July 2016 Texas Bar Exam Forum

[BVest]

Just to help with some fear...I am terrible at the MBE and standardized tests in general. My final MBE score was below median but I did well enough on the other two days that I passed with breathing room. Don't poo off the first day...it's basically free points since most of the P&E is repeated year to year. I'm pretty sure I made up at least 1 essay answer in Feb. (It was about adoption)..Couldn't recall a thing but did an analysis based on best interests of the child and common sense. Must of worked.

The key is staying calm no matter what. I was a repeat taker, missing originally by 30 points. The first time I took it, I crammed until the last minute and stayed up late on exam nights cramming. I was exhausted. The next time, I stopped studying the weekend before, got a ton of rest and relaxation and went to bed early the night before, with just a light P/E review. You'd be amazed how much you will recall if your mind is well rested and relaxed. I was in a much better place by Thursday. Tired, yes, but I felt like I could handle the stress of random essay topics so much better.

Best of luck!

tyft

Do we have any (anec)data about how often community property comes up? Is it usually one of the two family law questions or does it vary and if so will the question be basically pure community property? I'm clearly very on top of things.

edit: It looks like 2.5 of the 4 family law questions from the last two July administrations were community property.

Without looking, I feel like it's almost always at least part of one of the two questions.

[NolanRyan]

Freaking out about the pass rate. Someone calm me the hell down

Just to help with some fear...I am terrible at the MBE and standardized tests in general. My final MBE score was below median but I did well enough on the other two days that I passed with breathing room. Don't poo off the first day...it's basically free points since most of the P&E is repeated year to year. I'm pretty sure I made up at least 1 essay answer in Feb. (It was about adoption)..Couldn't recall a thing but did an analysis based on best interests of the child and common sense. Must of worked.

The key is staying calm no matter what. I was a repeat taker, missing originally by 30 points. The first time I took it, I crammed until the last minute and stayed up late on exam nights cramming. I was exhausted. The next time, I stopped studying the weekend before, got a ton of rest and relaxation and went to bed early the night before, with just a light P/E review. You'd be amazed how much you will recall if your mind is well rested and relaxed. I was in a much better place by Thursday. Tired, yes, but I felt like I could handle the stress of random essay topics so much better.

Best of luck!

Thanks! I was gonna cram hard but now I think I should just take your advice. I just don't know enough law though for the MBE

[Kragoth180]

Anyone know what the drill is on lunch? Are we supposed to rush to a nearby restaurant, or do people normally just leave something in their car?

Also, for studying during the 1-hour break on the essay day (reviewing outlines/sample essays during the lunch break), are we allowed to do that on our laptops, or will our laptops be stuck in the exam software?

[Jaqen]

Anyone know what the drill is on lunch? Are we supposed to rush to a nearby restaurant, or do people normally just leave something in their car?

Also, for studying during the 1-hour break on the MPE day (reviewing outlines/sample essays during the lunch break), are we allowed to do that on our laptops, or will our laptops be stuck in the exam software?

For food, in the parking instructions for Houston they say that CFA and Quizno's will be sold on site. They also mention the possibility of buying an unlimited entry pass for the garage, so presumably a fair number of people leave to grab something. I'm planning on leaving something in my car.

I believe I read somewhere that our laptops have to remain in the secured area and so we won't be able to study with them during the break.

[BVest]

Anyone know what the drill is on lunch? Are we supposed to rush to a nearby restaurant, or do people normally just leave something in their car?

Also, for studying during the 1-hour break on the MPE day (reviewing outlines/sample essays during the lunch break), are we allowed to do that on our laptops, or will our laptops be stuck in the exam software?

I brought lunch and left it in the car. There's also a drop zone (in Austin at least) outside the secure area. It's completely honor system, so don't leave anything of value there, but it's sufficient for leaving notes/lunch. A lot of people at Austin walked to Whataburger, McDonalds, or the food trailers across the street as well. I think there were some people who drove somewhere for lunch too.

---

I don't know what MPE day is. Do you mean MPT / Procedure I assume? There's not a 1-hour break. It's only long enough for them to collect all the MPT materials and distribute the Procedure materials. There will be no opportunity to study during this time as (1) You will not be allowed to leave your seat, and (2) You may not have anything open on your computer except examsoft at any time in the secure area.

If you're talking about essay day, you cannot take your laptop out of the room during lunch.

This question is answerable by reading the general instructions as well

[BigZuck]

Bvest- Did you do any cramming during lunch on Essay Day? Like, did you pay attention to what essays you did in the morning and notice stuff like "Oh hey, I haven't had Consumer Law yet, better go back and read my attack outline" or things like that?

Or just "No, enjoy your lunch?"

[BVest]

Bvest- Did you do any cramming during lunch on Essay Day? Like, did you pay attention to what essays you did in the morning and notice stuff like "Oh hey, I haven't had Consumer Law yet, better go back and read my attack outline" or things like that?

