Oh, I've seen some people on here recommend the CA "Leansheets" as an outline, but I don't think that solves your digital problem.ph14 wrote:I'd prefer a digital copy of the outline, personally. I guess we also have the fill in the blank outlines too, but that appears to be only for CA subjects? I haven't really looked through everything yet thoroughly either.bruinfan10 wrote:I'm interested in this as well. I thought the Convisor Mini-Review was supposed to be an outline though? I haven't really dug through the materials yet. I paid thousands of dollars for all these books and they expect me to outline myself??ph14 wrote:Are there any good outlines floating out there for either MBE or CA subjects that follow the Barbri lectures? I'd prefer not to make my own if I can avoid it.
California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum
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- bruinfan10
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
- Charles Barkley
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I'll be joining you guys shortly.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Charles Barkley wrote:I'll be joining you guys shortly.
Nice. Charles.
Pass the Bar > Win a Championship
You can do it !
- Determination3
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Hey All:
Looks like I'll be joining this thread, unfortunately.
This will be my third time, and I'm determined to make it my last. This exam is such bullshit, and I'm still beyond pissed for not passing. I plan on self studying this time around, no Barbri for me.
But before I commit to anything, I'll be waiting for my results, hopefully it comes in today and I can see where things went wrong. On a scale from 1 to 10, my motivation to study again is about a -10! So I need to start building that up.
Looks like I'll be joining this thread, unfortunately.
This will be my third time, and I'm determined to make it my last. This exam is such bullshit, and I'm still beyond pissed for not passing. I plan on self studying this time around, no Barbri for me.
But before I commit to anything, I'll be waiting for my results, hopefully it comes in today and I can see where things went wrong. On a scale from 1 to 10, my motivation to study again is about a -10! So I need to start building that up.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Ugh, I wish Barbri hadn't changed the time of the Boston class. I thought it was starting May 26 based on the schedule I checked when it first came out, but just now I learned that it starts tomorrow! So double check your schedules.
I'm also not liking how all the prior homework assignments seem to have disappeared from the online site. I wanted to work on stuff today, but I can't go back and see what was assigned last week. I was too busy with graduation festivities.
I'm also not liking how all the prior homework assignments seem to have disappeared from the online site. I wanted to work on stuff today, but I can't go back and see what was assigned last week. I was too busy with graduation festivities.
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- ph14
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I can see stuff from past weeks. Have you tried clicking on "View Interactive Paced Program" and then click "Prev Week"? Or alternatively, going to the left-hand side, under "Bar Review Materials," and click "Paced Program" and then clicking "Prev Week."LSATNightmares wrote:Ugh, I wish Barbri hadn't changed the time of the Boston class. I thought it was starting May 26 based on the schedule I checked when it first came out, but just now I learned that it starts tomorrow! So double check your schedules.
I'm also not liking how all the prior homework assignments seem to have disappeared from the online site. I wanted to work on stuff today, but I can't go back and see what was assigned last week. I was too busy with graduation festivities.
- ph14
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I found the digital copies of the handout lectures, they're under the "Bar Review Lectures" under "Bar Review Materials" on the left hand side. Seems much more convenient than to manually fill in the blanks on the lecture handouts.bruinfan10 wrote:Oh, I've seen some people on here recommend the CA "Leansheets" as an outline, but I don't think that solves your digital problem.ph14 wrote:I'd prefer a digital copy of the outline, personally. I guess we also have the fill in the blank outlines too, but that appears to be only for CA subjects? I haven't really looked through everything yet thoroughly either.bruinfan10 wrote:I'm interested in this as well. I thought the Convisor Mini-Review was supposed to be an outline though? I haven't really dug through the materials yet. I paid thousands of dollars for all these books and they expect me to outline myself??ph14 wrote:Are there any good outlines floating out there for either MBE or CA subjects that follow the Barbri lectures? I'd prefer not to make my own if I can avoid it.
I wish they had Word versions of the lecture handouts, though.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Thanks -- I couldn't have found them otherwise! Now to tackle all that homework...ph14 wrote:I can see stuff from past weeks. Have you tried clicking on "View Interactive Paced Program" and then click "Prev Week"? Or alternatively, going to the left-hand side, under "Bar Review Materials," and click "Paced Program" and then clicking "Prev Week."LSATNightmares wrote:Ugh, I wish Barbri hadn't changed the time of the Boston class. I thought it was starting May 26 based on the schedule I checked when it first came out, but just now I learned that it starts tomorrow! So double check your schedules.
