THEMIS JULY 2018 - DISCUSSION Forum

[Auxilio]

I got 67% on the MBE PQ which is fine, although lower than my other sets.

As to the graded essays, I'm sure the above idea that they just give you a 60 (or whatever the just under pass is for your jurisdiction) unless it is clearly problematic. Both my essays got the same grade (60) and the second has this comment "This is already a huge improvement from last week."

On a related note, I keep seeing people saying they got really low numbers (like sub 20) on essays which I don't really get. I thought writing anything basically gets you a ~40?

(I don't mean this to be throwing shade or anything, just curious).

[dabigchina]

I just dont see how you guys can pick up on those questions enough to get to that 70% mark on mixed sets. I just dont get it.

Is passing 70%? I thouht 66% was passing in CA.

[dabigchina]

I got 67% on the MBE PQ which is fine, although lower than my other sets.

As to the graded essays, I'm sure the above idea that they just give you a 60 (or whatever the just under pass is for your jurisdiction) unless it is clearly problematic. Both my essays got the same grade (60) and the second has this comment "This is already a huge improvement from last week."

On a related note, I keep seeing people saying they got really low numbers (like sub 20) on essays which I don't really get. I thought writing anything basically gets you a ~40?

(I don't mean this to be throwing shade or anything, just curious).

My guess is different states' graders have different grading guidelines. CA's graders seem to be told to just barely fail you.

[BlueLaw11]

I'm in CA. passing is 65/100. I've gotten 60/100 on every single graded exam. The quality of my essays has varied dramatically based on my own estimation. This, combined with the very brief comments my grader has been giving me, tells me that they don't really read the essay and just give you a arbitrary grade with some generic comments.

I've never gotten a comment on time. I've also never really gotten any comment besides "good rule statement" or "remember to use IRAC".

Also California. Also positive that the quality of my essays varies DRAMATICALLY. Have also gotten 60/100 on every single one.

Also California, exact same experience. Glad I'm not alone, but man is this frustrating

[CBlaw]

Just completely bombed that 45 question test. Did way lower than my normal average. Was it harder than the normal pratice sets? Feel like I want to jump out of my window right now. Not even close to doing well enough to pass this damn test.

I also did way lower than my PQ sets. Like 20% lower. Im not sure if it was harder or just that fact of answering that many in a row screwed with me. Its def a wake up for having to take 100 questions in a row. I need to get my attention span to be longer.

[rastajacob]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

[LawIsLyfe33]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

[rastajacob]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

I agree ! I’m finishing up his lectures now and then moving on. Taking breaks in-between to do Property questions. I Refuse to do a practice essay before I study a bit more. No sense in deflating my confidence answering with rambling answers, lol. How is it going for you?

[yuppy]

Hey. I'm taking the MBE, using Themis. I'm also working in the morning and have a family, so I try to cram in as much as I can in the limited time I have. I'm doing well on all of the practice tests (usually in the 80% range) and essays, but i feel like the reading takes way too long, and contains lots of unclear cut and pastes of the Restatement or statutory language, which is difficult to read and frustrating.

Due to my time constraints, I feel like skipping the reading and just doing lectures and tests. Any opinions on this? Will I get the info I need this way?

[LawIsLyfe33]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

I agree ! I’m finishing up his lectures now and then moving on. Taking breaks in-between to do Property questions. I Refuse to do a practice essay before I study a bit more. No sense in deflating my confidence answering with rambling answers, lol. How is it going for you?

Overall I think it's going pretty well so far. I've already stopped trying to read the long outlines and just focus on watching the lectures on 1.5x speed and then spending a good amount of time reviewing the lecture notes afterwards. I've done a few practice essays so far and since most of them have had the popular issues (joint tenancy, K offer/acceptance, etc.) they haven't been the worst thing in the world. I obviously have a long ways to go to improve the essays, but I just trying to keep telling myself it's a marathon!

[abogado2018]

Hey. I'm taking the MBE, using Themis. I'm also working in the morning and have a family, so I try to cram in as much as I can in the limited time I have. I'm doing well on all of the practice tests (usually in the 80% range) and essays, but i feel like the reading takes way too long, and contains lots of unclear cut and pastes of the Restatement or statutory language, which is difficult to read and frustrating.

Due to my time constraints, I feel like skipping the reading and just doing lectures and tests. Any opinions on this? Will I get the info I need this way?

