The Exam Structure Explained
Although the subjects may vary between the different jurisdictions, the overall structure of the business law and management exam remains consistent. The format of the exam is unique to each local jurisdiction, but in Arkansas, the exam consists of approximately 50 questions that must be answered in about four hours. While the specifics may differ, the general content areas are similar to the same four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam: A more specific breakdown of the Arkansas portion of the exam includes about 30 contract questions, a dozen construction questions, a handful of basic accounting questions and a few questions on business ownership and forms. The contract section is the most detailed in content, with questions on particular types of contracts like partnership, joint venture , general contractor and sub-contractor. One question even included a scenario with several paragraphs of contract language.
In finding the right source of preparation materials, know that we are familiar with several publishers, and in our experience, individuals found Roger CPA Review to be especially helpful. Its robust business law study materials for contracts, construction and other topics did an excellent job of providing candidates the resources they needed to pass the exam.
Any candidate who wants to pass the Arkansas CPA exam should seek review material that is developed by AICPA creators. Unlike many of its competitors, Roger closes the gap by aligning its study materials with the AICPA guidelines and overlapping with questions from the CPA Examination Blueprints, as well as past CPA exams.
Importance of Practice Tests
The key to passing the Arkansas Business and Law Exam is practice. I cannot stress the importance of practice enough. You really need to focus on doing as many practice tests as you can before your March 3, 2020 exam date. This is one of the best ways to simulate something that is close to a real examination. It is worth mentioning that the answers in the reference manual are not necessarily the best answers. Sometimes they conflict with common sense rules and regulations for doing business. So even if the reference manual says something (even if it is not a good answer), that does not necessarily mean that it will appear on your actual test. So remember to pay attention to the topic, and its application in the Arkansas test.
I am asked a lot, "Why should I take this practice test, and how will it help me?" First, taking practice tests will definitely improve your memory retention. It is one of the best tools to correct your errors and ensure your improvement. It is very helpful when you realize that you answered a question incorrectly on the practice test; it helps you avoid the same error on the actual test.
Second, your practice test score can really highlight where your weaknesses and strengths are in a particular area of knowledge. This means you can focus on areas that you need help improving, and continue to build upon your strengths. Third, practice tests can really help you to feel confident about what you already know. They will help you feel more confident about going into the test, and help reduce test day anxiety.
Best Practice Test Resources
One of the best places to find top notch practice tests is the pages of your test prep book. Online course materials such as Kaplan or BARBRI also usually have a selection of practice exams. And there are some other valuable new tools you should look for as well. The Arkansas Board of Law Examiners even has a sample test available here. The sample test is a PDF document that can be downloaded and printed. It gives you some information on scheduling and provides the answers as well. You can write in the answers for the questions that you missed for your own study reference later. If you take this practice test and identify areas where you are struggling, you can then turn to a BARBRI course, the BARPREP Live Online class, or a variety of study guides to help strengthen those weaker areas. Study guides are typically written by experts who have analyzed previous exams. Look for a guide that has a description of what the test will be like and a practice test with answers, written explanations and scoring guidance. Kaplan tends to have good ones. Their PassPoint program is worth a look. It’s also worth looking at free resources that may be posted on organizational websites that will help you prepare for the exam. Books are available to purchase with sample test materials as well, but make sure to check the publication date against the test date to ensure the material will be useful. As we noted, Kaplan offers solid BARPREP Live Online classes with practice exams as well. Taking practice tests will help familiarize you with the exam format, especially if you can take a simulated version. Set up a similar atmosphere for yourself as you prepare. Sit down with a timer and take a practice test for an hour. Then review your answers. If you find that you get anxious when it comes time to take the actual exam, sign up for the BARPREP Primer series. These 75-minute intimidating presentations help deal with the stress of test taking and show how to cope with pressure, so you’ll walk into the exam warding off anxiety, which is crucial if you want to pass.
Proven Study Techniques
To pass the Arkansas Business and Law exam, you should develop a study plan that includes at least 20 hours of studying per section. Creating a timetable, ideally two to three weeks before the exam date, can help you create a structure in order to determine how much time to spend on each section. When studying, you should commit a minimum of one hour for each section every day in order to keep the material fresh in your mind. Here are some additional tips to guide your self-study: Learning vocabulary terms is extremely valuable. Stick to the recommended retail list when studying terminology. There also are laws that may not be covered in your Builder’s Manual 2018 Edition textbook, which you also should know. A good way to get a handle on these laws and vocabulary terms may be to make flashcards. It’s a simple, effective and efficient way to learn. Test yourself often and get a family member or friend to quiz you, too. There are also many YouTube videos available with helpful practice questions and tests. By familiarizing yourself with the format of the exam and similar questions, you’ll be as prepared as possible.
