Research Guides: Exam Study Guide: Evidence Study Aids

How to Access Online Study Aids

If accessing the online study aids from the West Academic subscription (either connected to Secure Wireless or on a networked computer), you can just click on the links below or go to https://subscription.westacademic.com. If you want to be able to access them from off-campus or from other parts of campus, create a West Academic account. A West Academic account also allows you to take notes, highlight, save favorites, or download titles for offline access. To create an account, click the Create an Account link at the top right corner of the Study Aids Subscription page. Use your UC email as the email address. Once you have filled in the required information to set up an account, you will need to verify your email address (they will send you a confirmation email that you will need answer to verify the email address). Once you have created an account and logged in, you can use the links to access individual study aids or you can access all study aids through https://subscription.westacademic.com while outside of the law school building. To access the study aids even when offline, download the app. For audio study aids there is a separate audio app. Accessing West Academic Study Aids Offline.

If accessing the online study aids from the LexisNexis Digital Library (Lexis OverDrive), you will need to authenticate using your UC credentials.

If accessing the online study aids from the Aspen Learning Libary (formerly Wolters Kluwer), you will need to authenticate using your UC credentials.

To access CALI Lessons, set up a username and password by going to CALI. You will be asked to enter UC Law’s authorization code. You can get this code from any reference librarian or at the Circulation Desk.

