MD February 2016 Exam Forum

[MDGirl]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

THIS IS HORRIBLE!!! The multiplier is different...but still it's very bad. July multiplier was 2.1825 vs Feb at 2.2678. I did the math with a 48 raw score on essays and it was a 12 point difference.

[waitingonresults]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

yea, but this year was 2.2678 as opposed to 2.1825...so if you plug in 50 as your raw essay, this year it comes to 140. last year it came to 152. who knows how they decide these numbers...

[Em_Banc]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

yea, but this year was 2.2678 as opposed to 2.1825...so if you plug in 50 as your raw essay, this year it comes to 140. last year it came to 152. who knows how they decide these numbers...

Yeah, but that +26.67 is really low.

[BWill23]

Looks like the mind fuck is kicking into a higher gear. I just crunched the numbers based on the average MBE score, which is what I'm assuming I am, plus, added in potential essay scores.... and I still feel like maybe I passed, maybe I didn't. great.

[waitingonresults]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

yea, but this year was 2.2678 as opposed to 2.1825...so if you plug in 50 as your raw essay, this year it comes to 140. last year it came to 152. who knows how they decide these numbers...

Yeah, but that +26.67 is really low.

Wouldnt that just indicate that Maryland test takers did better this time around on the essays so the "curve" needed to be adjusted accordingly?

[Em_Banc]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

yea, but this year was 2.2678 as opposed to 2.1825...so if you plug in 50 as your raw essay, this year it comes to 140. last year it came to 152. who knows how they decide these numbers...

Yeah, but that +26.67 is really low.

Wouldnt that just indicate that Maryland test takers did better this time around on the essays so the "curve" needed to be adjusted accordingly?

I'm really not sure (not good with all of this statistical scaling stuff). I just know that before doubling your written scaled score, a +40 is a lot better than a +26.67.

[RBGFan5258]

To the Maryland retakers -- what does your application page say with regards to your petition to take the exam? does it say original petition or does it say petition to retake the exam next to the green checks?

[Em_Banc]

To the Maryland retakers -- what does your application page say with regards to your petition to take the exam? does it say original petition or does it say petition to retake the exam next to the green checks?

Original (in parentheses)

[MDGirl]

Things are back up now. Still green checks.

I'm confused because this year's scaling formula is pretty far from past exams. Your overall score = written scaled (x2) + MBE scaled. Written scaled this year is: (2.2678 x Applicant’s Total Raw Essay Score) + 26.6712. In past years it's been like in the +40 range.

July 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201507.pdf
Feb 2015: http://mdcourts.gov/ble/pdfs/passingstandard201502.pdf

.......

yea, but this year was 2.2678 as opposed to 2.1825...so if you plug in 50 as your raw essay, this year it comes to 140. last year it came to 152. who knows how they decide these numbers...

Yeah, but that +26.67 is really low.

Wouldnt that just indicate that Maryland test takers did better this time around on the essays so the "curve" needed to be adjusted accordingly?

I'm pretty sure that's what it means. But why not let the state pass rate go back up to historic numbers? They f you over by messing with the curve? Obviously, a lot of people who failed the July bar were competent but got railroaded by the hellish MBE score. This is a HUGE difference in lower range raw essay scores...

If you get a 133 on the MBE, you need a 49 to pass. So you would nee solid 4+'s on essays, & 7 on MPT. I ran out of time during the MPT and doubt I got anything above a 4. This really sucks unless you did amazing on either the MPT or some of the essays.

[waitingonresults]

To the Maryland retakers -- what does your application page say with regards to your petition to take the exam? does it say original petition or does it say petition to retake the exam next to the green checks?

I'm a first time taker but I have the same as above, original w/green checks. my submit petition has a caution sign due to my impatience.

[RBGFan5258]

Mine says petition to retake. . I thought that was because I had to submit a petition to retake for the February exam. And I thought I might be okay because I completed my character and fitness investigation. I got a 150 MBE but failed in July because I really struggle with the essays. This is devastating.

[MDGirl]

To the Maryland retakers -- what does your application page say with regards to your petition to take the exam? does it say original petition or does it say petition to retake the exam next to the green checks?

Original (in parentheses)

Really? Mine has said retake since last November...
Now the SBLE and ebar are down again...

[BWill23]

Basically, if you got just over a 70% on the essays, and you even showed up for the MBE, you should skate through passing this bad boy.

Assuming:

50 Points on Essay ((2.2678X50)+26.6712) X 2 = 280.1224.

THEN... you only need a 126 SCALED score on the MBE,to pass. and a 126 scaled score is like a 105-110 raw score.

Further analysis... 69 total points, means I can lose 19 and still pass. That means I can get straight 4s on the essays basically, and do well on the multi state essay. THAT feels possible. Especially considering that you'll easily get 1 or 2 points on each essay. One "6" on a question you rocked will take Two "3s" on essays, to 4's. That seems helpful too.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE!

