Failed MPRE(73)..advice please Forum

[AntiHuman]

Every time I get a standardized test back, I am baffled. After the SAT,AP Tests, LSAT, law school exams, MPRE..etc..I almost always come out thinking I did decently well. I always get MUCH lower than what I expected. Maybe I am just really bad at timed multiple choice exams. My mind tends to drift when the reading gets too dry or long(huge problem for the law profession..I understand). I do pretty well at papers and classes that allow me to take home a final or write a paper/memo.

Read the entire BARBI MPRE 2012 book twice and did 3 out of 4 of the practice tests...spent about a week studying the first time. Listened to part of the lecture on BARBRI. I want to practice in California. At this point, an even bigger fear is the BAR exam next July(I'm a 3L) if I keep sucking at exams.

1. What should I do differently or what more stuff should I study if I want to pass it in November?

2. Should I take it in November? Any disadvantages to taking MPRE multiple times? I don't want it to affect my work in my courses.

3. At this point, the BAR is scary. Should I start studying a few months in advance for the July 2013 BAR exam(like around February?) Or should I just wait till after graduation?

[thesealocust]

Retake the MPRE. Read the actual rules, and as you read them think about borderline cases and inter-relations between the rules. Try to think of the real world scenarios that would test the rules, and do your best to understand them instead of just memorizing them. For extra credit, read the comments after the model rules, as they cover all the detail you'll need for sure. Do another practice test and you'll probably be golden.

For the bar, consider looking into private individual study. There are people who specialize in one on one barb prep. If you have to take it more than once, so be it. I really is "just a test" and you shouldn't let test taking issues stop you from being a lawyer (there are like a dozen things you probably SHOULD let stop you from being a lawyer, it's pretty much the worst - standardized tests just barely fail to make the list).

[I.P. Daly]

As noted above, the MPRE is all about the model rules. Know the rules and the comments to the rules.

Perhaps you may want to try another MPRE prep course? Several companies offer free prep courses. For example, Kaplan offers a free online MPRE course. After taking a practice test, Kaplan provides a breakdown of your score so that you can identify where your weaknesses lie. Also, it might be helpful to practice with both BarBri and Kaplan questions as they might be stylistically different.

As for the bar, does your school offer a bar prep course? Both BarBri and PMBR do free live weekend MBE lectures in an attempt to sell students on their courses. Perhaps it would be helpful to attend a lecture? Also, you could start becoming familiar with the MPT. There is a lot of material online regarding MPT strategy. If you're good at the MPT prior to starting bar review, it's one less thing you have to focus on during bar review.

[NotMyRealName09]

I mean this with all sincerity - have you spoken to a doctor about whether you have (1) ADD or ADHD or (2) a learning disability?

You say your mind drifts reading long fact patterns - maybe some Ritalin is just what you need? You've gotten this far and say you do fine on papers - maybe a doctor could advise on whether something else is at work? Plus if you do have a learning disability, then you might qualify for accommodations on the bar exam (untimed? Not sure).

[AntiHuman]

I mean I don't think I'm THAT dumb in general. I went to an elite undergrad and currently a 3L at a T25. I can definitely ask my doctor and see what the problem is, but I think it's mainly test taking. I didn't do so well on the SAT or LSAT, both multiple choice strictly timed exams. And I came out of the MPRE feeling like I definitely passed, but on every exam I always tend to get lower than I thought I did.

I went through most of Barbri materials, so I'll try Kaplan now...unless there's other strategies/materials to consider?

[I.P. Daly]

I went through most of Barbri materials, so I'll try Kaplan now...unless there's other strategies/materials to consider?

I thought reading the ABA model rules and the comments really helped me. While taking the exam, it almost seemed like some of the questions basically came from the comments to the rules.

[tstyler98]

Every time I get a standardized test back, I am baffled. After the SAT,AP Tests, LSAT, law school exams, MPRE..etc..I almost always come out thinking I did decently well. I always get MUCH lower than what I expected. Maybe I am just really bad at timed multiple choice exams. My mind tends to drift when the reading gets too dry or long(huge problem for the law profession..I understand). I do pretty well at papers and classes that allow me to take home a final or write a paper/memo.

Read the entire BARBI MPRE 2012 book twice and did 3 out of 4 of the practice tests...spent about a week studying the first time. Listened to part of the lecture on BARBRI. I want to practice in California. At this point, an even bigger fear is the BAR exam next July(I'm a 3L) if I keep sucking at exams.

1. What should I do differently or what more stuff should I study if I want to pass it in November?

2. Should I take it in November? Any disadvantages to taking MPRE multiple times? I don't want it to affect my work in my courses.

3. At this point, the BAR is scary. Should I start studying a few months in advance for the July 2013 BAR exam(like around February?) Or should I just wait till after graduation?

I watched both the Barbri & Kaplan videos, and took lots of practice questions. What helped me the most was really reading the answer explanations about why each choice was right or wrong. And anything that I missed or got right by chance, I made a flash card about it. I reviewed those several times (and my conflicts flashcards many, many, many times), and that really seemed to help.

[zomginternets]

Every time I get a standardized test back, I am baffled. After the SAT,AP Tests, LSAT, law school exams, MPRE..etc..I almost always come out thinking I did decently well. I always get MUCH lower than what I expected. Maybe I am just really bad at timed multiple choice exams. My mind tends to drift when the reading gets too dry or long(huge problem for the law profession..I understand). I do pretty well at papers and classes that allow me to take home a final or write a paper/memo.

Read the entire BARBI MPRE 2012 book twice and did 3 out of 4 of the practice tests...spent about a week studying the first time. Listened to part of the lecture on BARBRI. I want to practice in California. At this point, an even bigger fear is the BAR exam next July(I'm a 3L) if I keep sucking at exams.

1. What should I do differently or what more stuff should I study if I want to pass it in November?

2. Should I take it in November? Any disadvantages to taking MPRE multiple times? I don't want it to affect my work in my courses.

3. At this point, the BAR is scary. Should I start studying a few months in advance for the July 2013 BAR exam(like around February?) Or should I just wait till after graduation?

Have you taken Professional Responsibility yet?

[AntiHuman]

Every time I get a standardized test back, I am baffled. After the SAT,AP Tests, LSAT, law school exams, MPRE..etc..I almost always come out thinking I did decently well. I always get MUCH lower than what I expected. Maybe I am just really bad at timed multiple choice exams. My mind tends to drift when the reading gets too dry or long(huge problem for the law profession..I understand). I do pretty well at papers and classes that allow me to take home a final or write a paper/memo.

Read the entire BARBI MPRE 2012 book twice and did 3 out of 4 of the practice tests...spent about a week studying the first time. Listened to part of the lecture on BARBRI. I want to practice in California. At this point, an even bigger fear is the BAR exam next July(I'm a 3L) if I keep sucking at exams.

1. What should I do differently or what more stuff should I study if I want to pass it in November?

2. Should I take it in November? Any disadvantages to taking MPRE multiple times? I don't want it to affect my work in my courses.

3. At this point, the BAR is scary. Should I start studying a few months in advance for the July 2013 BAR exam(like around February?) Or should I just wait till after graduation?

Have you taken Professional Responsibility yet?

Nope not yet...I'll be taking it in the spring.