Study Aids to Help in Understanding Evidence

Casenote Legal Briefs for Evidence Keyed to Fisher, Fourth Edition
Call Number: Available online via Aspen Learning Library study aid subscription
ISBN: 9798889063438
Publication Date: 2023-08-29
This title contains briefs for each major case in Fisher's casebook on Evidence. It includes the black letter law, facts, majority opinion, concurrences, and dissents, as well as analysis of the case.
Casenote Legal Briefs for Evidence, Keyed to Mueller, Kirkpatrick, and Richter's, Tenth Edition
Call Number: Available online via Aspen Learning Library study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781543850840
Publication Date: 2023-07-12
This title contains briefs for each major case in Mueller's casebook on Evidence. It includes the black letter law, facts, majority opinion, concurrences, and dissents, as well as analysis of the case.
Evidence CALI Lessons by The Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction
Call Number: Online via CALI
CALI currently offers many interactive exercises for Evidence students. You will need to set up a password to use CALI online. To set up a username and password, you will be asked to enter UC Law’s authorization code. You can get this code from any reference librarian or at the Circulation Desk.
Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence in a Nutshell by Shira Scheindlin; Sedona Conference (Organization) Staff
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription and Law Reserves KF8902.E42 S34 2016
ISBN: 9781634597487
Publication Date: 2015-12-24
Nutshells are little paperback books that give a concise overview of an area of law. This nutshell covers all issues relating to electronically stored information (ESI) in litigation today, and a must-own for both civil and criminal practitioners. The authors have substantially rewritten each chapter and added chapters on anticipated changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governing ESI (which take effect December, 2015), technology-assisted review of ESI, and the use of ESI in criminal cases. Includes extensive treatment of preservation, search for and production of ESI, privilege protection, sanctions, ethical obligations of attorneys with respect to technology, and how the federal rules can be and have been adopted to accommodate digital evidence.
Evidence: Examples & Explanations by Arthur Best
Call Number: Online via the Aspen Learning Library subscription
ISBN: 9798889060802
Publication Date: 2024-06-20
This text covers the Federal Rules of Evidence and includes the latest Supreme Court cases. It also analyzes the ebb and flow of Confrontation Clause jurisprudence. Analysis is first provided for a topic and then examples are given to help students understand the analysis. A series of problems at the end of each section or chapter assist you in testing your understanding. Answers are provided for these problems. It also includes a full presentation of the text of the Federal Rules, with “plain language” explanations, in a 59-page Appendix. New to the 14th Edition: Amendment allowing introduction of extrinsic evidence of a witness’s prior inconsistent statement only after the witness has had an opportunity to explain or deny it (Rule 613); Amendment expanding the types of corroborating evidence that must be considered in applying the statement against penal interest hearsay exception (Rule 804(b)(3)); Changes to the opposing party’s statement provisions in Rule 801 for circumstances where a party’s claim derives from a declarant or a declarant’s principal; New Rule 107 and modification of Rule 1006 concerning illustrative aids.
Evidence in a Nutshell by Paul Rothstein; David Crump; Ronald Coleman
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781647085681
Publication Date: 2021-11-08
The latest version of the Federal Rules is the anchor of this book, with some state variations noted where important. The text summarizes significant U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including the latest Confrontation Clause cases; additional leading cases; forefront expert, scientific, and electronic evidence developments; and principal schools of evidentiary thought. Includes practical implementation as well as scholarly approaches. It pays attention to the litigation process as a whole and includes interdisciplinary cross-pollination where helpful. Numerous signpost-type headings and subheadings light the way, concisely summarizing the gist of each evidentiary concept.
Evidence Law (Concepts & Insights) by Leonard Niehoff
Call Number: Available online via West Academic subscription
ISBN: 9781634602983
Publication Date: 2016-10-06
This book offers an overview of the theory and principles of evidence. An opening chapter offers a broad conceptual framework for understanding evidence. This framework is then used throughout the text to help the reader achieve a firm grasp of the essentials: relevance, character, hearsay, impeachment, opinion, privileges, and non-conventional forms of evidence. The book also includes an appendix that explains the mechanics of finding, offering, and objecting to evidence. The author has drawn on his thirty years of experience as an evidence professor and a practicing litigator to provide the reader with a solid understanding of what the evidence rules are trying to achieve and how they are going about it.
Evidence Law, a Student's Guide to the Law of Evidence As Applied in American Trials by Roger Park; Aviva Orenstein; Dale Nance
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781636591261
Publication Date: 2022-02-18
This treatise explains the Federal Rules, selected state variations, major cases, essential doctrines, and important underlying policies. Frequent practical examples drawn from courtroom practice introduce students to courtroom procedure, provide a context in which evidence problems arise, and acquaint them with the language of the courtroom.
Evidence Logic Maps by Sydney A. Beckman
Call Number: Available online via the West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781636592954
Publication Date: 2025
This full-color e-book of Evidence logic maps is designed to provide visual aids including graphic and color cues to aid in the understanding and application of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Now fully updated to reflect all rule changes through December 2024, this edition features an expanded array of visual tools to enhance student learning. The book showcases new and improved types of graphics and images, carefully crafted to illustrate complex evidence concepts more effectively. Visual references continue to demonstrate the interplay among rules and subparts of rules, with applicable case law referenced where relevant.
Evidence Stories by Richard O. Lempert
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription and Law Stacks KF8934 .E944 2006
ISBN: 9781599410067
Publication Date: 2007-07-12
This text contains essays by leading evidence scholars discussing the stories behind landmark cases and illuminating principles and materials across the evidence curriculum. The seldom-told stories behind cases in which evidence plays a significant role are told with important illustrations of the development, application, and importance of the rules of evidence.
Federal Rules of Evidence in a Nutshell by Michael H. Graham
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781684676859
Publication Date: 2020-10-22
The Nutshell, reflecting the Federal Rules of Evidence as restyled and amended up to and including December 1, 2020, contains an explanation of each Federal Rule of Evidence designed to prepare every student for the course final, the multistate bar examination, and most significantly a successful litigation practice career. The United States Supreme Court's controversial testimonial/nontestimonial interpretation of the Confrontation Clause developed in Crawford and progeny is thoroughly analyzed as well. With respect to the definition of hearsay, the not hearsay definition, the most commonly encountered hearsay exceptions, expert witnesses, and character evidence even more exhaustive treatment is provided. Concrete illustrations are presented throughout.
