FLORIDA BAR - JULY 2014 Forum

[missimmigration]

Is anyone else deviating from the Paced Program right about now? I can't believe they taught us BE's the two days before they expected us to take a full Florida Day exam with very little room to review.

I'm moving everything around to give myself some time to practice and review FL subjects - I can barely remember some of the stuff we covered at the start of the course, so how the hell are they going to just throw us into that right now? Lol.

Moving some of the MBE stuff forward, then after I finish that during the day, using the afternoons to review FL subjects. Maybe I'll take the FL Exam Monday or something. At this point, I'm just flying solo here....hope it doesn't bite me in the ass!

I deviated from the Paced Program as soon as I saw that they wanted us to take the full day Florida Exam without having enough time to review. You'll be fine!

[MoneyMay]

Anybody else find the final exam tricky? I thought there was a lot of stuff not covered in the handouts and a lot of subjective questions.

[Dripworx]

Took the Themis AM/PM MBE session on Thursday under testing conditions. Goal was between 110/200-120/200 (according to the proctor). I managed to scrape by with a 116. Not happy but I will focus on my weakest areas (K's and evidence).

The online MBE practice exam set the goal for 70% though... Feels bad man.

Really working on FL and essays at this point considering I've barely touched any of them. Kinda spooked about commercial paper being anything more than a blurb on the essay.

[MoneyMay]

Took the Themis AM/PM MBE session on Thursday under testing conditions. Goal was between 110/200-120/200 (according to the proctor). I managed to scrape by with a 116. Not happy but I will focus on my weakest areas (K's and evidence).

The online MBE practice exam set the goal for 70% though... Feels bad man.

Really working on FL and essays at this point considering I've barely touched any of them. Kinda spooked about commercial paper being anything more than a blurb on the essay.

Still time. I am worried about the essays/ MC as well, as I have literally nothing memorized for them at this point.

I don't know what I'm going to do about ucc 2/ ucc 9. I have no background in them at all. Sandon didn't say anything about them, and I barely understand the big 4 topics (torts/ property/ fl con law/ Ks) so I don't know how I can justify taking time away from them to focus on the new topics, so I think those would be an acceptable loss for me. I mean, do you really think we would get a full essay on ucc 9 and/or ucc 3?

[Bill Cosby]

Feeling really good having taken Secured Transaction. Look at Commercial Paper and feel like it's a foreign tongue.

[SenorTaxLawl]

It's amazing how quickly you can fall out of "bar mode." I'm in Florida looking for housing right now and I've been too busy to study for a couple days, I already feel like I've forgotten everything.

I have my alarm set to wake up at 7:45 every morning, even on weekends, to train my body to get used to waking up early and having my brain on. In June at the start of bar study, I was SO on top of that. These past few days, I have been waking up at 10am, getting to work at 11, and being SO under-productive that 8pm rolls around and I call it a day.....and all I have to show for it are 12 multiple choice questions.

I think we are allowed to have mini-funks/life obstacles and for different people they happen at different times. Don't stress, get your personal life in order as quickly and healthily as you can (housing hunting can be equal parts exhilarating and horrible), then get back to the grind.

I for one want to take today off and just have a relaxing day with my SO. I live in DC, the weather has been gorgeous, and I want nothing more than to go to the national mall and chill....I have DEFINITELY not earned that right with my productivity being how it has been the last few days.

But dammit I just might take it!

QuickEdit: Also it's totally like riding a bike. I remember one lecturer mentioning how he could NEVER forget that the mailbox rule doesn't apply to option K's....we all have our areas where we couldn't forget shit if we tried. And since we are still pre-exam and in the thick of studying, that stuff is A LOT. Trust your head sponge - it has gotten you this far (for better or worse)!

[MoneyMay]

It's amazing how quickly you can fall out of "bar mode." I'm in Florida looking for housing right now and I've been too busy to study for a couple days, I already feel like I've forgotten everything.

I have my alarm set to wake up at 7:45 every morning, even on weekends, to train my body to get used to waking up early and having my brain on. In June at the start of bar study, I was SO on top of that. These past few days, I have been waking up at 10am, getting to work at 11, and being SO under-productive that 8pm rolls around and I call it a day.....and all I have to show for it are 12 multiple choice questions.

