July 2016 California Bar Exam Forum

[Zebra]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I meant 1 topic a day as in I'm not doing multiple topics a day. I'm spending 3-4 days on a topic as well. I'm just worried that I'm falling behind since I've only covered 3 topics in total.

[rcharter1978]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I meant 1 topic a day as in I'm not doing multiple topics a day. I'm spending 3-4 days on a topic as well. I'm just worried that I'm falling behind since I've only covered 3 topics in total.

The second time around I did it more the way you are doing it now. I focused on one subject/day and then I would do MBE's and essays in that topic. To me, that is the way that makes the most sense.

[Barebones]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Yeah trying to read through each outline/Barbri book in 1 day (though it's more like 1.5) to get a broad overview of the topic. I have a tutor and reviewing beforehand helps me write less shitty essays. I plan to go back to subjects to memorize/brush up on concepts that I struggled with. This has helped me see which subjects I need to spend more time on and which ones I'm pretty comfortable with. Who knows though...maybe it's better to go subject by subject.
At least for me last time I felt like I spent too much time just studying each subject before moving on and that cut into into my active essay practice. I need to start doing more MBEs though. Ugh so much left to do. I've been eating pretty unhealthy to make studying not suck so much but I can like feel my physical health declining so I'm gonna make a kale salad for lunch.

[TheLegalOne]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm doing self-study this round and I don't feel that I'm as far along as should be. I'm using my tutor from Feb 2016's plan but since I'm working, I have to adjust it so much. I have completed Torts, Crim Law, Crim Pro, Property, Con Law, Evidence (and some of K) - but I have not been able to complete as many essays per topic as I know I should.

I did 2-3 days per topic (more for Property and Evidence). I'm on Civ Pro now and will need to spend more days on it.

I'm at 350 MBEs with Adaptibar (trying to do a few before work and after work). I have attempted 4 PTs but have yet to finish one in the allotted time.

Argh...I have a long way to go! I hope everyone is having a great study period!

[rcharter1978]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Yeah trying to read through each outline/Barbri book in 1 day (though it's more like 1.5) to get a broad overview of the topic. I have a tutor and reviewing beforehand helps me write less shitty essays. I plan to go back to subjects to memorize/brush up on concepts that I struggled with. This has helped me see which subjects I need to spend more time on and which ones I'm pretty comfortable with. Who knows though...maybe it's better to go subject by subject.
At least for me last time I felt like I spent too much time just studying each subject before moving on and that cut into into my active essay practice. I need to start doing more MBEs though. Ugh so much left to do. I've been eating pretty unhealthy to make studying not suck so much but I can like feel my physical health declining so I'm gonna make a kale salad for lunch.

If you have some time, maybe take a walk or work out. Its so easy to let things go.....I'm still working off the weight I gained in bar prep.

I don't know if I ever said anything, but I hope you're taping your tutoring sessions....I know who you're working with, and I totally wish I had done that....

I also suspect your essays are probably better than you think.....that tutor does not give even a sprinkle of sugar coating. Not even Splenda coating.

[Barebones]

If you have some time, maybe take a walk or work out. Its so easy to let things go.....I'm still working off the weight I gained in bar prep.

I don't know if I ever said anything, but I hope you're taping your tutoring sessions....I know who you're working with, and I totally wish I had done that....

I also suspect your essays are probably better than you think.....that tutor does not give even a sprinkle of sugar coating. Not even Splenda coating.

Haha thanks for the advice. I hope it works out as well for me as it did for you!

[rcharter1978]

If you have some time, maybe take a walk or work out. Its so easy to let things go.....I'm still working off the weight I gained in bar prep.

I don't know if I ever said anything, but I hope you're taping your tutoring sessions....I know who you're working with, and I totally wish I had done that....

I also suspect your essays are probably better than you think.....that tutor does not give even a sprinkle of sugar coating. Not even Splenda coating.

Haha thanks for the advice. I hope it works out as well for me as it did for you!

Me too, I'm scared to ask how its going, because I'm sure right now it feels like its going shitty and you'd likely curse me out.

But I did want to suggest that you tape the sessions if you can.....the sessions seemed to go so fast and sometimes I would think about something later and want to review it.

It sounds like you're working really, really hard so I think it will be fine, but either way I'm sending good vibes your way....even if you are cursing me

[Zebra]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Yeah trying to read through each outline/Barbri book in 1 day (though it's more like 1.5) to get a broad overview of the topic. I have a tutor and reviewing beforehand helps me write less shitty essays. I plan to go back to subjects to memorize/brush up on concepts that I struggled with. This has helped me see which subjects I need to spend more time on and which ones I'm pretty comfortable with. Who knows though...maybe it's better to go subject by subject.
At least for me last time I felt like I spent too much time just studying each subject before moving on and that cut into into my active essay practice. I need to start doing more MBEs though. Ugh so much left to do. I've been eating pretty unhealthy to make studying not suck so much but I can like feel my physical health declining so I'm gonna make a kale salad for lunch.

If you have some time, maybe take a walk or work out. Its so easy to let things go.....I'm still working off the weight I gained in bar prep.

I don't know if I ever said anything, but I hope you're taping your tutoring sessions....I know who you're working with, and I totally wish I had done that....

I also suspect your essays are probably better than you think.....that tutor does not give even a sprinkle of sugar coating. Not even Splenda coating.

Who is the tutor? (former bar grader?)

[Zebra]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm doing self-study this round and I don't feel that I'm as far along as should be. I'm using my tutor from Feb 2016's plan but since I'm working, I have to adjust it so much. I have completed Torts, Crim Law, Crim Pro, Property, Con Law, Evidence (and some of K) - but I have not been able to complete as many essays per topic as I know I should.

I did 2-3 days per topic (more for Property and Evidence). I'm on Civ Pro now and will need to spend more days on it.

I'm at 350 MBEs with Adaptibar (trying to do a few before work and after work). I have attempted 4 PTs but have yet to finish one in the allotted time.

Argh...I have a long way to go! I hope everyone is having a great study period!

WOW! You are way ahead of the game I feel like... I'm only finishing up my third topic and starting the 4th (out of the 7 MBE topics). I haven't done any practice essays really, just MBE (approx. 500 of them thus far) since thats where my score was weak first time around.... I know I shouldn't neglect the essays/PT's, so I'm gonna have to change my approach for the upcoming 6 weeks... at least outline 1-3 essays a day. I just don't know how to speed up everything... i'm much slower this time around especially with wanting to review EVERYTHING. My study schedule needs to be replaced with ACTIVE PRACTICING. I feel very behind and almost considering postponing to Feb 17' :/

[poundcr]

I am just following Barbri (I'm about a day behind their schedule though). We have covered Crim, Crim Pro, Real Property, Ks, Civ Pro, and CA Civ Pro (in that order) the subject material is mixed by the day so I have done a lot more Crim Pro MBE's and essays than any others. Our first graded essay was a PT and I was pretty strict about time and got a 60 but the feedback was not helpful at all, I am pretty upset by that since we have such few graded assignments. I worry that the grading guidelines are more geared towards the bar in general rather than the CA picky way.

[teabreeze]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Yeah trying to read through each outline/Barbri book in 1 day (though it's more like 1.5) to get a broad overview of the topic. I have a tutor and reviewing beforehand helps me write less shitty essays. I plan to go back to subjects to memorize/brush up on concepts that I struggled with. This has helped me see which subjects I need to spend more time on and which ones I'm pretty comfortable with. Who knows though...maybe it's better to go subject by subject.
At least for me last time I felt like I spent too much time just studying each subject before moving on and that cut into into my active essay practice. I need to start doing more MBEs though. Ugh so much left to do. I've been eating pretty unhealthy to make studying not suck so much but I can like feel my physical health declining so I'm gonna make a kale salad for lunch.

Can you PM me who your tutor is? I've submitted 8 essays to my tutor so far and my scores have ranged between 50-60, which has been pretty damn frustrating. I'm pretty sure the essays I'm submitting to my tutor are better than the ones that I wrote for the Feb bar exam (my scores were 55-65). I want to know if my tutor is being extra harsh or if my essays are really just that shitty. Either way, I really need to improve my issue spotting.

