[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ebeff1″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|4px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ module_class=”custom_row et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ module_class=”second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/smart-brain-heading.png” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”center” custom_css_main_element=”max-width: 300px;||margin-top:40px;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The SmartBarPrep Story” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||0px|” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”At SmartBarPrep, we\u2019re all about studying Smarter, not Harder! ” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ text_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
At Smart Bar Prep\u2122<\/span>, we’re all about studying Smarter<\/em>, not Harder!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”We create outlines…” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]We create outlines, tools, and guides that help students focus on the bar exam\u2019s most important topics with the goal that examinees pass the bar their first time around! [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” module_alignment=”center” height=”0px” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||23px|” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hello, my name is Matthew Bates and I\u2019m the attorney behind Smart Bar Prep\u2122<\/span>.<\/p>\n I was fortunate enough to pass both the New York and New Jersey bar exams on my first try. I even scored a 171.1 on the MBE (top 5% – see here<\/a>). While I was thrilled with my personal results, I was incredibly disappointed with the available review materials I had purchased from a leading bar review company.<\/p>\n These materials were bloated with more information than I could study and they were wildly overpriced. They weren\u2019t based on ACTUAL bar exams and they didn\u2019t provide the single thing I needed most: a condensed, manageable list of the important topics and rules I was likely to face on the bar exam.<\/p>\n While making my own outlines, I got to thinking… \u201cHow can I offer a more effective solution for helping law students pass the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n My initial goal was to create the most helpful study guide possible for passing the nation\u2019s toughest exam: the New York Bar Exam. But I knew I needed to do more than simply copy\/paste my personal study guide, so I spent countless hours reading and analyzing past New York Bar Exams. I compiled all of this information into a concise, simple outline that focused on the most important information needed to pass.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s one thing to create something. It\u2019s another thing to watch it actually work, and that was exactly the feedback I got from the initial round of Smart Bar Prep\u2122<\/span> students as they passed the bar with ease.<\/p>\n Since that initial outline, we have helped thousands of students take the bar with confidence. We have expanded to creating guides for virtually every state\u2019s bar exam, and we are constantly updating these guides for every exam with the latest test questions and data available.<\/p>\n Why do these guides work so well? I attribute the success of our students to one very simple concept\u2026 the 80\/20 Rule.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#405261″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Our Philosophy: The 80\/20 Rule” module_class=”section-heading” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”25px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” module_alignment=”center” height=”0px” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||23px|” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]I\u2019m a firm believer in the 80\/20 Rule developed by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. In short, the 80\/20 Rule says that in almost anything in life, only a few things (the 20%) are essential, while the rest (the remaining 80%) are trivial.<\/p>\n After thousands of hours in review, my team and I proved that this rule can be applied to the bar exam. In line with the 80\/20 Rule, patterns emerged. The most noticeable was that the bar examiners tested some material more frequently than others.<\/p>\n For example, whenever a Civil Procedure question appeared on the UBE\/MEE, I found that approximately 40% of the time a component of the question dealt with the \u201cSubject Matter Jurisdiction: Diversity of Citizenship\u201d rule. Since this rule is tested frequently, it makes sense to spend more time memorizing it than, say, the rule for Depositions, which appeared only once in the last 20+ years.<\/p>\n Our team found very similar patterns for the California bar exam.<\/p>\n Also in line with the 80\/20 Rule, focusing 80% of your time and energy on the 20% of the rules of law that are tested most frequently will maximize your chances of passing. Don\u2019t just work hard; work smart by focusing on the right things.<\/p>\n This is the goal of our study guides: to help you invest your limited study time on the topics that are most likely to show up on your bar exam. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” module_alignment=”center” height=”0px” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||23px|” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While our study guides are intended to be your go-to resource for passing the bar, they are also designed for integrated use along with popular courses like BarBri, BarMax, and Kaplan.<\/p>\n The Smart Bar Prep\u2122<\/span> Essay Priority Outlines and study tools integrate well with review courses because each is arranged in terms of frequency and topic, saving you the hassle of trying to figure out which rules are the most important to study.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ededed” custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Pressed For Time?” module_class=”section-heading” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_2_font_size=”25px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” module_alignment=”center” height=”0px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”0px||23px|” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Since opening our doors, we have been trying to break the notion that law grads must spend 3 months pent up in a room, only coming out to go back and forth to bar review classes.