California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[charcop]

The Barbri lecturer for Property keeps coughing/clearing her throat and its making me irrationally angry because i'm listening with earphones at the library.

[Apple Tree]

When you guys write essays, do you write out the actual words of "rule," "application," and "conclusion"? I read somewhere that you should write them out just to make each segment very clear, but then it seems like a lot of time spent writing out these words, especially considering there are about 8-10 issues in every essay?

[james11]

When you guys write essays, do you write out the actual words of "rule," "application," and "conclusion"? I read somewhere that you should write them out just to make each segment very clear, but then it seems like a lot of time spent writing out these words, especially considering there are about 8-10 issues in every essay?

No, you do not need to write these out. I studied a ton of essays that scored 70+ on past exams and rarely have seen this type of thing.

[Apple Tree]

When you guys write essays, do you write out the actual words of "rule," "application," and "conclusion"? I read somewhere that you should write them out just to make each segment very clear, but then it seems like a lot of time spent writing out these words, especially considering there are about 8-10 issues in every essay?

No, you do not need to write these out. I studied a ton of essays that scored 70+ on past exams and rarely have seen this type of thing.

Good to know. Thanks!

[Cade McNown]

Forgive my ignorance. Where can I find successful past CA essay answers? (i.e. 70s).

[a male human]

Re the PT file/library order...

Short answer: It depends (ugh) on your preference. Try out different methods and see which clicks with you.

Long answer:
There are three ways to read the PT assignment.
1. Instructions --> file --> library
2. Instructions --> library --> file
3. Instructions --> table of contents / fondle the booklets --> file/library

Reading the instructions should always come first so you can figure out the nature of the assignment and get into the mindset of an objective, unbiased essay or a persuasive brief.

Some people go on autopilot and simply go in order (approach 1). Others, like you overachievers, wonder whether to start with the file or the library. Either order works, but I have a preference.

I personally prefer to check which booklet is smaller (i.e., fondle the booklets, maybe even before the PT session starts!), and start with that. That way, I can hold in my head whatever is in the smaller section while working on the other. I'd rather keep in my working memory the smaller segment. Generally, though, I like (to the extent a bar examinee can) to start with the library because I can pull out all the rules first, then go through the file to take notes on which facts can be discussed under the rules I just pulled out.

It’s easier for me to organize it with each case or rule as a big theme and smaller pieces of fact underneath each theme. If I do go through the file first, I’ll skim it for the story and come back to it again after pulling out the rules from the library anyway, which is extra effort. It depends on each case. So I prefer library first to get down the big rules, then pick out golden nuggets from the file to shuffle under the rules. Again, see what works for you.

[james11]

Forgive my ignorance. Where can I find successful past CA essay answers? (i.e. 70s).

BarEssays.com is the only place I know of where you can see real past graded CA essay answers that scored 70+

[Mr. Pink]

When you guys write essays, do you write out the actual words of "rule," "application," and "conclusion"? I read somewhere that you should write them out just to make each segment very clear, but then it seems like a lot of time spent writing out these words, especially considering there are about 8-10 issues in every essay?

No, you do not need to write these out. I studied a ton of essays that scored 70+ on past exams and rarely have seen this type of thing.

Agreed, you can mark them so that you write the essay in a clear and logical pattern, but they shouldn't be included on the submitted essay (just put them in an outline if you do outlines, or type them in so that you are clear on where to put them, then delete them after).


In regards to the PTs- The instructions are the same on each one so you do not have to read those. Glance over them and take notice of the last entry to see the weight of each task (a memo may weigh 70% while a discovery plan weighs 30%- obviously you want to spend more time on the memo).

I then take the letter from the senior partner that has your task and keep it separate so I know exactly what the assignment is and I can reference it easily when needed. For me, I read the file first, get an idea of what I am arguing, then read the library for the rules and applications. Reading the file first lets you know what you are dealing with and what facts you are likely to use... anything more you need after reading the library can easily be found by glancing back through the file.

Like others have mentioned, try different methods and see which works for you the best. My only advice would be doing a lot of them so that you are familiar with the various tasks that you may be asked to produce. The first time I had to do a declaration of facts I was completely lost; once I did it that first time and reviewed other answers, it stuck with me.

[hyc9598]

Do you make your own outlines? How long does it take for one subject?

[hyc9598]

<<prediction>>

crim pro, ba, k

will, evidence(FRE), pr

[Mr. Pink]

Do you make your own outlines? How long does it take for one subject?

I am filling in the lecture notes (Kaplan) as a general review, then making one-sheeters with the major testing areas and areas that I have a little trouble with. Typically a couple days for the major subjects while practicing MBEs as well.