High Court Case Summaries on Evidence Keyed to Fisher by Publisher's Editorial Staff
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription
ISBN: 9780314290588
Publication Date: 2013-11-12
This title contains briefs for each major case in Fisher’s casebook on Evidence, 3rd. The briefs are followed by legal analysis, providing contextual background about each case, and connecting the case to the broader concepts developed throughout the book. This title also supplies case vocabulary, with definitions of new or unusual legal words found throughout the cases. Finally, there is a corresponding memory graphic for each brief that portrays a visual representation of the relevant facts or law of the case.
High Court Case Summaries on Evidence, Keyed to Mueller by Publishers Editorial Staff
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781684673728
Publication Date: 2019
Provides analysis of cases in the Mueller casebook. Included in the case analyses are the case procedural basis, fact, issues, decision and rationale, and analysis. Additional quick memory aids include headnotes, instant facts, black letter rules, case vocabulary, and graphics. Each chapter begins with an introduction of its concepts presented in simple terms, and an alphabetical table of cases is provided.
High Court Case Summaries on Evidence, Keyed to Park and Friedman by Publisher's, Editorial Staff
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription
ISBN: 9781684673797
Publication Date: December 11th, 2019
This title contains briefs for each major case in Park’s casebook on Evidence. The briefs are followed by legal analysis, providing contextual background about each case, and connecting the case to the broader concepts developed throughout the book. This title also supplies case vocabulary, with definitions of new or unusual legal words found throughout the cases. Finally, there is a corresponding memory graphic for each brief that portrays a visual representation of the relevant facts or law of the case.
Law School Legends Audio on Evidence by Ric Simmons
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
Publication Date: 2019
These audio lectures are each approximately twenty minutes long. Each one covers a discrete aspect of Evidence law, so you can easily access the topics you want to learn or review. Coverage includes the topics of relevance, impeaching witnesses, character evidence, rape shield law, expert testimony, and privileges. The topic of hearsay and its numerous exceptions gets special attention. Each lecture begins with a clear, concise statement of the relevant legal principles and then explores the scope and nuances of the applicable rule with a series of examples that apply the rule in different situations.
Mastering Evidence by Ronald W. Eades
Call Number: Online via Lexis OverDrive study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781594602610
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Mastering Evidence is a discussion of the rules of evidence. Most courses in evidence, and, of course, the multi-state bar examination in evidence, focus primarily on the Federal Rules of Evidence. This book takes the same approach, fully explaining the details of those rules. It is also organized according to the same structure as the Federal Rules and is, therefore, easy to follow. For students who are concerned about the state rules of evidence, comments about traditional rules are made where appropriate.
McCormick on Evidence (Hornbook) by Robert P. Mosteller; Kenneth S. Broun; George E. Dix; Edward J. Imwinkelried; D. H. Kaye; Eleanor Swift
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription and Law Stacks KF8935 .M292 2014
ISBN: 9781684674763
Publication Date: 2020-07-27
This single-volume treatise is largely free of citations to authority, but retains the most notable footnotes. Topics covered include preparing and presenting evidence, cross-examination, and the procedure for admitting and excluding evidence. Discusses privilege against self-incrimination, privilege concerning improperly obtained evidence, scientific evidence, and demonstrative evidence. Reviews authentication, the hearsay rule, burdens of proof, and presumptions. Text also identifies current issues.
Principles of Evidence by Daniel Capra; Stephen Saltzburg
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781636594606
Publication Date: 2022-01-10
This text examines all topics typically covered in a three- or four-hour course in evidence. Emphasis is on the Federal Rules of Evidence, now adopted in most states. The work is concise but complete. Should the reader desire additional material, ample footnotes provide easy access to leading cases, articles, and standard reference works. This volume contains dozens of illustrations, with answers, designed to make the rules come to life. The ninth edition contains the restyled rules and all the new developments on the Confrontation clause, and covers recent amendments, including those taking effect in 2019 and the 2020 amendment of Rule 404(b). Dan Capra is the reporter, Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Evidence, and Stephen Saltzburg served as a consultant.
A Short and Happy Guide to Evidence by Sydney Beckman
Call Number: Available online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781636592862
Publication Date: 2021-09-08
A Short and Happy Guide to Evidence takes a challenging subject and breaks it into manageable pieces that are easy to understand and digest. Using practical examples and humor, this book takes you through the most difficult, and most often tested, rules. After reading this book you will finally understand the Hearsay Rule. Flowcharts and graphics will assist the reader in a comprehensive understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence and how they interact with each other.
A Student's Guide to Hearsay by Clifford S. Fishman
Call Number: Online via Lexis OverDrive study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781531012731
Publication Date: 2019
The fifth edition of A Student's Guide to Hearsay focuses on the Federal Rules of Evidence, breaking down the hearsay rule into its elements and explaining them in straightforward language. It does the same for each of the 29 exceptions to the hearsay rule. The book covers the Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause and includes a proposed amendment to the Rules. It also explains related subjects: what a grand jury is and how it operates; offers of proof, order of proof, burdens of proof; conditional relevancy and conditional admissibility; and privileged communications.
Sum and Substance Audio on Evidence by Steven Goode
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
Publication Date: 2017
This lecture simply and succinctly clarifies even the most difficult concepts in Evidence, such as hearsay and character evidence. It is divided into tracks with the longest track being 37 minutes long (on techniques of impeachment) and the shortest track 23 seconds (general relevancy).
Understanding Evidence by Paul C. Giannelli
Call Number: Online via Lexis OverDrive study aid subscription and Law Reference 2 KF8935 .G52 2013
ISBN: 9781531009892
Publication Date: 2018-10-01
Understanding Evidence begins with an overview of Evidence law followed by an explanation of the roles of the judge and jury. The remaining chapters are organized under the following topics: Procedural Framework of Trial; Relevancy; Witnesses; Real and Demonstrative Evidence; Writings; Hearsay; Privileges; and Substitutes for Evidence. This treatise extensively discusses and cites the Federal Rules of Evidence. Cases, statutes, other rules, and secondary sources are also cited, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding evidence law. The fifth edition discusses recent amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence and new Supreme Court cases since the previous edition in 2013.

