July 2016 California Bar Exam Forum

[teabreeze]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

[rcharter1978]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

[Stupiddreams]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

What types of mini clock are you talking about? Can you show me a link or pic?

[phan]

I'm doing practice essays and am having trouble with the CA distinctions for Evidence and PR. Can I do alright on the essays without knowing the distinctions cold, i.e., get enough points without 'em?

[rcharter1978]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

What types of mini clock are you talking about? Can you show me a link or pic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Z-Berger-Co-S ... 2070248383

This is the one I have, but I purchased it at WalMart for much less. The thing is still ticking too! And it should meet all requirements, I made sure to measure it before I brought it into the exam room with me, and the numbers are nice and big so its pretty easy to see.

[rcharter1978]

I'm doing practice essays and am having trouble with the CA distinctions for Evidence and PR. Can I do alright on the essays without knowing the distinctions cold, i.e., get enough points without 'em?

I think you might be able to muddle through PR without knowing ALL the distinctions, because I believe the last time I saw PR come up, it was a cross over with another subject. But I would be very, very, very wary of Evidence. February bar had a CA Evidence question, and you were ONLY supposed to answer according to California rules.

So, I would think that for Evidence and Civil Procedure you would really, really, really want to know the distinctions. Because the PR questions (the last two times) have been crossed over with another subject and you were asked to answer according to both ABA and California law it might not be as important because you can still make up points through knowing the ABA rules and knowing whatever crossover subject there is as well.

[LurkerTurnedMember]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

What types of mini clock are you talking about? Can you show me a link or pic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Z-Berger-Co-S ... 2070248383

This is the one I have, but I purchased it at WalMart for much less. The thing is still ticking too! And it should meet all requirements, I made sure to measure it before I brought it into the exam room with me, and the numbers are nice and big so its pretty easy to see.

Do those tick really loudly? If everyone brings them, how loud would the room get? The last thing I'd want is a constant ticking.

[SlowLearner]

Ear plugs... Are a must!
The room is large and lots chairs moving, papers rustling, keyboards clacking.

Honestly be prepared for noise.

[LurkerTurnedMember]

Ear plugs... Are a must!
The room is large and lots chairs moving, papers rustling, keyboards clacking.

Honestly be prepared for noise.

Thanks for the heads up. I planned to bring ear plugs but wasn't sure how big the room will be, or how many people it will fit, or what the noise level is. I took a few Barbri performance exams in a room full of people. I might drive to the test site before hand and look around.

Also, this is probably a really stupid question, but I'm confused on what "analysis" we do for CA subject matter jurisdiction (assuming it even comes up). It seems simple: just look at what relief is sought and put it in the right category. If it's not categorized correctly, anyone can pretty much recategorized it, from the clerk, to a party or court on a motion. So that's it? It feels much shorter than the fed SMJ where it decides whether the case is heard at all. For CA SMJ, it seems immaterial, more like a small procedural inconvenience.

[SlowLearner]

All I'll say is well done on your prep if you are worrying about issues like this! (...or if not .. Cop on and focus on the bigger areas!)

I'm from Ireland so my civ pro is only from bar prep but my understanding is smj and supplemental jurisdiction are not issues in CA Civ pro.

California courts are courts of general jurisdiction so they never have to justify taking on a case....(except of course where there is clear federal juris)

All you need to know is 3 court levels seperately by amount in controversy (10k/25k/unlimited)

[LurkerTurnedMember]

All I'll say is well done on your prep if you are worrying about issues like this! (...or if not .. Cop on and focus on the bigger areas!)

I'm from Ireland so my civ pro is only from bar prep but my understanding is smj and supplemental jurisdiction are not issues in CA Civ pro.

California courts are courts of general jurisdiction so they never have to justify taking on a case....(except of course where there is clear federal juris)

All you need to know is 3 court levels seperately by amount in controversy (10k/25k/unlimited)

I asked cause I was hoping there would be more analysis since if it's really that simple, and PJ is the same under CA and fed, then if they test CA civ pro they likely won't test either SMJ or PJ. They'll go to the other rules, which are harder to remember, and so will likely make CA civ pro a tough essay.

[teabreeze]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

What types of mini clock are you talking about? Can you show me a link or pic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Z-Berger-Co-S ... 2070248383

This is the one I have, but I purchased it at WalMart for much less. The thing is still ticking too! And it should meet all requirements, I made sure to measure it before I brought it into the exam room with me, and the numbers are nice and big so its pretty easy to see.

