Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2015 Exam Forum

[Pickled]

Passed in WA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely recommend Themis.

Same here, congrats! Have you done the Washington Law component yet? I was planning on doing it this weekend if I have time, but not sure how hard it is.

I have not. Do we need to before we get a bar #?

[skrubba5025]

Passed in WA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely recommend Themis.

Same here, congrats! Have you done the Washington Law component yet? I was planning on doing it this weekend if I have time, but not sure how hard it is.

I have not. Do we need to before we get a bar #?

Not positive but I believe we do. I talked to another person and they said it's pretty easy and can be done in an afternoon. I'll prob knock it out this weekend.

[Pickled]

Passed in WA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely recommend Themis.

Same here, congrats! Have you done the Washington Law component yet? I was planning on doing it this weekend if I have time, but not sure how hard it is.

I have not. Do we need to before we get a bar #?

Not positive but I believe we do. I talked to another person and they said it's pretty easy and can be done in an afternoon. I'll prob knock it out this weekend.

Cheers to you on passing.

[konar]

Another passing Themis user checking in. Only completed 35-40%, but I found it very helpful other than the practice questions being absolutely nothing like the real thing. I would still recommend it for the price.

[zot1]

Another passing Themis user checking in. Only completed 35-40%, but I found it very helpful other than the practice questions being absolutely nothing like the real thing. I would still recommend it for the price.

Wow that's really impressive! Congrats!

[Rockyraccoon1]

I can't hate on Themis, they helped me pass in Missouri. That said, I am with the majority of other posters here who feel like the actual test was nothing like the practice tests, and like the MBE questions were a totally different animal than what Themis had been giving.
The worst was probably civil procedure, but they can't be blamed too much, because of how new that section is. I can't believe how much time I "wasted" memorizing the rules of jurisdiction and all the minutiae associated with it, when it didn't show up once. Blerg. Oh well. Themis is good for the price.

[onymous]

I can't hate on Themis, they helped me pass in Missouri. That said, I am with the majority of other posters here who feel like the actual test was nothing like the practice tests, and like the MBE questions were a totally different animal than what Themis had been giving.
The worst was probably civil procedure, but they can't be blamed too much, because of how new that section is. I can't believe how much time I "wasted" memorizing the rules of jurisdiction and all the minutiae associated with it, when it didn't show up once. Blerg. Oh well. Themis is good for the price.

I also passed in Missouri and agree with all of this.

More facts: I finished about 85%. I only actually did about two practice essays, but reviewed the answers to all of them. I only did half of the graded essays. I never actually reviewed the outlines until the week before the exam.

I additionally studied using commercial note cards from two separate vendors. I only started trying to write out factor lists during the last week; I read someone's tip to use a whiteboard along the way and to keep doing this in advance--that seems like one of the best pieces of advice.

I think it's very important to start early (I couldn't), and it should be a priority to study the long workbook outlines (I didn't). The video lecture notes are just not enough for what the bar throws at you. Neither are the workbooks, judging from the July test.

[sdphill]

I passed in Illinois! We don't get our score, so I cannot tell you how I did on the MBE versus essays.

I completed only 66% of Themis. At first, I tried to stick to their schedule as much as possible but I got too far behind. (I had to take a day off each week so I wouldn't burn myself out.) I decided to go with Flex Study starting July 1. I watched all of the videos in a couple of days then drilled the essays and MCQ afterwards. I did buy Critical Pass flashcards and reviewed an MBE subject every night using those. (The one day I took off I did nothing but catch up on TV.) I tried to study between 8-10 hours/day and did only 8 hours/day for the last week because I did not want to burn myself out.

Overall, I did around 750 practice MCQs between Themis and Adaptibar. I felt horrible coming out of the MBE AM session and I was a little more comfortable with the PM session. The essay topics were very manageable for me and honestly, I felt great about them, except the MEE trust essay.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting for your results.

[zot1]

I passed in Illinois! We don't get our score, so I cannot tell you how I did on the MBE versus essays.

