Bar Examination Success

[rikkitikki08]

My wife is taking the Ohio Bar in two weeks. Seeing what she is going through gives me a whole new respect for attorneys. Good luck man.

Dude your married? lol I honestly thought you were 17 for some odd reason

 

[gkIrish]

Like Chirish last year, I'll be taking the bar exam in two weeks. Feeling pretty good about it because I've been scoring well on simulated practice exams. In addition to what's in this thread, I'd appreciate any further advice from members that have taken it recently or are new to the site since last year. Prayers welcome too

 

[jimmymac]

Like Chirish last year, I'll be taking the bar exam in two weeks. Feeling pretty good about it because I've been scoring well on simulated practice exams. In addition to what's in this thread, I'd appreciate any further advice from members that have taken it recently or are new to the site since last year. Prayers welcome too

If you're looking from some advice, the forum top-law-schools.com is very helpful

 

[gkIrish]

If you're looking from some advice, the forum top-law-schools.com is very helpful

I used to frequent that a lot when I was applying to schools and forgot about it until you just mentioned it. Thanks!

 

[Cackalacky]

Congrats!

 

[vmgsf]

Essays. Read over the questions. If allowed, answer them in the order you will do the best on ignoring the numerical order of the questions.

Essays - if you are NOT sure which of two legal principles apply at a LATER stage of answering the question state this and simply state that you would do the research to determine which principle applies and then provide the analysis for each of the two principles. LATER stage - do the work - learn the basics and then if not sure about the fine points of the law this works.

Show the bar examiner that your are a cool customer and that you will not panic even if you are not 100% sure of the answer.

In the real world on the fine points of the law - a good lawyer will not guess and will always do the research.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Like Chirish last year, I'll be taking the bar exam in two weeks. Feeling pretty good about it because I've been scoring well on simulated practice exams. In addition to what's in this thread, I'd appreciate any further advice from members that have taken it recently or are new to the site since last year. Prayers welcome too

I'm in the same boat. I feel really confident about the MBE, essays not so much.

 

[NOLAIrish]

Like Chirish last year, I'll be taking the bar exam in two weeks. Feeling pretty good about it because I've been scoring well on simulated practice exams. In addition to what's in this thread, I'd appreciate any further advice from members that have taken it recently or are new to the site since last year. Prayers welcome too

This is totally alien to me. What kind of format do they use in Ohio that allows you to generate scored practice exams? Is this just the MBE?

On the essays (I'm assuming y'all have at least a somewhat similar format -- Louisiana is 27 hours of essays broken into 9 areas of law; we don't use the MBE): keep your audience in mind. In Louisiana, the exams are scored by judges and practicing lawyers. They're not looking for the same discussion of theory that your profs were; they want a direct answer with an explanation of why it's correct under the facts. Also, talk to your fellow test-takers right now. Some of them will know who's writing the questions and whether that person reuses old exam questions. That can dramatically cut down on the study time for particular sections. They can also give you insight on which sections trip up most test-takers. There were some sections of the exam that I only studied the night before, because I knew the writer reused old questions and I could just regurgitate the model answers. For others, I had to spend a few weeks learning or relearning the law (LA Civ Pro and Torts were both a challenge coming in from out of state. A quick way to fail the LA Torts section is to apply the duty-breach-causation-damages analysis to an unintentional tort; Louisiana's traditional formulation is Cause-in-Fact, Duty/Risk, Breach, and Injury, and God help the test-taker who uses the Yankee framework).

 

[Wild Bill]

If you're taking the IL bar, focus on the mbe. I can almost guarantee you will see a fed and il procedure essay question. Know it. If you crush the mbe and those two questions, you'll be licensed in the fall.

Follow Barbri's program. They know their $hit. Don't panic during the test. Answer questions with confidence and move forward. Good luck.

 

[Emcee77]

Best thing to do at this point is
-- do MBE practice questions, review your study materials to bone up on anything you find needs more work, do more practice questions.
-- read practice essay questions, draft out or at least outline answers, then check the sample answers.

During the last two weeks I just did that as much as I could, focusing on the subjects most likely to appear on the exam. Do that, and you'll be fine. Like Irish19 said, Barbri knows their $hit. Their study materials will get you to the promised land, if you just trust the process.

 

[gkIrish]

This is totally alien to me. What kind of format do they use in Ohio that allows you to generate scored practice exams? Is this just the MBE?

