Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2015 Exam Forum

[somuchbooty]

I'm way behind obviously, but I just wanted to comment on how awful the Constitutional Law guy is. What were they thinking?

[zot1]

Plan according to assignments instead of percentage points. You all need to let this go.

Yeah I got over it a while back. I think when I did the MBE Milestone 2, it was only like .2% of the day. It didn't really matter though, it had to get done.

My plan is to just do all the assigned stuff of the day. If I'm behind, I do some tasks from the next day. If not, I review earlier subjects.

[gr8scOtt!]

Just wanted to share my basic strategy for using Themis:

• 1. Before I jump into a new topic, I skim the final review outline (if available), just to see what's being covered. If there isn't a final review outline (i.e., if it's a non-MBE subject), I just skim the TOC for the main outline. And when I mean skim, I mean it: I don't spend more than a few minutes here.
  2. Next, I watch a small cluster (2-4) of lecture videos on a related topic (for example, I watched all of the videos on federalism together). So far, I've been able to watch them all at double-speed, filling out and highlighting (if I'm allowed to by the PDF!) the "handout" as I go along.
  3. Then, I read the outline related to what I just read, with the state-specific "distinctions" outline alongside the main outline for MBE subjects. I highlight important points from the lecture and unexpected or unfamiliar things as I read AND (critically) annotate the main outline with the key state-specific distinctions.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until I'm finished with a subject.
  5. After I'm done with the subject, I watch the state-specific distinctions lecture (if applicable) and complete the handout.
  6. Then, I mark all of the outlines complete.
  7. Next, I do the first two sets of MBE practice questions for that subject in "Interactive Mode." I create a word document for each subject called "[Subject] MBEs." Anytime I get a question wrong or (critically) get a question right but have any uncertainty about the rule, I cut and paste the pertinent parts of the Answer/Explanation into the document, using headings that include the Q # and a brief description that refreshes my memory about the question or (for more straightforward "I didn't know that rule" situations) states the topic. Those documents have been my most helpful study tool.
  8. Then, I review the handout and the "[Subject] MBEs" documents.
  9. Next, I go to the third set of MBEs. I do these in "Test Mode," so I don't know what I got wrong until I'm done. However, I still carefully review the answers and add them to the "[Subject] MBEs" document.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it took me a little while to figure this out so I thought I would share. Following the Themis "tasks" and trying to read 40+ pages of a really dense outline at a time with no context was simply not working at all (I just don't have the attention span and the outlines are not well-written) and approaching the state-specific stuff separately just seemed really inefficient. Doing it this way, I not only retain more info, but I can really zoom through the substantive topics as well.

Thanks for sharing! I actually did receive final review outlines for the non-MBE subjects in my Themis inbox as a zip file. You should be receiving them too if you haven't already.

I haven't gotten one of these mysterious zip files, but it would be nice since I started non-MBE subjects today

[somuchbooty]

Just wanted to share my basic strategy for using Themis:

• 1. Before I jump into a new topic, I skim the final review outline (if available), just to see what's being covered. If there isn't a final review outline (i.e., if it's a non-MBE subject), I just skim the TOC for the main outline. And when I mean skim, I mean it: I don't spend more than a few minutes here.
  2. Next, I watch a small cluster (2-4) of lecture videos on a related topic (for example, I watched all of the videos on federalism together). So far, I've been able to watch them all at double-speed, filling out and highlighting (if I'm allowed to by the PDF!) the "handout" as I go along.
  3. Then, I read the outline related to what I just read, with the state-specific "distinctions" outline alongside the main outline for MBE subjects. I highlight important points from the lecture and unexpected or unfamiliar things as I read AND (critically) annotate the main outline with the key state-specific distinctions.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until I'm finished with a subject.
  5. After I'm done with the subject, I watch the state-specific distinctions lecture (if applicable) and complete the handout.
  6. Then, I mark all of the outlines complete.
  7. Next, I do the first two sets of MBE practice questions for that subject in "Interactive Mode." I create a word document for each subject called "[Subject] MBEs." Anytime I get a question wrong or (critically) get a question right but have any uncertainty about the rule, I cut and paste the pertinent parts of the Answer/Explanation into the document, using headings that include the Q # and a brief description that refreshes my memory about the question or (for more straightforward "I didn't know that rule" situations) states the topic. Those documents have been my most helpful study tool.
  8. Then, I review the handout and the "[Subject] MBEs" documents.
  9. Next, I go to the third set of MBEs. I do these in "Test Mode," so I don't know what I got wrong until I'm done. However, I still carefully review the answers and add them to the "[Subject] MBEs" document.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it took me a little while to figure this out so I thought I would share. Following the Themis "tasks" and trying to read 40+ pages of a really dense outline at a time with no context was simply not working at all (I just don't have the attention span and the outlines are not well-written) and approaching the state-specific stuff separately just seemed really inefficient. Doing it this way, I not only retain more info, but I can really zoom through the substantive topics as well.

