OH BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which trusts-and-estates topic is fair game on an MEE essay? → Intestate succession and the revocation of wills
2. Under Ohio law, punitive damages in a tort action require the plaintiff to prove the defendant acted with: → Actual malice, by clear and convincing evidence
3. Which habit most improves MEE essay scores according to bar examiners' published analyses? → Explicitly connecting specific facts from the question to each element of the rule
4. Which doctrine allows the Supreme Court to decline deciding a constitutional question when a case can be resolved on non-constitutional grounds? → Constitutional avoidance canon
5. What is a quitclaim deed? → A deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without warranties of title
6. What is the residency requirement for filing a divorce in Ohio? → The petitioner must meet state-specific residency requirements before filing
7. Ohio's long-arm statute allows an Ohio court to exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant who has: → Transacted business in Ohio or caused tortious injury in Ohio
8. A buyer rightfully rejects goods but is a merchant in possession of the seller's perishable goods, and the seller has no local agent. What must the buyer do? → Make reasonable efforts to sell the goods for the seller's account
9. A lawyer agrees to limit the scope of representation to reviewing a contract but not negotiating it. This limited-scope arrangement is proper if: → The limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent
10. Under the doctrine of adverse possession, which of the following is NOT a requirement for someone to claim ownership of land? → Possession with the permission of the true owner
11. What are prior inconsistent statements used for? → To impeach a witness's credibility by showing contradictory earlier statements
12. Under Ohio law, a nonparent (such as a grandparent) seeking custody against a parent must generally show what? → That the parent is unsuitable, by abandonment, contract, or detriment to the child
13. Under dormant Commerce Clause doctrine, a state law that facially discriminates against interstate commerce is subject to what level of scrutiny? → Strict scrutiny / near-per-se invalidity
14. In an Ohio medical malpractice case, the plaintiff's complaint must generally be accompanied by: → An affidavit of merit from a qualified expert
15. On which day of the two-day Ohio Bar Exam are the MEE essays administered? → The first day, along with the MPT
16. Under Ohio Civ. R. 55, a default judgment may be entered against a party who fails to plead or otherwise defend, but courts must first consider: → Whether the defendant has a meritorious defense if seeking to set aside a default
17. In a general partnership, unless the partnership agreement provides otherwise, how are profits and management rights allocated among partners? → Equally among all partners, regardless of capital contributions
18. Formal action taken by an Ohio public body in violation of the Open Meetings Act is: → Invalid
19. A party in an Ohio administrative adjudication is denied the chance to cross-examine the agency's key witness. This most directly implicates which requirement? → The due process and statutory right to a fair adjudication hearing
20. Under the UCC, if a contract for the sale of goods is missing a term regarding price, what is the appropriate remedy? → The price is a reasonable price at the time of delivery
21. An Ohio court may modify a spousal support award after the decree only if what condition is met? → The decree expressly reserved jurisdiction to modify the award
22. Which doctrine generally requires a party to complete all available agency procedures before seeking judicial review in Ohio courts? → Exhaustion of administrative remedies
23. How many essay questions appear on the MEE portion of the Ohio Bar Exam? → Six
24. A plaintiff sues an Ohio manufacturer under the Ohio Products Liability Act for a design defect. Which test does Ohio primarily apply? → Whether foreseeable risks exceeded the benefits of the design
25. An MEE question asks the examinee to answer three numbered questions. What is the best approach to organizing the answer? → Use headings that track each numbered call and answer them in order
26. Both parties to a wholly executory contract agree to call the deal off before either performs. What discharges their duties? → Mutual rescission, with each party's surrender of rights serving as consideration
27. A wrongful death action in Ohio must be brought by: → The personal representative of the decedent's estate
28. You need to draft a contract clause to address the issue of breach of contract. What should you include to ensure clarity and enforceability? → A detailed description of the remedies available in the event of a breach.
29. A testator executes a codicil that expressly ratifies her earlier will. What is the effect under the doctrine of republication by codicil? → The will is treated as re-executed on the date of the codicil
30. O conveys Blackacre "to A for life, then to B and her heirs if B survives A." What interest does B hold during A's lifetime? → A contingent remainder