Do those tick really loudly? If everyone brings them, how loud would the room get? The last thing I'd want is a constant ticking.

The clock that I got is silent - no ticking.

Yeah, earplugs should help. Too bad they don't seem to work for me

[Stupiddreams]

All I'll say is well done on your prep if you are worrying about issues like this! (...or if not .. Cop on and focus on the bigger areas!)

I'm from Ireland so my civ pro is only from bar prep but my understanding is smj and supplemental jurisdiction are not issues in CA Civ pro.

California courts are courts of general jurisdiction so they never have to justify taking on a case....(except of course where there is clear federal juris)

All you need to know is 3 court levels seperately by amount in controversy (10k/25k/unlimited)

I asked cause I was hoping there would be more analysis since if it's really that simple, and PJ is the same under CA and fed, then if they test CA civ pro they likely won't test either SMJ or PJ. They'll go to the other rules, which are harder to remember, and so will likely make CA civ pro a tough essay.

I haven't look at CA Civ Pro at all and I have totally no idea what to do with this subject. Is there any past essay that has tested on the CA distinction? Anyone has any idea about what are the likely areas to be tested?

[goden]

It has never been tested

[rcharter1978]

Anyone has experience with LA Convention Center?

Do they have a clock or do I have to bring a watch? Is there a place so I can put my bag and ceil phone?

Even if the CC has a clock, please get your own little clock. It was such a gigantic help when I took the exam, I didn't really have to turn or arch back to see the clock because it was directly in my eyeline.

I'm pretty sure I picked up one at WalMart for like $5.00, it was perfect. Small enough to be regulation, big enough so that I could easily see the time/how much time had passed. I think a watch may have been too small for me, but if it works for you, thats cool. I just wouldn't depend on the CC clock, because you don't know where you'll be sitting, if you'll be able to see it, or if it will even be working.

I'm going to walk into the testing site with a wireless keyboard and mouse, a mousepad, 12 pencils and a mini clock, among other things. Considering taking lumbar support as well. People are going to think I'm a nut job.

LOL, yeah, but fuck 'em When you're looking crazy but sitting cozy on your butt pillow with your back support you'll be getting the last laugh!

You'll be that nut job that doesn't have to take the bar exam again!

I went in with 20 pencils, a mini clock, butt pillow, at least 10 different colored highlighters and 15 different colored gel pens......and a wireless mouse. I also wore velour tracksuits every day for comfort.

At the start of every session, I would take out a highlighter in every color, a pen in every color, or all of my freshly sharpened pencils and set them up in a tidy row. The guy sitting next to me looked at me like I was a lunatic.

I probably could have done without all of the highlighters/pens.....but that mini clock was invaluable. It was so great for the PT's which is one area where I really think time can get away from you.

What types of mini clock are you talking about? Can you show me a link or pic?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Z-Berger-Co-S ... 2070248383

This is the one I have, but I purchased it at WalMart for much less. The thing is still ticking too! And it should meet all requirements, I made sure to measure it before I brought it into the exam room with me, and the numbers are nice and big so its pretty easy to see.

Do those tick really loudly? If everyone brings them, how loud would the room get? The last thing I'd want is a constant ticking.

To me, it wasn't a loud ticking at all. HOWEVER, I'm not super bothered by low level noise. Some people are, but as someone above said, there are a million noises in the room...sneezing, coughing, chair movement, throat clearing.

To me, that clock wasn't ticking anywhere near that loudly, and I didn't hear anyone else's either. But if you will be annoyed by those noises, you should look into ear plugs.....a lot of people had them in the exam. I have strangely shaped ears so they never worked for me, but a lot of people had them.

[MsAvocadoPit]

re: clock above. I believe the bar exam list of items says it must be a silent clock. do not bring a ticking clock.

I just bought one from amazon for 13 bucks, non-ticking, it was one of their best sellers too, 3x3. Bar allows up to 4x4 silent clocks.

[loh]

im pretty sure i passed the Feb bar because I absolutely killed the California Evidence essay. Like straight cold blooded murder. No issue left un-ravaged. Remember that CA and Fed evidence rule names are different and depending on the bar grader they might dislike you for confusing the one for the other.

With that said, I straight up heard people during lunch break talking about how they "caught" the "CA Civ Pro" essay and did a full analysis. Well that is too bad and I doubt they passed because there was no CA Civ Pro. Always accurately identify the subject matter of the essay and read the prompt and facts clearly and slowly once before you begin writing.