Thanks for sharing! I actually did receive final review outlines for the non-MBE subjects in my Themis inbox as a zip file. You should be receiving them too if you haven't already.

I haven't gotten one of these mysterious zip files, but it would be nice since I started non-MBE subjects today

it's in the message in your inbox on May 18th. Or it might be different for different states?

[texlaw]

I'm a couple days behind but this week has a brutal schedule for me. Today has 5 sets of 34 questions and a review of Evidence, Civ Pro, Crim/Pro and Con. The rest of the week has 7-9 items each day but next week there's multiple days with only one assignment. I don't get it.

My calendar looked something like this too. About a week ago, June 29-July 3 all showed 1 assignment. But I've been falling further and further behind so now only July 2-3 show one assignment (and that will likely erode soon as well).

[texlaw]

Just wanted to share my basic strategy for using Themis:

• 1. Before I jump into a new topic, I skim the final review outline (if available), just to see what's being covered. If there isn't a final review outline (i.e., if it's a non-MBE subject), I just skim the TOC for the main outline. And when I mean skim, I mean it: I don't spend more than a few minutes here.
  2. Next, I watch a small cluster (2-4) of lecture videos on a related topic (for example, I watched all of the videos on federalism together). So far, I've been able to watch them all at double-speed, filling out and highlighting (if I'm allowed to by the PDF!) the "handout" as I go along.
  3. Then, I read the outline related to what I just read, with the state-specific "distinctions" outline alongside the main outline for MBE subjects. I highlight important points from the lecture and unexpected or unfamiliar things as I read AND (critically) annotate the main outline with the key state-specific distinctions.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until I'm finished with a subject.
  5. After I'm done with the subject, I watch the state-specific distinctions lecture (if applicable) and complete the handout.
  6. Then, I mark all of the outlines complete.
  7. Next, I do the first two sets of MBE practice questions for that subject in "Interactive Mode." I create a word document for each subject called "[Subject] MBEs." Anytime I get a question wrong or (critically) get a question right but have any uncertainty about the rule, I cut and paste the pertinent parts of the Answer/Explanation into the document, using headings that include the Q # and a brief description that refreshes my memory about the question or (for more straightforward "I didn't know that rule" situations) states the topic. Those documents have been my most helpful study tool.
  8. Then, I review the handout and the "[Subject] MBEs" documents.
  9. Next, I go to the third set of MBEs. I do these in "Test Mode," so I don't know what I got wrong until I'm done. However, I still carefully review the answers and add them to the "[Subject] MBEs" document.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it took me a little while to figure this out so I thought I would share. Following the Themis "tasks" and trying to read 40+ pages of a really dense outline at a time with no context was simply not working at all (I just don't have the attention span and the outlines are not well-written) and approaching the state-specific stuff separately just seemed really inefficient. Doing it this way, I not only retain more info, but I can really zoom through the substantive topics as well.

Thanks for sharing! I actually did receive final review outlines for the non-MBE subjects in my Themis inbox as a zip file. You should be receiving them too if you haven't already.

I haven't gotten one of these mysterious zip files, but it would be nice since I started non-MBE subjects today

it's in the message in your inbox on May 18th. Or it might be different for different states?

I got mine on June 2nd.

[Lawbro]

Does anyone know where these civ pro questions are coming from? The 3rd practice test was filled with pretty difficult questions, many of which seem to be written differently than questions from other areas of law. I was wondering if those were actually from past bar questions.