[Em_Banc]

I'm pretty sure that's what it means. But why not let the state pass rate go back up to historic numbers? They f you over by messing with the curve? Obviously, a lot of people who failed the July bar were competent but got railroaded by the hellish MBE score. This is a HUGE difference in lower range raw essay scores...

If you get a 133 on the MBE, you need a 49 to pass. So you would nee solid 4+'s on essays, & 7 on MPT. I ran out of time during the MPT and doubt I got anything above a 4. This really sucks unless you did amazing on either the MPT or some of the essays.

Yeah... with a 43 written and you need a 158 MBE this time around. Last feb you could've passed with a 43 written and a 131 MBE, if my calculations are correct...

[MDGirl]

Basically, if you got just over a 70% on the essays, and you even showed up for the MBE, you should skate through passing this bad boy.

Assuming:

50 Points on Essay ((2.2678X50)+26.6712) X 2 = 280.1224.

THEN... you only need a 126 SCALED score on the MBE,to pass. and a 126 scaled score is like a 105-110 raw score.

Further analysis... 69 total points, means I can lose 19 and still pass. That means I can get straight 4s on the essays basically, and do well on the multi state essay. THAT feels possible. Especially considering that you'll easily get 1 or 2 points on each essay. One "6" on a question you rocked will take Two "3s" on essays, to 4's. That seems helpful too.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE!

LOL I love your optimism! I'll take that.

[Em_Banc]

Basically, if you got just over a 70% on the essays, and you even showed up for the MBE, you should skate through passing this bad boy.

Assuming:

50 Points on Essay ((2.2678X50)+26.6712) X 2 = 280.1224.

THEN... you only need a 126 SCALED score on the MBE,to pass. and a 126 scaled score is like a 105-110 raw score.

Further analysis... 69 total points, means I can lose 19 and still pass. That means I can get straight 4s on the essays basically, and do well on the multi state essay. THAT feels possible. Especially considering that you'll easily get 1 or 2 points on each essay. One "6" on a question you rocked will take Two "3s" on essays, to 4's. That seems helpful too.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE!

LOL I love your optimism! I'll take that.

This made me smile. I really lowball myself when running these numbers because I am terrified of hard/uncaring essay graders

[waitingonresults]

Mine says petition to retake. . I thought that was because I had to submit a petition to retake for the February exam. And I thought I might be okay because I completed my character and fitness investigation. I got a 150 MBE but failed in July because I really struggle with the essays. This is devastating.

Did it always say Petition to Retake? If so, I wouldn't think anything of it...

[Em_Banc]

Mine says petition to retake. . I thought that was because I had to submit a petition to retake for the February exam. And I thought I might be okay because I completed my character and fitness investigation. I got a 150 MBE but failed in July because I really struggle with the essays. This is devastating.

Are you sure your app hasn't said petition to retake ever since you filed to retake this feb?

[RBGFan5258]

I think it always said petition to retake since finding out I failed last time, with the red checks, so I can add that to the discussion about whether the glitch it real. However, I did not get the red checks until I checked at 9 am the morning of the day results came out.

[BWill23]

Mine says petition to retake. . I thought that was because I had to submit a petition to retake for the February exam. And I thought I might be okay because I completed my character and fitness investigation. I got a 150 MBE but failed in July because I really struggle with the essays. This is devastating.

Are you sure your app hasn't said petition to retake ever since you filed to retake this feb?

But he would have had all green checks at some point in order to sit for the exam... so for him to now have X's.... seems like something happened.

[Em_Banc]

I think it always said petition to retake since finding out I failed last time, with the red checks, so I can add that to the discussion about whether the glitch it real. However, I did not get the red checks until I checked at 9 am the morning of the day results came out.

Right, but you have a green check next to your retake petition right now?

[MDGirl]

Mine says petition to retake. . I thought that was because I had to submit a petition to retake for the February exam. And I thought I might be okay because I completed my character and fitness investigation. I got a 150 MBE but failed in July because I really struggle with the essays. This is devastating.

Are you sure your app hasn't said petition to retake ever since you filed to retake this feb?

But he would have had all green checks at some point in order to sit for the exam... so for him to now have X's.... seems like something happened.

I don't think he said he has red checks now...

[waitingonresults]

I think it always said petition to retake since finding out I failed last time, with the red checks, so I can add that to the discussion about whether the glitch it real. However, I did not get the red checks until I checked at 9 am the morning of the day results came out.

Wait - you have red checks now or are you talking about the last time you took the exam?

[Em_Banc]

I had another idea of a way to find out... but it seems SBLE may have disabled the mechanism... This was my thought:

If you pass you can complete the online ethics training as early as this Saturday. So a couple of weeks back I went to the course website and tried to login by saying I forgot my username and password. It takes you to a page asking for your email. I entered my email and it said I did not have an account setup. I tried to do that again today, and the entire website has been taken down for an update: since 5 am. I suspect it is to avoid people doing just what I tried a few weeks ago. Or maybe I'm reading too much into this.

MDGirl--how do you get to the online ethics training page?

[MDGirl]

this is really totally convoluted but I am almost disappointed when I don't see red x 's when I keep refreshing... I'm messed up.