Failed NY Bar (July 2015). Forum

[Worthless1]

I failed the NY Bar exam. I am devastated. My issue is timing. I did not finish the MPT because I got tripped up on the law, but all of my essays were above average. My MBE score could have been better too, but it was better than I had expected. This feeling is the worst; I feel like a failure.

You're NOT a failure. You just failed this one time. Can't breeze through life. Failures here and there are good for you in the long run. Find that inner strength and destroy the next bar exam.

Thanks for the motivation. You all at least worked full time. I studied full time, but just not hard enough. I took Barbri and watched the lectures religiously and filled out the handouts, but I should have practiced more. Memorization will only get you so far.

[texas2dclawchick]

Failed the NY bar by 10 points. I'm a May 2015 graduate of a T10 and spent my 3L living at home, commuting 1.5 hours each way to school 2X week for classes because I was the caregiver for my terminally ill mom. She passed away a few weeks after the bar exam and about a week before I started work.

Life is rough! I'm in the grieving process for my mom...I am devastated, exhausted mentally/physically/emotionally from being a caregiver (it takes a toll) and holding down a full-time job. Everyone I know studied more and passed but they weren't going through hell like I was. If I could've studied more, I would have, but my mom came first. It sucks. I really thought karma owed me one. Life's a bitch that apparently keeps kicking you while you're down.

I am planning to retake in February. I started studying last night because I knew if I didn't, I'd get too demoralized to take the exam ever again. I did BARBRI the first time (listened to all the lectures, filled out handouts, made flashcards) but really didn't have time to do many practice questions. And it showed on the MBE (my essays were fine). Anyway, for those that did BARBRI, they let you do a free retake (just click on the enroll link, put in your old username/password, and it will automatically re-enroll you for free).

I know I can pass, but some words of encouragement from you guys would be appreciated. I have no one to talk to (I know of no one who failed or had a parent dying during what was supposed to be "3LOL"). I know I should focus on myself, keep my head down and not look around me to others. But I'm frustrated! I had such a tough year while I saw everyone having fun during their last year of law school, then taking nice vacations after the bar, and now celebrating passing. It's hard not to feel crushed.

Hi there. Sent you a PM. You're braver than you think.

[BarTaker]

Failed the NY bar by 10 points. I'm a May 2015 graduate of a T10 and spent my 3L living at home, commuting 1.5 hours each way to school 2X week for classes because I was the caregiver for my terminally ill mom. She passed away a few weeks after the bar exam and about a week before I started work.

Life is rough! I'm in the grieving process for my mom...I am devastated, exhausted mentally/physically/emotionally from being a caregiver (it takes a toll) and holding down a full-time job. Everyone I know studied more and passed but they weren't going through hell like I was. If I could've studied more, I would have, but my mom came first. It sucks. I really thought karma owed me one. Life's a bitch that apparently keeps kicking you while you're down.

I am planning to retake in February. I started studying last night because I knew if I didn't, I'd get too demoralized to take the exam ever again. I did BARBRI the first time (listened to all the lectures, filled out handouts, made flashcards) but really didn't have time to do many practice questions. And it showed on the MBE (my essays were fine). Anyway, for those that did BARBRI, they let you do a free retake (just click on the enroll link, put in your old username/password, and it will automatically re-enroll you for free).

I know I can pass, but some words of encouragement from you guys would be appreciated. I have no one to talk to (I know of no one who failed or had a parent dying during what was supposed to be "3LOL"). I know I should focus on myself, keep my head down and not look around me to others. But I'm frustrated! I had such a tough year while I saw everyone having fun during their last year of law school, then taking nice vacations after the bar, and now celebrating passing. It's hard not to feel crushed.

After reading your testimony, my depression and sadness for failing the Bar are gone. You are a brave person and any law firm who call you will have a valuable person and employee. I'm sure that you can pass the Bar next February. You took the best decision for your mom and life will reward your efforts. Chapeau!

[starryski]

Failed the NY bar by 10 points. I'm a May 2015 graduate of a T10 and spent my 3L living at home, commuting 1.5 hours each way to school 2X week for classes because I was the caregiver for my terminally ill mom. She passed away a few weeks after the bar exam and about a week before I started work.

Life is rough! I'm in the grieving process for my mom...I am devastated, exhausted mentally/physically/emotionally from being a caregiver (it takes a toll) and holding down a full-time job. Everyone I know studied more and passed but they weren't going through hell like I was. If I could've studied more, I would have, but my mom came first. It sucks. I really thought karma owed me one. Life's a bitch that apparently keeps kicking you while you're down.

