BarBri Thread: People taking Barbri for July 2013 exam Forum

[5ky]

There's no way you need at least a 50% average on the writings if you're in the 60-70th percentile range for the MBE. Barbri said to shoot for 68% correct on MBE (50th percentile) and 5s on all the essays (which we are assuming would put you at the 50th percentile).

What is it, roughly 75% or so of first time takers that pass? That means even if you're under the median for both, you'd still have some room to play with and still pass.

I mean't 60-70% correct on the MBE. 68% on the MBE I think would be GREAT, and I completely agree with you. Also to the guy who was nervous who 138'ed the practice MBE, you're already WAAAY ahead of where you need to be. You're going to be fine. Your MBE puts you in the top 15% of people enrolled in Barbri from that little chart that's floating around from last year.

Haha whew, I saw that and my blood turned cold. I didn't think there could be any way that was true

[KeepitKind]

Has anyone done the MPQ2 half day exam (first thing in the book)?

I thought it was extremely tricky and am not happy with my score. As if I wasn't already freaking out enough I thought I had heard others on here saying the MPQ2 was supposed to be easier..

the MPQ2 sets 1-4 (all i've done so far) are rather straightforward. but i thought the half day exam was very difficult (glad to see you agree), especially the first 25 q's or so. Also, the book seems to imply that the last sets in MPQ2 are more difficult, and that the Final Exam tests common tricks on the MBE - so prob hard but worthwhile.

[dudders]

I'm about to start making flashcards. Any idea whether the lecture outlines or the CMR are better for this? (I literally haven't touched CMR.)

I assume writing out the flashcards is helpful for you. But if you're strapped for time and have a cellphone download the Quizlet app. Once you do that you can go on Quizlet.com and download hundreds of MBE, Barbri, Kaplan, Themsis, etc. flashcards right to your phone.

Yeah, for me the value is in actually sitting down and writing out the flashcards to begin with. We all have our methods.

[Matteliszt]

There's no way you need at least a 50% average on the writings if you're in the 60-70th percentile range for the MBE. Barbri said to shoot for 68% correct on MBE (50th percentile) and 5s on all the essays (which we are assuming would put you at the 50th percentile).

What is it, roughly 75% or so of first time takers that pass? That means even if you're under the median for both, you'd still have some room to play with and still pass.

I mean't 60-70% correct on the MBE. 68% on the MBE I think would be GREAT, and I completely agree with you. Also to the guy who was nervous who 138'ed the practice MBE, you're already WAAAY ahead of where you need to be. You're going to be fine. Your MBE puts you in the top 15% of people enrolled in Barbri from that little chart that's floating around from last year.

Haha whew, I saw that and my blood turned cold. I didn't think there could be any way that was true

lol sorry, nah 68% = 136 raw = between a 143-146 scaled. Also according to Seperac puts you in the top 1/3 of all takers

[phonepro]

I just dont understand how if you get 130+ right on MBE you still need to get 5s across the board on the essays and 30/50 on MC to pass (NY) - yet 75% of students pass....

[5ky]

I just dont understand how if you get 130+ right on MBE you still need to get 5s across the board on the essays and 30/50 on MC to pass (NY) - yet 75% of students pass....

you dont

[tfer2222]

I just dont understand how if you get 130+ right on MBE you still need to get 5s across the board on the essays and 30/50 on MC to pass (NY) - yet 75% of students pass....

lol i was confused by this in the beginning of barbri too.

like if you get 130 raw MBE, 5's on everything else except for ONE FOUR on an essay = fail.

barbri fear mongering

[phonepro]

I just dont understand how if you get 130+ right on MBE you still need to get 5s across the board on the essays and 30/50 on MC to pass (NY) - yet 75% of students pass....

lol i was confused by this in the beginning of barbri too.

like if you get 130 raw MBE, 5's on everything else except for ONE FOUR on an essay = fail.

barbri fear mongering

WELL CAN THEY STOP!? lmao. B/c they are giving me massive anxiety.

[dudders]

What scale does NY grade essays on? This is giving me anxiety because CO grades on a 1-6 scale ...

[AdamatUCF]

What scale does NY grade essays on? This is giving me anxiety because CO grades on a 1-6 scale ...

1 - 10, and Barbri says to aim for a "4.5 so they round up to a 5"

[kaiser]

We're all gonna fail ... until we all pass.

Friends don't let friends get freaked out by BarBri.

