Themis Bar Review Hangout - July 2016 Forum

[Chardee_MacDennis]

I know know that Themis has FRO's for the MBE Subjects in the actual book for milestone exams, but I don't see those in the handout library on the portal.

Are those FRO's available in PDF to print out?

Thanks

Nope. No FROs for MBE subjects. I messaged them about this and they said they could not provide pdfs for those because of "copyright reasons."

Not sure if joking but they emailed me the PDFs of FROs for mbe subjects, I've got them all...

WHAAAAAT

For IL, I received .pdfs of FROs for all subjects w/o asking. They were sent on 5/31.

[Nebby]

Does Themis even have FROs for MBE topics? I have FROs for MBE topics, but I think they're state specific

They're titled things like: "FINAL REVIEW OUTLINE: ILLINOIS CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"

Are there FROs in the books? I thought my MBE book was just the large outlines--not FROs

[Chardee_MacDennis]

Does Themis even have FROs for MBE topics? I have FROs for MBE topics, but I think they're state specific

They're titled things like: "FINAL REVIEW OUTLINE: ILLINOIS CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"

Are there FROs in the books? I thought my MBE book was just the large outlines--not FROs

For IL, they're full FROs w/ distinctions.

[Nebby]

Does Themis even have FROs for MBE topics? I have FROs for MBE topics, but I think they're state specific

They're titled things like: "FINAL REVIEW OUTLINE: ILLINOIS CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"

Are there FROs in the books? I thought my MBE book was just the large outlines--not FROs

For IL, they're full FROs w/ distinctions.

Ah I see that now looking through the MBE ones. Sweet

[ultimolugar]

Of all of the MBE subjects to not have an editable PDF, of course it's property... OF COURSE. FML.

Use a PDF to Word converter online for free. Then you can use Word to fill in the blanks. The converted version won't be as pretty but it can be edited.

True that! Thanks!

[1down1togo]

I know know that Themis has FRO's for the MBE Subjects in the actual book for milestone exams, but I don't see those in the handout library on the portal.

Are those FRO's available in PDF to print out?

Thanks

Nope. No FROs for MBE subjects. I messaged them about this and they said they could not provide pdfs for those because of "copyright reasons."

Not sure if joking but they emailed me the PDFs of FROs for mbe subjects, I've got them all...

WHAAAAAT

Screenshot of their answer to my message: http://imgur.com/gyItvoL

Well, if anyone wants one, PM me

[hirkaismyname]

I know know that Themis has FRO's for the MBE Subjects in the actual book for milestone exams, but I don't see those in the handout library on the portal.

Are those FRO's available in PDF to print out?

Thanks

Nope. No FROs for MBE subjects. I messaged them about this and they said they could not provide pdfs for those because of "copyright reasons."

Not sure if joking but they emailed me the PDFs of FROs for mbe subjects, I've got them all...

WHAAAAAT

Screenshot of their answer to my message: http://imgur.com/gyItvoL

Well, if anyone wants one, PM me

Sent! Thanks!

Question:

[+] Spoiler

Themis gives me this explanation for using circumstantial evidence of proving the D is mental.

"there is a distinction between the “state of mind” exception to the hearsay rule and using a statement as circumstantial evidence for a declarant’s state of mind"

Are they specifically referring to the difference of using SOM Hearsay Exception to show intent (present intent) vs. using the statement as circumstantial evidence to prove/(infer?) the D was mental.

Q 101 for the PM Milestone Exam

[+] Spoiler

INSERT ANSWER HERE IN REPLY

Thanks!

[Chardee_MacDennis]

Question:

[+] Spoiler

Themis gives me this explanation for using circumstantial evidence of proving the D is mental.

"there is a distinction between the “state of mind” exception to the hearsay rule and using a statement as circumstantial evidence for a declarant’s state of mind"

Are they specifically referring to the difference of using SOM Hearsay Exception to show intent (present intent) vs. using the statement as circumstantial evidence to prove/(infer?) the D was mental.

Q 101 for the PM Milestone Exam

[+] Spoiler

Yes, they are two distinct concepts. Circumstantial evidence of state of mind is not hearsay b/c its not being offered for the truth of the matter asserted, that he's the President of the United States. It's being offered for another purpose: to prove that he suffers from a mental defect.

The present state of mind exception IS hearsay, but it falls under an exception. Make sense?

Thanks!

[bobbypin]

Still hitting only around 58% on all my sets

That's ok. You still have time to improve!