Study Aids for Evidence Review & Exam Preparation

Acing Evidence by Aviva Orenstein
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781647081102
Publication Date: 2021-01-11
Acing Evidence offers a succinct review of federal evidence law. Providing many helpful examples and employing checklists at the end of every chapter, Acing Evidence presents an organized way to analyze evidence problems and spot hidden issues. The third edition adds new examples and reflects changes in the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Black Letter Outline on Evidence by Christopher B. Mueller and Laird C. Kirkpatrick
Call Number: Available online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781647082284
Publication Date: 2021
Black Letter Outlines contain outlines of particular areas of law, a capsule summary of each outline, practice examinations, and examples and review questions. This outline summarizes the Federal Rules of Evidence with references and contrasts to common law tradition.
Evidence CrunchTime by Steven L. Emanuel
Call Number: Online via Wolters Kluwer study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781454891062
Publication Date: 2018-05-18
This study aid provides flow charts; summaries; exam tips; short answer exam questions, multiple choice questions, and essay questions with model answers. The Evidence CrunchTime book covers basic concepts of evidence; circumstantial proof; examination and impeachment of witnesses; hearsay; hearsay exceptions; confrontation and compulsory process; privileges; real and demonstrative evidence; opions; experts; and scientific evidence; burdens of proof; presumptions; and other procedureal issues; and judicial notice.
Evidence Emanuel Law Outline by Steven L. Emanuel
Call Number: Online via Aspen Learning Library subscription
ISBN: 9781543846485
Publication Date: 2024-09-24
This edition's new coverage includes the FRE 106’s “rule of completeness,” by which if one party introduces all or part of an oral or written statement, the adverse party may require the immediate introduction of any other part (or any other statement) that in fairness “ought to be considered at the same time.” The Rule also says that the adverse party may introduce the other material “over a hearsay objection.” It also includes greater coverage of FRE 801(d)(2)(B)’s hearsay exclusion for adoptive admissions, by which a proponent can offer against an adverse party a statement made by a third person, if the proponent shows that the adverse party “manifested that it adopted [the third person’s statement] or believed [it] to be true.” In particular, there is expanded discussion of situations where the proponent claims that the adverse party’s silence in the face of the third person’s statement manifested the party’s adoption of the statement. It also includes extended coverage of Rule 803(2)’s hearsay exception for excited utterances, construed by courts to include the requirement that the proponent must show that the declarant personally observed the incident. There is an updated discussion of a special problem that arises in connection with Rule 803(8)(A)’s “public records” exception. Rule 803(8)(A)(ii) expressly says that the public records exception cannot be used by the government to introduce against criminal defendant a report of a “matter observed by law-enforcement personnel” (e.g., a report prepared by a prosecution-controlled lab). But they discuss the controversy about whether this prohibition also prevents such a public report from being admitted under another exception for which it qualifies (e.g., the exception for business-records, for past-recollection-recorded, or for the residual “catch all”).
Additionally, there is discussion of a 2023 amendment to Rule 702 on expert testimony, adding the requirement that the expert’s opinion must “reflect[] a reliable application of the principles and methods [used by the expert] to the facts of the case.”
Exam Pro on Evidence (Essay) by Michael H. Graham
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781684676972
Publication Date: 2020-10-22
Exam Pro-Essay is a study aid that helps law students prepare to take their Evidence exam. Answering the sample essay exams and the specific subject matter essay questions, followed by review of the corresponding answers and analysis, provides students with a more thorough comprehension of the Federal Rules of Evidence and a better understanding of how to take exams.
Exam Pro on Evidence (Objective) by Michael Graham
Call Number: Online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781684676965
Publication Date: 2020-10-22
Exam Pro-Objective on Evidence is a study aid that helps law students prepare to take their Evidence exam. Taking the sample objective exams and using the corresponding answers and analysis provides students with a more thorough understanding of Evidence and a better understanding of how to take exams.
Gilbert Law Summaries on Evidence by John Kaplan; Roger C. Park; Jon R. Waltz
Call Number: Online via West Academic subscription
ISBN: 9780314152213
Publication Date: 2008-02-13
Gilbert Law Summaries give students an outline to help prepare for exams. Students can test their knowledge and fine tune exam skills with exam questions (multiple choice, short answer, and essay) which are featured at the back of each outline. Every question comes with a fully explained answer, and each question is cross-referenced back to the main outline for further review. The subjects discussed in this evidence outline are direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, rulings on admissibility, relevancy, materiality, character evidence, hearsay, and the hearsay exceptions. Also included are privileges, competency to testify, opinion evidence and expert witnesses, direct examination, and cross-examination. It also looks at impeachment, real, demonstrative, and scientific evidence, judicial notice, burdens of proof, and the parol evidence rule.
Glannon Guide to Evidence by Michael Avery
Call Number: Online via Aspen Learning Library subscription
ISBN: 9798886140644
Publication Date: 2022-12-15
Provides an explanation of the Federal Rules of Evidence, with each chapter corresponding to the 10 main articles of evidence. Substantial text is spent on Hearsay, Character evidence, and Impeachment. Each chapter begins with an explanation of the rules and follows with multiple choice questions applying the rules to hypotheticals. An analysis of the correct answers is also provided.
Law in a Flash: Evidence by Steven Emanuel
Call Number: Law Reserves KF283 .E86 2011
ISBN: 9780735598041
Publication Date: 2011-05-02
The Law in a Flash series consists of flash cards for legal subjects. This one covers relevancy, competency, hearsay, the confrontation clause, and more.
Questions and Answers: Evidence by Paul C. Giannelli
Call Number: Online via LexisOverDrive study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781531009915
Publication Date: 2018-04-16
Q&A books consist of multiple choice and short answer questions with detailed explanations of the answers. This Q & A includes over 260 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, arranged topically for ease of use during the semester, plus an additional set of 50 "practice exam" questions. For each multiple-choice question, there is a detailed answer that indicates which of four options is the best answer and explains thoroughly why that option is better than the other three options.
Sum and Substance Quick Review of Evidence by John Myers
Call Number: Available online via West Academic study aid subscription
ISBN: 9781636594668
Publication Date: 2021-09-20
Quick Review of Evidence is a short, clear, concise, and substantive outline. The main body is an outline of the substantive content that a student needs to prepare for an evidence law school exam and an evidence question on the bar. The concise format provides a detailed, rule by rule analysis, as well as a "big picture" overview, allowing students to review the subject quickly prior to final exams and the bar.

