California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[chass]

I know we can't bring our laptops in cases, but what about if we have our computer in one of those hardshell covers? Like one of those hard plastic cases that stays on your computer... do people even know what I'm talking about? I may have lost my ability to describe anything at this point...

I know what you're talking about, and I have the same question.
I think I'm going to call the Bar people today to clarify a few things, anyway, so I'll ask about that and report what I find out.

Thanks! I would rather not take it off, but certainly don't want to have to ditch it at the test center if there's an issue... they aren't cheap.

I took the exam in Oakland and used my laptop case as my mouse pad.

[chass]

Can we rip pages out for the PT?

Yes

[Carryon]

Checked out the Ontario test center. the temperature seemed suitable for long pants short sleeve shirt, IMO.

I am an idiot and only packed shorts for some reason that escapes me now.

How big were the desks? Wide enough for people to bring a separate keyboard to their laptop?

Yes, the desks were big enough. We could not go into the room, but could view them from the door into the room. I asked them too and they said yes. I know someone else who took it and they said the same as well. shorts will be fine too. the temp was suitable for both.

[Lasers]

haha. i'll be checkin' in later tonight. shit was expensive.

EDIT: are the desks nicely sized? i need space for my laptop, my mouse, and my outlines.

Desks in the room? Fairly average size, no problem

As far as the EXAM.. you will be at large tables. 2 people per table. Plenty of room !

oh thanks.

i meant for the exam. good to hear the tables are large enough for 2 people. i need enough space for my laptop, my mouse, and my outlines.

IKR plus all my barbri books! Better be very spacious tables!

Yah. Hopefully good reception too for the phone a friend lifeline.

[pkt63]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

[Carryon]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

Yeah, I would like to know as well. Tempted to disable screen saver, standy mode, power saving anything.

[Carryon]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

Yeah, I would like to know as well. Tempted to disable screen saver, standy mode, power saving anything.

Do we need to know our examsoft password or number or what not to get into the software for the exam to begin the exam?

[a male human]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

Yeah, I would like to know as well. Tempted to disable screen saver, standy mode, power saving anything.

Do we need to know our examsoft password or number or what not to get into the software for the exam to begin the exam?

It's the exact same procedure as the mock exam.

What do you mean what not to get into the software?

[a male human]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

I like to play around with the default font to make it comfortable to view for me. On PTs, I like using a smaller font (Times 10) so I can see everything better. PTs need to be organized well.

Sans serif fonts are supposedly easier to read, but is that a benefit? You might skip over something important while typing. Don't fret over the font type too much, but don't trip over yourself figuring that out in the last minute either.

Keep your power cord on, and make sure it's charging.

I don't have a Mac, so I can't help you for Mac-specific concerns.

[FutureInLaw]

God I'm terrified.

[Carryon]

Anyone have any last minute exam soft tips? I've heard to disable your computer's power saving function since exam soft has blocked some people's computers from waking back up. Anything special for Macs? I have no idea if I have anti virus stuff I need to disable but I know I don't have anything on there that the Mac didn't come with.

Yeah, I would like to know as well. Tempted to disable screen saver, standy mode, power saving anything.

Do we need to know our examsoft password or number or what not to get into the software for the exam to begin the exam?

It's the exact same procedure as the mock exam.

What do you mean what not to get into the software?

I thought that maybe there was something more, so it's just like the mock exam procedure.

[adonai]

Took today to go over everything briefly. I still cannot and did not memorize everything. Realized I forgot stuff that I had down pat just a few days ago. Now I know why people kept suggesting to take the day off. It's hopeless.

[lmr]

Oh gosh i forgot what the mock procedure was i did it so long ago. Did we need a password for that? Or was that just for the upload of software?

[dtl]

Took today to go over everything briefly. I still cannot and did not memorize everything. Realized I forgot stuff that I had down pat just a few days ago. Now I know why people kept suggesting to take the day off. It's hopeless.

First, it is taking self control not to make an omniscience joke.

Second, I think we all feel that way. I reviewed today also, even though everyone told me not to. I would review one topic to make sure I had it memorized, and mid way through my mental sentence, I would remember another doctrine that I had a tenuous hold on.

Passing does not require you to know all the law. In all honesty, only the essays really require you to know the law verbatim, and even they have a lot of wiggle room. You can gut check your way through 80% of the MBE as long as you know the gist of the doctrine, and the PTs are 99% divorced from black letter law.

So even though I do not know every doctrine down perfectly, I can get the gist, and I plan to come out swinging on each PT. I would not worry unless you really can not remember the base stuff.

[dtl]

Oh gosh i forgot what the mock procedure was i did it so long ago. Did we need a password for that? Or was that just for the upload of software?

The password is your birthday. MMDDYYYY.

I think they will tell us that again on exam day.

[lmr]

Oh gosh i forgot what the mock procedure was i did it so long ago. Did we need a password for that? Or was that just for the upload of software?

The password is your birthday. MMDDYYYY.

I think they will tell us that again on exam day.

Thanks-wasn't sure if it was file number but either way i just realized file number is on the ticket. hopefully once the morning session is over the anxiety will dissipate

[sambeber]

The rules prohibit wearing hoods. Does anyone know if we can wear a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down?

[lmr]

The rules prohibit wearing hoods. Does anyone know if we can wear a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down?

You mean a hoodie? Yes we can.

[iLoveFruits&Veggies]

The rules prohibit wearing hoods. Does anyone know if we can wear a hooded sweatshirt with the hood down?

You mean a hoodie? Yes we can.

I checked into my hotel this afternoon and walked over to the testing area in the convention center and noticed it was super cold, so I asked if I could wear a little scarf so my neck wouldn't get cold (I like to wear my hair up when I take exams), and they said no! I was just going to wear a cute little summer scarf - not a big winter one... oh well so I asked about sweatshirts with hoods, and they said those are ok, as long as I keep the hood down... hopefully that will keep me warm enough... not a fan of air condition drafts on my neck for 6 hours. brrrr!!

[Lasers]

Probably not gonna get much sleep tonight.

[iLoveFruits&Veggies]

Probably not gonna get much sleep tonight.

Neither am I! on a bright note though, my friend only got 1 hour sleep on the night before day one, slept "ok" on night two, and then only about one hour on night 3. She said she felt horrible, but still passed. Hopefully no matter how tired we are, we'll somehow be able to keep going! I'm SO SCARED

[a male human]

I drove by the Santa Clara Convention Center around 8 PM tonight and thought of you guys who might be checked into the hotel.

Good luck (and skill)!

[Lasers]

Probably not gonna get much sleep tonight.

Neither am I! on a bright note though, my friend only got 1 hour sleep on the night before day one, slept "ok" on night two, and then only about one hour on night 3. She said she felt horrible, but still passed. Hopefully no matter how tired we are, we'll somehow be able to keep going! I'm SO SCARED

Haha. You're funny. Trust yourself; you got this.

I'm just an insomniac by nature and I rarely sleep before exams.

[LSATNightmares]

I drove by the Santa Clara Convention Center around 8 PM tonight and thought of you guys who might be checked into the hotel.

Good luck (and skill)!

Thank you (as one of those Santa Clara folks)! And thanks again for all your help and guidance in this forum. It has for sure helped and reassured everyone a lot.

[a male human]

Surprisingly quiet here. Did it all go according to plan? Heard remedies showed up again like an unwanted guest.