[gr8scOtt!]

Just wanted to share my basic strategy for using Themis:

• 1. Before I jump into a new topic, I skim the final review outline (if available), just to see what's being covered. If there isn't a final review outline (i.e., if it's a non-MBE subject), I just skim the TOC for the main outline. And when I mean skim, I mean it: I don't spend more than a few minutes here.
  2. Next, I watch a small cluster (2-4) of lecture videos on a related topic (for example, I watched all of the videos on federalism together). So far, I've been able to watch them all at double-speed, filling out and highlighting (if I'm allowed to by the PDF!) the "handout" as I go along.
  3. Then, I read the outline related to what I just read, with the state-specific "distinctions" outline alongside the main outline for MBE subjects. I highlight important points from the lecture and unexpected or unfamiliar things as I read AND (critically) annotate the main outline with the key state-specific distinctions.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until I'm finished with a subject.
  5. After I'm done with the subject, I watch the state-specific distinctions lecture (if applicable) and complete the handout.
  6. Then, I mark all of the outlines complete.
  7. Next, I do the first two sets of MBE practice questions for that subject in "Interactive Mode." I create a word document for each subject called "[Subject] MBEs." Anytime I get a question wrong or (critically) get a question right but have any uncertainty about the rule, I cut and paste the pertinent parts of the Answer/Explanation into the document, using headings that include the Q # and a brief description that refreshes my memory about the question or (for more straightforward "I didn't know that rule" situations) states the topic. Those documents have been my most helpful study tool.
  8. Then, I review the handout and the "[Subject] MBEs" documents.
  9. Next, I go to the third set of MBEs. I do these in "Test Mode," so I don't know what I got wrong until I'm done. However, I still carefully review the answers and add them to the "[Subject] MBEs" document.

It's nothing revolutionary, but it took me a little while to figure this out so I thought I would share. Following the Themis "tasks" and trying to read 40+ pages of a really dense outline at a time with no context was simply not working at all (I just don't have the attention span and the outlines are not well-written) and approaching the state-specific stuff separately just seemed really inefficient. Doing it this way, I not only retain more info, but I can really zoom through the substantive topics as well.

Thanks for sharing! I actually did receive final review outlines for the non-MBE subjects in my Themis inbox as a zip file. You should be receiving them too if you haven't already.

I haven't gotten one of these mysterious zip files, but it would be nice since I started non-MBE subjects today

it's in the message in your inbox on May 18th. Or it might be different for different states?

I got mine on June 2nd.

Yeah, I've checked every email and every message in my Themis inbox and I've not gotten it.

[zot1]

Does anyone know where these civ pro questions are coming from? The 3rd practice test was filled with pretty difficult questions, many of which seem to be written differently than questions from other areas of law. I was wondering if those were actually from past bar questions.

Civ pro is on the mbe for the first time this July, I think. So new questions.

[BearLaw]

Does anyone know where these civ pro questions are coming from? The 3rd practice test was filled with pretty difficult questions, many of which seem to be written differently than questions from other areas of law. I was wondering if those were actually from past bar questions.

Considering Civ Pro has only been on one bar exam so far, I doubt it. Im not even sure whether the questions from February have been released yet. I would assume Themis (and every other prep company) had their professors and analysts take their best guess at what will be asked based on the topics the national board released.

[zot1]

My internet stopped working... Day off?

[Pleasye]

Does anyone know where these civ pro questions are coming from? The 3rd practice test was filled with pretty difficult questions, many of which seem to be written differently than questions from other areas of law. I was wondering if those were actually from past bar questions.

Considering Civ Pro has only been on one bar exam so far, I doubt it. Im not even sure whether the questions from February have been released yet. I would assume Themis (and every other prep company) had their professors and analysts take their best guess at what will be asked based on the topics the national board released.

Yeah, there are only like 4 real released civ pro MBE Qs. All the others are made up by Themis.

[Lawbro]

Thanks guys. One can only hope the actual civ pro questions will be easier on the actual bar then...

[Underoath]

Can someone please send me the Final Outline for Remedies (California). I don't know where to access it at.