[c3pO4]

Has anyone done the MPQ2 half day exam (first thing in the book)?

I thought it was extremely tricky and am not happy with my score. As if I wasn't already freaking out enough I thought I had heard others on here saying the MPQ2 was supposed to be easier..

the MPQ2 sets 1-4 (all i've done so far) are rather straightforward. but i thought the half day exam was very difficult (glad to see you agree), especially the first 25 q's or so. Also, the book seems to imply that the last sets in MPQ2 are more difficult, and that the Final Exam tests common tricks on the MBE - so prob hard but worthwhile.

the MBE simulated final exam in barbri's MPQ2 is an outrageous flame... i thought we were done with this super-hard material we've never learned crap... after consistently hitting 80% on the mpq2's i scored a clean 51% on the this today. they say the goal is 60 so i'm below. yet again, more barbri scare tactics. very annoying that they assume nobody wants to study for this thing. would rather they taught us the frequently tested tricks in a non-sociopathic way.

[daphne]

Just got 4 out of 13 NYMC evidence right...... so frustrated

[AdamatUCF]

Just got 4 out of 13 NYMC evidence right...... so frustrated

Congrats on getting literally double my score for that set.

From what I've heard in the "How are you doing on the multiple choice?" thread, that's a set that murders a bunch of us. It's probably just a shitty set of questions.

[MBZags]

Just got 4 out of 13 NYMC evidence right...... so frustrated

Congrats on getting literally double my score for that set.

From what I've heard in the "How are you doing on the multiple choice?" thread, that's a set that murders a bunch of us. It's probably just a shitty set of questions.

And you doubled my score. Torts and Evidence NYMC have both boned me.

[somewhatwayward]

thanks guys. ...I don't know if I can make 50% of the points on the essays. I could probably on essays that are MBE topics but I haven't focused much on NY distinctions. Have you been practicing making law up? I know I will need to do that.

I also haven't even looked at the NYMC. Remember how they said they think they get the questions from the annotations of random statutes? I just don't know that it is the best use of my time.

my sense, not based on any real data, is that if you were to perform equally on each section, you would need to get about 50% on everything to pass (I know the scaled cut off is around 666 - ironically - but I mean raw)....the average person may get more like 60% as barbri claims but the 30th percentile person passes too. The interesting thing is that it seems like people are clumped up around maybe 55-65 right on the MBE and, I wonder, if the gains change every percent more one gets above that clump or if you always add a standard 12 points or whatever. It seemed like with the MPRE that if 27-32/50 got you an 85, then clearly each question you got right beyond 27-32 got you more scaled points than there first 27-32 you got right since the scale went up to 150. I guess I need to check out this separac website.

ok I will stop yammering and ask some practical questions. ..for NY people who have neglected the essays, what is your plan from here on out? I have ambitions of reviewing two topic handouts in a day but usually I don't even make it through one, so I'm thinking realistically I can review maybe seven topic handouts between now and the bar....maybe NY practice, pr, prop, crim (weakest MBE areas), and what else? Wills? Family law?

also anyone have an outline made from the handouts from last year or something? before I screwed up my wrists I made outlines based on the MBE topic handouts for torts, conlaw, and contracts which I am happy to share.

[5ky]

honestly i really don't think you are behind at all. i can't imagine most people have started memorizing for NY subjects, simply because it hasn't been assigned in the paced program.

with only about two weeks left, i will focus on hammering NY practice/wills/trusts/domestic relations/corporations/PR while cycling in a few MBE subjects a day to keep fresh on that for MC and for NY essays.

I honestly will not be focusing too much on NY distinctions for teh MBE subjects. It just doesn't seem worth it at this point. The NY essays on MBE topics can be mostly gamed without much knowledge of the NY distinctions, and my mastery of the underlying substantive matter is pretty good.

I think that seems manageable (edited note: i.e. mostly doable with insanely long and stressful days), but it would be easier if we didnt have videos scheduled every fucking day from now until next thursday. I will probably spend, outside of lecture, maybe 3 hours total on sectrans/CP, agency/pship, fedjur, conflicts.

[nevdash]

Just based on your guys' discussion of NY, how is this exam not harder than CA? I get that CA is graded kind of harshly, but we have much, much less material to cover, and it's not like our essay questions are very difficult.

