Themis Bar Review Hangout - February 2015 Exam Forum

[numbertwo88]

I'm at 16%.

The first IL Contracts & Sales Practice Essay killed me. Covenants not to Compete were featured in the essay, yet I hadn't paid any attention to them because they weren't covered in the Contracts Handout or the final review outline. The question featured employment contracts, covenants not to compete, and enforcement of a preliminary injunction. I didn't even know where to begin.

The condensed outlines and the handouts leave out *a lot* of information

[sparty99]

I'm at 16%.

The first IL Contracts & Sales Practice Essay killed me. Covenants not to Compete were featured in the essay, yet I hadn't paid any attention to them because they weren't covered in the Contracts Handout or the final review outline. The question featured employment contracts, covenants not to compete, and enforcement of a preliminary injunction. I didn't even know where to begin.

Check your PM. I messaged you.

[sparty99]

Is anyone taking the Illinois bar exam?

[numbertwo88]

Did anyone complete milestone exam #1? I didn't mostly because of the order I've studied the MBE subjects: Civ Pro, Contracts, Con Law, Torts --> now doing Property then Evidence and Crim.

I think I'm just going to push them to my mixed sets which I'll start @ the end of this month. Otherwise I kinda wished I studied them in the Themis order but I wanted to study with my weaker subjects first.

[sparty99]

Did anyone complete milestone exam #1? I didn't mostly because of the order I've studied the MBE subjects: Civ Pro, Contracts, Con Law, Torts --> now doing Property then Evidence and Crim.

I think I'm just going to push them to my mixed sets which I'll start @ the end of this month. Otherwise I kinda wished I studied them in the Themis order but I wanted to study with my weaker subjects first.

I didn't take it because I just started Con Law yesterday.

[atlien]

Anyone find the Themis essay grading extraordinarily lacking? I'm a repeater. My essays are what killed me in the July exam. Last July, the comments Themis provided on my graded essays gave me the impression that I was on a decent track. But apparently Themis' system was insufficient. I failed the essay portion miserably. Further, their comments are pretty sparse and not very helpful. I find my essay grader to be even worse this year than last. Basically, he/she was like, "Not sure if this is right, look at the model answer." And we know model answers sometimes have bad law.

This time around, I've had to use outside sources to improve my writing technique. It seems to be paying off (80+% on the last essay), but I'm extremely paranoid that a good grade on Themis means nothing on the bar.

Also, how do Themis' essay grades correspond with the NY bar exam? NY uses a 1-10 range while Themis uses percentages.

[sparty99]

Anyone find the Themis essay grading extraordinarily lacking? I'm a repeater. My essays are what killed me in the July exam. Last July, the comments Themis provided on my graded essays gave me the impression that I was on a decent track. But apparently Themis' system was insufficient. I failed the essay portion miserably. Further, their comments are pretty sparse and not very helpful. I find my essay grader to be even worse this year than last. Basically, he/she was like, "Not sure if this is right, look at the model answer." And we know model answers sometimes have bad law.

This time around, I've had to use outside sources to improve my writing technique. It seems to be paying off (80+% on the last essay), but I'm extremely paranoid that a good grade on Themis means nothing on the bar.

Also, how do Themis' essay grades correspond with the NY bar exam? NY uses a 1-10 range while Themis uses percentages.

Yeah, it is lacking in details. I'd just focus more on having a good format. Making sure you state the rule. If you state the rule wrong that is one thing. But if the structure is good and you have analysis that is another. I'd look at the model answers for that as well. You can see what issues you missed.

I also think just practicing them is helpful more than the grades. Writing out the rules. Being under time restraints.

[txsunshine]

Texas here-
27% complete at the moment. Am working full time.
Did the first MBE milestone exam today (60% - ugh)
100% on the first graded essay
84% on the second graded essay

I've been pleased with Themis overall so far. The worst lecturer I've encountered so far was de Mosier, the bald guy from St. Mary's. He was terrible and I couldn't listen to him give me my overview of the TX Essays. I hope he's not doing any substantive lectures later in the course. Also, I kinda enjoyed Kramer's silly jokes during the real property slog.