I am planning to retake in February. I started studying last night because I knew if I didn't, I'd get too demoralized to take the exam ever again. I did BARBRI the first time (listened to all the lectures, filled out handouts, made flashcards) but really didn't have time to do many practice questions. And it showed on the MBE (my essays were fine). Anyway, for those that did BARBRI, they let you do a free retake (just click on the enroll link, put in your old username/password, and it will automatically re-enroll you for free).

I know I can pass, but some words of encouragement from you guys would be appreciated. I have no one to talk to (I know of no one who failed or had a parent dying during what was supposed to be "3LOL"). I know I should focus on myself, keep my head down and not look around me to others. But I'm frustrated! I had such a tough year while I saw everyone having fun during their last year of law school, then taking nice vacations after the bar, and now celebrating passing. It's hard not to feel crushed.

im so sorry for your loss.

makes my story not sound so bad.
my cat got very ill after the first week of bar review and i skipped all the lectures that week to be with her and take her from hospital to hospital for her to eventually die. my professor told us a story once where his mother died during the middle of his bar prep and he still passed. so i told myself my cat dying shouldn't keep me from passing. but it did. i failed by 5 measly points.

we are all different and react to situations differently. but we have to gather ourselves up and try again. you are braver than you think. youd be surprised at what the human spirit can fight through in order to succeed and survive.

chin up.

[NY_Sea]

Failed the NY bar by 10 points. I'm a May 2015 graduate of a T10 and spent my 3L living at home, commuting 1.5 hours each way to school 2X week for classes because I was the caregiver for my terminally ill mom. She passed away a few weeks after the bar exam and about a week before I started work.

Life is rough! I'm in the grieving process for my mom...I am devastated, exhausted mentally/physically/emotionally from being a caregiver (it takes a toll) and holding down a full-time job. Everyone I know studied more and passed but they weren't going through hell like I was. If I could've studied more, I would have, but my mom came first. It sucks. I really thought karma owed me one. Life's a bitch that apparently keeps kicking you while you're down.

I am planning to retake in February. I started studying last night because I knew if I didn't, I'd get too demoralized to take the exam ever again. I did BARBRI the first time (listened to all the lectures, filled out handouts, made flashcards) but really didn't have time to do many practice questions. And it showed on the MBE (my essays were fine). Anyway, for those that did BARBRI, they let you do a free retake (just click on the enroll link, put in your old username/password, and it will automatically re-enroll you for free).

I know I can pass, but some words of encouragement from you guys would be appreciated. I have no one to talk to (I know of no one who failed or had a parent dying during what was supposed to be "3LOL"). I know I should focus on myself, keep my head down and not look around me to others. But I'm frustrated! I had such a tough year while I saw everyone having fun during their last year of law school, then taking nice vacations after the bar, and now celebrating passing. It's hard not to feel crushed.

You are an incredible person and son for what you did for your mother. It takes immense humility and kindness to put others in front of themselves... I feel you're the type of person that usually puts others in front of yourself and that is very admirable. You were 10 points away while going through a scenario I can't even imagine.

I failed by 11 points and I also had a hurdle during the final weeks of prep, but nothing in comparison to you. My GF and I live together, both studying for the bar at the same time (she passed, incredibly proud)... I woke up one morning and went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. She came into the kitchen said hello, I smiled, and she started hysterically crying. I go into the bathroom and look in the mirror to find the right side of my face paralyzed. We went to an urgent care and got everything looked at... I was thinking the worst. In the end it ended up being only a Bell's Palsy, but obviously we were both scared for stroke. Two weeks of a pretty high dose of steroids later, and I was pretty much fully recovered. Just in time to sit for the Bar. It was a stressful time, but I can't even imagine what you were going through.

You will pass in February. You will get through all of this... You really are just a great human being. You will be rewarded... Believe that.

[TLSaul2001]

Failed the NY bar by 10 points. I'm a May 2015 graduate of a T10 and spent my 3L living at home, commuting 1.5 hours each way to school 2X week for classes because I was the caregiver for my terminally ill mom. She passed away a few weeks after the bar exam and about a week before I started work.

Life is rough! I'm in the grieving process for my mom...I am devastated, exhausted mentally/physically/emotionally from being a caregiver (it takes a toll) and holding down a full-time job. Everyone I know studied more and passed but they weren't going through hell like I was. If I could've studied more, I would have, but my mom came first. It sucks. I really thought karma owed me one. Life's a bitch that apparently keeps kicking you while you're down.

I am planning to retake in February. I started studying last night because I knew if I didn't, I'd get too demoralized to take the exam ever again. I did BARBRI the first time (listened to all the lectures, filled out handouts, made flashcards) but really didn't have time to do many practice questions. And it showed on the MBE (my essays were fine). Anyway, for those that did BARBRI, they let you do a free retake (just click on the enroll link, put in your old username/password, and it will automatically re-enroll you for free).