Review the Final Review Outline for this subject (accessible via broadcast message available in the Message Center).

but ummm I can't find it!!!!!!

[zot1]

So my internet is back again.

I just took a corporations essay. Here's what I don't get about Themis: I'm assigned to read the big outline (which I skim because I won't retain all the info), then to watch lectures, then to final review outline, then to take the exam. In the exam, I get a main issue that is not covered by the lectures or the final review outline, so of course I make up an answer. But my point is, if it's important enough to test about it, why not also have it on the lectures or the final review outline?

[Underoath]

So my internet is back again.

I just took a corporations essay. Here's what I don't get about Themis: I'm assigned to read the big outline (which I skim because I won't retain all the info), then to watch lectures, then to final review outline, then to take the exam. In the exam, I get a main issue that is not covered by the lectures or the final review outline, so of course I make up an answer. But my point is, if it's important enough to test about it, why not also have it on the lectures or the final review outline?

Which is why I don't pay attention to the lectures or the final outline anymore.....I am focusing on the big outline, which is time consuming, but ya.

[Tripl3Espresso]

So my internet is back again.

I just took a corporations essay. Here's what I don't get about Themis: I'm assigned to read the big outline (which I skim because I won't retain all the info), then to watch lectures, then to final review outline, then to take the exam. In the exam, I get a main issue that is not covered by the lectures or the final review outline, so of course I make up an answer. But my point is, if it's important enough to test about it, why not also have it on the lectures or the final review outline?

Which is why I don't pay attention to the lectures or the final outline anymore.....I am focusing on the big outline, which is time consuming, but ya.

The lecture for corporations also didn't talk about Insider trading....More reason to read the long outlines and skip the lectures.

[Underoath]

So my internet is back again.

I just took a corporations essay. Here's what I don't get about Themis: I'm assigned to read the big outline (which I skim because I won't retain all the info), then to watch lectures, then to final review outline, then to take the exam. In the exam, I get a main issue that is not covered by the lectures or the final review outline, so of course I make up an answer. But my point is, if it's important enough to test about it, why not also have it on the lectures or the final review outline?

Which is why I don't pay attention to the lectures or the final outline anymore.....I am focusing on the big outline, which is time consuming, but ya.

The lecture for corporations also didn't talk about Insider trading....More reason to read the long outlines and skip the lectures.

Insider Trading is like the best part!! I'm a sucker for crime.

[kjartan]

Anyone else think Anidita Dutta is cute?

[Worker and Parasite]

Anyone else think Anidita Dutta is cute?

too bad she's unhelpful

[sd5289]

Does anyone know where these civ pro questions are coming from? The 3rd practice test was filled with pretty difficult questions, many of which seem to be written differently than questions from other areas of law. I was wondering if those were actually from past bar questions.

Yeah, I noticed that difference too (just finished it). The 3rd set tested REALLY obscure rules that were never mentioned during the lectures in any way, shape, or form, and I had a hard time finding them in the long outline too. Civ Pro has been one of my better subjects, but that 3rd set was difficult.

It feels like the practice sets are emphasizing subjects they specifically told us weren't going to be tested that much. That 3rd set had a lot of questions on juries and service whereas Erie and jurisdiction barely showed up.

[Pleasye]

Anyone else think Anidita Dutta is cute?

Ugh no because she is the worst.

[Underoath]

Anyone else think Anidita Dutta is cute?

too bad she's unhelpful

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[MrBriggs360]

Well, I'm actually kind of proud of myself. I plowed through the entire large outlines of Crim Law, Crim Pro, and Evidence, and watched all lectures of each in a span of two days. Now I'm listening to McElroy tell me that this is "a good topic to rack up points," again. 2.6% two days in a row.

[TheBeard]

I used Themis a few years ago for another state, liked it enough to use it for CA. I had forgotten how hard they try to suppress your graded essay scores. According to my "personal" attorney, I haven't passed a single graded essay. Good shit, Themis. I've passed two bar exams with no problem, but I guess CA grades shit sooooooooo much harder that I'm clearly not going pass. I guess my understanding of minimum competence is different than Themis'.