Or just "No, enjoy your lunch?"

I studied on essay day (and absolutely paid attention to what had been tested). We still had BA, Property and UCC. I felt good about the first two so I mainly looked at the charts I'd made for UCC3 and UCC9. I also took all my notes with my as I walked back from the garage to the auditorium and dropped them in the recycling on my way in for the afternoon session. (I figured either I passed or I was going to need to redo my notes). It was a nice feeling to start off the final session.

I relaxed at lunch on MBE day.

[BigZuck]

Bvest- Did you do any cramming during lunch on Essay Day? Like, did you pay attention to what essays you did in the morning and notice stuff like "Oh hey, I haven't had Consumer Law yet, better go back and read my attack outline" or things like that?

Or just "No, enjoy your lunch?"

I studied on essay day (and absolutely paid attention to what had been tested). We still had BA, Property and UCC. I felt good about the first two so I mainly looked at the charts I'd made for UCC3 and UCC9. I also took all my notes with my as I walked back from the garage to the auditorium and dropped them in the recycling on my way in for the afternoon session. (I figured either I passed or I was going to need to redo my notes). It was a nice feeling to start off the final session.

I relaxed at lunch on MBE day.

Ok, that will be my plan

Another (maybe silly) question: Do you remember if lunch was 1 hour or 1.5 hours? I've looked at the instructions but in one place they say 1 hour and in another they say 1.5 hours

[BVest]

Bvest- Did you do any cramming during lunch on Essay Day? Like, did you pay attention to what essays you did in the morning and notice stuff like "Oh hey, I haven't had Consumer Law yet, better go back and read my attack outline" or things like that?

Or just "No, enjoy your lunch?"

I studied on essay day (and absolutely paid attention to what had been tested). We still had BA, Property and UCC. I felt good about the first two so I mainly looked at the charts I'd made for UCC3 and UCC9. I also took all my notes with my as I walked back from the garage to the auditorium and dropped them in the recycling on my way in for the afternoon session. (I figured either I passed or I was going to need to redo my notes). It was a nice feeling to start off the final session.

I relaxed at lunch on MBE day.

Ok, that will be my plan

Another (maybe silly) question: Do you remember if lunch was 1 hour or 1.5 hours? I've looked at the instructions but in one place they say 1 hour and in another they say 1.5 hours

They gave us closer to 1.5 hours. Of course people head in starting around 15-20 minutes before the afternoon session.

[Kragoth180]

Sorry, meant to say essay day; thanks for the heads up!

[washed out]

I finished the a.m. Essay session ~30 minutes early, so I had a 1.75ish hour worth of lunch time. I texted my law school alumnus who promised to bring lunch to alumni testers, met up and chatted with her, ate lunch, and had about 45 minutes to spare before the p.m. Essays. Everyone got anxious to get back inside and restart their routine so a line formed with 10 minutes to go.

They permitted various law school representatives to set up booths and handout meal lunches to people on a list - I think South Texas, A&M, UH, St. Mary's, Thurgood Marshall, and a few others participated. Contact your law school representative to get advised. They also had vendors who sold food ala school cafeterias, so bring some cash each day (~$10) if you plan to pay for lunch. As stated, many takers walked across the street to eat out or back to the parking area. This was the Feb2016 bar in Austin.

[murdock83]

I took at both Houston (Reliant) and Austin. We had plenty of time for lunch. Don't know about leaving though, that would stress me out to much haha. Especially in Houston. Austin had a Whataburger within walking distance. Houston sold food and Starbucks inside Reliant so that was awesome. I brought a lunch every day because I just preferred to be cautious with what I ate on test days. I left it outside the test room with the other bags with no problem.

I did study some during my lunch on essay day. It really does help to review what hasn't been tested thus far. I can just say I wrote as confidently as I could during the essay portion. If I didn't know a rule exactly, I wrote one down and did a thorough analysis based on that rule. Don't get lazy and skimpy on easy portions. I know the afternoon essay session was the hardest for me, mostly because I was tired and my neck and back started to hurt, but you can power through it. It might be wise to pack some Aleeve or Tylenol or something take at lunch, I'm not kidding when I say you'll start to get sore.

Also, they are serious when they say don't bring anything into the exam room but what is on the list. They will take it. They searched virtually everyone in Austin in Feb. I had a pair of earplugs in my bag from a previous session and had to toss them. Can't even bring a pencil or pen on the wrong day. There was a massive pile of throwaways at the door on the way in. Don't bother bringing anything but what they say, it will save time and hassle.

[fly_lawy3r]

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere here (https://ble.texas.gov/bar-exam-general-instructions), but does anyone know if we're supposed to just carry our laptops/chargers in our hands when we go in the testing center? Or are we allowed to put them in a plastic grocery bag or something?