I think we are allowed to have mini-funks/life obstacles and for different people they happen at different times. Don't stress, get your personal life in order as quickly and healthily as you can (housing hunting can be equal parts exhilarating and horrible), then get back to the grind.

I for one want to take today off and just have a relaxing day with my SO. I live in DC, the weather has been gorgeous, and I want nothing more than to go to the national mall and chill....I have DEFINITELY not earned that right with my productivity being how it has been the last few days.

But dammit I just might take it!

QuickEdit: Also it's totally like riding a bike. I remember one lecturer mentioning how he could NEVER forget that the mailbox rule doesn't apply to option K's....we all have our areas where we couldn't forget shit if we tried. And since we are still pre-exam and in the thick of studying, that stuff is A LOT. Trust your head sponge - it has gotten you this far (for better or worse)!

That was seriously motivational and calming... glad I'm not the only one who burns out and has some days that are, uhhh, "less productive" than other days.

Edit for grammar and to say:go walk the mall! Nowhere else in the country like it!

[SenorTaxLawl]

So my SO was busy doing some work stuff and I took it as a sign that maybe I should try to work some today. No national mall for me....but hey, it's actually nicer to visit on a random weekday afternoon, it's far less busy! Maybe I'll study there tomorrow =P

Question! Do you guys know/have an idea of how truthful it is when people say that Barbri MBE questions are more difficult than the actual MBE? I hear conflicting advice - some tell me it's harder, some tell me it's easier, others tell me it's actually bit subject-dependent (Property is easier on Barbri, etc.). Does anyone have any light to shed?

Furthermore....how does the FL stuff compare in difficulty? Harder, easier?

Not that I'm trying to fish for excuses as to why I don't need to study harder (well, not entirely), just genuinely curious as to how well they prepare you for test day.

[letsdoit]

So my SO was busy doing some work stuff and I took it as a sign that maybe I should try to work some today. No national mall for me....but hey, it's actually nicer to visit on a random weekday afternoon, it's far less busy! Maybe I'll study there tomorrow =P

Question! Do you guys know/have an idea of how truthful it is when people say that Barbri MBE questions are more difficult than the actual MBE? I hear conflicting advice - some tell me it's harder, some tell me it's easier, others tell me it's actually bit subject-dependent (Property is easier on Barbri, etc.). Does anyone have any light to shed?

Furthermore....how does the FL stuff compare in difficulty? Harder, easier?

Not that I'm trying to fish for excuses as to why I don't need to study harder (well, not entirely), just genuinely curious as to how well they prepare you for test day.

I'm really curious how the Barbri FL MC stuff compares to the real exam. I'm absolutely bombing the FL MC--I'm getting as low as 41% and no higher than 65% correct.

[rad lulz]

.

[MoneyMay]

On fl MC aim for like half

Also the Barbri fl MC Qs aren't a lot like the actual test fyi

Are they even worth doing or are they completely useless? I'm memorizing the handouts cold.

[rad lulz]

[quot

[MoneyMay]

On fl MC aim for like half

Also the Barbri fl MC Qs aren't a lot like the actual test fyi

Are they even worth doing or are they completely useless? I'm memorizing the handouts cold.

If you have time to commit the handouts to memory that might be a better use of your time

Test Qs aren't harder or easier just different

Actually it's worth doing the evidence qs I think; maybe not the procedures

Why is it worth doing the evidence ones? I actually did those but a while back and I am wondering if I should redo them so if you found them helpful I guess I should.

[rad lulz]

.

[bld2414]

Gotta love that 4k word family law model answer. Thanks Themis.

[Hannibal]

On fl MC aim for like half

Also the Barbri fl MC Qs aren't a lot like the actual test fyi

That makes me feel better. I thought I was in near-failing range when I'd get 50%.

[alicrimson]

Does anyone know if the Florida portion does that lovely 10-15 point scale thing that often occurs on the MBE? For some reason, I had it in my head it did, but I'm not sure where I got that from, because I thought no one really knows exactly how Florida does its scoring.

[SenorTaxLawl]

Does anyone know if the Florida portion does that lovely 10-15 point scale thing that often occurs on the MBE? For some reason, I had it in my head it did, but I'm not sure where I got that from, because I thought no one really knows exactly how Florida does its scoring.