[bgdddymtty]

The interesting thing is that it seems like people are clumped up around maybe 55-65 right on the MBE and, I wonder, if the gains change every percent more one gets above that clump or if you always add a standard 12 points or whatever. It seemed like with the MPRE that if 27-32/50 got you an 85, then clearly each question you got right beyond 27-32 got you more scaled points than there first 27-32 you got right since the scale went up to 150. I guess I need to check out this separac website.

Here's the conversion chart for the July 2011 MBE. California posts it after each test for the benefit of those who didn't pass, so you could google it for other test dates. You'll see that you get less of a bump the more questions you get right.

[Matteliszt]

honestly i really don't think you are behind at all. i can't imagine most people have started memorizing for NY subjects, simply because it hasn't been assigned in the paced program.

with only about two weeks left, i will focus on hammering NY practice/wills/trusts/domestic relations/corporations/PR while cycling in a few MBE subjects a day to keep fresh on that for MC and for NY essays.

I honestly will not be focusing too much on NY distinctions for teh MBE subjects. It just doesn't seem worth it at this point. The NY essays on MBE topics can be mostly gamed without much knowledge of the NY distinctions, and my mastery of the underlying substantive matter is pretty good.

I think that seems manageable (edited note: i.e. mostly doable with insanely long and stressful days), but it would be easier if we didnt have videos scheduled every fucking day from now until next thursday. I will probably spend, outside of lecture, maybe 3 hours total on sectrans/CP, agency/pship, fedjur, conflicts.

This is exactly what I am going to do as well. Also remember (and look at the feb 2013 exam released here http://www.nybarexam.org/ExamQuestions/ ... stions.htm) that Torts/Contracts/Crim Law/Crim Pro are all high priority topics for New York (all 3 showing up in FEB) and that you can probably get a 5 without knowing the distinctions if your analysis is good and you identify the issues correctly. I'm thinking of not doing the fed jur video at all next week. Pretty sure its entirely flame minus removal (which we all learned in civ pro anyway)

[kaiser]

honestly i really don't think you are behind at all. i can't imagine most people have started memorizing for NY subjects, simply because it hasn't been assigned in the paced program.

with only about two weeks left, i will focus on hammering NY practice/wills/trusts/domestic relations/corporations/PR while cycling in a few MBE subjects a day to keep fresh on that for MC and for NY essays.

I honestly will not be focusing too much on NY distinctions for teh MBE subjects. It just doesn't seem worth it at this point. The NY essays on MBE topics can be mostly gamed without much knowledge of the NY distinctions, and my mastery of the underlying substantive matter is pretty good.

I think that seems manageable (edited note: i.e. mostly doable with insanely long and stressful days), but it would be easier if we didnt have videos scheduled every fucking day from now until next thursday. I will probably spend, outside of lecture, maybe 3 hours total on sectrans/CP, agency/pship, fedjur, conflicts.

Same. Will do some periodic review of MBE, but I really want to do some review of the NY-specific topics. I haven't done the vast majority of assigned essays, so I really need to catch up on some, and get used to them. Will likely start doing 3 or 4 a day consistently, perhaps writing 1 out, and outlining the other 2 (writing out the issue and rule statements though). I've also only done like 1 MPT, so another thing I need to quickly catch up on.

[KeepitKind]

Has anyone done the MPQ2 half day exam (first thing in the book)?

I thought it was extremely tricky and am not happy with my score. As if I wasn't already freaking out enough I thought I had heard others on here saying the MPQ2 was supposed to be easier..

the MPQ2 sets 1-4 (all i've done so far) are rather straightforward. but i thought the half day exam was very difficult (glad to see you agree), especially the first 25 q's or so. Also, the book seems to imply that the last sets in MPQ2 are more difficult, and that the Final Exam tests common tricks on the MBE - so prob hard but worthwhile.

the MBE simulated final exam in barbri's MPQ2 is an outrageous flame... i thought we were done with this super-hard material we've never learned crap... after consistently hitting 80% on the mpq2's i scored a clean 51% on the this today. they say the goal is 60 so i'm below. yet again, more barbri scare tactics. very annoying that they assume nobody wants to study for this thing. would rather they taught us the frequently tested tricks in a non-sociopathic way.

