aspidistra

I took the Aug 8 MPRE. Before the day of the exam, I called the MPRE people to clarify the rules, and I was told that it was absolutely prohibited to bring ANYTHING into the exam room other than my ID and pencils. Day of the exam, about 75% of the test takers were allowed to bring STUDY MATERIALS into the exam room. All but one person placed their materials under their seats - often in such a way that whoever was sitting behind them would have clear view of those materials. I did BarBri, and I know that the lecturer gave info that I wrote on the back of my handout - stuff that didn't fit into the handout. I saw several of those same handouts sitting under people's chairs, possibly with those additional notes visible to people sitting behind the test taker. People were also allowed to leave water bottles, watches, other miscellaneous items on their tables.

I was so freaked out by the person I talked to at that National Conference Whatever place that I threw away my flash cards literally three blocks away from the test site. This meant that I was not able to study up to the last minute, as most other test takers were.

Finally, the proctor was a total idiot. She gave wrong info to someone who asked a question, and when someone corrected her, she got irritated and shut him up. This is why I did not dare ask her a question, as she was the one who said people could put their study materials under their chairs.

I don't know if this seems like a big deal to other people. I've taken two states' bar exams now, and it was like trying to get into a maximum security prison to get into one of those test rooms - we were all but given cavity searches before being allowed in. Info on the MPRE said that we would be held to the same standard as though we were taking a bar exam, and so I expected the same kind of security, which is the kind of security that I've gotten used to after the uptightness of both bar exams.

Input?

Category: MPRE

brookny

wow, that sounds like a total violation! I think you should just let it go to save trouble, but if you don't mind the trouble, you can totally get that proctor disciplined or fired!

va2008

I've taken the MPRE a couple of times in different locations and at both places people were allowed to bring study materials into the test room. At one location, people were allowed to put materials under their seats and at the other location they had to put everything against the wall. So, I think it really varies depending on the proctors and location.

Either way, I don't think people who study up to the last minute have a huge advantage. At that point, either you know the material and the nuances involved or you don't. You also don't really have time to read the questions, the answer choices, read someone's notes that are under their chair(assuming that you aren't planning to cheat, of course) and answer the question correctly.

Having said all that, it would be nice all the test sites were consistent but I doubt any real advantage is gained. However, the behavior of the proctor at your site doesn't sound appropriate but I would just let it go at this point.

ipnoland

I totally agree with va2008.

There is no advantage if you have your notes beside you etc... time is too short to look through them anyway. Also, who cares if someone else cheats and gets away with it - focus on your own exam and you should pass it. Re the water etc... the rules do state no water, only pencils (2 *HB etc...) however, we all know that this is rarely enforced and it is really in place incase someone is an annoyance to the other test takers i.e. eating crisps and making too much noise or opening a fizzy drink.

In my lecture room, the proctor said that nobody is allowed water etc... but he had the discretion of allowing this if it didn't disturb other test takers and if someone raised their hand and asked that people not be allowed water on the desks etc... he would enforce the rule, otherwise, test takers should respect fellow test takers and eat/drink quietly. I saw a lot of people with notes in the lecture room, I left mine in my Apt as I knew as much as I was going to at that stage anyway. Best to clear your head before an exam in my experience and go in fresh.

I would just leave it be and wait for your results.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth.