Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2016 Forum

[Nebby]

I was busy today and only had time to do the AM MBE. Scored above average, which was great after scoring below average on Milestone 1 and 2. Hope everyone else saw improvements!

[1down1togo]

Why can't they give us a combined percentage for the Simulated? I know we can just calculate it, but still annoying that they split it up. I want to know if my overall is better than the average overall, rather than for each AM and PM section

Unless I'm missing something... Am is 64 and pm is 61... So overall avg is 62.5...

Also, you don't need to beat average- just be average- as the average person passes

[xdeuceswild81xx]

Simulated MBE was hard on the eyes today, but definitely good reps for the real thing. Did anyone go to the in person simulations? Just took mine in the law library today instead of driving a few hours to a testing site.

[BarPreppin'12]

Simulated MBE was hard on the eyes today, but definitely good reps for the real thing. Did anyone go to the in person simulations? Just took mine in the law library today instead of driving a few hours to a testing site.

I took mine at home. I was going to take it at a library, but library's are way too distracting. Too many people walking around.

[Tyler_Durden]

I'm hitting over 75% accuracy rate on MBE question sets, but I don't know what the heck is going on with family law or conflicts. Never studied them in law school. Anyone have tips for the multi-factor tests? My memory isn't cooperating

For conflcits, I would just memorize the three approaches generally. no need to memorize the approches for each specific area of law. Then just BS the essay.


Family law is a bitch for me because theress so many random topics and they arent really interrelated. Might be better off just skipping it in a UBE state

I actually prefer SecTrans because theres a unified system and everything connects

I like that approach to conflicts. Thank you.

How do you expect to get away with just skipping an entire subject? What if family law comes up on an MEE essay? Just take the hit and hope that you got enough points on the other essays to counterbalance it?

[bobbypin]

So, when do we stop studying? The Sunday before? 5 minutes before check in?

Also, what are your plans for Tuesday night? Study or go to the movies?

[Nebby]

So, when do we stop studying? The Sunday before? 5 minutes before check in?

Also, what are your plans for Tuesday night? Study or go to the movies?

Seamless and chill

[kay2016]

So, when do we stop studying? The Sunday before? 5 minutes before check in?

Also, what are your plans for Tuesday night? Study or go to the movies?

I imagine I'm going to be freaking out and will at least be looking over stuff Monday night once I get to the hotel... as far as Tuesday.. who knows.

[Easy-E]

I'll be hitting the hotel gym and relaxing but yes probably doing review to reassure myself.

Anyone started looking at the FROs? Might start reviewing one each night or something.

[Rahviveh]

RE: Vested beneficiaries. What does it mean for a third party to "manifestly assent" to a contract in order for his rights to vest? Sign the document?

[PhillyLawGirl2015]

For those who are on schedule, what percentage are you guys at?

[PhillyLawGirl2015]

RE: Vested beneficiaries. What does it mean for a third party to "manifestly assent" to a contract in order for his rights to vest? Sign the document?

I believe it has to do with detrimental reliance. The third party has to do something based on their knowledge of the contract.

[PhillyLawGirl2015]

So, when do we stop studying? The Sunday before? 5 minutes before check in?

Also, what are your plans for Tuesday night? Study or go to the movies?

I imagine I'm going to be freaking out and will at least be looking over stuff Monday night once I get to the hotel... as far as Tuesday.. who knows.

I'll be reviewing up until Monday. May look at some things on Tuesday night to prep for the MBE section. I'm taking PA and NJ. So after PA on Wednesday its straight to Atlantic City and reviewing a little more Wednesday night. Fun!

[Rahviveh]

For those who are on schedule, what percentage are you guys at?

I'm at 70% right now. I've "checked" off some stuff I didn't actually do, like review outlines or do MPT's, but I've also done a bunch of stuff off schedule so I think it balances out. I should get to at least 85% by test day which I'd be happy with.

[Rahviveh]

This makes no sense to me (from the Simualated Milestone

[+] Spoiler

Answer choice C is correct. A defendant has the right to the assistance of counsel at any trial that results in incarceration, even when that sentence is suspended. Answer choice A is incorrect because even a misdemeanor that results in a sentence involving incarceration requires the assistance of counsel. Answer choice B is incorrect because the fact that the sentence was suspended does not eliminate the requirement that defense counsel be provided. Answer choice D is incorrect because assistance of counsel is not required for a crime that is punishable by imprisonment as long as that punishment is not imposed.