Was that the Final Exam at the end of the MPQ2 book or the simulated 200 q MBE toward the beginning? If the Final Exam at the end, did you also take the simulated MBE in the MPQ2 book? the simulated MBE in its own book? how do they all compare? ( i prob won't get to them all and am trying to figure where to trim the fat )

[5ky]

honestly i really don't think you are behind at all. i can't imagine most people have started memorizing for NY subjects, simply because it hasn't been assigned in the paced program.

with only about two weeks left, i will focus on hammering NY practice/wills/trusts/domestic relations/corporations/PR while cycling in a few MBE subjects a day to keep fresh on that for MC and for NY essays.

I honestly will not be focusing too much on NY distinctions for teh MBE subjects. It just doesn't seem worth it at this point. The NY essays on MBE topics can be mostly gamed without much knowledge of the NY distinctions, and my mastery of the underlying substantive matter is pretty good.

I think that seems manageable (edited note: i.e. mostly doable with insanely long and stressful days), but it would be easier if we didnt have videos scheduled every fucking day from now until next thursday. I will probably spend, outside of lecture, maybe 3 hours total on sectrans/CP, agency/pship, fedjur, conflicts.

Same. Will do some periodic review of MBE, but I really want to do some review of the NY-specific topics. I haven't done the vast majority of assigned essays, so I really need to catch up on some, and get used to them. Will likely start doing 3 or 4 a day consistently, perhaps writing 1 out, and outlining the other 2 (writing out the issue and rule statements though). I've also only done like 1 MPT, so another thing I need to quickly catch up on.

like 80% of our essays have been on MBE subjects, so you haven't missed much. that's another reason why most people probably don't know shit about NY subjects. barbri simply hasn't assigned much, or any, review of it. so unless you are going outside of paced program to drill it, you won't have touched it. i have spent all of my time beyond paced program doing MBE shit, so i have quite a bit of NY memorizing to do.

[c3pO4]

Has anyone done the MPQ2 half day exam (first thing in the book)?

I thought it was extremely tricky and am not happy with my score. As if I wasn't already freaking out enough I thought I had heard others on here saying the MPQ2 was supposed to be easier..

the MPQ2 sets 1-4 (all i've done so far) are rather straightforward. but i thought the half day exam was very difficult (glad to see you agree), especially the first 25 q's or so. Also, the book seems to imply that the last sets in MPQ2 are more difficult, and that the Final Exam tests common tricks on the MBE - so prob hard but worthwhile.

the MBE simulated final exam in barbri's MPQ2 is an outrageous flame... i thought we were done with this super-hard material we've never learned crap... after consistently hitting 80% on the mpq2's i scored a clean 51% on the this today. they say the goal is 60 so i'm below. yet again, more barbri scare tactics. very annoying that they assume nobody wants to study for this thing. would rather they taught us the frequently tested tricks in a non-sociopathic way.

Was that the Final Exam at the end of the MPQ2 book or the simulated 200 q MBE toward the beginning? If the Final Exam at the end, did you also take the simulated MBE in the MPQ2 book? the simulated MBE in its own book? how do they all compare? ( i prob won't get to them all and am trying to figure where to trim the fat )

The SFE (Simulated Final Exam) at the end of MPQ2. Haven't done the simulated 200q MBE at the beginning (unless that's the barbri simulated midterm we took a few weeks ago, but I think that is somewhere else). The SFE is insanely hard... it is 100 questions all on the level of set 5s/6s or even harder. A bunch of exceptions to the exceptions that they haven't taught us. Would be nice to just get a lecture on "advanced tricks" and then a quiz instead of nothing, and then a quiz on this crap in mid-July.

[goodolgil]

honestly i really don't think you are behind at all. i can't imagine most people have started memorizing for NY subjects, simply because it hasn't been assigned in the paced program.

with only about two weeks left, i will focus on hammering NY practice/wills/trusts/domestic relations/corporations/PR while cycling in a few MBE subjects a day to keep fresh on that for MC and for NY essays.

I honestly will not be focusing too much on NY distinctions for teh MBE subjects. It just doesn't seem worth it at this point. The NY essays on MBE topics can be mostly gamed without much knowledge of the NY distinctions, and my mastery of the underlying substantive matter is pretty good.

I think that seems manageable (edited note: i.e. mostly doable with insanely long and stressful days), but it would be easier if we didnt have videos scheduled every fucking day from now until next thursday. I will probably spend, outside of lecture, maybe 3 hours total on sectrans/CP, agency/pship, fedjur, conflicts.

I agree about the NY distinctions except that NY's "indelible right to counsel' seems to come up in every damn crim essay barbri assigns in some way and I always forget what exactly it means.