Maryland Bar Laptop Use (Battery/Extension Cord) Forum

[Harry Ballsogna]

Are those areas substantially different than the ABA rules?

There are a few nuances, but none stand out. Honestly I have forgotten how the ABA rules differ.

One example is that Maryland has a strict rule against advertising as a "specialist" (except for the label "Patent Attorney"). The ABA rules are slightly more relaxed from what I remember.

So I just did a couple PR practice essays from recent tests. You are right - seems to be the standard rules. Also, the fact patterns are insanely obvious. Every sentence pretty much describes a violation of a rule. Even if you didn't know the rule before, all you have to do is say "Maryland prohibits an attorney from [insert generalized version of what they did]."

PR should be easy points for most people.

[Talar]

Nice to see some fellow MD peeps. I'm studying in DC and it's been very lonely here. I'm taking the train to Baltimore on Monday and will be staying at a hotel that night.

The essays seem pretty reasonable. I'm really confused about what will set people apart though. Do some people just never show up? I already know I'll bomb in Commercial Paper and Sec Trans, but hopefully I'll get a higher grade in the other subjects to lift me up.

[philosoraptor]

The essays seem pretty reasonable. I'm really confused about what will set people apart though. Do some people just never show up? I already know I'll bomb in Commercial Paper and Sec Trans, but hopefully I'll get a higher grade in the other subjects to lift me up.

Welcome, fellow Maryland bro. Issue spotting and time management seem to be the key to scoring well. I can see how easy it would be just to pick a big issue and try to write a law school-type exam answer, then run out of time.

[utswdukie80]

Another Maryland bro checking in. Glad to see there's a group here.

[Harry Ballsogna]

The essays seem pretty reasonable. I'm really confused about what will set people apart though. Do some people just never show up? I already know I'll bomb in Commercial Paper and Sec Trans, but hopefully I'll get a higher grade in the other subjects to lift me up.

Welcome, fellow Maryland bro. Issue spotting and time management seem to be the key to scoring well. I can see how easy it would be just to pick a big issue and try to write a law school-type exam answer, then run out of time.

Agreed, re: issue spotting.

25 minutes is not a long time. Each issue usually has 1-3 sentences of facts you can apply at most. Seems like scoring above a "4" really depends on hitting all the issues.

Remember also at how many essays the graders are likely going through. They probably spend a few seconds on each essay and glance through to see what you issues you hit, and if the legal rule is present.

[astro1819]

Anyone heard if we can bring drinks/snacks into the test site during the exams? I think I read somewhere that we can bring a bagged lunch, but nothing on snacks/drinks.

[Talar]

Going along with that, there's no dress code, right? Like, we can wear sweatpants if we want?

[Harry Ballsogna]

Anyone heard if we can bring drinks/snacks into the test site during the exams? I think I read somewhere that we can bring a bagged lunch, but nothing on snacks/drinks.

Not sure on snacks/drinks. My guess is they might be banned during the actual test. I know that is the case in some states. I'm not planning on snacks during the actual exam, but you could always just call the Board on Monday morning and ask. I had a question about something else and got right through.

According to this, the Board allows you to bring a lunchbox: http://www.courts.state.md.us/ble/digitalwatches.html

Also, according to this, you can carry your laptop in a laptop bag (I was worried about this because the above link says no briefcases): --LinkRemoved--

[Talar]

Anyone heard if we can bring drinks/snacks into the test site during the exams? I think I read somewhere that we can bring a bagged lunch, but nothing on snacks/drinks.

Not sure on snacks/drinks. My guess is they might be banned during the actual test. I know that is the case in some states. I'm not planning on snacks during the actual exam, but you could always just call the Board on Monday morning and ask. I had a question about something else and got right through.

According to this, the Board allows you to bring a lunchbox: http://www.courts.state.md.us/ble/digitalwatches.html

Also, according to this, you can carry your laptop in a laptop bag (I was worried about this because the above link says no briefcases): --LinkRemoved--

On the instructions they sent us, they said you can even wear a backpack for your laptop.

[Harry Ballsogna]

Anyone heard if we can bring drinks/snacks into the test site during the exams? I think I read somewhere that we can bring a bagged lunch, but nothing on snacks/drinks.

Not sure on snacks/drinks. My guess is they might be banned during the actual test. I know that is the case in some states. I'm not planning on snacks during the actual exam, but you could always just call the Board on Monday morning and ask. I had a question about something else and got right through.

According to this, the Board allows you to bring a lunchbox: http://www.courts.state.md.us/ble/digitalwatches.html

Also, according to this, you can carry your laptop in a laptop bag (I was worried about this because the above link says no briefcases): --LinkRemoved--

On the instructions they sent us, they said you can even wear a backpack for your laptop.

Did you receive those instructions by mail or email? I'm kind of annoyed by the supposed restriction on luggage at the testing site (at least according to the link above).

I'm flying out of Baltimore at 7:30 pm on Wednesday night. I'm not sure where they expect people to store luggage if they are not in state or didn't drive in. I guess I'm going to ask the hotel to hold on to my bags until I can come back and pick them up. I hope they agree.

[Talar]

E-mail

Also, no word on dress code right?

[Harry Ballsogna]

E-mail

Also, no word on dress code right?

I haven't heard anything. I'm planning on sweats/sweatshirt or something like that.

[Talar]

I think I'm gonna dress up. Jeans or something.

[Harry Ballsogna]

Just came across a past contract essay where one of the primary issues exculpatory clause (June 2011, Question 4). I got slaughtered. Not once in all my bar prep have I seen anything about exculpatory clauses.

