sparkytrainer wrote:Law&coffee wrote:lawst_ wrote:ConfusedL1 wrote:lawst_ wrote:I took Barbri twice, failed both times I used it. My MBE was pretty low both those times as a result.
I finally passed this time around and the main difference for me was using Ameribar and Adaptibar. Both use real bar questions, which are significantly different from Barbri's questions.
Seriously, I wouldn't even look at Barbri's MBE questions unless you completely run out of questions from Adaptibar.
Damn. What use is Barbri at all then?
I think their state materials/essay stuff is good. I also used the CMR quite extensively. But if you can buy just those books online or from someone without taking the actual course, do it. Barbri is extremely overpriced and more than half of their materials are useless (in my opinion). Kaplan/Ameribar/Adaptibar/Emmanuel all have better MBE prep.
I definitely agree with the above. Barbri is great for essay prep, but weak in its MBE program. That's why you need to supplement with Adaptibar, Emanuel, or Critical Pass. The Barbri MBE questions will not prepare you adequately for the MBE portion of the exam.
If someone has a limited amount of $$ to spend on bar prep- say that their firm is not reimbursing, would it be wise to get a cheaper program like Themis for the state stuff and Adaptibar for the MBE? Would that be sufficient?
The short answer is yes.
What state are you in? My short answer for that is that the relative value in knowing the state specific info (the time investment necessary to know it) is low. I would much rather wing-it on the state specifics and know the general concepts better for the MBE and other essays. My take may be a bit different if for some reason all your essays are state-driven.
You have hit on half of what I would reccommend: Adaptibar for MBE practice/drilling (also great for identifying weaknesses to focus on for later studying). The second piece I would suggest is SmartBar's prep for essay help/outlines:
http://www.smartbarprep.com/outline/The price for the deluxe package at SmartBar is $169, Adaptibar after discount is $365 for a total of $534. The other option would be BarMax which costs a bit more, but offers more - outlines, audio lectures along with the same questions + explanations with some tracking tools. BarMax also allows for payment plans. BarMax is $499:
https://testmaxprep.com/bar-exam/course ... iew-course There are definitely ways to spend anywhere from 1/3 to 1/4 the price of most traditional programs.