Mistakes to Avoid
In pursuing a successful career in law, taking the Arkansas Business and Law Exam is an essential step. Yet many test-takers find themselves in precarious positions due to common mistakes that could easily be avoided. By examining some of the most frequent pitfalls and their solutions, this guide will provide a roadmap to mastering the exam.
One of the most critical errors candidates commit is failing to fully familiarize themselves with the test content. While a general overview is helpful, the Business Law Handbook for Arkansas (2nd Edition) is an indispensable resource that all aspiring lawyers should acquire early in their study process. Beyond just checking off what’s in the book, candidates should strive to understand the ways in which the questions are usually framed. This knowledge is crucial to achieving a passing grade.
Another major issue during the actual exam is falling behind on pace. If you’re spending too much time on a particular question, it’s often better to move forward and mark that question in your materials to review later on. Chances are, you’ll find that it is a more difficult question that you may not have passed anyway. This is especially true for the ethics portion of the exam , which contains at least 10 questions that most candidates struggle with.
Providence attorneys know that long days can leave you tired and distracted, even when preparing for an exam. However, taking a few breaks at strategic points during the day can help you remain focused. It’s also important to consider whether or not you’re studying productively. Taking breaks when you need them, instead of trying to finish every single question, can create the mental distance you need to give your best answers.
It’s also important not to overdo it when you do study. While it may seem like cramming for long stretches is the best way to absorb the materials, a fresh mind does a better job than a fatigued one. Try to make the weeks leading up to the exam a time of absorption, rather than just brute force memorization. Qualitative studying is far more effective than simple repetition.
Sometimes candidates work from the PTSD they’ve already experienced when they arrive at the exam site. Instead of viewing your exam as a repeat of your previous attempts, each test day presents a new opportunity to pass. Go in with a confident mind and clear sense of purpose, rather than a sense of defeat before you’ve ever had a chance to begin the test.
Getting Ready for the Test
Arrive early: Be sure that you have your materials organized and are prepared to get to the exam site as early as possible. While checking in and getting settled in should really take no more than 30 minutes, this also gives you time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and to settle any last minute nerves.
Bring the right materials: You’re going to need a couple of things to get past the exam day check-in:
Know the schedule: The exam is at a specific time and you must show up at that time. How early should you arrive? Now that there is no prior exam on site to distract you, showing up 15-30 minutes in advance should be well enough. Don’t stay in your car or walk around the venue if possible. Save your brain power for during the exam.
During the exam: Once you are in the exam room, it’s time to settle in and focus on the task at hand.
Practice the endurance: Your first sit down practice exam probably lasted about 7 hours if done right. But how many practice exams did you do? You will need a solid 3-4 days of rigorous testing in a short amount of time so you can adjust to what will essentially become 3-4 days of being awake and solving various tests. Make sure to get extra sleep the days before the exam. Don’t be up late the night before.
Interpreting Your Practice Test Score
Analyzing Your Results and Targeting Further Study: Mastering the Arkansas Business and Law Exam
Consider this—you’ve completed your practice test and are feeling pretty good about what you have studied and retained. Your first thought is "I passed!" But did you? Or the opposite—you scored very poorly and are convinced you will fail. Either way, it’s time to analyze your practice test results and identify where you may need to do additional work.
First of all, determine whether you would have passed the actual Arkansas Business and Law Exam with your practice test score. Passing scores generally run around 75%. If you haven’t passed the Bar exam yet, don’t worry if your score is low as your performance on a practice test does not predict your success on the real thing. But if your scores run in the low to mid fifty percentage range, you’re likely in big trouble. If this is the case, you’re best suited with an intensive Bar review course and time dedicated to studying until you re-take the exam . Be very careful of the resources you use to prepare for the Bar—many that say they’ll help you pass just don’t work.
If your practice test is in the high seventies or eighties, you’re likely well-suited for the Bar if you have at least a month to devote to study. If your practice test fell in the fifties, you would undoubtedly have to study harder and longer to be assured of a passing grade. Above all, develop the study habits you need to build the mental discipline to learn the material while practicing good test-taking behaviors. You can also take clues from how you did on each section of the exam. Did you do well on the MPT, but poorly on several of the other sections? You may want to spend a little more time on multiple choice questions. If you did well on the multiple choice exam sections, but poorly on the MPT, you need to spend some time on your writing skills. The key is to use your practice exam results as a tool to improve your performance on the real thing. The more you know about your strengths and weaknesses, the better positioned you are to address any issues when you actually sit for the exam.