[adonai]

<<prediction>>

crim pro, ba, k

will, evidence(FRE), pr

Sounds about right, though I would say crim law with crim pro mixed. There's also some talk that this is the test they will finally test ca civ pro, so id sub wills for that or maybe a repeat topic from feb bc they seem to always pull one from left field.

[ilovesf]

Do you make your own outlines? How long does it take for one subject?

No

[jarofsoup]

<<prediction>>

crim pro, ba, k

will, evidence(FRE), pr

PR is some how on every exam.

[LSATNightmares]

I know I'm a week ahead with Barbri, but has anyone attempted a timed MBE yet? Just did the morning session today, and it was mentally exhausting and brutal. I don't know how people find the energy to go on in the afternoon and do another two days of this. The last 10 questions of the exam, I could barely focus anymore.

[ph14]

I know I'm a week ahead with Barbri, but has anyone attempted a timed MBE yet? Just did the morning session today, and it was mentally exhausting and brutal. I don't know how people find the energy to go on in the afternoon and do another two days of this. The last 10 questions of the exam, I could barely focus anymore.

A combination of fear, adrenaline, and caffeine.

[a male human]

I know I'm a week ahead with Barbri, but has anyone attempted a timed MBE yet? Just did the morning session today, and it was mentally exhausting and brutal. I don't know how people find the energy to go on in the afternoon and do another two days of this. The last 10 questions of the exam, I could barely focus anymore.

A combination of fear, adrenaline, and caffeine.

It's also pretty fun once you get into it! Just kidding. Time just goes by fast you don't even notice. But it's like a 3-day marathon, and people love running right. I hate running, but I still got through the bar...twice.

I wouldn't recommend caffeine. It just makes me more aware of distractions and crash later, but that's just me.

[charcop]

So glad I check this thread daily and learned about the critical pass cards. I just started the evidence ones today and it already seems like its a much more manageable topic.

Fast shipping too. I ordered on thursday night, and they were delivered monday morning.

http://www.criticalpass.com/?aic=9RM36P3

[ph14]

So glad I check this thread daily and learned about the critical pass cards. I just started the evidence ones today and it already seems like its a much more manageable topic.

Fast shipping too. I ordered on thursday night, and they were delivered monday morning.

http://www.criticalpass.com/?aic=9RM36P3

I ordered some and I like them too. I have little quibbles with stuff here or there, but overall I think they're very useful. I think what makes evidence a pretty challenging subject is keeping straight the FRE and CEC distinctions.

[Mr. Pink]

<<prediction>>

crim pro, ba, k

will, evidence(FRE), pr

PR will be incorporated into other essays; I don't think they will test it as a stand alone. And as mentioned above, Crim Law and Crim Pro are typically tested together (and still more likely to get a purer crim law one than a pure crim pro one). I think the CEC distinctions will be tested... I suck at evidence which is why I assume this.

[LSATNightmares]

Ugh, I wish Barbri were clearer where we could find materials. I took what I thought was the full-lenth MBE we were supposed to do (in the big MBE book), but it was really in something called the Simulated MBE. I had a total freakout when I inputted my scores online and got a 26%, which is barely better than randomly guessing. So now I have to redo it... which is painful.

[ilovesf]

So glad I check this thread daily and learned about the critical pass cards. I just started the evidence ones today and it already seems like its a much more manageable topic.

Fast shipping too. I ordered on thursday night, and they were delivered monday morning.

http://www.criticalpass.com/?aic=9RM36P3

I ordered some and I like them too. I have little quibbles with stuff here or there, but overall I think they're very useful. I think what makes evidence a pretty challenging subject is keeping straight the FRE and CEC distinctions.

idk i think they are ok so far. i downloaded the iPad app so I don't have to carry aorund cards with me. Are the physical cards any different than the app oneS?

[hyc9598]

38 days left excluding sunday and monday where you are not supposed to study. You can do 1500 mbe when you do 50 a day. Mbe should not be done after 30 day point (only up to saturday like 7/19) to focus on writing. Sub law should be finished until 6/30. You can write about 20 essays and 20 pts if you write one day one essay and the other day one pt. You can read outlines 3 times if you finish one subject a day assuming there are 12 subjects.

[ilovesf]

arent pts the thing that everyone told us was a waste of time to practice

[ph14]

arent pts the thing that everyone told us was a waste of time to practice

Yeah. I'm not planning on practicing any PTs. Maybe i'll take a practice one down the road when it gets closer to the test day, but i'm not sure how helpful it will be really.