July 2016 Illinois Bar Exam Forum

[nomsicles]

Not having taken the bar, my lay advice is -- you're probably more fucked if you let it psych you out. Write out the rule statements you missed and review them, maybe categorize the missed questions into: didn't know the law, misread the question, misapplied the law, and see what patterns you can find to target how you'll study for the next week. Either way you're taking it next week, and honestly it seems like BarBri gets less and less useful the closer you get to the exam in terms of its MBE's. There has been more than one question where it's like, "oh yeah jk this is a weird ruling that we've never told you about" or "yeah all of them correct but the court might rule this way so we like it better." I guess those questions could be on the MBE, but they seem less likely.

I meant moreso in the actual scoring. I have seen threads that guesstimate your raw score and what scaled score it translates into, but those were from years back.

I know, confidence is a good chunk of the battle, and in times like these, TLS threads really come in handy.[/quote]

Sorry, I should have been clearer -- I don't think you're fucked with the scoring. I think BarBri fucks with you a lot at the end. A lot of the answer explanations have been, at best, illogical, meaning I don't think they CAN be representative of the types of questions on the MBE and are meant to jar you/give you the hardest possible thing. Even when I've written in asking substantive questions that answers have basically been these roundabout repetitions of the explanations without any real explanation as to why that's the correct answer choice given the law. So I don't think the scoring is an accurate representation of what you can expect. Also if you haven't seen it there's this google doc (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0) thread that has people's midterm scores and their final scores compared to their actual MBE scores which made me feel a lot better. I just think the only way that score could screw you over would be by letting it freak you out too much.[/quote]

Great....the two IL reporting test takers failed...one of which with a higher percentage than what I have right now.

Tell me how you saw the cup half full, please![/quote]

I was actually confused about how they got their final scores -- doesn't IL not give you the final number?

But anyhow the one guy self studied and it looks like both bombed the essays! The guy with the higher score scored in like the 15th percentile for essays. Also remember the scores are scaled at the end ...

I'm sorry if that freaked you out--I really do think you're fine, I promise. I don't know what your score was on the 200 practice test, but there are people who got around 100 on the practice test and still scored at like 140 and 150! It seems like most people who were anywhere near the target for BarBri scored around 150. There's someone who scored like 48 and got a 120 on the final. In IL you'd need to get 146 on the essays, which is like the 58th percentile, which is manageable.

Also, the refresher could be a total fluke.

How do you feel about your writing?[/quote]

I think that was your must uplifting post yet, .

I have been working on the essays more in the past couple weeks, getting a lot of 3's I'd say. MPT's are fine, scoring 4's easily.

On the Barbri practice MBE sets I am usually 1 or 2 under their set "goals."

Someone told me that there are only 4 ways you can fail the IL Bar:
1. You don't study
2. You get sick during this last week
3. Something tragic happens to you in the last week
4. You have a serious meltdown during the test.

I keep telling myself those things and that all thats needed is to score in the (approx) 25th percentile and all will be well.[/quote]


Haha good -- and I will keep that information in mind when I have an inevitable freak out before Tuesday!

How are you scoring your MPT's? Are there scoring sheets for the essays and MPTs that I'm totally unaware of?[/quote]

I submitted the In Re Clarke one to Barbri and got a 4. I used their comments and the sample answer to self grade the second MPT I took.[/quote]

Woah- something happened with formatting there. I blame it on the bar

[dntota]

Curious how you guys are handling Wills related questions. Barbri Wills focuses on Illinois mostly, but a lot of the model essay answers incorporate the UPC. Our lecturer mentioned that the graders are Illinois people who would like to see Illinois Wills related discussions, but is that reliable? I've been discussing both, but wanted to see how people were handling this one. Obviously it's irrelevant if Wills shows up on the IEE, but it mostly has been an MEE subject.

thanks.

[rmhco]

I'm bombing the hell out of evidence essays. And evidence has been my highest scoring subject ... feeling the anxiety.

