July 2014 New York Bar Exam Forum

[northwood]

When you all do your 50 MBE questions per day, do you do them all in one topic area ( the topic you are studying), or do you do them randomly from a bunch of subjects?

[5ky]

Anyone know where to get some good practice NY specific multiple choice questions? Particularly by civ pro?

I actually don't know of any, but I think that would be a waste of time. You'll get more mileage out of using that time to do (i) MBE questions and (ii) studying the state subjects for the essays. You'll have to learn a shit-ton of NY Practice for the essays anyway. Just accept you'll get like 25-30 out of 50 correct and call it a day. The Barbri NYMC are NOTHING like actual thing. (the MBE, however, were extremely good, I thought; i couldn't tell a difference at all)

Do you think the Barbri MBE questions were sufficient or should I purchase additional materials?

I bought strategies and tactics to the MBE which had some that I looked at towards the end, but I think Barbri had enough. The strategies and tactics questions are real (old) MBE questions, but they're so old that they feel a lot different than the MBE questions as they are now, in my opinion.

[shock259]

Question: is there any reason to go to the "live" classes? I've been watching the prep videos at 1.5x speed and it is saving me tons of time already. And the live classes just showing the same videos. Also, it's like a ~30 min commute to get to the class location. So that's even more lost time.

[reasonable_man]

Question: is there any reason to go to the "live" classes? I've been watching the prep videos at 1.5x speed and it is saving me tons of time already. And the live classes just showing the same videos. Also, it's like a ~30 min commute to get to the class location. So that's even more lost time.

In 08' when I took the bar this was not an option. But I'd say that if you are the kind of person that is self motivated and can keep to the schedule, then attending the live sessions are really not necessary.

[northwood]

Anyone. Using Barmax to assist with doing MBE questions? What do you think of it?

[themis513]

Anyone get their test location yet?

Bit concerned as I have yet to book my hotel and I hear things sell out pretty fast.

[5ky]

Anyone get their test location yet?

Bit concerned as I have yet to book my hotel and I hear things sell out pretty fast.

You should book refundable hotels in multiple cities now, then cancel later.

[prs362]

Obviously it's not ideal, but is 5 miles away from the testing enter in Albany way too far? Google maps says 10 minutes by cab, but I know absolutely nothing about Albany. Looks like the hotel is where 9 West splits into Southern Blvd and Corning Hill Road. This is one of the closest I could find with a refundable rate. Any info would be appreciated.

Edit: Looks like it is technically in Glenmont.

[ran12]

Obviously it's not ideal, but is 5 miles away from the testing enter in Albany way too far? Google maps says 10 minutes by cab, but I know absolutely nothing about Albany. Looks like the hotel is where 9 West splits into Southern Blvd and Corning Hill Road. This is one of the closest I could find with a refundable rate. Any info would be appreciated.

Edit: Looks like it is technically in Glenmont.

It's likely a lot of test takers are gonna be vying for cabs in Albany so could be tough to get one. Carpooling or taxi-sharing might be the way to go. I've been looking at hotels in Albany too and seems like Hilton Albany downtown is the only one that's even walkable to the test sites. Most hotels seem like they're at least 5 miles out.

[prs362]

Obviously it's not ideal, but is 5 miles away from the testing enter in Albany way too far? Google maps says 10 minutes by cab, but I know absolutely nothing about Albany. Looks like the hotel is where 9 West splits into Southern Blvd and Corning Hill Road. This is one of the closest I could find with a refundable rate. Any info would be appreciated.

Edit: Looks like it is technically in Glenmont.

It's likely a lot of test takers are gonna be vying for cabs in Albany so could be tough to get one. Carpooling or taxi-sharing might be the way to go. I've been looking at hotels in Albany too and seems like Hilton Albany downtown is the only one that's even walkable to the test sites. Most hotels seem like they're at least 5 miles out.