I'm actually taking Themis instead of Barbri (cheaper and I'm more of a self-study kind of guy)

Themis will grade a handful of your practice essays for you. I'm scoring well above average on those and above average on the MBE. But I do feel like I'm hitting a wall and missing easy MBE questions all the time. Maybe I need to take a day off?

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I'm actually taking Themis instead of Barbri (cheaper and I'm more of a self-study kind of guy)

Themis will grade a handful of your practice essays for you. I'm scoring well above average on those and above average on the MBE. But I do feel like I'm hitting a wall and missing easy MBE questions all the time. Maybe I need to take a day off?

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I'm happy I chose Kaplan over Barbri. Among other things Kaplan will grade essays for me as part of the package, my girlfriend would have to pay Barbri extra if she wanted them to grade more than a couple essays.

 

[NOLAIrish]

I'm actually taking Themis instead of Barbri (cheaper and I'm more of a self-study kind of guy)

Themis will grade a handful of your practice essays for you. I'm scoring well above average on those and above average on the MBE. But I do feel like I'm hitting a wall and missing easy MBE questions all the time. Maybe I need to take a day off?

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Oh, wow, that's a neat feature. Louisiana Bar/Bri didn't offer that when I sat. I just bought the books of essay questions and model answers and the LA Code outlines. The fact that we're not common law actually made the commercial outlines more useful than I'd imagine they'd be elsewhere - I thought they were pretty worthless in law school.

I'd definitely schedule in a couple of off days, especially if you're missing questions because you're rushing or losing concentration. I'd also think about setting your studies aside the day before the exam and just taking a mental health day. The fresher you go into that meat grinder, the longer you'll be able to sustain your energy once it's started.

 

[Rack Em]

I'm actually taking Themis instead of Barbri (cheaper and I'm more of a self-study kind of guy)

As a Barbri Head Rep, I will neg rep you to infinity!!!

I'm happy I chose Kaplan over Barbri. Among other things Kaplan will grade essays for me as part of the package, my girlfriend would have to pay Barbri extra if she wanted them to grade more than a couple essays.

You too Shawnee!

 

[ohara831]

BarBri got me through both the CA and NC Bar Exams. Memorized a ton of mnemonics. For the Essay portion, I would scan the question enough to figure out the topic, then on scratch paper I started listing all my mnemonics for that basic area. Then I read the question in more detail and knew which ones I needed to use in my answer. Everyone has a different style. Just go with what you feel comfortable with and let it fly. Most important part is FEELING confident when you go into the Exam. Frame of mind is very important. Feel good and be confident. You will do fine.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Not bar exam advice but thought I would share this with the attorney's on the board in the hopes that it helps calm my nerves until tomorrow morning.

I just turned in my first opinion to the judge I'm clerking for this summer. It was a pretty straight forward agency appeal and it really only involved one issue of law. Nonetheless, I'm pretty nervous about what she is going to think of it. I'm also really excited to have just written an opinion haha.

 

[Emcee77]

Not bar exam advice but thought I would share this with the attorney's on the board in the hopes that it helps calm my nerves until tomorrow morning.

I just turned in my first opinion to the judge I'm clerking for this summer. It was a pretty straight forward agency appeal and it really only involved one issue of law. Nonetheless, I'm pretty nervous about what she is going to think of it. I'm also really excited to have just written an opinion haha.

Congrats. Don't be nervous. I'm sure it's great. You seem like a smart dude.

If it's not great, don't worry about that either. I promise you the judge doesn't expect you to write like John Roberts after one or two years of law school (two, I think?). I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse, but his standards for you are likely lower than you realize. I mean, our summer interns freaking suck. When I give work to a law student, I am just hoping that he or she does a good enough job on the first draft that, when all the edits and explanations are done, I'll have spent less time on the order than if I'd just done it myself. I'm certain that what you turned in was at least that good, and if so, the judge will be delighted. He likely just wants to help you become a better writer.

 

[ChiRish]

Like others have said - the practice you've done until now will pay off. Trust it. Keep busting hard, and practice tests are key for essays. Just keep doing them.

For me, both for essays and MBE, memorizing the law was key. I used flashcards but also tried varying memorization techniques to remember. The one that worked best for me was quizzing myself, outloud if necessary. Really helps remember.

But really, it all comes down to busting hard now, then really tapering that down the last day or two before. Relax, trust the process, you'll be good.

And boy do I know the anxiety, I was in your spot a year ago. Good luck man!