I'm also not liking how all the prior homework assignments seem to have disappeared from the online site. I wanted to work on stuff today, but I can't go back and see what was assigned last week. I was too busy with graduation festivities.
- rburgundy
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
2 months. That's how much time we have. I've pinned down a couple of libraries I'll be holing at most days. Let's kill it.
- a male human
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Whatever value you glean here (e.g., noting sub-issues you forgot about), do not listen to the predictions. I urge everyone to study all subjects thoroughly, and:Jay Heizenburg wrote:Information on how the bar (CBX) has changed and predictions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ragLMAoTnUI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL4HXoPIBpQ
There's value here, hope you can glean it.
1. Nail the PTs. Get 65+ on both PTs. Extra 5 points on a PT = extra 10 points on an essay. Corral those pesky facts. Easy points.
2. Practice getting down as many relevant issues as you can on each essay. Within IRAC (do not use CRAC), I think the MOST important is finding all the issues and sub-issues (knowing the rules is a given). Because essays are not real life, you do NOT need to be inventive or creative with issues (or anything else). What you want is a finite list of testable issues. Rather than thinking of it as spotting issues, you are now checking for issues. Once you get an idea which major area is being tested (e.g., personal jx), you can then check for issues that arise (e.g., traditional bases, statutory basis, constitutional basis, minimum contacts, purposeful availment, reasonable foreseeability, fair play, specific/general jx). You can simply outline essays instead of writing them out. I probably did more outlining than full answers.
3. Do real MBE questions.
PM user 2807 if you have problems with crafting issue statements. Some people have had success after switching the way they frame the issue statements. I'm happy to answer questions over PM as well.
- ph14
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Why would the way you craft your issue statement be important? Seems like if you didn't score enough points the much more likely explanation is a failure to spot, analyze, and correctly dispose of enough issues.a male human wrote: PM user 2807 if you have problems with crafting issue statements. Some people have had success after switching the way they frame the issue statements. I'm happy to answer questions over PM as well.
- a male human
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Some people had trouble parsing the issues and setting up the rules and analysis that came after the issue. For example, if the issue is "tort remedies," where do you go from there? It might be obvious to you that you discuss the liability theory, legal remedies, restitutionary remedies, then equitable remedies. Instead saying "Whether D breached his contract with P" forces you to think about the sub-issues. Then you can pull out the rule and facts that answer the issue statement.ph14 wrote:Why would the way you craft your issue statement be important? Seems like if you didn't score enough points the much more likely explanation is a failure to spot, analyze, and correctly dispose of enough issues.a male human wrote: PM user 2807 if you have problems with crafting issue statements. Some people have had success after switching the way they frame the issue statements. I'm happy to answer questions over PM as well.
I'll be the first to say I opted not to use his style, but others found success with it.
- ph14
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I see. That makes sense. I think I will probably just stick with what worked for me in law school.a male human wrote:Some people had trouble parsing the issues and setting up the rules and analysis that came after the issue. For example, if the issue is "tort remedies," where do you go from there? It might be obvious to you that you discuss the liability theory, legal remedies, restitutionary remedies, then equitable remedies. Instead saying "Whether D breached his contract with P" forces you to think about the sub-issues. Then you can pull out the rule and facts that answer the issue statement.ph14 wrote:Why would the way you craft your issue statement be important? Seems like if you didn't score enough points the much more likely explanation is a failure to spot, analyze, and correctly dispose of enough issues.a male human wrote: PM user 2807 if you have problems with crafting issue statements. Some people have had success after switching the way they frame the issue statements. I'm happy to answer questions over PM as well.
I'll be the first to say I opted not to use his style, but others found success with it.
