Important VA Bar Exam question Forum

[lukertin]

Do they grade essays based on your knowledge of VA law, or do they just fudge it to see how well you can write/argue logically?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Why would they test on Virginia law if they didn't expect you to know anything about it? If there are state-specific essays, they'll expect you to know that's state's law. (Which isn't the same as saying you can't pass without knowing anything about Virginia law, of course.)

(Unless there's something unique about the VA bar exam that I don't know about...)

[lukertin]

You're kidding right? There are tons of state bar exams where you could make the law up and you would still get full credit as long as your answer is coherent and logical.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Such as? I'm seriously curious.

(I'm not saying that if you make up the law and have a coherent/logical answer you won't get some credit or enough credit to pass. I'm just saying the whole point of having state law questions is to actually test state law.)

[lukertin]

New York, North Carolina, for example.

[A. Nony Mouse]

New York, North Carolina, for example.

See, I've heard you can pass NY without knowing anything about NY law, which isn't really the same thing - but then, I've never taken the sucker.

[lukertin]

New York, North Carolina, for example.

See, I've heard you can pass NY without knowing anything about NY law, which isn't really the same thing - but then, I've never taken the sucker.

That's basically the same thing. I don't see what the difference is.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Well, there's a difference between being able to get enough points to pass without knowing NY law, and getting full credit for the answer, is all. (Not that getting full credit is worth aspring for on the bar, obviously, but the question was about getting full credit, which to me isn't just passing, it's getting all the points available.) Asking if you can pass the VA bar without knowing VA law is different from asking if they don't grade on your knowledge of VA law or saying you can get full credit without knowing VA law.

(Sorry, I realize I'm being pedantic - I'm home sick today and cranky.)