chart shows your accuracy rate is at each interval of time. You can choose the number of one-minute increments you want to view by dropping down the "minutes tracked" menu. You can also choose the increments of time within each minute by dropping down the "increments" menu.

The Timing Analysis graph shows what your performance is in ten-second increments. The vertical RED line shows the 1.8 minute average time you have for each question on the MBE. The vertical ORANGE line shows what your "sweet spot" is. The "sweet spot" calculation is a complicated one and is weighted depending on the number of questions you have answered correctly. The vertical ORANGE line may appear at a time that is not actually your highest accuracy time. However, the highest accuracy time may be based on much fewer answers than what your "sweet spot" actually is. The goal is to always make sure that your ORANGE line always appears to the left of the RED line. If it does not, keep working on your timing so that you answer questions faster, but with the same or better accuracy.

If you move your mouse over any of the GREEN dots, you will see a pop-up that indicates how many questions you answered at that time. Below the graph, you will see several statistics about your performance. Note that when the statistics refer to "completion time," that time is based on one three-hour part of the MBE. (There are two, three-hour parts of the MBE, the AM and PM sessions).

Please note that when you first start to use AdaptiBar, you may see strange statistics and feedback. AdaptiBar needs you to answer several questions before your statistics begin to normalize. When answering questions on AdaptiBar, take them seriously, as if you were sitting in the exam. If you allow yourself to get overly distracted, and you take three or four minutes to answer several questions, your data will be skewed.

The View Exam Reports button allows you to view your past exams and delete them from your account. Note that deleting them from your account will also remove them from your performance statistics.

The View My Past Questions and Answers button allows you to run a report of your previously answered questions. This report does not distinguish between questions answered in practice question or practice exam mode. You will have the option to chose correct and/or incorrect questions, in any combination of subjects and within any particular time period. This is a great tool for reviewing past questions and it is the only option for doing so in the AdaptiBar program.

AdaptiBar Preparation Method

The AdaptiBar program is made up of just under 1300 questions (the entire universe of licensable questions from the National Conference of Bar Examiners). Before you begin answering questions in AdaptiBar you should review the outlines for each of the subjects in detail. Once you have reviewed the subjects, you may begin to answer questions. We recommend that you divide the program into quarters. By that, we mean that you should answer quarters of 300 questions each. Do not answer questions in practice exam mode, only practice question mode. If you are a first time taker, you may answer the first quarter by doing 50 questions in each subject. If you have taken the exam before, you should mix up all 6 subjects and answer the questions that AdaptiBar presents. Answer the 300 questions over the course of maybe 10 days. Take your time answering each question and always thoroughly read the explanation.

Once you have answered 300 total questions, stop. Go to the Subject Performance & Benchmark chart. Expand all 6 subjects and print the chart out. Of the 34 subtopics, you will probably be able to identify 20 weak subtopics. Spend one day on each subject and work on the weak subtopics in each subject by reviewing your outlines for those subtopics. After spending one day on each subject, begin answering questions again. Make a note of the date that you started the second quarter and the date on which you finish the second quarter.

Once the counter tells you that you have answered a total of 600 questions, go back to the Subject Performance & Benchmark chart and input the dates of the second quarter to see your stats for just the second set of 300 questions. Expand the subjects and print out the chart. Compare your performance to the first quarter. Hopefully, of the 20 weak subtopics in the first quarter, your studying has paid off and those have been reduced to only about 14 weak subtopics. Study those 14 weak subtopics thoroughly and then begin the third quarter of questions. Don't forget to make a note of the dates you started and finished the third quarter.

After studying those 14 weak subtopics, hopefully after the third quarter, the chart will tell you that you are still only weak in 8. Then after the fourth quarter, only 4. The idea here is to constantly use the questions to diagnose your weaknesses. The questions are not your primary source of substantive review for the MBE, the outlines are. You use AdaptiBar to easily diagnose your weaknesses and track your progress.

In general, when using AdaptiBar, don't be obsessed with answering a certain number of questions a day. It is important that you practice questions every day. However, all too often, students feel confident in their studying - they have practiced the number of questions their comprehensive course tells them to do each day. A problem arises when students become obsessed with the quantity of questions they answer daily rather than the quality with which they answer those questions. Anyone can do fifty questions a day; answering them and fully understanding the answers is another story. Study smart, otherwise you are wasting your time.

We wish you the best of luck and hope that you enjoy using AdaptiBar. Don't be afraid to talk to us. The AdaptiBar Team is here to make your bar preparation experience the best it can possibly be. From all of us that have made this program possible, thank you for your support.