[teabreeze]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I meant 1 topic a day as in I'm not doing multiple topics a day. I'm spending 3-4 days on a topic as well. I'm just worried that I'm falling behind since I've only covered 3 topics in total.

Yep, I'm only doing one topic each day. I'm on my fifth topic now, but as I said above, I don't feel like I spent enough time on the preceding topics. Part of this is because I'm working full time while studying, so 3-4 days per topic means studying like 3-4 hours per day. I'll definitely be going back to these earlier topics during the last few weeks leading up to the exam to re-review.

[Zebra]

I am just following Barbri (I'm about a day behind their schedule though). We have covered Crim, Crim Pro, Real Property, Ks, Civ Pro, and CA Civ Pro (in that order) the subject material is mixed by the day so I have done a lot more Crim Pro MBE's and essays than any others. Our first graded essay was a PT and I was pretty strict about time and got a 60 but the feedback was not helpful at all, I am pretty upset by that since we have such few graded assignments. I worry that the grading guidelines are more geared towards the bar in general rather than the CA picky way.

In my experience, Barbri's grading is not indicative of anything. I scored 75 on a K essay for barbri, and did not do well on the K question on the bar. The PT assignment I scored something like 55-60, but got a 70 on the bar. So go figure. Not following Barbri's method, just using their sources.

[TheLegalOne]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm doing self-study this round and I don't feel that I'm as far along as should be. I'm using my tutor from Feb 2016's plan but since I'm working, I have to adjust it so much. I have completed Torts, Crim Law, Crim Pro, Property, Con Law, Evidence (and some of K) - but I have not been able to complete as many essays per topic as I know I should.

I did 2-3 days per topic (more for Property and Evidence). I'm on Civ Pro now and will need to spend more days on it.

I'm at 350 MBEs with Adaptibar (trying to do a few before work and after work). I have attempted 4 PTs but have yet to finish one in the allotted time.

Argh...I have a long way to go! I hope everyone is having a great study period!

WOW! You are way ahead of the game I feel like... I'm only finishing up my third topic and starting the 4th (out of the 7 MBE topics). I haven't done any practice essays really, just MBE (approx. 500 of them thus far) since thats where my score was weak first time around.... I know I shouldn't neglect the essays/PT's, so I'm gonna have to change my approach for the upcoming 6 weeks... at least outline 1-3 essays a day. I just don't know how to speed up everything... i'm much slower this time around especially with wanting to review EVERYTHING. My study schedule needs to be replaced with ACTIVE PRACTICING. I feel very behind and almost considering postponing to Feb 17' :/

I started a few weeks before results came out because knew I messed the PTs up. I don't feel ahead. I'm just trying not to get stuck on one subject. I'll have to go back to some before the overall review. I 100% agree with ACTIVE PRACTICING. Don't postpone. You will feel more comfortable once you jump into writing or at least outlining to start; but you have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and keep moving each day. You can do it!

[storge]

Hope everyone is keeping their head up. Remind yourself daily that you can do it! I remember I created some daily affirmations to read every morning per the advice of someone on these forums, which helped keep me somewhat sane through the process.

If anyone is interested, I'm selling my Strategies & Tactics for the MBE + MBE 2 books by Emanuel as a set. I'll also send the additional CivPro Q's that came with the books when I bought them. PM for the listing link.

Also, if I can be of any other assistance as a second time passer of the CA bar (previously licensed in another state), don't hesitate to message me - I'm trying to check my messages on this site every few days or so.

Good luck to all!!

[a male human]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm doing self-study this round and I don't feel that I'm as far along as should be. I'm using my tutor from Feb 2016's plan but since I'm working, I have to adjust it so much. I have completed Torts, Crim Law, Crim Pro, Property, Con Law, Evidence (and some of K) - but I have not been able to complete as many essays per topic as I know I should.

I did 2-3 days per topic (more for Property and Evidence). I'm on Civ Pro now and will need to spend more days on it.

I'm at 350 MBEs with Adaptibar (trying to do a few before work and after work). I have attempted 4 PTs but have yet to finish one in the allotted time.