Edit: Slight change. Booked a Best Western 4 miles away. There is a bus station literally right in front of the hotel with a route that runs every 20 minutes to the testing area, so that seemed like a decent back-up plan. Still may try to grab the Hilton and cancel this one if I get Albany. Now on to Buffalo . . .

[5ky]

Plenty walkable at buffalo

[themis513]

Does anyone know how important spelling is on the bar exam? My typing is horrible to start with and with no auto-correct its even worse. Now I don't mean spelling concerning legal terms. I'm sure those have to be correct. But what about the become hte and switching your i and e and just spelling words wrong/leaving out words ... all that kind of stuff? (Writing is not an option for me because its complete chicken scratch)

[crit_racer]

i dont understand NY burglary statute. If someone invites you in legally and you remain in there hiding or something and then steal something and then leave, that's a burglary when you exit?

[Stringer6]

i dont understand NY burglary statute. If someone invites you in legally and you remain in there hiding or something and then steal something and then leave, that's a burglary when you exit?

yes that's one way "remain" could work

it could also work like this -- you enter without intent to commit a felony (or it might be any crime, i forget), but when you remain in the building you develop the intent to steal something and you do steal it -- that would be burglary

someone correct me if i'm wrong

[terpfan12]

i dont understand NY burglary statute. If someone invites you in legally and you remain in there hiding or something and then steal something and then leave, that's a burglary when you exit?

yes that's one way "remain" could work

it could also work like this -- you enter without intent to commit a felony (or it might be any crime, i forget), but when you remain in the building you develop the intent to steal something and you do steal it -- that would be burglary

someone correct me if i'm wrong

Going back to critracer's original hypo:

If someone invites you in legally-->you have NOT committed a burglary. In order for a burglary to occur, you must be entering private property unlawfully.

On the other hand:

If you break into the building without an intent to commit a crime, but later form the intent to commit a crime, and steal a laptop for example, you are then guilty of a burglary and a larceny in NY. That is how the addition of "remaining" works.

[northwood]

I think even though you were originally invited in ( and were legally permitted on the premises) by staying there when you knew that you were no longer welcome you now have the intent to commit a crime because you overextended your stay and the act of lifting an item that you know was not legally yours manifests your original intent to unlawfully enter or remain.


It's like the classic example of te guy who stays in a liquor store. He goes there when it is open, which is permitted but he stays after he knows the store is closed; and he no longer has permission to be in the store) when he steals all ofthe rum he manifested that his intent was To steal, and by leaving the interior of the store he has completed the act.

My apologies for the typos( wrote this on my phone) and for the thought vomit... I'm doing contracts now and am going by what I remember from 1L year, so I may be mistaken

[shock259]

So, 50 MBEs a day from the topic you are learning is credited? If I do that many, I think I may run out. I just did intentional torts day, and there are only 90 MBEs on intentional torts in Kaplan's bank. Hmmmmm.

[Stringer6]

i dont understand NY burglary statute. If someone invites you in legally and you remain in there hiding or something and then steal something and then leave, that's a burglary when you exit?

yes that's one way "remain" could work

it could also work like this -- you enter without intent to commit a felony (or it might be any crime, i forget), but when you remain in the building you develop the intent to steal something and you do steal it -- that would be burglary

someone correct me if i'm wrong

Going back to critracer's original hypo:

If someone invites you in legally-->you have NOT committed a burglary. In order for a burglary to occur, you must be entering private property unlawfully.

On the other hand:

If you break into the building without an intent to commit a crime, but later form the intent to commit a crime, and steal a laptop for example, you are then guilty of a burglary and a larceny in NY. That is how the addition of "remaining" works.

hmmm i definitely agree with what you wrote after "On the other hand"

so if you lawfully gain entry into a department store, then hide in the store until after it closes and then steal some stuff on your way out, that's not burglary in NY? i think it might be.

