Illinois feb 2017 Forum

[umichman]

Taking his bar. Enrolled in barbri do I need to buy anything else?

[Jwood]

On the same note, I took the UBE last summer and passed by a bit. Got like a 320. I am planning on taking the Illinois bar exam in February. Since I just passed the UBE I don't plan on studying very hard for the Illinois exam. Does anyone have any good resources for the Illinois state specific sections of the exam? I don't want to buy a full bar review course again, but need to learn the Illinois specific sections. (Only sitting for the writing portion of the exam if that matters).

[trebekismyhero]

I did critical pass and lean sheets. That was helpful.

As far as state specific stuff, just go on Illinois Bar Examiner's site and download recent IL essays. It is only 15% of the exam and honestly if you answer most questions the way the MBE or MEE would, you are probably fine. Just try and have an understanding of Illinois Civil Practice

[pdwannabe]

anyone have guesses as to which subjects are more or less likely to be tested in Feb based on recent tests?

[umichman]

anyone have guesses as to which subjects are more or less likely to be tested in Feb based on recent tests?

It seems like every single barbri lecturer knows exactly what is going to be on the exam.

[pdwannabe]

are there any resources for quick summaries of IL distinctions?

[unidentifiable]

No metal detector. Kind of strange.

[Anoni-mous]

No metal detector. Kind of strange.

Because it's Chicago? Your user name doesn't fool me Trump...

[HiOCEAN]

are there any resources for quick summaries of IL distinctions?

Don't waste time on Illinois distinctions. Just go through IL civ pro and the IL specific essay topics, but don't try to find IL specific nuances for the MBE subjects. The points gained would not be worth the time preparing for that.

[ndbigdave]

are there any resources for quick summaries of IL distinctions?

Don't waste time on Illinois distinctions. Just go through IL civ pro and the IL specific essay topics, but don't try to find IL specific nuances for the MBE subjects. The points gained would not be worth the time preparing for that.

I agree with this and feel the exact same way for pretty much any state (though if some state tests more specifics than I am aware of, please advise).

For the relative low amount of state specific points you can pick up I don't see it as worthwhile to spend the time to learn it - especially if it will in any way confuse the issues when it comes to the MBE.

Michigan was my first exam and the state I went to law school in and clerked in, I was aware that there were SOME distinctions between the federal rules and Michigan, but I couldn't have cared less. My essays were beyond passing and I don't believe I cited to a specific Michigan case or rule in any of the 15 essays. In Illinois there are only SIX state specific essays - just not worth fretting about nuanced and subtle differences when you can score above average by following the common law and simply writing a well organized and reasoned essay. Your time is better spent doing MBE questions and mastering common law principles for the MBE and MEE (if we are talking Illinois specifically).

[HiOCEAN]

Illinois has 3, not 6 state specific essays.

are there any resources for quick summaries of IL distinctions?

Don't waste time on Illinois distinctions. Just go through IL civ pro and the IL specific essay topics, but don't try to find IL specific nuances for the MBE subjects. The points gained would not be worth the time preparing for that.

I agree with this and feel the exact same way for pretty much any state (though if some state tests more specifics than I am aware of, please advise).

For the relative low amount of state specific points you can pick up I don't see it as worthwhile to spend the time to learn it - especially if it will in any way confuse the issues when it comes to the MBE.

Michigan was my first exam and the state I went to law school in and clerked in, I was aware that there were SOME distinctions between the federal rules and Michigan, but I couldn't have cared less. My essays were beyond passing and I don't believe I cited to a specific Michigan case or rule in any of the 15 essays. In Illinois there are only SIX state specific essays - just not worth fretting about nuanced and subtle differences when you can score above average by following the common law and simply writing a well organized and reasoned essay. Your time is better spent doing MBE questions and mastering common law principles for the MBE and MEE (if we are talking Illinois specifically).

[ndbigdave]

Illinois has 3, not 6 state specific essays.

are there any resources for quick summaries of IL distinctions?

Don't waste time on Illinois distinctions. Just go through IL civ pro and the IL specific essay topics, but don't try to find IL specific nuances for the MBE subjects. The points gained would not be worth the time preparing for that.

I agree with this and feel the exact same way for pretty much any state (though if some state tests more specifics than I am aware of, please advise).

For the relative low amount of state specific points you can pick up I don't see it as worthwhile to spend the time to learn it - especially if it will in any way confuse the issues when it comes to the MBE.

Michigan was my first exam and the state I went to law school in and clerked in, I was aware that there were SOME distinctions between the federal rules and Michigan, but I couldn't have cared less. My essays were beyond passing and I don't believe I cited to a specific Michigan case or rule in any of the 15 essays. In Illinois there are only SIX state specific essays - just not worth fretting about nuanced and subtle differences when you can score above average by following the common law and simply writing a well organized and reasoned essay. Your time is better spent doing MBE questions and mastering common law principles for the MBE and MEE (if we are talking Illinois specifically).

Correct. I misspoke - there are only 3 STATE SPECIFIC essays for Illinois and then the MPT in the morning, the afternoon is the six essays which is the MEE.

Same advice though, unless you really need to try and pull out every point for the state essays (and i dont know why that would ever be anyone's situation) you are better off focusing on common law and the materials you learn for MBE and the general concepts offered by your bar review course.

[HiOCEAN]

I disagree that this advice applies to ANY state. Illinois, yes. But let's take North Carolina, for example. There are 12 essays all testing NC Law. They are specifically looking to see if you know what the distinctions are, and on 12 essays, that ends up being a lot of points. Just research your state so you know whether its worth learning state-specific law.