Argh...I have a long way to go! I hope everyone is having a great study period!

WOW! You are way ahead of the game I feel like... I'm only finishing up my third topic and starting the 4th (out of the 7 MBE topics). I haven't done any practice essays really, just MBE (approx. 500 of them thus far) since thats where my score was weak first time around.... I know I shouldn't neglect the essays/PT's, so I'm gonna have to change my approach for the upcoming 6 weeks... at least outline 1-3 essays a day. I just don't know how to speed up everything... i'm much slower this time around especially with wanting to review EVERYTHING. My study schedule needs to be replaced with ACTIVE PRACTICING. I feel very behind and almost considering postponing to Feb 17' :/

I started a few weeks before results came out because knew I messed the PTs up. I don't feel ahead. I'm just trying not to get stuck on one subject. I'll have to go back to some before the overall review. I 100% agree with ACTIVE PRACTICING. Don't postpone. You will feel more comfortable once you jump into writing or at least outlining to start; but you have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and keep moving each day. You can do it!

That's right. You don't get better at the bar without actually practicing what you do on the bar -- identifying issues and reciting rules.

Have the courage to make mistakes. Your ego won't like that you keep fucking up, but would you rather fail now or when it actually counts?

[teabreeze]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Woah! How is 1 topic a day even possible? What exactly does a day entail? I'm spending about 3-4 days per topic and even that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm doing self-study this round and I don't feel that I'm as far along as should be. I'm using my tutor from Feb 2016's plan but since I'm working, I have to adjust it so much. I have completed Torts, Crim Law, Crim Pro, Property, Con Law, Evidence (and some of K) - but I have not been able to complete as many essays per topic as I know I should.

I did 2-3 days per topic (more for Property and Evidence). I'm on Civ Pro now and will need to spend more days on it.

I'm at 350 MBEs with Adaptibar (trying to do a few before work and after work). I have attempted 4 PTs but have yet to finish one in the allotted time.

Argh...I have a long way to go! I hope everyone is having a great study period!

WOW! You are way ahead of the game I feel like... I'm only finishing up my third topic and starting the 4th (out of the 7 MBE topics). I haven't done any practice essays really, just MBE (approx. 500 of them thus far) since thats where my score was weak first time around.... I know I shouldn't neglect the essays/PT's, so I'm gonna have to change my approach for the upcoming 6 weeks... at least outline 1-3 essays a day. I just don't know how to speed up everything... i'm much slower this time around especially with wanting to review EVERYTHING. My study schedule needs to be replaced with ACTIVE PRACTICING. I feel very behind and almost considering postponing to Feb 17' :/

I started a few weeks before results came out because knew I messed the PTs up. I don't feel ahead. I'm just trying not to get stuck on one subject. I'll have to go back to some before the overall review. I 100% agree with ACTIVE PRACTICING. Don't postpone. You will feel more comfortable once you jump into writing or at least outlining to start; but you have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and keep moving each day. You can do it!

That's right. You don't get better at the bar without actually practicing what you do on the bar -- identifying issues and reciting rules.

Have the courage to make mistakes. Your ego won't like that you keep fucking up, but would you rather fail now or when it actually counts?

My ego has certainly been taking a beating lately I thought my brain was more capable than this. But you are absolutely right. It's better to make mistakes now and try to work through them rather than on test day.

[EdSaid]

Is anybody using Winnin' Time by Steven Perez Harris? Link is http://www.calweasel.com/node/45. I've had a few people recommend it to me but I couldn't find any reviews of it online that weren't either old or on his site.

[Raiden]

How far along is everybody in bar prep? How many topics done? Are you guys sticking to 1 topic a day?

Yeah trying to read through each outline/Barbri book in 1 day (though it's more like 1.5) to get a broad overview of the topic. I have a tutor and reviewing beforehand helps me write less shitty essays. I plan to go back to subjects to memorize/brush up on concepts that I struggled with. This has helped me see which subjects I need to spend more time on and which ones I'm pretty comfortable with. Who knows though...maybe it's better to go subject by subject.
At least for me last time I felt like I spent too much time just studying each subject before moving on and that cut into into my active essay practice. I need to start doing more MBEs though. Ugh so much left to do. I've been eating pretty unhealthy to make studying not suck so much but I can like feel my physical health declining so I'm gonna make a kale salad for lunch.