If your jurisdiction weights essays and MPTs the same or heavier than the MBE, you can just write the shit out of your essays and still pass with a not strong MBE score. You can do this!

[xfer999]

I know know that Themis has FRO's for the MBE Subjects in the actual book for milestone exams, but I don't see those in the handout library on the portal.

Are those FRO's available in PDF to print out?

Nope. No FROs for MBE subjects. I messaged them about this and they said they could not provide pdfs for those because of "copyright reasons."

Not sure if joking but they emailed me the PDFs of FROs for mbe subjects, I've got them all...

WHAAAAAT

Screenshot of their answer to my message: http://imgur.com/gyItvoL

Who did you contact - customer support or your Themis state director? I think I received mine from my Themis state director (UBE, non-NY), though maybe it depends on the director. If you're using the Themis message service, try sending the request to "Study Strategies" (which seems to go directly to the state director) rather than general customer support. My state director sent MBE FRO PDFs as well as MEE FROs.

[xdeuceswild81xx]

The graded essays feel so arbitrary at times. I had a previous essay, believe it was property/contracts where I was completely stumped on one of the questions within the essay, yet still got a 75%. On graded essay 5, I had everything correct, but missed the crime of "disorderly conduct" to be charged with. You were expected to pull 3 crimes, I think agg assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, so it was the lesser of the 3, but I got docked 5 points for missing it out of a total of 9. Seemed pretty harsh, idk. Still ended up with a 75%, which would be great on test day obv, but feels very arbitrary considering I had previous questions where I completely whiffed and ended up w/the same grade.

Rant over, just wondering if anyone else got this feeling or I'm just being too salty over it

[Nebby]

I have no idea what the fuck I was doing on my graded Family Law essay today. I briefly talked about legal custody and the best interest of the child standard. Then basically said for each one, "it depends" on whether the court finds is not in the child's best interest, then they can issue an order accordingly.

[bsktbll28082]

Still hitting only around 58% on all my sets

That's ok. You still have time to improve!

If your jurisdiction weights essays and MPTs the same or heavier than the MBE, you can just write the shit out of your essays and still pass with a not strong MBE score. You can do this!

Doing Virginia- 40/60 split MBE/essay. I just feel like I've plateaued. Devoting all of next week to essays.

[BigZuck]

I have no idea what the fuck I was doing on my graded Family Law essay today. I briefly talked about legal custody and the best interest of the child standard. Then basically said for each one, "it depends" on whether the court finds is not in the child's best interest, then they can issue an order accordingly.

Could be wrong but I don't think "It depends" is an acceptable answer by Themis standards

Good law school answer though

[Easy-E]

Just did a partnerships practice essay #354. Little confused about something.

Facts say a certain party (W) did not sign the partnership agreement. Later, they filed a certificate of limited partnership. Doesn't mention the party from before. Sample answer then says "W did not sign the certificate of limited partnership"...Is the "certificate of limited partnership" just the partnership agreement? I don't know how it made the leap to W not signing the certificate.


Also, fuck the sample answer on this. It adds a bunch of shit by just assuming some alternate fact pattern. Do they want us to just info dump by saying "well this didn't happen but if it did X Y and Z would happen"

[BigZuck]

Just did a partnerships practice essay #354. Little confused about something.

Facts say a certain party (W) did not sign the partnership agreement. Later, they filed a certificate of limited partnership. Doesn't mention the party from before. Sample answer then says "W did not sign the certificate of limited partnership"...Is the "certificate of limited partnership" just the partnership agreement? I don't know how it made the leap to W not signing the certificate.


Also, fuck the sample answer on this. It adds a bunch of shit by just assuming some alternate fact pattern. Do they want us to just info dump by saying "well this didn't happen but if it did X Y and Z would happen"

My plan of attack on essay questions will be answer the question first and foremost

Once that's done, if I have time left over, I'll dump all over that question

[bigbossman]

The graded essays feel so arbitrary at times. I had a previous essay, believe it was property/contracts where I was completely stumped on one of the questions within the essay, yet still got a 75%. On graded essay 5, I had everything correct, but missed the crime of "disorderly conduct" to be charged with. You were expected to pull 3 crimes, I think agg assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, so it was the lesser of the 3, but I got docked 5 points for missing it out of a total of 9. Seemed pretty harsh, idk. Still ended up with a 75%, which would be great on test day obv, but feels very arbitrary considering I had previous questions where I completely whiffed and ended up w/the same grade.