[longhornlaw]

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere here (https://ble.texas.gov/bar-exam-general-instructions), but does anyone know if we're supposed to just carry our laptops/chargers in our hands when we go in the testing center? Or are we allowed to put them in a plastic grocery bag or something?

Unless you have a big Ziploc bags, carry them in your hands.

[BVest]

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere here (https://ble.texas.gov/bar-exam-general-instructions), but does anyone know if we're supposed to just carry our laptops/chargers in our hands when we go in the testing center? Or are we allowed to put them in a plastic grocery bag or something?

Unless you have a big Ziploc bags, carry them in your hands.

Yeah, they used to require (on paper) you bring a two-gallon + ziploc and probably 1/3 of people had them, but they appear to have simply dropped that unenforced requirement.

[syr1990]

Anyone know what the deal is for parking at the Palmer Center in Austin? Assuming that the parking garage there will have enough spots for all the test takers?

[longhornlaw]

Anyone know what the deal is for parking at the Palmer Center in Austin? Assuming that the parking garage there will have enough spots for all the test takers?

In February there were 900 or so spots for 1600 test takers. Parking is not guaranteed there.

[fly_lawy3r]

This thread has been a life-saver.

What about parking for the Arlington Convention Center? Anyone know if there is adequate parking for bar takers?

[jcsmith]

This thread has been a life-saver.

What about parking for the Arlington Convention Center? Anyone know if there is adequate parking for bar takers?

I was wondering the same thing, since I'm staying in the Candlewood Suites right across the highway. I know the people that are staying in the Sheraton can literally walk from the hotel to the convention center. I should have done that, but it was quite a bit more expensive if I remember correctly.

[BVest]

Anyone know what the deal is for parking at the Palmer Center in Austin? Assuming that the parking garage there will have enough spots for all the test takers?

In February there were 900 or so spots for 1600 test takers. Parking is not guaranteed there.

This, however in February Palmer was the only test site in the state. Last July there were approximately 700 examinees at Palmer and parking was not a problem. Parking (in the past) was $8/day. Last July they collected it on the way in; in Feb, apparently they collected it on the way out.

e: According to this calendar, there aren't any other events, so you should be good: http://www.palmereventscenter.com/calendar/calendar.pdf

[0lol]

sry to bring up BLL here, but since its state specific....

no pretermitted spouse statute = subsequent spouse gets NOTING if no "my wife gets X" in will....

... NO EXECPTIONS??

cant get intestate share??

she gets homestead at least, or no?

seems like a super shitty law

[murdock83]

Anyone know what the deal is for parking at the Palmer Center in Austin? Assuming that the parking garage there will have enough spots for all the test takers?

Just don't wait till the last minute to get there. I got there around 6:30 I think (mainly because I was staying about 10-15 minutes away to get a cheaper hotel and ATX traffic is daunting to a small town girl). I just parked and walked down to Whataburger and had a cup of coffee and looked over my outlines. Some of the folks sitting around me got there closer to the time it started and I think they scrambled to find parking. I also got there early to ensure parking on the bottom level and to make it way easier to get out in the afternoon.

[thewaterlanding]

This thread has been a life-saver.

What about parking for the Arlington Convention Center? Anyone know if there is adequate parking for bar takers?

I was wondering the same thing, since I'm staying in the Candlewood Suites right across the highway. I know the people that are staying in the Sheraton can literally walk from the hotel to the convention center. I should have done that, but it was quite a bit more expensive if I remember correctly.

There is plenty of parking except they charge $5 a day for parking.

[Kragoth180]

sry to bring up BLL here, but since its state specific....

no pretermitted spouse statute = subsequent spouse gets NOTING if no "my wife gets X" in will....

... NO EXECPTIONS??

cant get intestate share??

she gets homestead at least, or no?

seems like a super shitty law

If there is a pretermitted spouse, then there is a will that does not provide anything to that particular spouse (that spouse most likely being the surviving spouse):
-given that there is a will, the ex-spouse will get whatever property is conveyed to the ex-spouse in the will (strange)
-to be a pretermitted spouse, there must be no non-probate provisions of property made available for the pretermitted spouse
-whatever is not provided for in the will, will pass by intestate succession (do the SS analysis, related/unrelated descendants, etc) [relates to the decedent's 1/2 of CP, as well as the decendent's separate personal property, and separate real property]
-at the least, the SS is entitled to the SS's 1/2 of the Community Property
-SS entitled to "probate homestead right to occupy"


Disclaimer: I did not take Wills, but this is my understanding

[JS281]

sry to bring up BLL here, but since its state specific....

no pretermitted spouse statute = subsequent spouse gets NOTING if no "my wife gets X" in will....

... NO EXECPTIONS??

cant get intestate share??

she gets homestead at least, or no?

seems like a super shitty law

Spouse is provided for with their 1/2 of the community property

Edit: And intestate analysis wouldn't change because pretermitted involves a valid will. So wife can still get separate property with intestacy.