Can you PM me who your tutor is? I've submitted 8 essays to my tutor so far and my scores have ranged between 50-60, which has been pretty damn frustrating. I'm pretty sure the essays I'm submitting to my tutor are better than the ones that I wrote for the Feb bar exam (my scores were 55-65). I want to know if my tutor is being extra harsh or if my essays are really just that shitty. Either way, I really need to improve my issue spotting.

As a bar tutor myself, I know it be frustrating to have scores for essays that just don't seem to jive. That's the nature of the beast though, bar essays are subjective, and two bar graders can give you two different scores that vary by ten points, repeaters can attest to this.

I recommend my students to compare their answers with model answers from the bar and from baressays.com. You have to get a knack for what relevant issues you need to hit, note that I didn't say every single issue that seems remotely relevant.

[poundcr]

Just a quick question that might be stupid, should CA takers be looking at the test differently than people taking it in other jurisdictions? Like should I focus more on writing than MBE? I am thinking of getting Adaptibar to supplement but would that time spent be better doing essays at PTs? I don't have anyone I know that I can talk to about CA b/c I did not go to a school nearby.

[rcharter1978]

Just a quick question that might be stupid, should CA takers be looking at the test differently than people taking it in other jurisdictions? Like should I focus more on writing than MBE? I am thinking of getting Adaptibar to supplement but would that time spent be better doing essays at PTs? I don't have anyone I know that I can talk to about CA b/c I did not go to a school nearby.

I certainly think so, at least until the structure of the test changes in July 17 (I think)

I think writing is the most important part, since there is a 65/35 writing v. MBE split.

Of that.....somehow each PT is worth 2 essays.

So, if you can do really well on your essays/PT's I think you're in a pretty good position. And I don't think other jurisdictions have the same split AFAIK.

HOWEVER, my feeling is that practicing for the MBE's helps you to better understand the law, which helps you to do better with essays.

Having said that I WOULD focus more effort on the writing portion. But I think that it can be tough to just do essays all day, so its nice to mix it up with some MBE's which are always super fun!

[a male human]

Agree with all of the above.

PTs are especially different in CA because it also tests your endurance. Each one is 3 goddamn hours. When you're tired in the afternoon and exhausted by the 3rd day.

PTs are "somehow" worth 2x the essays because the scaled score will be distributed like so for the written portion:
600 points for essays (6 essays total)
400 points for PTs (2 PTs total)

(Or it's 1200 and 800, something like that)

Mess one up and you're in the doghouse, dawg. Word. (to mimic the chillposting style of our resident spammer nerdalicious)

[a male human]

"On the written section of the examination, applicants are graded initially on a basis of 1000 possible points: 100 points for each of the six essay questions and 200 points for each of the two performance tests. The scores obtained on the written section of the examination are then translated to the 2000-point MBE scale."

http://admissions.calbar.ca.gov/Portals ... rade_R.pdf

Well, there you go.

[SlowLearner]

I just finished yet another PT and really struggling with my prep in this area. (This is the part of the exam I am coming to fear the most.)
Always seem to miss a point, run out of time etc etc

I'm embarrassed by the number of PT and MPT, books I've read, even attended a weekend seminar prior to last attempt. I've practiced with only minimal improvement (say 55 to 60 max)

I'm desperate...Has anyone got any strategies or tips that helped you to practice and improve. 3 hours to find no progress is killing me with each practice!

[rcharter1978]

I just finished yet another PT and really struggling with my prep in this area. (This is the part of the exam I am coming to fear the most.)
Always seem to miss a point, run out of time etc etc

I'm embarrassed by the number of PT and MPT, books I've read, even attended a weekend seminar prior to last attempt. I've practiced with only minimal improvement (say 55 to 60 max)

I'm desperate...Has anyone got any strategies or tips that helped you to practice and improve. 3 hours to find no progress is killing me with each practice!

What books have you used? And where do you think the problem is, is it in writing, is it in organizing, is it in knowing how to start?