[terpfan12]

i dont understand NY burglary statute. If someone invites you in legally and you remain in there hiding or something and then steal something and then leave, that's a burglary when you exit?

yes that's one way "remain" could work

it could also work like this -- you enter without intent to commit a felony (or it might be any crime, i forget), but when you remain in the building you develop the intent to steal something and you do steal it -- that would be burglary

someone correct me if i'm wrong

Going back to critracer's original hypo:

If someone invites you in legally-->you have NOT committed a burglary. In order for a burglary to occur, you must be entering private property unlawfully.

On the other hand:

If you break into the building without an intent to commit a crime, but later form the intent to commit a crime, and steal a laptop for example, you are then guilty of a burglary and a larceny in NY. That is how the addition of "remaining" works.

hmmm i definitely agree with what you wrote after "On the other hand"

so if you lawfully gain entry into a department store, then hide in the store until after it closes and then steal some stuff on your way out, that's not burglary in NY? i think it might be.

your dept store hypo is correct b/c you are illegally there. sorry if what I said made it seem like you had to "break in illegally." The NY statute just requires an illegal presence, which i assume staying in a store after it's closed would be.

[themis513]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

[northwood]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

you should get an e-mail stating that they have reviewed your proofs were received and approved and that you are eligible to sit for the July 2014 bar exam.

at least I think that means they got them

[kapital98]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

you should get an e-mail stating that they have reviewed your proofs were received and approved and that you are eligible to sit for the July 2014 bar exam.

at least I think that means they got them

You two just saved me! Thank you! I completely forgot about sending in my writing sample. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Thanks!

[northwood]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

you should get an e-mail stating that they have reviewed your proofs were received and approved and that you are eligible to sit for the July 2014 bar exam.

at least I think that means they got them

You two just saved me! Thank you! I completely forgot about sending in my writing sample. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Thanks!

while its not due until June 15th, it has to be in their possession ( NOT IN THE MAIL- Like a Contract Option it must be received inorder to be deemed accepted- the mailbox rule does not apply) so the sooner you mail it out, the better. Especially since June 15th is a Sunday ( and the BOLE wants it BEFORE THIS DATE - which means it has to be in by the Friday the 13th)

you also should use the writing sample that they sent you via e-mail, as it has a barcode on the bottom or something like that. you cannot write anything in it as it has to be done in front of a public notary( so make sure to bring your drivers license with you)

I would also print out the certificate of attendance form and send it to your registrar's office so they can confirm/ mail it in ( if they have not done this already- if in doubt contact them and double check to verify

[JenDarby]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

you should get an e-mail stating that they have reviewed your proofs were received and approved and that you are eligible to sit for the July 2014 bar exam.

at least I think that means they got them

You two just saved me! Thank you! I completely forgot about sending in my writing sample. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Thanks!

while its not due until June 15th, it has to be in their possession ( NOT IN THE MAIL- Like a Contract Option it must be received inorder to be deemed accepted- the mailbox rule does not apply) so the sooner you mail it out, the better. Especially since June 15th is a Sunday ( and the BOLE wants it BEFORE THIS DATE - which means it has to be in by the Friday the 13th)

you also should use the writing sample that they sent you via e-mail, as it has a barcode on the bottom or something like that. you cannot write anything in it as it has to be done in front of a public notary( so make sure to bring your drivers license with you)

I would also print out the certificate of attendance form and send it to your registrar's office so they can confirm/ mail it in ( if they have not done this already- if in doubt contact them and double check to verify

Alternatively you can just do it in front of someone in your registrars office.

[themis513]

How do we know whether the board received our handwriting sample and certificate of attendance? Do they email us? Mine were sent out by my school last week.

you should get an e-mail stating that they have reviewed your proofs were received and approved and that you are eligible to sit for the July 2014 bar exam.

at least I think that means they got them

Has anyone received their confirmation email yet? How long did it take to receive the email from the time your school mailed out the stuff? I am getting a little paranoid here.