I completed only 66% of Themis. At first, I tried to stick to their schedule as much as possible but I got too far behind. (I had to take a day off each week so I wouldn't burn myself out.) I decided to go with Flex Study starting July 1. I watched all of the videos in a couple of days then drilled the essays and MCQ afterwards. I did buy Critical Pass flashcards and reviewed an MBE subject every night using those. (The one day I took off I did nothing but catch up on TV.) I tried to study between 8-10 hours/day and did only 8 hours/day for the last week because I did not want to burn myself out.

Overall, I did around 750 practice MCQs between Themis and Adaptibar. I felt horrible coming out of the MBE AM session and I was a little more comfortable with the PM session. The essay topics were very manageable for me and honestly, I felt great about them, except the MEE trust essay.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting for your results.

Dude, super congrats! I love seeing my fellow Themisers passing.

[mike.alexander23]

I passed in Illinois! We don't get our score, so I cannot tell you how I did on the MBE versus essays.

I completed only 66% of Themis. At first, I tried to stick to their schedule as much as possible but I got too far behind. (I had to take a day off each week so I wouldn't burn myself out.) I decided to go with Flex Study starting July 1. I watched all of the videos in a couple of days then drilled the essays and MCQ afterwards. I did buy Critical Pass flashcards and reviewed an MBE subject every night using those. (The one day I took off I did nothing but catch up on TV.) I tried to study between 8-10 hours/day and did only 8 hours/day for the last week because I did not want to burn myself out.

Overall, I did around 750 practice MCQs between Themis and Adaptibar. I felt horrible coming out of the MBE AM session and I was a little more comfortable with the PM session. The essay topics were very manageable for me and honestly, I felt great about them, except the MEE trust essay.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting for your results.

Nice man. Congrats! What were averaging on Themis MBE % wise? I felt like the Themis questions were completely different than those on the MBE.

[sdphill]

I passed in Illinois! We don't get our score, so I cannot tell you how I did on the MBE versus essays.

I completed only 66% of Themis. At first, I tried to stick to their schedule as much as possible but I got too far behind. (I had to take a day off each week so I wouldn't burn myself out.) I decided to go with Flex Study starting July 1. I watched all of the videos in a couple of days then drilled the essays and MCQ afterwards. I did buy Critical Pass flashcards and reviewed an MBE subject every night using those. (The one day I took off I did nothing but catch up on TV.) I tried to study between 8-10 hours/day and did only 8 hours/day for the last week because I did not want to burn myself out.

Overall, I did around 750 practice MCQs between Themis and Adaptibar. I felt horrible coming out of the MBE AM session and I was a little more comfortable with the PM session. The essay topics were very manageable for me and honestly, I felt great about them, except the MEE trust essay.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting for your results.

Nice man. Congrats! What were averaging on Themis MBE % wise? I felt like the Themis questions were completely different than those on the MBE.

I was averaging around 80-85% on Themis MBE Questions. A few times I scored above 90%. I do agree that the Themis questions were COMPLETELY different than those on the MBE. It really spooked me during the exam. I felt like Themis did not prepare me for those MBE questions.

[greenmachine900]

hey everybody - i passed !

this board was a total savior (especially when i had basically a meltdown). i thought the mbe was an absolute killer. i took the pa bar in 2013 (passed) and thought this was quite a bit harder (and longer). that said, i got basically the same score. i was generally hanging around 60% in the mixed sets for themis, sometimes high and sometimes low, and getting the scores you should "aim for" regularly. i ended up with a 134 on the mbe. so, not stellar, but i honestly thought it could've been loads worse. yay essays!

congrats to those who passed, you got it to those retaking, and it'll be done soon to those still waiting!

[chestnutbrowncanary]

Passed in PA. Completed 82% of Themis. Maybe wrote out 3 full essays, otherwise just reviewed the model answers. Did most of the MBE questions available. Abandoned Themis to self-study 3 weeks out from the exam.


Unrelated: does anybody know if we can return our books for $$? I'm guessing not?

[mike.alexander23]

Passed in PA. Completed 82% of Themis. Maybe wrote out 3 full essays, otherwise just reviewed the model answers. Did most of the MBE questions available. Abandoned Themis to self-study 3 weeks out from the exam.


Unrelated: does anybody know if we can return our books for $$? I'm guessing not?

Congrats on the Pass! What were your MBE averages? Do you recall your Simulated MBE day score?