[Calvin Murphy]

Curious how you guys are handling Wills related questions. Barbri Wills focuses on Illinois mostly, but a lot of the model essay answers incorporate the UPC. Our lecturer mentioned that the graders are Illinois people who would like to see Illinois Wills related discussions, but is that reliable? I've been discussing both, but wanted to see how people were handling this one. Obviously it's irrelevant if Wills shows up on the IEE, but it mostly has been an MEE subject.

thanks.

My plan is to focus on IL rules. I feel like if I can remember them, I'll have a passing score on any given Wills essay. If I happen to remember something specific that we do differently, I might add that. For instance, if there is an issue of holographic will I will be mentioning the majority rule and then moving to the IL rule.

At the same time, I'm not super confident that I'm going to pass the bar or anything...I just feel as though trying to memorize all of the different approaches to an issue is going to get me less points than memorizing the IL stuff and moving on. If you're at the point where you already feel confident about secured transactions, corps & LLCs, etc., then maybe you can jump into the weeds.

[Pro Brono]

I'm basically ignoring the IL distinctions. They have to give you SOME points for giving the relevant majority rule, right? I feel like it'll just mess me up on the MBE if I try to remember both sets of rules, and then can't remember which rule is IL and which isn't. Not worth it.

[rmhco]

Curious how you guys are handling Wills related questions. Barbri Wills focuses on Illinois mostly, but a lot of the model essay answers incorporate the UPC. Our lecturer mentioned that the graders are Illinois people who would like to see Illinois Wills related discussions, but is that reliable? I've been discussing both, but wanted to see how people were handling this one. Obviously it's irrelevant if Wills shows up on the IEE, but it mostly has been an MEE subject.

thanks.

My plan is to focus on IL rules. I feel like if I can remember them, I'll have a passing score on any given Wills essay. If I happen to remember something specific that we do differently, I might add that. For instance, if there is an issue of holographic will I will be mentioning the majority rule and then moving to the IL rule.

At the same time, I'm not super confident that I'm going to pass the bar or anything...I just feel as though trying to memorize all of the different approaches to an issue is going to get me less points than memorizing the IL stuff and moving on. If you're at the point where you already feel confident about secured transactions, corps & LLCs, etc., then maybe you can jump into the weeds.

I am a little terrified of mixing them up. Like spending so much time memorizing the Evidence rules and then seeing some of the distinctions I was like, "I'm going to screw up all of them" haha.

[qwerty101]

Hi all,

Completely new to posting on TLS so although I'm quite sure this is not the correct forum to post this I'm going to go ahead anyway
since I encountered this while reviewing contracts:

SS 43 of the Restatement states "An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated when the offeror takes definite action inconsistent with an intention to enter into the proposed contract and the offeree acquires reliable information to that effect. "

Assuming that the offeree had knowledge of the action and that it is a definite action that is taken, what is the result if the action is "not considered to be an act inconsistent with an intention not to enter into a contract"?

Thanks

[Calvin Murphy]

Hi all,

Completely new to posting on TLS so although I'm quite sure this is not the correct forum to post this I'm going to go ahead anyway
since I encountered this while reviewing contracts:

SS 43 of the Restatement states "An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated when the offeror takes definite action inconsistent with an intention to enter into the proposed contract and the offeree acquires reliable information to that effect. "

Assuming that the offeree had knowledge of the action and that it is a definite action that is taken, what is the result if the action is "not considered to be an act inconsistent with an intention not to enter into a contract"?

Thanks

Unless you're studying for the IL bar, this is absolutely not the right place to ask questions. In the future, please either find an appropriate thread or make your own thread under the appropriate sub-forum.

To answer your question...

So like...you offer to sell me your car for $200, and then I learn that you bought groceries today. Is that what you're asking? If your action doesn't suggest that you're no longer selling the car, then it has no effect. If, however, I learned that you had sold your car to Eric Murphy for $300 (or $100 or any other amount), then your offer is terminated.

[qwerty101]

Sorry, I guess I'm just confused with all the negatives. I understand the core concept, but if it is said that the action in question is not considered to be inconsistent with not entering into the agreement, does this mean that the action could be used as a valid revocation? Or that it cannot?