Rant over, just wondering if anyone else got this feeling or I'm just being too salty over it

You're taking PA? I missed both disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment for that question, so I must be well screwed. For their con/procedure/employment discrim question I spotted every issue and came to all of the right conclusions but was given a 60% because I didn't write it out exactly how the grader wanted me to. They're being too tough if you ask me.

[ndp1234]

I have no idea what the fuck I was doing on my graded Family Law essay today. I briefly talked about legal custody and the best interest of the child standard. Then basically said for each one, "it depends" on whether the court finds is not in the child's best interest, then they can issue an order accordingly.

Same here. It had nothing to do with anything either in the outline or lectures because they never explained rights when the couple is still married. I didn't know how to attack the distributions and child stuff without the couple's marriage actually being terminated. I just added BIC standard and hoped for the best. Judging from the model answer, it was all about how the state isn't really supposed to intervene in a marital relationship except in specific circumstances, including to involuntarily terminate the parent child relationship. The model answer did not help me much to understand how to tackle this in the future.

[hirkaismyname]

I have no idea what the fuck I was doing on my graded Family Law essay today. I briefly talked about legal custody and the best interest of the child standard. Then basically said for each one, "it depends" on whether the court finds is not in the child's best interest, then they can issue an order accordingly.

Same here. It had nothing to do with anything either in the outline or lectures because they never explained rights when the couple is still married. I didn't know how to attack the distributions and child stuff without the couple's marriage actually being terminated. I just added BIC standard and hoped for the best. Judging from the model answer, it was all about how the state isn't really supposed to intervene in a marital relationship except in specific circumstances, including to involuntarily terminate the parent child relationship. The model answer did not help me much to understand how to tackle this in the future.

Agreed. I missed majority of the points discussed there. Most upsetting was my misunderstanding of part 2 (thought the Q was what are the H's ground for divorce, rather than child custody) because I was so gitty on using the "religion is not a valid" defense for fighting a divorce.

What is the number we're supposed to be shooting for on these graded essays again?

[Easy-E]

I have no idea what the fuck I was doing on my graded Family Law essay today. I briefly talked about legal custody and the best interest of the child standard. Then basically said for each one, "it depends" on whether the court finds is not in the child's best interest, then they can issue an order accordingly.

Just did it. What the fuck was that?

[+] Spoiler

I had a decent answer for the asthma thing, but for the paycheck and ice skating I had no clue. I just talked about parens patriae and BIC, and said they might temporarily enjoin her pending a divorce if the money was necessary (no idea if this is something real just bullshitting) but that the ice skating didn't raise enough concern. Literally had like 4 sentences for each of those.

Then I tried to argue that although you can't consider religion in custody determinations, this might be outside that rule, since we are primarily concerned with the daughters health.

I just kept saying parens patriae, BIC and maybe the court would find/do this.

Sample answer is pretty useless.

[unidentifiable]

hook me up with some tips to maintain focus.

my shit is good in the morning (I start around 6:45am) , but once about 2pm comes around i'm pretty fucked. would love to be able to go until 4-5

[ndp1234]

hook me up with some tips to maintain focus.

my shit is good in the morning (I start around 6:45am) , but once about 2pm comes around i'm pretty fucked. would love to be able to go until 4-5

Eat a light lunch. Salads work for me, or fruit. Your body gets exhausted from digestion of meats and carbs.

Edit: To fix my crappy grammar caused by this stupid exam

[1down1togo]

hook me up with some tips to maintain focus.

my shit is good in the morning (I start around 6:45am) , but once about 2pm comes around i'm pretty fucked. would love to be able to go until 4-5

Eat a light lunch. Salads work for me, or fruit. Your body gets exhausted from digestion of meats and carbs.

Edit: To fix my crappy grammar caused by this stupid exam

No, No, he said his shit is good. He doesn't need any more fiber

[blach0987]

Speaking of focusing and such, how many hours are you guys putting in now? I average about 12 hours during the week but maybe I should increase as we get closer.

Edit to say that it includes breaks!

[WinSome]

Speaking of focusing and such, how many hours are you guys putting in now? I average about 12 hours during the week but maybe I should increase as we get closer.

Edit to say that it includes breaks!

I've been doing like 6-8 hours a day with limited breaks. I've been doing about that since mid-May with limited days off in between. I'm basically following the schedule Themis laid out and am at 76%. However, I haven't really been doing much supplemental stuff, but I just got critical pass cards for crunch time. I'm thinking I'll up it to, at most 10 hours a day, in the weeks to come. 12 hours a day seems excessive, especially if you're anywhere near on schedule.