41 days to go

[numbertwo88]

Anyone find the Themis essay grading extraordinarily lacking? I'm a repeater. My essays are what killed me in the July exam. Last July, the comments Themis provided on my graded essays gave me the impression that I was on a decent track. But apparently Themis' system was insufficient. I failed the essay portion miserably. Further, their comments are pretty sparse and not very helpful. I find my essay grader to be even worse this year than last. Basically, he/she was like, "Not sure if this is right, look at the model answer." And we know model answers sometimes have bad law.

I found the first grader I had was better with essays - and perhaps more accurate? - in contrast to whoever is grading them now and her sparse comments that I hardly gain anything from.

I'm kind of annoyed at how much it varies but then again essay grading is subjective to a certain degree. AND I hate when they say reference the model answer because it's grossly unrealistic.

editing to add: I am officially over my grader. I don't even think she's helpful at this point.

[atlien]

Anyone find the Themis essay grading extraordinarily lacking? I'm a repeater. My essays are what killed me in the July exam. Last July, the comments Themis provided on my graded essays gave me the impression that I was on a decent track. But apparently Themis' system was insufficient. I failed the essay portion miserably. Further, their comments are pretty sparse and not very helpful. I find my essay grader to be even worse this year than last. Basically, he/she was like, "Not sure if this is right, look at the model answer." And we know model answers sometimes have bad law.

I found the first grader I had was better with essays - and perhaps more accurate? - in contrast to whoever is grading them now and her sparse comments that I hardly gain anything from.

I'm kind of annoyed at how much it varies but then again essay grading is subjective to a certain degree. AND I hate when they say reference the model answer because it's grossly unrealistic.

editing to add: I am officially over my grader. I don't even think she's helpful at this point.

Yeah, I think the assumption is that we know how to write if we've graduated from law school. But law school writing was stream of consciousness bullshit. The bar exam is way more concise. And lots of phrases are practically scripted since examiners are looking for buzz words. I wish I'd known that going into July. And I only knew that because other non-Themis people told me that.

[jasonmac]

Ya, it's ridiculous how bad the feedback is. I just complained to my adviser. Who knows if that will do anything, but if you want and expect more, then make your concerns known to your adviser.

EDIT:

My adviser called me within a few hours and said he will not only take a look at my next essay, but will contact the New Hampshire Bar to get more information on what they are looking for, exactly, with their essays (beyond rule, facts, and analysis). Cheers Themis!

[arizzle]

Hey Gang,

I wanted to share a work-around I just figured out for getting the video lectures onto your computer. I've been having continuous problems streaming the lectures where the video will drop audio or freeze for a few seconds here or there. I was tired of constantly having to go back in the video to make sure I didn't miss anything important.

The other advantage of playing the lectures directly from your computer is that you can watch them using VLC, which allows you much more control over the speed of the video. I've found 1.5x to be too slow, but 2x to be too fast. With VLC I can set the videos to play at 1.77x.

Anyways, here is what I've found to work using my iPhone and a Macbook Air:

1) Download the MyThemis app to your iPhone

2) Open the MyThemis app and download the video lectures

3) On your computer, download a program which allows you access to the raw data files on your iPhone (I'm using http://www.i-funbox.com)

4) Connect your iPhone to your computer

5) To find your dowloaded video files, navigate to the following folder: User Applications —> MyThemis—>Library—>Application Support—>com.themisbar.mythemis—>Prototype videos

From there you can just copy the video files onto your hard drive. The other obvious advantage of this is you don't need an internet connection to watch the lectures.

Note that the video files will simply have numbers for the file name. So you may want to take a few minutes to rename them.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

[numbertwo88]

Wound up investing in yet another bar prep book - just exclusively real MA bar exam essays written by real people who've taken the bar. Hopefully seeing "real life" essays will help more than what we have now.

Will likely call my Themis adviser later this week re: graded essays. Perhaps if my grader was seasoned (she finished law school 2 years ago) she'd be of more help? I decided that has to be part of the difference between this grader and my former grader.

[jasonmac]

I hope this is helpful to someone.

Wow, you are amazing. Thank you!

