The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! If you're planning to take the bar exam in July 2026 or February 2027, your exam will look quite different from the current one. The Uniform Bar Exam overhaul includes changes in the structure, the question types, the timing, the grading – basically everything except the stakes. Today we're walking you through 11 things that every bar taker needs to know about the NextGen UBE. Some of these are structural and some are strategic, and at least a couple might genuinely surprise you. 
In this episode, we discuss:
Exam structure changes and new question types
What subjects will be tested
How the new grading system works
Preparing for a fully computer-based exam 
How the exam will test practical lawyering skills beyond just legal knowledge
Resources:

Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)
Official Examinees' Guide to the NextGen UBE (https://www.ncbex.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/NCBE-NextGen-UBE-Examinees-Guide%20J26-F27.pdf)
NextGen UBE Content Scope (https://www.ncbex.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/NCBE%20NextGen%20UBE%20Content%20Scope-Aug%202025.pdf)
Next Gen UBE Constructed Response Guide (https://www.ncbex.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/NCBE_NextGen_UBE_Constructed_Response_Guide.pdf)
Next Gen UBE Sample Questions (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/sample-questions)
NextGen UBE Scores and Score Portability (https://www.ncbex.org/exams/nextgen/nextgen-ube-scores-score-portability)
Next Gen UBE Tutorial (https://www.starttest.com/ITDVersions/25.1.0.0/ITDStart.aspx?SVC=41623dba-2ec6-41fa-a293-ff5472bf2b71&Json=1)



Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-344-11-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-nextgen-ube/)



If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on  Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing ABA's Model Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3, which governs truth telling to the tribunal (a court, arbitrator, administrative agency, or any other body acting in an adjudicative capacity). We break down all of the rule's nuances and parts, and analyze a few hypothetical scenarios.
In this episode, we discuss:
An overview of ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct
The elements of Rule 3.3 "Candor Toward the Tribunal"
A few hypothetical scenarios that show how this topic appears on the bar exam
Resources:
"Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/model_rules_of_professional_conduct_table_of_contents/)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2024 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2024CBXessayQsandAnswer.pdf)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2018 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/Feb2018_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions.pdf)
Talmage v. Smith (https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/torts/torts-keyed-to-prosser/intentional-interference-with-person-or-property/talmage-v-smith/)

Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-343-listen-and-learn-duties-to-the-tribunal-professional-responsibility/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing contract law – specifically, warranties and the disclaimer of warranties under the UCC. We explain both express and implied warranties and how they can be disclaimed. We also go through several examples to illustrate these rules in practice.
In this episode, we discuss:
Express and implied warranties under the UCC
Disclaimer of warranties
A hypothetical scenario from a previous California bar exam
Resources:
"Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February2016CBX_QuestionsSelectedAnswers_R.pdf)
Podcast Episode 64: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Contract Law (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-64-tackling-a-california-bar-exam-essay-contract-law/)
Podcast Episode 293: Spotlight on Contracts (Part 1) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-293-spotlight-on-contracts-part-1/)
Podcast Episode 298: Spotlight on Contracts (Part 2) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-298-spotlight-on-contracts-part-2/)

Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-342-listen-and-learn-warranties-and-disclaimers-under-the-ucc-contracts/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the legal requirements for marriage formation in the United States. We also cover common law marriage as an exception to the procedural requirements and use hypothetical scenarios to illustrate how these rules apply in practice.
In this episode, we discuss:
Defining marriage and legal precedents
Procedural and substantive requirements for getting married
Common law marriage
Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams
Resources:
"Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2002 (https://juraxbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/July-2002-CBX.pdf)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2008 (https://nwculaw.edu/pdf/bar/February%202008%20Essays%20and%20Sample%20Answers.pdf)
Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act (https://red.library.usd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3390&context=sdlrev)
Loving v. Virginia (https://www.oyez.org/cases/1966/395)
Obergefell v. Hodges (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/576/644/)
Podcast Episode 41: Tackling an MEE Family Law and Conflicts of Law Essay Question (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-41-tackling-an-mee-family-law-and-conflicts-of-law-essay-question/)









Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-341-listen-and-learn-marriage-formation-and-requirements-family-law/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode of our "Listen and Learn" series explains the fundamentals of trust formation and administration, covering the requirements for creating both private and charitable trusts.  
In this episode, we discuss:
The different types of trusts
Requirements for creating an express private trust
Charitable trusts
Duties owed by the trustee
Two hypotheticals illustrating how trusts are created and administered
Resources:
"Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, February 2012 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/sites/default/files/portals/0/documents/admissions/CBXFeb2012_SelectedAnswers_R.pdf)
Podcast Episode 27: Tackling and MEE Question: Wills and Trusts (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-27-tackling-an-mee-question-wills-and-trusts/)
Podcast Episode 75: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Trusts (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-75-tackling-a-california-bar-exam-essay-trusts/)
Podcast Episode 102: Listen and Learn – The Statute of Frauds (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-102-listen-and-learn-the-statute-of-frauds/)
Podcast Episode 201: Listen and Learn – Rule Against Perpetuities (Property Law) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-201-listen-and-learn-rule-against-perpetuities-property-law/)
Podcast Episode 250: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-250-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-1/)
Podcast Episode 251: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-251-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-2/)
Podcast Episode 326: Listen and Learn – Intestate Distribution (Wills and Trusts) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-326-listen-and-learn-intestate-distribution-wills-and-trusts/)
SpacedRepetition.com (https://spacedrepetition.com/)








Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-340-listen-and-learn-trust-formation-and-administration/)
If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!
Thanks for listening!
Alison & Lee