I took "not inconsistent" to mean "consistent", so ended up with "consistent with not entering contract" and therefore revocable. I think this is the correct interpretation, was just looking for some confirmation.

Thanks for answering even though this is the wrong forum.

Yeah, I wont be taking the bar anytime soon, just confused with something I read. Thanks again.

[rmhco]

Ughhh contracts set 6 killed me. I've been getting high 70s in both Adaptibar and Barbri and today got a 44% on that set. FML.

[Nebby]

Ughhh contracts set 6 killed me. I've been getting high 70s in both Adaptibar and Barbri and today got a 44% on that set. FML.

I put off both Contracts and Property sets 6 until yesterday knowing I'd walk away bruised. I feel you

[Nebby]

Is anyone thinking of bringing a sweatshirt? I normally wouldn't, but if the test center is cold as fuck I don't want that to be on my mind as I am trying to take the test

[rmhco]

Is anyone thinking of bringing a sweatshirt? I normally wouldn't, but if the test center is cold as fuck I don't want that to be on my mind as I am trying to take the test

Definitely bringing one. With the limited stuff we're allowed to bring in, I want anything that will reduce distractions (I would undoubtedly spent more time thinking about how cold/hot I am than anticipatory repudiation) or has any potential to make me more comfortable.

[HoosierHoosier]

Anyone have a heads up of how secure the unsecured areas at The Forum are? I'm contemplating what to bring (cell phone, notes) but am worried about theft.

[nomsicles]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

[justtrying]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

[rmhco]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

[nomsicles]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

You guys have made my day. Thank you.

I spend time FULLY learning a subject, testing myself and at the end I totally get it. The SECOND I move on to a different subject it's as if I have never even heard of the first subject.

[Nebby]

Anyone have a heads up of how secure the unsecured areas at The Forum are? I'm contemplating what to bring (cell phone, notes) but am worried about theft.

Hopefully secure enough. I have to store my phone there on day 2 to catch a flight home that evening after the test

[justtrying]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

Don't forget tax!

[rmhco]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

Don't forget tax!

fml

Doing property essays today I was like, "I have literally forgotten everything."

[dntota]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

Don't forget tax!

fml

Doing property essays today I was like, "I have literally forgotten everything."

haha i feel you. The only good thing I've seen about property is they tend to focus on easements, adverse possession type stuff. Be careful that in 2013 they added a water rights essay for illinois which I know a lot of people blew off. However if you're good with adverse possession, covenants, easements and whether a BFP takes free that's like 70% of the essays. Have rarely seen landlord/tenant.

[dntota]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

Don't forget tax!

I did not look at either Admin or Tax. Hoping for the best as those are only illinois essays. Have to imagine something more important will show up.

[rmhco]

Ok...just a check in here.

Is everyone else feeling like they cant remember this shit? It's like studying for 29 finals all at once. My brain is not retaining and the more essays and practice problems I do the more I get freaked out that I can't remember all the hearsay exceptions....

Yes. And I've been keeping up a solid study pattern of 8-12 hrs a day since May, and I still can't remember much. My hope is just that enough others feel the same way that writing coherent essays and getting enough MBE problems will carry me. And when I say "coherent" essays I mean that I fully expect to make up law on at least half of them.

This. Even with the essays I feel confident on, when I read the model answer I think, "I have literally never heard of that." Also if suretyship, commercial paper, or admin is on the exam, well. Shit.

Don't forget tax!

fml

Doing property essays today I was like, "I have literally forgotten everything."

haha i feel you. The only good thing I've seen about property is they tend to focus on easements, adverse possession type stuff. Be careful that in 2013 they added a water rights essay for illinois which I know a lot of people blew off. However if you're good with adverse possession, covenants, easements and whether a BFP takes free that's like 70% of the essays. Have rarely seen landlord/tenant.

I did the water rights essay today! Definitely scared me straight

[Betharl]

Does anyone know anything about the set-up at the Pavilion? Will our items be relatively secure, is there anywhere to eat nearby (it doesn't look like it), etc?