I know I can pass, but some words of encouragement from you guys would be appreciated. I have no one to talk to (I know of no one who failed or had a parent dying during what was supposed to be "3LOL"). I know I should focus on myself, keep my head down and not look around me to others. But I'm frustrated! I had such a tough year while I saw everyone having fun during their last year of law school, then taking nice vacations after the bar, and now celebrating passing. It's hard not to feel crushed.

I took Barbri and failed the February test because of my MBE (124). For July I did about 90% MBE practice questions. As many of the Barbri ones I could do along with any other practice ones I could find (find some used books online, just watch out for anything older than 2012 and remember about the civ pro). I focused a little bit on some NY centric stuff on the side (mostly civ pro), but the vast majority of my studying was just doing practice questions and making notes from them. Every day I just got up and did practice questions. Bumped my MBE to a 135.4 and passed. Now granted, you want to get your MBE in the 140 range for more breathing room (I still could have easily failed w/ that MBE score but the admin law gods shined down on me), but I found that there was no point in me doing any of the lecture videos or filling out new outlines or even doing practice essays for Barbri, and it proved right.

[flashforward2]

I failed the NY Bar as well with a 636. I've never studied so hard and "smart" in my life. I did 3,000+ MBE questions (50 MBE questions/day) and almost every essay in the Barbri NY Testing book from last May until late July. I listened to every Barbri lecture and did 88% of the Barbri homework. On the Bar, my essays were pretty decent but my 124 MBE score did not help. I ran out of time for the MPT which was reflected in my MBE score. I'm currently working in a legal job with tons of people around me (same office) who all passed. I'm devastated, embarrassed and I just don't want to be at work at all right now. I'm looking into tutoring options for the MBE but other than Google, I don't know where to start. I took Barbri as I indicated above but I do not think it prepared me very well for the MBE. All of your posts are helpful and just know that you are not alone. I wanted to take Adaptibar last summer, but I chose Bar Max instead because it was cheaper. I'm kicking myself for making that decision. I'll probably try to take Adaptibar this time around. Any advice you all have would be great. We can all get through this.

[Phoenix7]

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, on the thread and by PM. I'm grateful for them. NY_Sea, I can't imagine how stressful it must have been to deal with a health issue that you probably didn't know too much about...and right before the bar. One of greatest lessons I've learned this year is how important it is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. So just remember to prioritize your health. Starryski, my family has a cat, so I feel for you. I don't know what it's like to lose a pet, but I hear it's surprisingly difficult.

Along with FlashForward2, I'd be interested to hear what's everyone study plan this time around? My focus will be on practicing as much MBE questions as possible, in addition to some NYMCs. They were my weakness. I'm planning to do BARBRI, but does anyone recommend resources other than BARBRI for practicing MBE Qs? People have mentioned (and I somewhat agree) that BARBRI's multiple choice felt different from those on the actual exams. I'm thinking of buying the 100-question MBE online practice exams from the NCBE. They're from actual exams, so should be helpful. One problem, of course, is that they don't include civ pro. Does anyone else have any ideas for low MBE scorers?

[charlesxavier]

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, on the thread and by PM. I'm grateful for them. NY_Sea, I can't imagine how stressful it must have been to deal with a health issue that you probably didn't know too much about...and right before the bar. One of greatest lessons I've learned this year is how important it is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. So just remember to prioritize your health. Starryski, my family has a cat, so I feel for you. I don't know what it's like to lose a pet, but I hear it's surprisingly difficult.

Along with FlashForward2, I'd be interested to hear what's everyone study plan this time around? My focus will be on practicing as much MBE questions as possible, in addition to some NYMCs. They were my weakness. I'm planning to do BARBRI, but does anyone recommend resources other than BARBRI for practicing MBE Qs? People have mentioned (and I somewhat agree) that BARBRI's multiple choice felt different from those on the actual exams. I'm thinking of buying the 100-question MBE online practice exams from the NCBE. They're from actual exams, so should be helpful. One problem, of course, is that they don't include civ pro. Does anyone else have any ideas for low MBE scorers?

I know the Emanuel Strategy and Tactics book is pretty popular. I haven't received my MBE score so I can't vouch for the final results but I was hitting close to 80% right before the bar. It's also real MBE questions (minus Civ Pro). The one thing that I do know for sure is that it gives you a good example of how the real MBE questions feel. I felt like crap doing them but was scoring above my barbri score. With barbri it seemed to be a lot of clearly right/clearly wrong answer choices. With Emanuel it felt more like the bar where I ended up with 2 choices and had to select the better one. Also, I definitely noticed 2-3 questions on the MBE this year that were nearly identical to ones in Emanuel (tested a very narrow rule).

