I'll just put it out there: I failed the Tennessee bar exam in February 2024 and again in July 2024. Both times I scored in the 260s and needed a 270 to pass. I was devastated, especially after spending three years at UT Law and genuinely believing I'd studied enough. My essay scores were decent but my MBE was killing me every single time.
After my second failure I completely overhauled my approach. I ditched the big-box prep course I'd been using and started building my own system — heavy emphasis on drilling with a TN BAR practice test set every single day rather than just reading outlines passively. I also found a study guide that broke down Tennessee-specific distinctions (community property vs. equitable distribution, for example) in a way that finally clicked for me.
For anyone else grinding through this, I want to share what actually changed my score. What are your biggest weak spots right now — MBE, MPT, or Tennessee essays? Happy to share specific exam tips that helped me cross that 270 line on attempt three.