From the Barbri handout relating to grading: "The total of the Florida Day scores is then placed on the distribution curve as determined by the results of all the Florida students on the MBE and everyone achieving a 136 or higher passes that part."

So, it was always my understanding that the FL day is curved to the MBE, along the same curve, so if the MBE is curved up 10 points, the FL portions will be as well.....right? Is that a correct logical leap? Haha.

You're right though - no one knows for sure the hard numbers.

On fl MC aim for like half

Also the Barbri fl MC Qs aren't a lot like the actual test fyi

Why are we aiming for half, Rad? Just curious - I basically set 63% as the fail line for everything I do, MBE and FL. Based on the same document I quoted above, the average score on 33 questions for FL is 18-22, so I guess the lowest we should want is 55%? I just set my bar at the highest end of average to give myself a tiny little buffer....

But let it be known across the lands that sometimes I am on the sad side of that line by a mile (I'm looking at you Evidence....).

[Dripworx]

Took the Themis AM/PM MBE session on Thursday under testing conditions. Goal was between 110/200-120/200 (according to the proctor). I managed to scrape by with a 116. Not happy but I will focus on my weakest areas (K's and evidence).

The online MBE practice exam set the goal for 70% though... Feels bad man.

Really working on FL and essays at this point considering I've barely touched any of them. Kinda spooked about commercial paper being anything more than a blurb on the essay.

Still time. I am worried about the essays/ MC as well, as I have literally nothing memorized for them at this point.

I don't know what I'm going to do about ucc 2/ ucc 9. I have no background in them at all. Sandon didn't say anything about them, and I barely understand the big 4 topics (torts/ property/ fl con law/ Ks) so I don't know how I can justify taking time away from them to focus on the new topics, so I think those would be an acceptable loss for me. I mean, do you really think we would get a full essay on ucc 9 and/or ucc 3?

I still need to work on memorizing the black letter law for the big MBE/FL distinctions as well. Torts seem to be the most likely topic to show up (based on the majority of posts). The struggle is real.

[rad lulz]

.

[Seminole_305]

The Barbri Mini Review is the biggest waste of time and money.

[MoneyMay]

Sandon said you only need ~50% on the MC and ~40/100 on the essays. This is the only reason I sleep at night.

[alicrimson]

Sandon said you only need ~50% on the MC and ~40/100 on the essays. This is the only reason I sleep at night.

It's 40?! That's very comforting. For some reason, on my first graded barbri essay, they said 50 was the amount needed. I like these lower numbers much better for obvious reasons.

In addition to keeping up with the paced program, my plan for the final two weeks is to go through the handouts and CMR for the commonly tested multiple choice questions, use the 3 page outlines for the essay tests, and to finish up the essays they provided for us. This is going to be a long two weeks. Bleh. I just feel like more has to be done re: Florida, because barbri really hasn't done much for that.

[MoneyMay]

Sandon said you only need ~50% on the MC and ~40/100 on the essays. This is the only reason I sleep at night.

It's 40?! That's very comforting. For some reason, on my first graded barbri essay, they said 50 was the amount needed. I like these lower numbers much better for obvious reasons.

In addition to keeping up with the paced program, my plan for the final two weeks is to go through the handouts and CMR for the commonly tested multiple choice questions, use the 3 page outlines for the essay tests, and to finish up the essays they provided for us. This is going to be a long two weeks. Bleh. I just feel like more has to be done re: Florida, because barbri really hasn't done much for that.

That's what he said, that sounds low but hey I'm going with it lol.

I feel like I could take the MBE today, but for FL I feel FUCKED, especially for the essays. I'm deviating from the Pace Program because I looked and it says we are supposed to spend an entire day reviewing Ks, and while I'm going to review it, it's one of my stronger subjects so I can't justify a whole day or reading the CMR when Epstein was so thorough.

For the essays, I think I'm going to outline the last 7 essays given for each subject (excluding ones that have been already assigned). My thinking is if they can trick me with something that's not from one of those essays, or one that's been assigned, then I can live with that.

EDIT: I just wanted to say I hate the torts guy for not having a handout and skipping tons of shit.

[Hannibal]

EDIT: I just wanted to say I hate the torts guy for not having a handout and skipping tons of shit.

100% agreed