MD BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MD BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In Maryland, what is the legal standard for a judge to grant a motion for judgment of acquittal? → No reasonable juror could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the evidence presented
2. In Maryland, which of the following methods is NOT a permissible method of serving process in a civil case? → Service on the defendant’s spouse
3. A minor, age 17, buys a motorcycle on credit. At 18, she continues making payments for six months before defaulting and asserting infancy. Can she disaffirm? → No, because continuing payments after reaching majority ratified the contract
4. On the Maryland Bar Exam, how many Multistate Performance Test (MPT) tasks must an examinee complete? → Two
5. In Maryland, what is the default form of co-ownership when a deed conveys property to a married couple without specifying the tenancy? → Tenancy by the entirety
6. What is a quitclaim deed? → A deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without warranties of title
7. What is the primary test used by courts to determine whether a state law that restricts commercial speech violates the First Amendment? → Intermediate Scrutiny
8. The District Court of Maryland has exclusive original civil jurisdiction over contract and tort claims up to what amount? → $5,000
9. An evidence-based essay asks whether a dying victim's statement identifying the shooter is admissible in a homicide trial. The strongest hearsay exception is: → Dying declaration, if made under belief of imminent death
10. When an essay's facts support two plausible outcomes, the strongest answer will: → Analyze both sides and justify a reasoned conclusion
11. What are prior inconsistent statements used for? → To impeach a witness's credibility by showing contradictory earlier statements
12. An examinee writes a brilliant analysis of an issue the task memo never asked about. What is the likely grading result? → Little or no credit, because it does not respond to the assigned task
13. How is each MPT task scored before scaling? → By jurisdiction graders using NCBE grading materials, typically on a relative scale
14. What is the legal rate of post-judgment interest on most money judgments in Maryland? → 10% per annum
15. Which of the following will terminate an easement appurtenant? → Merger of the dominant and servient estates in one owner
16. Under the Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure, what is the deadline for a defendant to file an answer to a complaint after being served? → 30 days
17. O conveys 'to A for life, remainder to A's children.' A has one child, B, at the time of conveyance. What interest does B hold? → Vested remainder subject to open
18. In Maryland, what standard governs a court's initial custody determination between two fit parents? → The best interests of the child, with no presumption favoring either parent
19. Under Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.16(a), in which situation is a lawyer REQUIRED (not merely permitted) to withdraw from representation? → Continued representation would result in a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct
20. Under Maryland's accomplice liability doctrine, what is required for a person to be guilty as an accomplice? → Intentional assistance or encouragement of the principal's crime
21. In Maryland, what is the standard waiting period for an absolute divorce based on six-month separation under the 2023 divorce law reform? → Six months of separation, which may occur under the same roof if leading separate lives
22. In a Maryland paternity action, what effect does genetic testing showing at least a 97.3% probability of paternity have? → It creates a rebuttable presumption of paternity
23. Under the Maryland Limited Liability Company Act, what is the default management structure of an LLC? → Member-managed
24. A grocery store customer slips on a grape that had been on the floor for an unknown period. To prevail in Maryland, the customer must generally prove what? → The store had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard in time to remove it
25. Under Maryland law, which crime is typically classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony? → Simple (second-degree) assault
26. In Maryland, a residential landlord generally must return a tenant's security deposit, less lawful deductions, within how many days after the tenancy ends? → 45 days
27. An agency essay asks whether a principal is bound by a contract the agent signed after the principal privately revoked authority. The best analysis centers on: → Apparent authority based on the third party's reasonable belief
28. In a Maryland design defect case, which test asks whether the danger of the product outweighs its utility given available alternative designs? → The risk-utility test
29. A jury awards a Maryland plaintiff $3 million in non-economic damages for pain and suffering in an ordinary negligence case. What will the court most likely do? → Reduce the award to comply with Maryland's statutory cap on non-economic damages
30. In a partnership essay, a partner who secretly diverts a business opportunity belonging to the partnership breached: → The fiduciary duty of loyalty