<\/p>\n Studying for the bar exam is tough and does take a large time commitment, but our helpful study guides will keep you productive and efficient, freeing up your time while getting you prepared. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”30%” module_alignment=”center” height=”0px” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||23px|” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]We’re here to help you, so if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about anything, please feel free to contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Best of luck on the bar exam!<\/p>\n \u2013 Matthew F. Bates, Esq. The Smart Bar Prep\u2122 StoryAt Smart Bar Prep\u2122, we’re all about studying Smarter, not Harder!We create outlines, tools, and guides that help students focus on the bar exam\u2019s most important topics with the goal that examinees pass the bar their first time around! Why I Started Smart Bar Prep\u2122Hello, my name is Matthew Bates and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"What Is SmarBarPrep All About?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nStudying Smarter, Not Harder!\r\n\r\nOur Goal Is to Offer the Most Helpful Study Guides for Passing the Bar Exam\u2014the First Time.\r\n\r\nHi. My name is Matthew Bates and I'm the attorney behind SmartBarPrep<\/em>. I passed both the New York and New Jersey Bar Exams on my first try, which I was thrilled about. What I wasn't pleased with were the ordinary review materials that I had purchased from the big name bar review companies. They were seriously lacking in helping prepare for the essay portion of the exam.\r\n\r\nThe problem with most preparation materials is that they don't do enough hard research using ACTUAL exams.<\/strong> The typical bar exam outline or study guide tells you every rule imaginable but does not provide any clear guide as to what rules matter most.\r\n\r\nIt got me thinking\u2026could I do better?\r\n\r\nI believe I have, and SmartBarPrep.com is my answer. My goal was to create the most helpful study guide for passing the nation's toughest exam, the New York Bar Exam...on the first try.<\/strong> So I spent over 1,000 hours reading and analyzing past New York Bar Exams, and compiled all of this information into concise, simple guides that show you the information you really need to pass.\r\n\r\nOur Philosophy \u2013 The 80\/20 Rule<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI'm a firm believer in the 80\/20 Rule developed by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. In short, the rule says that in almost anything in life, only a few things (the 20 percent) are essential and the rest (the remaining 80 percent) are trivial.\r\n\r\nI proved that this rule can be applied to the New York Bar Exam by rolling up my sleeves and going through every shred of material released by the New York Board of Law Examiners (NY BOLE).\r\n\r\nAfter going through every item they released in detail, I noticed patterns emerge. The most noticeable was that the bar examiners tested some material more frequently than others. For example, whenever a wills question appeared I found that one-third of the time a component of the question dealt with the rule of a Spouse's Elective Share. Since this rule is tested frequently, it makes sense to spend more time memorizing it than, say, the rule of conditional gifts, which appeared only once in the last 17 years.\r\n\r\nAlso in line with the 80\/20 Rule, focusing 80 percent of your time and energy on the 20 percent of the rules of law that are tested most frequently will maximize your chances of passing.<\/strong> Don't just work hard; work smart by focusing on the right things. That is exactly what our study guides do: They tell you what is most important and where to focus your efforts.\r\n\r\nIntegrate our study guides with your bar review course<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOur study guides can be used to supplement bar exam review courses such as BarBri or Kaplan. The SmartBarPrep Essay Prep Outline<\/em> and SmartBarPrep Essay Frequency Analysis<\/em> integrate well with review courses because each is arranged in terms of frequency and topic, saving you the hassle of making index cards or other outlines.\r\n\r\nAre you feeling pressed for time?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSince opening our doors I have been trying to break the notion that law grads must spend 3 months pent up in a room, only coming out to go back and forth to bar review classes. Studying for the bar exam is tough and does take a large time commitment, but my helpful study guides will keep you productive and efficient, which will free up some of your time while still leaving you feeling prepared.\r\n\r\nHave questions?<\/strong>\r\n\r\nI'm here to help you, so if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about anything, please feel free to contact me here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nBest of luck on the bar exam!\r\n\r\n- Matthew F. Bates, Esq.","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why I Started SmartBartPrep” module_class=”section-heading” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ header_2_font_size=”25px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWhy I Started Smart Bar Prep\u2122<\/span><\/h2>\n
Our Philosophy: The 80\/20 Rule<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Integrate Our Guides With Your Bar Review Course” module_class=”section-heading” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_2_font_size=”25px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nIntegrate Our Guides With Your Bar Review Course<\/h2>\n
Pressed For Time?<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Have questions?” module_class=”section-heading” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_2_font_size=”25px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nHave Questions?<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"