[Phoenix7]

Thanks, Charlesxavier. I'm definitely buying that book. Do you know if the 2012 version is the most recent?

[skim6054]

You worked so hard to get to this phase in your life where you're eligible to take the exam. I wouldn't get discouraged! There's more to life than just an exam though so up to you what you decide. To those who decide to retake....

I have a set of gently used Barbri books if anyone taking the Feb exam would like them. The books are located in NJ. The only book missing is the Miniconviser. First come basis. Books are free but you'll probably have to pay for shipping.

PM if you're interested.

[flashforward2]

Thanks for everyone's support. I just ordered the Emmanuel book. Does anyone know if Adaptibar is worth it or if Seperac is a good option for improving on the MBE?

[NY_Sea]

When does everyone think they'll start studying again? I work full-time (patent law so state bar preferred, but not mandatory) so I've already re-enrolled in barbri and have been doing 3-4 amps a day since Tuesday. Thinking of doing 20 hour study weeks (2 hours a day after work and 5-6 on Sat/Sun).

[charlesxavier]

Thanks, Charlesxavier. I'm definitely buying that book. Do you know if the 2012 version is the most recent?

I used that edition. It was the most recent I could find. Others have said they got a card to access civ pro questions online (I didn't).

[texas2dclawchick]

When does everyone think they'll start studying again? I work full-time (patent law so state bar preferred, but not mandatory) so I've already re-enrolled in barbri and have been doing 3-4 amps a day since Tuesday. Thinking of doing 20 hour study weeks (2 hours a day after work and 5-6 on Sat/Sun).

Wow. That's admirable. I feel like throwing up everytime I open up barbri.com. My motivation is definitely lacking at this point in time. I work FT as well but my job doesn't require the bar so that may be part of it.

[udonisandtrinity]

F--K it. I've got Kaplan, Emmanuel, Adapitbar and Separac on standby. Will do all of them starting next week. I agree, 20 hours of QUALITY study time. 2 per day, and 10 over the weekend. When January hits, I am going to quit my full-time job and go balls to the wall. I never got a chance to study full-time so looking forward to DEMOLISHING THIS POS EXAM.

[Yeshia90]

Sorry to hear the bad news, guys. I completed Kaplan and thought the resources were pretty valuable. Glad to send along all my outlines (and ones I created) and I'll sell my books for whatever someone thinks is reasonable. I kept them because I was pretty convinced I had failed, so I know I could just as easily be in your shoes right now. You'll kill it in Februrary.

[NY_Sea]

F--K it. I've got Kaplan, Emmanuel, Adapitbar and Separac on standby. Will do all of them starting next week. I agree, 20 hours of QUALITY study time. 2 per day, and 10 over the weekend. When January hits, I am going to quit my full-time job and go balls to the wall. I never got a chance to study full-time so looking forward to DEMOLISHING THIS POS EXAM.

Yeah... I'm not going to quit my job. My boss was pretty sympathetic and is willing to work with me once it starts to get closer to exam time. More work from home time, etc. I think 20 hours of quality study a week (no YT breaks like this past summer lol) for the 4 months till the exam will be good, especially with a foundation. If anything... The last month or so before the test I'll do 8+ hours a day on the weekends.

[Phoenix7]

When does everyone think they'll start studying again? I work full-time (patent law so state bar preferred, but not mandatory) so I've already re-enrolled in barbri and have been doing 3-4 amps a day since Tuesday. Thinking of doing 20 hour study weeks (2 hours a day after work and 5-6 on Sat/Sun).

Wow. That's admirable. I feel like throwing up everytime I open up barbri.com. My motivation is definitely lacking at this point in time. I work FT as well but my job doesn't require the bar so that may be part of it.

Good job, Ny_Sea. I started studying a little too, but everyone is different. Texas2DCLawChick, I actually think if you need to just take a week or two to mentally/emotionally gather yourself (get past the feelings of discouragement/build resolve, etc. etc.), it could work better for you. You know yourself best.

The BARBRI AMPs are so weird though. I did a bunch the last time around, but I don't think I'll do them this time.

[NY_Sea]

The AMPs are weird, but they do help me understand bright line rules a little better than just reading. I guess I'm an interactive learner... I've already decided I'm not doing the lectures again, especially since I have the lecture notes typed out into my own outlines. So I'll just read those over, and over, and over again. That's the way I learn and I don't know why I didn't do that and adjust with BARBRI. Practice essays/MBEs and reading my outlines and Critical Pass cards... That's the plan, folks.

