Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2016 Forum

[NaeDeen]

Evidence PQ pet peeve: "Person wants to introduce some random bullshit character evidence. We won't say for what purpose! Answer A: It's inadmissible because they want to introduce it for Reason X. Answer B: It's admissible because they want to introduce it for Reason Y. Have fun mid-reading, assholes!"

[NaeDeen]

Just starting on Commercial Paper. Fuck. This. Shit.

It's not something you actually have to learn, it's just a hilarious joke thrown in by those jokesters at Themis

Proof:

I don't know what "Commercial Paper" is but I assume that Themis telling me that I have to watch 17 chapters of it is just a funny joke they threw in.

You really think the law of check cashing is something the bar would expect you to know? Come on dude.

I completed the ONE essay on commercial paper today, it was a real past question and it was tested 10 years ago. I am unsure what that means but I'll spend some time on it anyway during prep--I don't like surprises. There are two essays but they are identical--one should be completed and the other should be read and outlined. Either way, I'm too paranoid not to study commercial paper.

[NaeDeen]

Also, for those of you completing the comm paper essay, there is an extract provided in the upper right hand side. The bar examiners do care!!

[whsy]

Are people taking California writing out the full PT? I'm finding it exhausting to complete the entire 3 hour, even though I know I'll have to do it for the bar.

[mu13ski]

Am I supposed to be learning anything from these Fed Tax lectures? 6 Lectures in and I feel like all it has been is this guy listing off what is deductible and what isn't.

[dkb17xzx]

how many of you here think that the Themis MBE PQs are sometimes (1) ridiculously hard and (2) that often times the explanations make no sense (or at least seem attenuated and contrived). I emailed them and they said MBE PQs are a mixture of actual bar exam questions and Themis questions. I wonder if this is like the LSAT where questions authored by Kaplan,etc were complete crap and more harmful than helpful.

[countryfried]

how many of you here think that the Themis MBE PQs are sometimes (1) ridiculously hard and (2) that often times the explanations make no sense (or at least seem attenuated and contrived). I emailed them and they said MBE PQs are a mixture of actual bar exam questions and Themis questions. I wonder if this is like the LSAT where questions authored by Kaplan,etc were complete crap and more harmful than helpful.

I've seen a few that fit this description, but I don't think they're common enough that it's a problem.

I also have Strategy and Tactics which uses old actual questions, and I feel that overall, the real questions are more straightforward and easier and test less obscure crap than Themis.

[BarPreppin'12]

how many of you here think that the Themis MBE PQs are sometimes (1) ridiculously hard and (2) that often times the explanations make no sense (or at least seem attenuated and contrived). I emailed them and they said MBE PQs are a mixture of actual bar exam questions and Themis questions. I wonder if this is like the LSAT where questions authored by Kaplan,etc were complete crap and more harmful than helpful.

I've seen a few that fit this description, but I don't think they're common enough that it's a problem.

I also have Strategy and Tactics which uses old actual questions, and I feel that overall, the real questions are more straightforward and easier and test less obscure crap than Themis.

Themis also uses, in many instances, past MBE exam questions. The reality is, anyone that thinks that the bar exam consists of questions that are "straight forward," does not know the purpose of the bar exam. Just like any exam, and just like our Themis questions, the bar will most likely consist of some questions that the majority of us will get right, then we will have questions that very few get right, and the vast majority will be questions that are something in between.

I've come to the conclusion that the bar exam really does try its hardest to trick the test taker, not because that is what my professors have said in law school, but because, if the point is to test the law, why not just have a question like the assessment questions after each lecture, instead of confusing fact patterns? The reason is, the bar does is not interested in being straight forward.

[psm11]

Are people taking California writing out the full PT? I'm finding it exhausting to complete the entire 3 hour, even though I know I'll have to do it for the bar.

I have been writing them all of them out. Have done 2 so far. Agree with you that it is exhausting. For the most part, after I do one I usually can't bring myself to do anything else that day. They really do take a lot out of you. I lol'd the day Themis had me scheduled to do a graded PT, 2 essays, and about 70 MBE Qs. Did the PT and outlined an essay and called it a day.

When I feel bad I always remind myself that I'm just shooting for 75% completion.

For anyone that knows, does your chances of passing CA significantly increase if you do more than 75% completion?

[Rahviveh]

I feel like I have a very good grasp of the BLL for Crim Law (not Crim Pro) and yet I still bungle a shitload of questions. For some reason it's my worst subject now. I managed to only score 1/5 on the latest MBE mixed set

[Rahviveh]

Is the material benefit rule in I.C.3. of the contracts outline basically restitution?

[1down1togo]

how many of you here think that the Themis MBE PQs are sometimes (1) ridiculously hard and (2) that often times the explanations make no sense (or at least seem attenuated and contrived). I emailed them and they said MBE PQs are a mixture of actual bar exam questions and Themis questions. I wonder if this is like the LSAT where questions authored by Kaplan,etc were complete crap and more harmful than helpful.

I've seen a few that fit this description, but I don't think they're common enough that it's a problem.

I also have Strategy and Tactics which uses old actual questions, and I feel that overall, the real questions are more straightforward and easier and test less obscure crap than Themis.

Themis also uses, in many instances, past MBE exam questions. The reality is, anyone that thinks that the bar exam consists of questions that are "straight forward," does not know the purpose of the bar exam. Just like any exam, and just like our Themis questions, the bar will most likely consist of some questions that the majority of us will get right, then we will have questions that very few get right, and the vast majority will be questions that are something in between.