Also, I would just sell all your books/outlines/handouts to a self studier

[milesdavisjd]

So I didn't pass in IL, primarily due to low essay scores (which is bizarre, since I was completely freaked out about the MBE). Themis honored their "free repeat" offer and re-enrolled me immediately, but did anyone else on the blog use Themis twice after failing? Any thoughts on supplements for the second time around?

[chestnutbrowncanary]

Passed in PA. Completed 82% of Themis. Maybe wrote out 3 full essays, otherwise just reviewed the model answers. Did most of the MBE questions available. Abandoned Themis to self-study 3 weeks out from the exam.


Unrelated: does anybody know if we can return our books for $$? I'm guessing not?

Congrats on the Pass! What were your MBE averages? Do you recall your Simulated MBE day score?

Also, I would just sell all your books/outlines/handouts to a self studier

Just got my score report back:
MBE: 133
Essay: 147

[numbertwo88]

So I didn't pass in IL, primarily due to low essay scores (which is bizarre, since I was completely freaked out about the MBE). Themis honored their "free repeat" offer and re-enrolled me immediately, but did anyone else on the blog use Themis twice after failing? Any thoughts on supplements for the second time around?

I used Themis in February after failing last July. I didn't follow the course though. I literally just did all of the MBE questions, essays, and graded essays. I referred to long outlines for super weak MBE areas and the essays subjects but that was about it. I used critical pass cards as my only real main supplement & read the strategies section of Emanuel's strategies and tactics.

You just have to "study smarter" the second time around, changing all of the material - in my opinion - doesn't exactly help. Plus it's costly!

[123lipstick]

I passed PA with Themis!! Just posting because I'm sure the next class will browse through this thread.

Themis was ok for me. I felt like the MBE was stylistically different from the Themis questions. But even my Barbri and Kaplan friends felt the same way.

My essay grader was a waste. Her feedback was unrealistic. She wanted much more analysis than time could allow for. With that said, my essay scores were higher on the bar than on themis. And not because my grader was harsh. But more because I ignored her comments and focused on being short and precise. I also looked at all the essays available. And wrote out completely, atleast half

[500pearl]

So I didn't pass in IL, primarily due to low essay scores (which is bizarre, since I was completely freaked out about the MBE). Themis honored their "free repeat" offer and re-enrolled me immediately, but did anyone else on the blog use Themis twice after failing? Any thoughts on supplements for the second time around?

my unsolicited advice
(1) watch the videos again and update your notes (if your notes --- which should be the black letter law and concepts --- of the state subjects)
(2) print out past released essays and model answers from your state's bex (board of bar examiners) *if you are not working then your local library should allow you to do free printing (may have to go visit the library often since libraries have a page limit per day for cost issues)
(3) do about 2-3 essays a day, but no need to write out the answers line for line (just outline what you would mention) and compare your outline answer to the model answer to make sure you hit all the key points (add to your essay subject notes of whatever you missed, overlooked, or anything new that you did not learn from the videos)
(4) and of course, always do the MBE and keep doing it (probably 30 a day starting with one subject at a time, and then move on to mixed questions --- in sets of 50 to 74 a day --- once you have done about 200 questions for each subject)

[lilypad144]

I passed Michigan I will be back with my scores after I receive them!

[UnamSanctam]

I passed Michigan I will be back with my scores after I receive them!

Me too

[mike.alexander23]

Congrats MI themisers! Can you share your themis stats, please?

% Completed

MBE %

MBE Simulated Day raw score

Thx.

[UnamSanctam]

Congrats MI themisers! Can you share your themis stats, please?

% Completed

MBE %

MBE Simulated Day raw score

Thx.

90% completed

67%ish MBE

131ish (maybe it was 132) raw score on Simulated Day

[Pleasye]

I passed Michigan I will be back with my scores after I receive them!

Me too

Yay congrats!!

[lilypad144]

I completed 92% of the course. I was averaging 50 to 60% on the MBE practice tests. I received a 114 on the simulated day raw score.

Yup, MBE definitely wasn't my strong point.

Congrats MI themisers! Can you share your themis stats, please?

% Completed

MBE %

MBE Simulated Day raw score

Thx.