[starryski]

I failed the NY Bar as well with a 636. I've never studied so hard and "smart" in my life. I did 3,000+ MBE questions (50 MBE questions/day) and almost every essay in the Barbri NY Testing book from last May until late July. I listened to every Barbri lecture and did 88% of the Barbri homework. On the Bar, my essays were pretty decent but my 124 MBE score did not help. I ran out of time for the MPT which was reflected in my MBE score. I'm currently working in a legal job with tons of people around me (same office) who all passed. I'm devastated, embarrassed and I just don't want to be at work at all right now. I'm looking into tutoring options for the MBE but other than Google, I don't know where to start. I took Barbri as I indicated above but I do not think it prepared me very well for the MBE. All of your posts are helpful and just know that you are not alone. I wanted to take Adaptibar last summer, but I chose Bar Max instead because it was cheaper. I'm kicking myself for making that decision. I'll probably try to take Adaptibar this time around. Any advice you all have would be great. We can all get through this.

i didn't study as much as you did, but i also work in a law firm where everyone passed their respective exams. i am also embarrassed although everyone was very sympathetic and had words of encouragement. i didn't leave my office at all yesterday and today i am just a ball of anxiety. i have no appetite and i really just want to stay home in bed.

i signed up for pieper again and bought adaptibar again. this time no lecture videos for me, except for corps, or admin or any of those subjects im not great with. but this time it is MBE all day every day. since i had above average essays (except for STUPID ADMIN) i will follow pieper's schedule and submit all the assigned essays. im basically going to use his course as a guide so i dont just get lost in the material. im starting next week. this time i will be working full-time and hopefully i can get Feb off to kick everything into high gear.

i only failed by 5 points, but i can't just improve by 5 points. with Feb's scale i wouldn't pass. i am aiming for at least a 140 on the MBE. oh i also only did 1 full length MBE exam which was a mistake. im going to complete all of Adaptibar's exams. i started Adaptibar late in June and wish i had found it sooner. i fell behind in the video lectures and spent more time trying to catch up. thankfully now i have the full outline and can use that as a starting point.

good luck to all. we can do it this time.

[texas2dclawchick]

In terms of registering for NY again, what all do we need to do? I'm looking into the financial aspect of this and just wondering how much everything will cost.

[abergavenny]

I failed the NY Bar exam. I am devastated. My issue is timing. I did not finish the MPT because I got tripped up on the law, but all of my essays were above average. My MBE score could have been better too, but it was better than I had expected. This feeling is the worst; I feel like a failure.

You're NOT a failure. You just failed this one time. Can't breeze through life. Failures here and there are good for you in the long run. Find that inner strength and destroy the next bar exam.

Thanks for the motivation. You all at least worked full time. I studied full time, but just not hard enough. I took Barbri and watched the lectures religiously and filled out the handouts, but I should have practiced more. Memorization will only get you so far.

Taking Barbri was not for me, either. Going to a lecture room, filling out the handouts, and making outlines did not work for me. Fresh out of law school in 2011 I failed with 3 points short. I felt like I became a loser with the letter stating "failed." Then I quit on it to keep a nonlegal job. This year I chose Themis and made my own study schedule which worked fine. Someone like me who graduated quite a while ago passed. You can also pass. It is only a matter of time. Good luck.

[NY_Sea]

In terms of registering for NY again, what all do we need to do? I'm looking into the financial aspect of this and just wondering how much everything will cost.

I would assume the same as last time... Register for the test and pay the laptop fee.

[starryski]

I failed the NY Bar exam. I am devastated. My issue is timing. I did not finish the MPT because I got tripped up on the law, but all of my essays were above average. My MBE score could have been better too, but it was better than I had expected. This feeling is the worst; I feel like a failure.

You're NOT a failure. You just failed this one time. Can't breeze through life. Failures here and there are good for you in the long run. Find that inner strength and destroy the next bar exam.

Thanks for the motivation. You all at least worked full time. I studied full time, but just not hard enough. I took Barbri and watched the lectures religiously and filled out the handouts, but I should have practiced more. Memorization will only get you so far.

Taking Barbri was not for me, either. Going to a lecture room, filling out the handouts, and making outlines did not work for me. Fresh out of law school in 2011 I failed with 3 points short. I felt like I became a loser with the letter stating "failed." Then I quit on it to keep a nonlegal job. This year I chose Themis and made my own study schedule which worked fine. Someone like me who graduated quite a while ago passed. You can also pass. It is only a matter of time. Good luck.

did you study while working?