Uh, how are you scoring 80%+?! That's insanely good, far above anyone I've spoken to. What is your secret?!?!?

[rastajacob]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

I agree ! I’m finishing up his lectures now and then moving on. Taking breaks in-between to do Property questions. I Refuse to do a practice essay before I study a bit more. No sense in deflating my confidence answering with rambling answers, lol. How is it going for you?

Overall I think it's going pretty well so far. I've already stopped trying to read the long outlines and just focus on watching the lectures on 1.5x speed and then spending a good amount of time reviewing the lecture notes afterwards. I've done a few practice essays so far and since most of them have had the popular issues (joint tenancy, K offer/acceptance, etc.) they haven't been the worst thing in the world. I obviously have a long ways to go to improve the essays, but I just trying to keep telling myself it's a marathon!

I agree. How far along are you ?

[Ohnt]

Hey. I'm taking the MBE, using Themis. I'm also working in the morning and have a family, so I try to cram in as much as I can in the limited time I have. I'm doing well on all of the practice tests (usually in the 80% range) and essays, but i feel like the reading takes way too long, and contains lots of unclear cut and pastes of the Restatement or statutory language, which is difficult to read and frustrating.

Due to my time constraints, I feel like skipping the reading and just doing lectures and tests. Any opinions on this? Will I get the info I need this way?

Uh, how are you scoring 80%+?! That's insanely good, far above anyone I've spoken to. What is your secret?!?!?

I know right? Please share! And this the average of how many mbe sets you have done in all?

[LawIsLyfe33]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

I agree ! I’m finishing up his lectures now and then moving on. Taking breaks in-between to do Property questions. I Refuse to do a practice essay before I study a bit more. No sense in deflating my confidence answering with rambling answers, lol. How is it going for you?

Overall I think it's going pretty well so far. I've already stopped trying to read the long outlines and just focus on watching the lectures on 1.5x speed and then spending a good amount of time reviewing the lecture notes afterwards. I've done a few practice essays so far and since most of them have had the popular issues (joint tenancy, K offer/acceptance, etc.) they haven't been the worst thing in the world. I obviously have a long ways to go to improve the essays, but I just trying to keep telling myself it's a marathon!

I agree. How far along are you ?

I'm at 31% which I think is slightly ahead of schedule, but I try to stay a day or two ahead so that I don't have to do much or any on the weekends this far in advance of the exam.

[rastajacob]

Checking in from PA. Just wanted to vent over Professor Clark. Love his outline, it is amazing...I JUST WISH HE WOULD STICK TO IT AND STOP RAMBLING...! It makes it so difficult to follow him, even on 1.5 speed, LOL...Perhaps it’s just frustration setting in? Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself and say hi !

Also doing PA Themis!

I think it's a mix of both, but I think Prof. Clark just talked way too slow and it made it difficult to stay focused

I agree ! I’m finishing up his lectures now and then moving on. Taking breaks in-between to do Property questions. I Refuse to do a practice essay before I study a bit more. No sense in deflating my confidence answering with rambling answers, lol. How is it going for you?

Overall I think it's going pretty well so far. I've already stopped trying to read the long outlines and just focus on watching the lectures on 1.5x speed and then spending a good amount of time reviewing the lecture notes afterwards. I've done a few practice essays so far and since most of them have had the popular issues (joint tenancy, K offer/acceptance, etc.) they haven't been the worst thing in the world. I obviously have a long ways to go to improve the essays, but I just trying to keep telling myself it's a marathon!

I agree. How far along are you ?

I'm at 31% which I think is slightly ahead of schedule, but I try to stay a day or two ahead so that I don't have to do much or any on the weekends this far in advance of the exam.

Oh wow, that is great ! It am at 22%, will try to bump that up by this weekend so I can be where you are (or close to that) !

[Calcrastinator]

As a California bar exam taker, I am at about 20-21% done with the course and my MBE overall is around a 58% but my essays have been scored at 65 and 75, which I am guessing is just at the passing score. So for me, I feel like my grader might be too lenient and I am concerned that everyone in California is getting 60.

[yuppy]

Hey. I'm taking the MBE, using Themis. I'm also working in the morning and have a family, so I try to cram in as much as I can in the limited time I have. I'm doing well on all of the practice tests (usually in the 80% range) and essays, but i feel like the reading takes way too long, and contains lots of unclear cut and pastes of the Restatement or statutory language, which is difficult to read and frustrating.