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- ilovesf
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Got that dreaded Barbri prep e-mail with links to our pace program, etc., and everything we "should" do before our first class. Will be doing none of it because of vacay, and skipping the first class. Off to a poor start already.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Barbri is the hugest flame. You can do 1/2 the work they say you need to do and pass. Focus on the MBE topics, btw.ilovesf wrote:Got that dreaded Barbri prep e-mail with links to our pace program, etc., and everything we "should" do before our first class. Will be doing none of it because of vacay, and skipping the first class. Off to a poor start already.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Barwinners, CA Bar Style, Barpassers Tutorial (Bob Hull)
Which one do you recommend? Personally I like Themis or Barmax outlines. But people say any outline is OK. I got 1556 in mbe so I guess the raw is 140. I give up typing and will handwrite. I got 2 50s in PTs. So I need 65 for each PT so that I can make up 100 deficit. PtPtPt. From the viewpoint of how to increase pt score dramatically, reasonably or humanly possibly, which course would be the best course for me? I took John Holtz and it was above my ability or time constraints. Dunno. Can you say it something is expensive, generally it will be good? Maybe I need to increase my mbe to 160 so that it can compensate deficit in pt/writing. PtPtPt.
Which one do you recommend? Personally I like Themis or Barmax outlines. But people say any outline is OK. I got 1556 in mbe so I guess the raw is 140. I give up typing and will handwrite. I got 2 50s in PTs. So I need 65 for each PT so that I can make up 100 deficit. PtPtPt. From the viewpoint of how to increase pt score dramatically, reasonably or humanly possibly, which course would be the best course for me? I took John Holtz and it was above my ability or time constraints. Dunno. Can you say it something is expensive, generally it will be good? Maybe I need to increase my mbe to 160 so that it can compensate deficit in pt/writing. PtPtPt.
- a male human
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
If you want to improve on PTs (which is a must, given that if you get both your PTs to 65 from 50, that's like an extra 10 points for each of your essays), you don't need a course or outline. Practice old ones released on the Bar's website: admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinations/PastExams.aspxhyc9598 wrote:Barwinners, CA Bar Style, Barpassers Tutorial (Bob Hull)
Which one do you recommend? Personally I like Themis or Barmax outlines. But people say any outline is OK. I got 1556 in mbe so I guess the raw is 140. I give up typing and will handwrite. I got 2 50s in PTs. So I need 65 for each PT so that I can make up 100 deficit. PtPtPt. From the viewpoint of how to increase pt score dramatically, reasonably or humanly possibly, which course would be the best course for me? I took John Holtz and it was above my ability or time constraints. Dunno. Can you say it something is expensive, generally it will be good? Maybe I need to increase my mbe to 160 so that it can compensate deficit in pt/writing. PtPtPt.
BarEssays.com ($99) has actually graded answers you can compare yours to.
If you want that extra edge, consider getting a "pay as you go" tutor who can review your work, but it would be significantly more expensive than BarEssays.
July 2013 has the hardest PTs in my opinion. If you can do well on those (save them for later in your prep), you're set. Feb 2013 PTs are also interesting. PT-B of Feb 2008 (Snyder v. Regents) is very striaghtforward. Start with that to see where you are.
Looks like your MBE is solid. Keep it up.
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- catechumen
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I got a 1308. Already signed up to retake in July. And yes I know a 1308 is rather bad.
Would the other repeaters mind posting their scores? Would love to compare notes?

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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
I don't know how you can practice or prep for PTs. They're all so completely different and generally just test your writing and organization and attn to detail.a male human wrote:If you want to improve on PTs (which is a must, given that if you get both your PTs to 65 from 50, that's like an extra 10 points for each of your essays), you don't need a course or outline. Practice old ones released on the Bar's website: admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinations/PastExams.aspxhyc9598 wrote:Barwinners, CA Bar Style, Barpassers Tutorial (Bob Hull)
Which one do you recommend? Personally I like Themis or Barmax outlines. But people say any outline is OK. I got 1556 in mbe so I guess the raw is 140. I give up typing and will handwrite. I got 2 50s in PTs. So I need 65 for each PT so that I can make up 100 deficit. PtPtPt. From the viewpoint of how to increase pt score dramatically, reasonably or humanly possibly, which course would be the best course for me? I took John Holtz and it was above my ability or time constraints. Dunno. Can you say it something is expensive, generally it will be good? Maybe I need to increase my mbe to 160 so that it can compensate deficit in pt/writing. PtPtPt.