I've come to the conclusion that the bar exam really does try its hardest to trick the test taker, not because that is what my professors have said in law school, but because, if the point is to test the law, why not just have a question like the assessment questions after each lecture, instead of confusing fact patterns? The reason is, the bar does is not interested in being straight forward.

I think it uses the confusing fact patterns because that's what real life is. If you are a prosecutor, and the defendant is charged with burglary, you cant get up there, and recite the elements. That will get you nowhere. Its how you apply the elements to the case. Likewise, if you are suing someone in federal court, you can't just get up there and recite the elements of diversity jurisdiction- you have to show the court why THIS case meets the requirements.

Don't get me wrong, i think the Bar is a bunch of BS. But application of the facts to the problem is essential because really, that's all lawyers do.

[ndp1234]

I did an extra mixed set yesterday and my schedule says to review the simulated essay answers I haven't done yet.

[1down1togo]

I did an extra mixed set yesterday and my schedule says to review the simulated essay answers I haven't done yet.

I'd contact customer service via phone or the message system at the top right.

[ndp1234]

I did an extra mixed set yesterday and my schedule says to review the simulated essay answers I haven't done yet.

I'd contact customer service via phone or the message system at the top right.

I did, but they're probably closed for the holiday weekend and the phone line is only open Monday-Friday. I wish this could get fixed so I can mark my review tasks done as I go through, kind of annoying

[NaeDeen]

I did an extra mixed set yesterday and my schedule says to review the simulated essay answers I haven't done yet.

I'd contact customer service via phone or the message system at the top right.

I did, but they're probably closed for the holiday weekend and the phone line is only open Monday-Friday. I wish this could get fixed so I can mark my review tasks done as I go through, kind of annoying

You can skip it and do something else. The schedule should reset tomorrow to reflect the change. If it keeps popping up, just ignore it until you are ready.

[dkb17xzx]

SCOTUS has original jurisdiction in cases where two or more states are embroiled in a controversy, right? Not just any case where a state is a party?

I'm asking because the correct answer in one of the MBE questions states "Yes, because the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over all cases in which a state is a party." This would be technically incorrect since it would mean you only need the state on one side of the case. Any schmuck could be on the other side.

[ndp1234]

SCOTUS has original jurisdiction in cases where two or more states are embroiled in a controversy, right? Not just any case where a state is a party?

I'm asking because the correct answer in one of the MBE questions states "Yes, because the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over all cases in which a state is a party." This would be technically incorrect since it would mean you only need the state on one side of the case. Any schmuck could be on the other side.

That was the best answer because the other answers were basically shitty. The issue with that question was:

[+] Spoiler

Answer choice C says Congress provided original jurisdiction, which is wrong because Congress cannot modify or reduce SCOTUS' original jurisdiction. Congress can only modify appellate jurisdiction. Answer D was better because SCOTUS in fact does has original jurisdiction over all cases where state is a party, but this has been limited by the court itself for prudential reasons.

[Chardee_MacDennis]

FWIW, a friend taking Barbri just sent me their MEE predictions:

"Again, we recommend you study all subjects as much as you can.  But, if you are short on time or wish to put some extra effort somewhere, we would recommend heavier focus on these.  Below are our MEE Predictions:

Civil Procedure
Property
Contracts / UCC Sales
Trusts
Corporations
Family Law
Conflict of Laws"

[Fivedham]

Con Law PQ 6 was clearly intended as an apology from Themis for unleashing PQ 5 on us.

[NaeDeen]

Con Law PQ 6 was clearly intended as an apology from Themis for unleashing PQ 5 on us.

[ndp1234]

FWIW, a friend taking Barbri just sent me their MEE predictions:

"Again, we recommend you study all subjects as much as you can.  But, if you are short on time or wish to put some extra effort somewhere, we would recommend heavier focus on these.  Below are our MEE Predictions:

Civil Procedure
Property
Contracts / UCC Sales
Trusts
Corporations
Family Law
Conflict of Laws"

Thanks for sharing! Is this for the UBE or is this for a specific state?

[Chardee_MacDennis]

FWIW, a friend taking Barbri just sent me their MEE predictions:

"Again, we recommend you study all subjects as much as you can.  But, if you are short on time or wish to put some extra effort somewhere, we would recommend heavier focus on these.  Below are our MEE Predictions:

Civil Procedure
Property
Contracts / UCC Sales
Trusts
Corporations
Family Law
Conflict of Laws"

Thanks for sharing! Is this for the UBE or is this for a specific state?

We're taking IL, which is MBE

[a_bowler_hat]

Are people taking California writing out the full PT? I'm finding it exhausting to complete the entire 3 hour, even though I know I'll have to do it for the bar.

I fully wrote out the first one I did and the graded one, but for the others, I usually only fully write the parts that are contested or at issue and bullet-point the rest (e.g., there's an 8-factor test, but only factors 2, 3, and 6 are at issue. I fully analyze those for practice and just put bullets points with the relevant facts in for the rest).

My school's LRW class was close enough to how the PTs are that I feel comfortable with the format and know my time is better spent elsewhere.

[kiwi06511]

Does anyone have any tips for memorizing all of the civil procedure deadlines? I can't keep them all straight. :/