Florida Bar Exam - Official Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

[enriquepineiro]

Failed

I really hate myself

Same. I think us retakers are at a disadvantage .. that was my 4th try at the mbe. My entire class has passed by now. This isnt fair. I dont know if i want to take this again.

Yeah 4th time here as well. I know it's easier to pass the July one but who knows if that's even gonna happen at this point plus I'm years out of actual school. The loans suck and I just feel like a complete failure in life.

I feel you. I passed FL portion on the first try but still trying to fight this MBE. I did over 4,500 questions on Adaptibar. At this point, I do not know what to do.

[johngotti]

They don’t send score breakdown if you passed?

I thought if you pass they only send your overall Florida and MBE scores no individual section scores.

[FloridaLawyer2B]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

Thanks and yes

[Anonymous User]

Failed

I really hate myself

Same. I think us retakers are at a disadvantage .. that was my 4th try at the mbe. My entire class has passed by now. This isnt fair. I dont know if i want to take this again.

Yeah 4th time here as well. I know it's easier to pass the July one but who knows if that's even gonna happen at this point plus I'm years out of actual school. The loans suck and I just feel like a complete failure in life.

I feel you. I passed FL portion on the first try but still trying to fight this MBE. I did over 4,500 questions on Adaptibar. At this point, I do not know what to do.

Me too I did thousands of questions and my average was above 70%.
I read that only 421 people passed out of almost 2,000 takers. That is incredibly low.
How many times have you taken the MBE?

[Allegedly88]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

Thanks and yes

I want to be you. I have to study all over again if i decide to suffer through the bars hell again

[johngotti]

Me too I did thousands of questions and my average was above 70%.
I read that only 421 people passed out of almost 2,000 takers. That is incredibly low.
How many times have you taken the MBE?

421 people are eligible to be sworn in and 1,717 people took the exam. If you look on the spreadsheet there are a bunch of people who passed both sections but aren't eligible to be sworn in, likely because of their character and fitness stuff hasn't been finalized. The number of people who passed both sections is probably between 40-50%.

[Allegedly88]

Me too I did thousands of questions and my average was above 70%.
I read that only 421 people passed out of almost 2,000 takers. That is incredibly low.
How many times have you taken the MBE?

421 people are eligible to be sworn in and 1,717 people took the exam. If you look on the spreadsheet there are a bunch of people who passed both sections but aren't eligible to be sworn in, likely because of their character and fitness stuff hasn't been finalized. The number of people who passed both sections is probably between 40-50%.

Gotcha ... still seems low. This is outrageous and sad.

[johngotti]

+

Me too I did thousands of questions and my average was above 70%.
I read that only 421 people passed out of almost 2,000 takers. That is incredibly low.
How many times have you taken the MBE?

421 people are eligible to be sworn in and 1,717 people took the exam. If you look on the spreadsheet there are a bunch of people who passed both sections but aren't eligible to be sworn in, likely because of their character and fitness stuff hasn't been finalized. The number of people who passed both sections is probably between 40-50%.

Gotcha ... still seems low. This is outrageous and sad.

My understanding is that February exams are harder to pass because of all the first time repeaters who failed in July. They've clearly made it more difficult in an attempt to cut down on the number of lawyers which I understand but it sucks. The people who were barely passed 5-6 years ago and beyond would be below the pass line now.

[Allegedly88]

+

Me too I did thousands of questions and my average was above 70%.
I read that only 421 people passed out of almost 2,000 takers. That is incredibly low.
How many times have you taken the MBE?

421 people are eligible to be sworn in and 1,717 people took the exam. If you look on the spreadsheet there are a bunch of people who passed both sections but aren't eligible to be sworn in, likely because of their character and fitness stuff hasn't been finalized. The number of people who passed both sections is probably between 40-50%.

Gotcha ... still seems low. This is outrageous and sad.

My understanding is that February exams are harder to pass because of all the first time repeaters who failed in July. They've clearly made it more difficult in an attempt to cut down on the number of lawyers which I understand but it sucks. The people who were barely passed 5-6 years ago and beyond would be below the pass line now.

So how do we pass? What are we missing? Repeaters do pass but its clearly not me.

[FloridaLawyer2B]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

Thanks and yes

I want to be you. I have to study all over again if i decide to suffer through the bars hell again

Well if you're just taking the MBE, the JD Advising brand is a good one I think. They gave me exactly what I needed to know to pass, and it worked. Very manageable workload, very clear and useful examples. I also was working nights, 12-hour shifts, during my study prep. So its doable. Not easy. But they make it more so.