BarEssays.com ($99) has actually graded answers you can compare yours to.
If you want that extra edge, consider getting a "pay as you go" tutor who can review your work, but it would be significantly more expensive than BarEssays.
July 2013 has the hardest PTs in my opinion. If you can do well on those (save them for later in your prep), you're set. Feb 2013 PTs are also interesting. PT-B of Feb 2008 (Snyder v. Regents) is very striaghtforward. Start with that to see where you are.
Looks like your MBE is solid. Keep it up.
- a male human
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Some possible ways to get feedback:hiima3L wrote:I don't know how you can practice or prep for PTs. They're all so completely different and generally just test your writing and organization and attn to detail.a male human wrote:If you want to improve on PTs (which is a must, given that if you get both your PTs to 65 from 50, that's like an extra 10 points for each of your essays), you don't need a course or outline. Practice old ones released on the Bar's website: admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Examinations/PastExams.aspxhyc9598 wrote:Barwinners, CA Bar Style, Barpassers Tutorial (Bob Hull)
Which one do you recommend? Personally I like Themis or Barmax outlines. But people say any outline is OK. I got 1556 in mbe so I guess the raw is 140. I give up typing and will handwrite. I got 2 50s in PTs. So I need 65 for each PT so that I can make up 100 deficit. PtPtPt. From the viewpoint of how to increase pt score dramatically, reasonably or humanly possibly, which course would be the best course for me? I took John Holtz and it was above my ability or time constraints. Dunno. Can you say it something is expensive, generally it will be good? Maybe I need to increase my mbe to 160 so that it can compensate deficit in pt/writing. PtPtPt.
BarEssays.com ($99) has actually graded answers you can compare yours to.
If you want that extra edge, consider getting a "pay as you go" tutor who can review your work, but it would be significantly more expensive than BarEssays.
July 2013 has the hardest PTs in my opinion. If you can do well on those (save them for later in your prep), you're set. Feb 2013 PTs are also interesting. PT-B of Feb 2008 (Snyder v. Regents) is very striaghtforward. Start with that to see where you are.
Looks like your MBE is solid. Keep it up.
1. Get it graded by your bar prep graders
2. Get it graded by a tutor
3. Compare your answer (issues, rules, facts used) with model answers on CalBar
4. Compare your answer (issues, rules, facts used) with 50s and 70s on BarEssays.com
I did a PT a week and mainly #1 and #4 in my last prep. #1 or #2 might be the best ways to get actual feedback if you are consistently struggling.
"They're all so completely different and generally just test your writing and organization and attn to detail."
Writing: Read Plain English for Lawyers by Wydick or recall your legal writing activities like law journal, legal writing and research class, research papers, etc.
Organization: Two ways.
1. If PT has specific call(s) that tell you what to analyze. Those calls are the major headings/issues.
2. If PT has general call(s). Use the rules you pull out of the case as a guidepost. For example, one rule might have 8 elements. Is that rule relevant? Make the 8 elements a heading.
Attention to detail: Focus, read slowly, and mark important parts with your pen, pencil, highlighter. Or note it on your outline. Collecting relevant nuggets of fact across the dozens of pages is important.
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
What is everybody's status so far for prepping for the exam?
Did Barbri's torts mbe today and got 68%
Did Barbri's torts mbe today and got 68%

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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Did the diagnostic and got 50%. Just doing the pace program. Why are you ahead?se7en wrote:What is everybody's status so far for prepping for the exam?
Did Barbri's torts mbe today and got 68%
- jdx2014
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
How many of your guys are non-aba grads if from CA?
- jdx2014
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
fyi, 68% on the actual bar is a pass (even if scaled)se7en wrote:What is everybody's status so far for prepping for the exam?
Did Barbri's torts mbe today and got 68%
you are doing good if this is the start and we are talking raw
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Re: California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread
Barbri started last week for us. Today's hw was MBE Workshop Torts Questions in MPQ (1-25)jarofsoup wrote:Did the diagnostic and got 50%. Just doing the pace program. Why are you ahead?se7en wrote:What is everybody's status so far for prepping for the exam?
Did Barbri's torts mbe today and got 68%
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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