Evidence Bar Exam Questions

Professor Godsey recommends that students look at past bar exam questions. The following are bar exam resources that the Law Library has.

The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is a six-hour, 200-question multiple-choice examination covering contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, evidence, and real property. It is developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and is administered by participating jurisdictions (includes Ohio) on the last Wednesday in February and the last Wednesday in July of each year.

MBE Information
MBE Sample Questions
Mary Basick, Law in a Flash Multistate Bar Exam Part 1 (2012). Reserve KF 283 .M88 2012
Mary Basick, Law in a Flash, Multistate Bar Exam Part 2 (2012). Reserve KF 283 .M88 2012
Steven L. Emanuel, Strategies & Tactics for the MBE 2 : Mulitstate Bar Exam (2013). KF303 .E54 2013
Steven L. Emanuel, Strategies & Tactics for the MBE 2 : Mulitstate Bar Exam (2010).KF303 .E54 2010
Stephen P. Klein, Summary of Research on the Multistate Bar Examination (1993). KF 303.K53 1993.
Victor E. Schwartz, Barron's How to Prepare for the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) (1977) KF303.S33
John T. Talemo, Mastering the MBE (2002). KF303 .T35 2002.
MBE 1992 Questions -- 581 questions released MBE questions from 1976-1992, includes answer key. Note: the NCBE offers these as samples of the range and format of questions not as currently tested material.
National Conference of Bar Examiners, Multistate Bar Examination Questions KF388 .N38 1974
National Conference of Bar Examiners, The Multistate Bar Examination, February 23, 1972 KF388 .N38 1972
National Conference of Bar Examiners, Sample MBE I Questions, February 1991
National Conference of Bar Examiners, Sample MBE II Questions, July 1991
National Conference of Bar Examiners, Sample MBE III Questions, July 1998

The Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) is a collection of 30-minute essay questions and is administered by participating jurisdictions on the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in February and July of each year. The MEE offers nine questions per examination, with most jurisdictions selecting six questions from the nine. Ohio does not administer the MEE but other states, including Kentucky, do.

MEE Information

Mary Campbell Gallagher, Scoring High on Bar Exam Essays (2006). KF303 .G35 2006

MEE Question & Analyses: The MEE Q&A include questions and model analyses illustrative of the discussions that might appear in excellent answers:

Steve Friedland, Exam Pro Bar Prep Workbook Revised, available online via the West Academic subscription.