[phan]

I'm doing practice essays and am having trouble with the CA distinctions for Evidence and PR. Can I do alright on the essays without knowing the distinctions cold, i.e., get enough points without 'em?

I think you might be able to muddle through PR without knowing ALL the distinctions, because I believe the last time I saw PR come up, it was a cross over with another subject. But I would be very, very, very wary of Evidence. February bar had a CA Evidence question, and you were ONLY supposed to answer according to California rules.

So, I would think that for Evidence and Civil Procedure you would really, really, really want to know the distinctions. Because the PR questions (the last two times) have been crossed over with another subject and you were asked to answer according to both ABA and California law it might not be as important because you can still make up points through knowing the ABA rules and knowing whatever crossover subject there is as well.

Thanks. My line of thinking was that I could get by just using the FRE and losing a few points on the CA distinctions.

All of the practice essays I've done that specifically ask to apply CA rules of evidence, there were maybe one or two distinctions. The majority of the issues were the same under either FRE or CA.

Also, you do still get points for analysis, even if the rule isn't 100% correct. So, I'm just thinking that it might not be super crucial to know the CA evidence distinctions cold.

[rcharter1978]

I'm doing practice essays and am having trouble with the CA distinctions for Evidence and PR. Can I do alright on the essays without knowing the distinctions cold, i.e., get enough points without 'em?

I think you might be able to muddle through PR without knowing ALL the distinctions, because I believe the last time I saw PR come up, it was a cross over with another subject. But I would be very, very, very wary of Evidence. February bar had a CA Evidence question, and you were ONLY supposed to answer according to California rules.

So, I would think that for Evidence and Civil Procedure you would really, really, really want to know the distinctions. Because the PR questions (the last two times) have been crossed over with another subject and you were asked to answer according to both ABA and California law it might not be as important because you can still make up points through knowing the ABA rules and knowing whatever crossover subject there is as well.

Thanks. My line of thinking was that I could get by just using the FRE and losing a few points on the CA distinctions.

All of the practice essays I've done that specifically ask to apply CA rules of evidence, there were maybe one or two distinctions. The majority of the issues were the same under either FRE or CA.

Also, you do still get points for analysis, even if the rule isn't 100% correct. So, I'm just thinking that it might not be super crucial to know the CA evidence distinctions cold.

I can't know, but I feel like the last question that was asked focused on areas where there was a distinction, even in just the name of the rule. I think if you're basically just giving a federal rule where there is a difference, you might be in some trouble, they specifically want to test you on CA law. But I doubt they would have CA Evidence two administrations in a row either way.

[rcharter1978]

im pretty sure i passed the Feb bar because I absolutely killed the California Evidence essay. Like straight cold blooded murder. No issue left un-ravaged. Remember that CA and Fed evidence rule names are different and depending on the bar grader they might dislike you for confusing the one for the other.

With that said, I straight up heard people during lunch break talking about how they "caught" the "CA Civ Pro" essay and did a full analysis. Well that is too bad and I doubt they passed because there was no CA Civ Pro. Always accurately identify the subject matter of the essay and read the prompt and facts clearly and slowly once before you begin writing.

Thats sort of what I was thinking, like if you had a subheading with the wrong rule name, it might be a mess. But I don't know.

Wasn't that nuts about the CA Civ Pro thing? I remember that too, and I was like "wait, what?" I do think the bar exam is written by jerks, but they are generally jerks that are pretty clear if they want you to apply California specific rules to a topic.

[LurkerTurnedMember]

For PR, how important are the mandatory rejection and withdrawal, and permissive withdrawal rules? They make no sense to me and I've spend a good amount of time on them and can't keep them straight. One reason is in both mandatory rejection and withdrawal, another might be in just mandatory rejection, a third might be in permissive withdrawal and mandatory rejection... how the fuck can you have one reason be for mandatory withdrawal but not be a reason for mandatory rejection of a case? Like, what's a lawyer supposed to do--accept the case and then immediately withdraw? And the Barbri outlines for this are really bad. The conviser seems to be missing the mandatory rejection reasons altogether, and their handout for this is too cursory..

[FlowBro]

Any predictions for the essays yet?

[a male human]

Any predictions for the essays yet?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2#p9159292

[FlowBro]

Any predictions for the essays yet?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2#p9159292

How about for the exam next week?

[a male human]

Any predictions for the essays yet?

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2#p9159292

How about for the exam next week?

Those are my predictions for every exam