This has me a little worried I've overlooked some state topics. Cot damn.

[Talar]

I don't think Barbri or Themis covers that. Thus, if no one learns it...it's pretty safe to say that any sort of answer will be fine.

[astro1819]

This may be a bit last minute for most of us, but just wanted to let you guys know that I just found many of the MPT questions (as opposed to only answers on the MD website) available at the GA bar examiner's site: https://www.gabaradmissions.org/essay-a ... ed-answers

As for the random minutia tested in some of the essays: I definitely feel you. Did anyone enjoy the MD speedy trial statute question? I literally had no idea, had to make something out of thin air. The topic has about two lines in the detailed (not summary) Kaplan outline. I think those are the types of questions where I'll just punt and hope that the MD bar examiners truly mean that "it's not about how much law you know." It's amazing however that some of the model answers knew all the minor Maryland rules...

[Harry Ballsogna]

This may be a bit last minute for most of us, but just wanted to let you guys know that I just found many of the MPT questions (as opposed to only answers on the MD website) available at the GA bar examiner's site: https://www.gabaradmissions.org/essay-a ... ed-answers

As for the random minutia tested in some of the essays: I definitely feel you. Did anyone enjoy the MD speedy trial statute question? I literally had no idea, had to make something out of thin air. The topic has about two lines in the detailed (not summary) Kaplan outline. I think those are the types of questions where I'll just punt and hope that the MD bar examiners truly mean that "it's not about how much law you know." It's amazing however that some of the model answers knew all the minor Maryland rules...

Cool thanks for the link. The last thing I'm doing tomorrow is perusing some MPT stuff.

I'm amazed at the black letter law detail of some of the model answers. Like word for word the exact rules and elements. I'm usually in the ball park with stuff, but a little worried over whether I'll get credit for rules that aren't a verbatim recitation of the law. Guess its too late to do much about it anyways.

[astro1819]

This may be a bit last minute for most of us, but just wanted to let you guys know that I just found many of the MPT questions (as opposed to only answers on the MD website) available at the GA bar examiner's site: https://www.gabaradmissions.org/essay-a ... ed-answers

As for the random minutia tested in some of the essays: I definitely feel you. Did anyone enjoy the MD speedy trial statute question? I literally had no idea, had to make something out of thin air. The topic has about two lines in the detailed (not summary) Kaplan outline. I think those are the types of questions where I'll just punt and hope that the MD bar examiners truly mean that "it's not about how much law you know." It's amazing however that some of the model answers knew all the minor Maryland rules...

Cool thanks for the link. The last thing I'm doing tomorrow is perusing some MPT stuff.

I'm amazed at the black letter law detail of some of the model answers. Like word for word the exact rules and elements. I'm usually in the ball park with stuff, but a little worried over whether I'll get credit for rules that aren't a verbatim recitation of the law. Guess its too late to do much about it anyways.

I think we'll be fine with rules that are in the ballpark. For every model answer that's spot-on, there are an equal number that clearly misstate the law on a minor point or add extraneous information. My goal is to just get something substantial down on each answer, no 0's/1's/2's. And lots of discussion of the facts.

[Harry Ballsogna]

This may be a bit last minute for most of us, but just wanted to let you guys know that I just found many of the MPT questions (as opposed to only answers on the MD website) available at the GA bar examiner's site: https://www.gabaradmissions.org/essay-a ... ed-answers

As for the random minutia tested in some of the essays: I definitely feel you. Did anyone enjoy the MD speedy trial statute question? I literally had no idea, had to make something out of thin air. The topic has about two lines in the detailed (not summary) Kaplan outline. I think those are the types of questions where I'll just punt and hope that the MD bar examiners truly mean that "it's not about how much law you know." It's amazing however that some of the model answers knew all the minor Maryland rules...

Cool thanks for the link. The last thing I'm doing tomorrow is perusing some MPT stuff.

I'm amazed at the black letter law detail of some of the model answers. Like word for word the exact rules and elements. I'm usually in the ball park with stuff, but a little worried over whether I'll get credit for rules that aren't a verbatim recitation of the law. Guess its too late to do much about it anyways.

I think we'll be fine with rules that are in the ballpark. For every model answer that's spot-on, there are an equal number that clearly misstate the law on a minor point or add extraneous information. My goal is to just get something substantial down on each answer, no 0's/1's/2's. And lots of discussion of the facts.

Agreed with that approach. I think protecting against a low score is crucial. I also think beefing up factual analysis will fend off a really low score. I'm hoping anyways.

[Talar]

I agree. I was pretty impressed with many of the model answers but was equally surprised by how a few misstated pretty basic rules. (Although I'm not one to judge, since I'll be misstating a lot of rules!). Either way, it does take some pressure off.

[astro1819]

I'm also hoping that the model answers are considered at or close to a "6". If so, a 4 or 5 shouldn't be too hard to get.

[conwaystern]

Another stupid mistake... I just found out 2 days ago that all of the essays have been released by MD. Up until that point I've just been doing the barbri one.

What do you mean?

I didn't realize that the MD Bar has all the past exams and model answers up their website. I've just been doing the Barbri essays, that I'm assuming are made to model past essays. I'm talking about these:

http://www.courts.state.md.us/ble/examq ... swers.html

Yeah, some of the answers are laughably bad, too.

[conwaystern]

Also, anyone want to meet up and go drinking Wednesday after the MBE?

[Talar]

Ya, I'm down to go drinking after.

[conwaystern]

Nice. Pratt Street Ale House is literally across the street from the convention center. I might be there.