What Is the OAB Exam?
The Exame da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) is the Brazilian bar exam -- mandatory for any law graduate who wants to practice as a lawyer. It's administered by the FGV (Fundacao Getulio Vargas) and consists of two phases.
The OAB exam is known for its difficulty. Pass rates vary, but typically only 20-30% of candidates pass the first phase. The key challenge is the sheer volume of legal content that must be memorized and applied.
Exam Structure
1st Phase: Objective (Multiple Choice)
- 80 questions across all areas of Law
- You need at least 50% (40 correct) to pass
- Duration: 5 hours
- Covers: Ethics, Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, Labor, Administrative, Tax, Business, Consumer, Environmental, Human Rights, ECA, and International Law
2nd Phase: Written (Essay + Case Study)
- 1 essay question + 4 case studies in a chosen area of law
- Areas: Civil, Criminal, Labor, Administrative, Tax, Business, or Constitutional Law
- You need at least 6.0 out of 10.0
- Duration: 5 hours
- You can consult unannoted legislation (Vade Mecum)
Subject Breakdown: What to Study
| Subject | 1st Phase Weight | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics (Estatuto OAB + Codigo de Etica) | High | Critical |
| Constitutional Law | High | Critical |
| Civil Law | High | Critical |
| Criminal Law | High | Critical |
| Labor Law | Medium-High | High |
| Civil Procedure | Medium | High |
| Criminal Procedure | Medium | High |
| Administrative Law | Medium | Medium |
| Tax Law | Low-Medium | Medium |
| Consumer, Environmental, ECA, International | Low | Medium |
Study Strategy with Spaced Repetition
The OAB demands memorizing hundreds of legal articles, sumulas, and precedents. This is where most candidates fail -- they study the content once and forget it before exam day.
Spaced repetition solves this. The SM-2 algorithm in Mayinab schedules each flashcard review at the optimal moment, ensuring you retain legal provisions long-term.
Flashcard Strategy for the OAB
- Constitutional articles: Create cards for key articles (Art. 5, 37, 144, 150, 170). Focus on wording that the FGV tests.
- Ethics: Flashcards for every article of the Estatuto da OAB (Lei 8.906/94) and Codigo de Etica.
- Legal concepts: "What is the difference between decadencia and prescricao?" -- test conceptual understanding.
- Sumulas: Create cards for STF and STJ sumulas that appear frequently in OAB exams.
- Procedural deadlines: Flashcards for all procedural deadlines (prazos processuais).
12-Week Study Plan: 1st Phase
Weeks 1-4: Foundation
- Study Ethics completely -- it's the highest-yield subject
- Constitutional Law: Fundamental rights (Art. 5), State organization, Constitutional remedies
- Civil Law: General part, Obligations, Contracts
- Create flashcards daily in Mayinab
Weeks 5-8: Core Subjects
- Criminal Law: General part, Crimes against persons, Crimes against property
- Labor Law: Individual labor law, CLT main articles
- Civil Procedure: Jurisdiction, competence, procedural acts, resources
- Criminal Procedure: Investigation, action, evidence, resources
- Daily flashcard review (30 min) + new cards from study sessions
Weeks 9-12: Review + Practice
- Administrative Law, Tax Law, and remaining subjects
- Solve past OAB exams (at least 5 full exams)
- Create flashcards from every mistake
- Intensive daily review in Mayinab -- the SM-2 algorithm brings back what matters
2nd Phase Strategy
After passing the 1st phase, you have approximately 60 days to prepare for the written phase. Choose the area you're most comfortable with.
- Study the CPC/CPP/CLT relevant to your chosen area deeply
- Practice writing legal documents: petitions, appeals, opinions
- Use flashcards for procedural requirements: deadlines, formalities, addressee (competence)
- Review past 2nd phase exams in your chosen area
Why Mayinab Is Ideal for OAB Preparation
| OAB Challenge | How Mayinab Helps |
|---|---|
| Memorizing hundreds of legal articles | SM-2 spaced repetition retains articles long-term |
| Confusing similar legal concepts | Flashcards force active recall of distinctions |
| Forgetting content from early study weeks | Algorithm reviews old material before you forget |
| Organizing notes by legal area | Subject > Topic hierarchy keeps everything organized |
| Studying on the go | Works offline on mobile, tablet, and desktop |
| No budget for expensive courses | 100% free, no ads, no paywall |
Sample Flashcards for OAB
- Q: Qual o prazo para impetrar Mandado de Seguranca? A: 120 dias a partir da ciencia do ato coator (Art. 23, Lei 12.016/09)
- Q: O que e incompatibilidade na advocacia? A: Impedimento total para o exercicio da advocacia enquanto durar a situacao (Art. 27, Estatuto da OAB)
- Q: Qual a diferenca entre impedimento e suspeicao? A: Impedimento e presuncao absoluta de parcialidade (iuris et de iure). Suspeicao e presuncao relativa (iuris tantum).
- Q: Quais sao os remedios constitucionais? A: Habeas Corpus, Habeas Data, Mandado de Seguranca, Mandado de Injuncao, Acao Popular (Art. 5, LXVIII-LXXIII, CF)
🍵 The Key to Passing the OAB
The OAB exam tests your ability to retain and apply an enormous volume of legal content. Most candidates fail because they forget what they studied weeks ago. Spaced repetition with Mayinab ensures that every article, sumula, and concept stays in your memory until exam day. Start creating flashcards from day one, review daily, and let the SM-2 algorithm handle the scheduling.