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Great to see advice and tips from those that have been down this road before! Anyone sitting for the July exam an ND Law grad?

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Good luck to all of you taking the exam tomorrow. Kick a$$!

 

[Irish Houstonian]

The funny thing is that everybody really freaks out (of course), but if you're a normal, first time taker, then you and everyone you know will pass. You might know one or two people that fail.

The repeat-takers/failers and the really low-ranked law schools just weigh down the stats to make it appear that failure is a possibility.

 

[gkIrish]

Good luck to all of you taking the exam tomorrow. Kick a$$!

You too! We will be fine

 

[Emcee77]

The funny thing is that everybody really freaks out (of course), but if you're a normal, first time taker, then you and everyone you know will pass. You might know one or two people that fail.

The repeat-takers/failers and the really low-ranked law schools just weigh down the stats to make it appear that failure is a possibility.

Agreed totally. I'm confident everyone on this board will do great. Stay focused and stay confident. Remember, you are looking for a D- on this. The only thing you get for getting an A on the bar exam ... is asked to grade it. Yuck.

 

[ChiRish]

Good luck everyone!! If you have some fleeting moments during the next two days, just think of the month or so after the test:

 

[Rack Em]

I didn't want to start a new thread on the MPRE, but I was wondering what others did to prep. I'm the head rep this year for Barbri and I have their lectures/outline.

I know I have the proper materials, but I was curious how long I needed to study for this? Is the outline more helpful than the lecture? Or vice versa?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Emcee77]

I didn't want to start a new thread on the MPRE, but I was wondering what others did to prep. I'm the head rep this year for Barbri and I have their lectures/outline.

I know I have the proper materials, but I was curious how long I needed to study for this? Is the outline more helpful than the lecture? Or vice versa?

Thanks in advance.

Hmm, it was 2 years ago now but I feel like I spent about one full afternoon and then the evening before the test studying. Maybe 10 hours total, lecture, outline and practice q's, and that was probably plenty. If you are nervous and haven't taken an ethics course yet you could maybe study a few more hours, but if you study more than 15 you approach crazy-nerves territory.

 

[Rack Em]

Hmm, it was 2 years ago now but I feel like I spent about one full afternoon and then the evening before the test studying. Maybe 10 hours total, lecture, outline and practice q's, and that was probably plenty. If you are nervous and haven't taken an ethics course yet you could maybe study a few more hours, but if you study more than 15 you approach crazy-nerves territory.

Yeah I don't do well just studying all day. I'm planning on spreading it out over a week (an hour or two each day).

Thanks MC. That's what I was feeling.

 

[Golden_Domer]

I didn't want to start a new thread on the MPRE, but I was wondering what others did to prep. I'm the head rep this year for Barbri and I have their lectures/outline.

I know I have the proper materials, but I was curious how long I needed to study for this? Is the outline more helpful than the lecture? Or vice versa?

Thanks in advance.

I didn't take professional responsibility and looked at the outline for about an hour the night before. I "failed" by one point (1 point under the minimum for this state). I took it the next semester after taking a required ethics course and listening to the lecture and doing about 20 practice questions. Smashed it the second time.

Honestly, it's pretty easy if u took a professional responsibility/ethics course. The hardest part is getting used to the format of the questions. So if you don't do anything else, at least do some practice questions. Don't spend more than 6-7 hours studying for it, though. This test is REALLY not worth stressing out about. I took it a couple years ago and I think the magic number is 85 if you want it to apply to all jurisdictions (~32-35 questions right out of 60, I think). Not a difficult task, imo.

 

[NOLAIrish]

I didn't want to start a new thread on the MPRE, but I was wondering what others did to prep. I'm the head rep this year for Barbri and I have their lectures/outline.

I know I have the proper materials, but I was curious how long I needed to study for this? Is the outline more helpful than the lecture? Or vice versa?

Thanks in advance.

Bought the outline and studied at my neighborhood pub the night before. Louisiana requires an 80, so your mileage may vary.

If you can get past the "Well, it's really B, but it could be C" feeling, it's a snap.

 

[ChiRish]

Yeah I don't do well just studying all day. I'm planning on spreading it out over a week (an hour or two each day).

Thanks MC. That's what I was feeling.

Did you take a class in school? I think the spreading it out plan, maybe a little more condensed, is a good idea.

Shits, man, you seem like an ethical guy. I think you'll do just fine.