Got sworn in this afternoon at The UPS store by a notary. That was incredibly bizarre for me. I really wanted to have a formal ceremony, privately, with a judge and family. But given our current situation, its not likely to be possible any time soon. In Michigan, where I'm licensed also, I was sworn in very formally, and it was so somber and serious...and above all a beautiful way to enter the profession. So today, the UPS Store? Holy heck that felt so out of place. But the oath has been sworn and e-mailed in, and now I wait for paperwork.

[Allegedly88]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

Thanks and yes

I want to be you. I have to study all over again if i decide to suffer through the bars hell again

Well if you're just taking the MBE, the JD Advising brand is a good one I think. They gave me exactly what I needed to know to pass, and it worked. Very manageable workload, very clear and useful examples. I also was working nights, 12-hour shifts, during my study prep. So its doable. Not easy. But they make it more so.

Got sworn in this afternoon at The UPS store by a notary. That was incredibly bizarre for me. I really wanted to have a formal ceremony, privately, with a judge and family. But given our current situation, its not likely to be possible any time soon. In Michigan, where I'm licensed also, I was sworn in very formally, and it was so somber and serious...and above all a beautiful way to enter the profession. So today, the UPS Store? Holy heck that felt so out of place. But the oath has been sworn and e-mailed in, and now I wait for paperwork.

Which one did you do from jd advising?
1. On demand - i guess thats the pre recorded option
2. Premium
3. Premium plus?

Did you do any private tutoring through them too?

Ah so awesome you got sworn in .. gosh id kill for that even if it was at ups! I really want my score i am afraid i was so far off.

[FloridaLawyer2B]

[youtube][/youtube]

Passed!!!! Now to figure out how to get sworn in during the apocalypse since everything is all video and what not.

Congrats! Are you the user that used JD advising? Or was that someone else? You took just the MBE right?

Thanks and yes

I want to be you. I have to study all over again if i decide to suffer through the bars hell again

Well if you're just taking the MBE, the JD Advising brand is a good one I think. They gave me exactly what I needed to know to pass, and it worked. Very manageable workload, very clear and useful examples. I also was working nights, 12-hour shifts, during my study prep. So its doable. Not easy. But they make it more so.

Got sworn in this afternoon at The UPS store by a notary. That was incredibly bizarre for me. I really wanted to have a formal ceremony, privately, with a judge and family. But given our current situation, its not likely to be possible any time soon. In Michigan, where I'm licensed also, I was sworn in very formally, and it was so somber and serious...and above all a beautiful way to enter the profession. So today, the UPS Store? Holy heck that felt so out of place. But the oath has been sworn and e-mailed in, and now I wait for paperwork.

Which one did you do from jd advising?
1. On demand - i guess thats the pre recorded option
2. Premium
3. Premium plus?

Did you do any private tutoring through them too?

Ah so awesome you got sworn in .. gosh id kill for that even if it was at ups! I really want my score i am afraid i was so far off.

I picked the On Demand option based on my conversations with them. All their lectures are pre-recorded I believe, but straight to the point. Seldom do they last more than an hour, but nowhere near the crazy lengths some Barbri ones are.

[Lawzilla]

3rd time test taker and I finally passed with a 139 for both sections. I scored a 134 last time around.

I thought for sure I failed because of how much the 3rd essay tripped me up. And those multiple choice killed me.

I used adaptibar. But I was averaging lower than what I ended up scoring. So I consider myself lucky.

As far as the material, I still had barbri prep books from when I did the course the first time (and hated). So this time around I did it on my own but used their course material, while working full time (did take 2 weeks off before). I made my own flashcards for almost all the subjects and I found that helped the most. I was also certain contracts would be on the exam so I focused heavily on that subject. I did tons of essays and just memorized key definitions I could regurgitate on any essay.

I was truly defeated after my 2nd time and didn't know if I would sit again if I failed a 3rd time because I was so over it. So I feel for you guys still struggling to pass. It's truly an awful experience.

[johngotti]

3rd time test taker and I finally passed with a 139 for both sections. I scored a 134 last time around.

I thought for sure I failed because of how much the 3rd essay tripped me up. And those multiple choice killed me.

I used adaptibar. But I was averaging lower than what I ended up scoring. So I consider myself lucky.

As far as the material, I still had barbri prep books from when I did the course the first time (and hated). So this time around I did it on my own but used their course material, while working full time (did take 2 weeks off before). I made my own flashcards for almost all the subjects and I found that helped the most. I was also certain contracts would be on the exam so I focused heavily on that subject. I did tons of essays and just memorized key definitions I could regurgitate on any essay.

I was truly defeated after my 2nd time and didn't know if I would sit again if I failed a 3rd time because I was so over it. So I feel for you guys still struggling to pass. It's truly an awful experience.

Congrats on passing. Did you use the barbri outlines or conviser to make notecards? Also are you planning to sell any of the materials?