[jasonmac]

Hi Everyone,

I made mind maps using mindnode that are exact replicas of the final review outlines (each section its own map). I only uploaded the mindnode files, so if you have an ipad, spend $10 and get the app. Otherwise, these will not be very useful file formats. I love seeing how all the subjects relate visually and using mindnode you can "fold" or "unfold" branches, so it can double as a memorization tool.

here is sample image:
http://tinypic.com/r/2lxtk44/8

here are the files:
Themis Bar Review Mind Maps.zip

here is mindnode: https://itunes.apple.com/app/mindnode/i ... mpt=uo%3D4

[numbertwo88]

Talked with my Themis adviser -- she's REALLY helpful.

I'll be assigned to a new essay grader. Fingers crossed it's someone more helpful/beneficial to my improvement.

[FRFC3S]

.

[numbertwo88]

First time MA taker using Themis.
Currently at 40% completion and up-to-date as far as directed study goes.
Kind of worried that I'm not doing enough as I am working full-time.

Basically I do the lectures on the way into work, at lunch, and after work.
Then go home and turn my notes from the lectures into an outline.
Then turn my outlines into notecards and drill notecards.
On weekends I go into flex mode and catch up on all the practice questions and practice essays.

Currently averaging ~60% on MBE questions and between 3.5 and 4.5 on graded essays.
I believe that technically this is well enough to pass by the skin of my teeth, so I'm really hoping to make some progress by the end of January (when the lectures are finally over).

Anybody similarly situated / much further ahead?

Taking it in MA as well. No idea what my "actual percentage" is -- I presume if I listened to the lectures/marked outlines as complete I'd be maybe around 40-ish percent as well.

As a disclaimer, my goal is solely to complete 100% of the MBE & essay questions, and the exams. Graded essays in the 4s but I completely discredit my former grader.

I do 1 MBE problem set a day (some days I add a few from the strategies & tactics book), keep a list of rules for nearly every MBE question in a text document, outline MBE subjects individually [my MBE outlines will be complete tomorrow!!!], I outlined the essay topics over the summer so I don't have to do those again ... starting next week I'll just be working on practice/memorization/re-reading all of my outlines a million times.

I've been scoring from 70 - 75% on the problem sets which is such an improvement over the summer (50 - 60%) it makes me want to kick myself in the ass with a metal boot. My goal is to be at 80% or more by the 2nd week of February. I honestly won't feel comfortable with anything less than that for myself given the MBE is my weak spot and it needs to become a strength.

[arizzle]

Currently averaging ~60% on MBE questions and between 3.5 and 4.5 on graded essays.

Where do you see your score for the essays? Is it different for each state (I'm doing CA)? I just see a score out of 100 for Structure, Legal Knowledge, Analysis, and Overall.

[TheLegalOne]

Currently averaging ~60% on MBE questions and between 3.5 and 4.5 on graded essays.

Where do you see your score for the essays? Is it different for each state (I'm doing CA)? I just see a score out of 100 for Structure, Legal Knowledge, Analysis, and Overall.

For CA, if you look under the "comments" link you should see a single score at the bottom of your graded essay. But if you are looking under the "score" link you'll only see category scores.

[arizzle]

Currently averaging ~60% on MBE questions and between 3.5 and 4.5 on graded essays.

Where do you see your score for the essays? Is it different for each state (I'm doing CA)? I just see a score out of 100 for Structure, Legal Knowledge, Analysis, and Overall.

For CA, if you look under the "comments" link you should see a single score at the bottom of your graded essay. But if you are looking under the "score" link you'll only see category scores.

Thanks. I've only done two of the graded essays so far, and neither of them have a score at the bottom of the "comments" section. Perhaps I need to send an email to the CA advisor?

[latty]

Taking Themis as well. Think it is ok for the price. Only finished about 30% so far, but not freaking out yet.

[Worker and Parasite]

How many hours a day are you guys averaging?

[numbertwo88]

How many hours a day are you guys averaging?

Sunday - Friday: 8 hours (sometimes more but I try to limit it to 8 hours)
Saturday: 4 - 5 hours

I'm studying full time; not sure how many people do for the February exam so I figured I'd toss that out there.

[adameus]

Hi All,

My computer crashed before I saved my completed property outline PDF. Is there anyone who has a completed one they could send me? I don't want to have to watch those videos again. PM me and I'll send you my email.

Thanks!