Uhhh, so no 6A assistance of counsel is required unless the defendant actually gets sentenced? I thought you always need counsel as soon as charged are filed.

Or is this the right way to think about it - you can't actually complain about your 6A rights until you get sentenced to prison. But once you are sentenced, then you can get the conviction overturned. If you only get fined or something and you didn't have a lawyer, you can't invoke 6A.

[Sheeit]

For those who are on schedule, what percentage are you guys at?

69.7%. I'm behind the recommended study schedule by a mixed MBE practice set.

[ndp1234]

For those who are on schedule, what percentage are you guys at?

I'm at 72.5% before doing the tasks assigned for today. Doing only a UBE state. I'm a little ahead schedule because I need to take a day off to look for an apartment.

[Nebby]

I'm at 70%. I've skipped all the MPTs (except the graded one). When it says to review, I don't because I find my best review is to do more questions or essays. I do plan on reviewing the outlines as the exam draws near

[ultimolugar]

This makes no sense to me (from the Simualated Milestone

[+] Spoiler

Answer choice C is correct. A defendant has the right to the assistance of counsel at any trial that results in incarceration, even when that sentence is suspended. Answer choice A is incorrect because even a misdemeanor that results in a sentence involving incarceration requires the assistance of counsel. Answer choice B is incorrect because the fact that the sentence was suspended does not eliminate the requirement that defense counsel be provided. Answer choice D is incorrect because assistance of counsel is not required for a crime that is punishable by imprisonment as long as that punishment is not imposed.


Uhhh, so no 6A assistance of counsel is required unless the defendant actually gets sentenced? I thought you always need counsel as soon as charged are filed.

Or is this the right way to think about it - you can't actually complain about your 6A rights until you get sentenced to prison. But once you are sentenced, then you can get the conviction overturned. If you only get fined or something and you didn't have a lawyer, you can't invoke 6A.

My understanding has been it only attaches if either a) the accused is actually convicted and punished to jail time or b) if the accused is actually convicted, punished to jail time, but the sentence is commuted.

[TLSModBot]

This makes no sense to me (from the Simualated Milestone

[+] Spoiler

Answer choice C is correct. A defendant has the right to the assistance of counsel at any trial that results in incarceration, even when that sentence is suspended. Answer choice A is incorrect because even a misdemeanor that results in a sentence involving incarceration requires the assistance of counsel. Answer choice B is incorrect because the fact that the sentence was suspended does not eliminate the requirement that defense counsel be provided. Answer choice D is incorrect because assistance of counsel is not required for a crime that is punishable by imprisonment as long as that punishment is not imposed.


Uhhh, so no 6A assistance of counsel is required unless the defendant actually gets sentenced? I thought you always need counsel as soon as charged are filed.

Or is this the right way to think about it - you can't actually complain about your 6A rights until you get sentenced to prison. But once you are sentenced, then you can get the conviction overturned. If you only get fined or something and you didn't have a lawyer, you can't invoke 6A.

I think you have the right idea - the right to counsel attaches once you are formally charged, BUT you can't bring a claim that your 6A rights were violated if it didn't result in imprisonment.

[ndp1234]

Watching the simulated MBE review videos. Has this guy just taught every single subject for 20 years? How is that possible?

Edit: He needs to stop assessing the difficulty of each question. I find his "easy" questions harder than his "hard" questions.

[Vantwins]

FYI, MD folks:

In Maryland, a promissory note given for a gambling debt is void and unenforceable.

This was mentioned in the commercial paper lecture, that "some states" follow the rule above. I double checked with Themis that MD does consider notes for gambling void.

[Nebby]

Watching the simulated MBE review videos. Has this guy just taught every single subject for 20 years? How is that possible?

Edit: He needs to stop assessing the difficulty of each question. I find his "easy" questions harder than his "hard" questions.

Are those even worth watching? I'm thinking of skipping

[ndp1234]

Watching the simulated MBE review videos. Has this guy just taught every single subject for 20 years? How is that possible?

Edit: He needs to stop assessing the difficulty of each question. I find his "easy" questions harder than his "hard" questions.

Are those even worth watching? I'm thinking of skipping

I'm watching on 2.6x-3x speed depending on the question. I think its helpful to get a human to explain some of the questions I found difficult, regardless of whether or not I got them right.

[Fivedham]

If I'm learning anything from Themis/AdaptiBar, it's that the bar examiners LOVE testing the Thirteenth Amendment. If that thing shows up in the choices, there's like a 90% chance it's the right answer.