[JDlaw17]

What did y’all use (study guide) for the Florida section? I’m planning to take July exam, but will only be taking the Florida section. I’ve transferred my MBE from the AL exam.

[NY-Lawyer]

What did y’all use (study guide) for the Florida section? I’m planning to take July exam, but will only be taking the Florida section. I’ve transferred my MBE from the AL exam.

I used Barbri when I took NY's bar exam in 2016 (and passed easily). I just took Florida's bar exam in February and passed (also pretty easily). My MBE score was too old to transfer from my NY exam. This time around, for Florida, I bought some Barbri books on eBay, which came as a set: the Conviser, the larger outline book, and the Florida testing book (which has FL multiple choice and essays). It was about $240 for those books.

I also reviewed past essay questions and answers that are posted on the Bar Examiners website. You'll notice that similar concepts are tested (i.e. elements of a trust). That was all I used for the Florida part, which seemed to work. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous User]

What is the best laptop for the Florida bar exam?

I had some issues w/ my MAC and its compatability with their software so a PC may be a better bet.

I am specifically interested in whether a MacBook Pro is ok - the new one coming out. I called the software company and the Florida Bar and neither of them indicated that there was a problem using it. The software company said you had to disable the Touch Bar.

I don’t want any added stress on exam day. I became concerned when I saw this:

https://mobile.twitter.com/theflabar/st ... 57?lang=en

[JOchoa]

I took July 2019 and came up just short on both MBE and Florida after using Themis. I decided to invest in a tutor for February 2020 and I passed. Her name was Heddy Muransky. She's a hard ass and will be on you until you get it right, but she was 100% worth every penny. She's a great essay tutor for Florida.

I also used Adaptibar for February, but really didn't find it challenging. It had its fair share of difficult questions, but the MBE questions we got in February were nowhere near phrased the same as Adaptibar. I got Kaplan questions from a friend and those were insanely difficult, but I felt more prepared using those. The verbiage Kaplan used was seemingly identical to the most recent MBE questions.

Just sharing some of the tools I used so anyone who didn't pass knows that there are other options out there. This forum was helpful to read when I didn't pass in July.
I wish I had some tips for the Florida Multiple Choice, but I don't because Florida is just not fair lol

[The_CW]

I didn't pass July but only for the MBE. Passed Florida then. For Florida IN July, I used Barbri and Ellie Barr-she runs a tutoring company called Mind Over Legal Matter and was worth every single penny. I genuinely believe BARBRI does a good job of preparing for Florida MC but I've found that to be an unpopular opinion. For Feb, I only took the MBE and began studying in October using Adaptibar lectures & Emmanuel's Strategies & Tactics books along with guided tutoring by Sean Silverman. Once Barbri opened up in December, I did some of the activities and re-watched the substantive MBE lectures and followed their personal study plan through the Simulated MBE in January. After that, I solely used Adaptibar. Not sure how much I passed the MBE by, but I did pass. Hope this helps!!

[ewrstudy]

Passed with a 160/157 strictly following Themis. I passed NY and NJ in 2008 using Bar Bri. I was working full-time while studying and found the Themis schedule and early start were very helpful. Probably finished around 82% of the course.

[johngotti]

Debating whether to take both FL and the MBE, I've already got a passing MBE score from July 2019. I only passed the MBE by a few points so unless I improve that to 140+ it seems to be a waste of time to add the MBE in addition to FL stuff. I'm just worried about never being able to get a 136 on FL because I slip up on one section and if you're below the mean on one section it's extremely difficult to pass.

Regarding adaptibar, the questions are the most similar to any you'll see on the MBE but they're years and years old. The MBE questions now have increased in difficulty several degrees when compared to most of the adapitbar questions. It's certainly a good practice tool but way too many adaptibar questions are layups where something like 85-90% of people get it right within 20-30 seconds.

[The_CW]

Passed with a 160/157 strictly following Themis. I passed NY and NJ in 2008 using Bar Bri. I was working full-time while studying and found the Themis schedule and early start were very helpful. Probably finished around 82% of the course.

How do you have your score already? I've been waiting for the letter in the mail for what seems like ever.

[johngotti]

Passed with a 160/157 strictly following Themis. I passed NY and NJ in 2008 using Bar Bri. I was working full-time while studying and found the Themis schedule and early start were very helpful. Probably finished around 82% of the course.

How do you have your score already? I've been waiting for the letter in the mail for what seems like ever.

If you made your account on the board's website after a certain date you only get correspondence electronically, they posted individual scores on Monday to the account.

[Allegedly88]

I got my score in the mail today and I failed by 1 point. I am a retaker and now I have to study my ass off again because of one point.