Due to my time constraints, I feel like skipping the reading and just doing lectures and tests. Any opinions on this? Will I get the info I need this way?

Uh, how are you scoring 80%+?! That's insanely good, far above anyone I've spoken to. What is your secret?!?!?

I know right? Please share! And this the average of how many mbe sets you have done in all?

So far I've taken all of the contracts tests. As I've said this is taking me too long because I only have a few hours a day.

There's no real secret. Most questions can be knocked down to two possible answers, and then I look for extra facts that seem to point to the answer that they're looking for. Since most questions involve a bit of a judgment call, they will usually focus on certain facts that tend to lean in one direction, so just go that direction.

[dabigchina]

As a California bar exam taker, I am at about 20-21% done with the course and my MBE overall is around a 58% but my essays have been scored at 65 and 75, which I am guessing is just at the passing score. So for me, I feel like my grader might be too lenient and I am concerned that everyone in California is getting 60.

You're going to write all the model answers this year.

Are you writing the graded essays timed and closed books? That's legit impressive.

[rastajacob]

Hey y'all? Is anyone supplementing their study with Emmanuel's Strategies and Tactics? I bought the book and received it two days ago, skimmed it, but haven't gotten into it yet. Other than Themis and S&T, the Only other supplement I am using is Critical Pass Flashcards that I downloaded onto my iPad Pro...I think having the Critical Pass on the iPad is a great alternative....What say you, people?

[BlueLaw11]

Hey y'all? Is anyone supplementing their study with Emmanuel's Strategies and Tactics? I bought the book and received it two days ago, skimmed it, but haven't gotten into it yet. Other than Themis and S&T, the Only other supplement I am using is Critical Pass Flashcards that I downloaded onto my iPad Pro...I think having the Critical Pass on the iPad is a great alternative....What say you, people?

Using the same three tools, my friend. How did you download CP onto your iPad?

[rastajacob]

Hey y'all? Is anyone supplementing their study with Emmanuel's Strategies and Tactics? I bought the book and received it two days ago, skimmed it, but haven't gotten into it yet. Other than Themis and S&T, the Only other supplement I am using is Critical Pass Flashcards that I downloaded onto my iPad Pro...I think having the Critical Pass on the iPad is a great alternative....What say you, people?

Using the same three tools, my friend. How did you download CP onto your iPad?

Hey there ! I found an app that allowed me to purchase the cards and download them (as opposed to buying the hard copies...It is great and so much easier, IMO...I love it. Search "critical pass" on your app icon and select the downloadable option (if you haven't bought them already..).

[airylef]

Hey y'all? Is anyone supplementing their study with Emmanuel's Strategies and Tactics? I bought the book and received it two days ago, skimmed it, but haven't gotten into it yet. Other than Themis and S&T, the Only other supplement I am using is Critical Pass Flashcards that I downloaded onto my iPad Pro...I think having the Critical Pass on the iPad is a great alternative....What say you, people?

Using the same three tools, my friend. How did you download CP onto your iPad?

I, too, have the S&T books and Critical Pass. I actually didn't know there was an iPad app for Critical Pass 'til I saw this. I have it on my Android already, just downloaded the iPad version.

I was trying to handwrite outlines of my own as well, but I'm not sure how well that's going. I stopped 3/4 of the way through contracts and I've been meaning to finish it but... yeah, that might not be happening. I need to catch up (at 22.6%), then maybe I can try again. I do think handwriting stuff and synthesizing all the info helps me at least a little.

[ithrowds]

I'm in CA and I've put a lot of focus early on into getting the MBE topics down, but every few days now Themis has us learn a new state-specific essay topic like Remedies or Community Property in CA. I watched the lectures, filled out the handout, and I've done a practice essay or two (albeit open book because I can't really recall much of the law), but its tough to find time to study that stuff and really get it down at all when theres so much else to do every single day.

tldr; Does anyone have tips on how to handle state-specific essay topics? Should I just go through the lectures and whatever assigned work and then not worry too much about them till later in bar studying? My worry is that if I don't get a better grasp of this stuff now, that its all going to compound later the bar studying process as I pick up more and more subjects.

[airylef]

Just did the MBE Practice Exam #1... got most of the torts ones right, got a little less of property right, got barely any contracts right. This is weird, I really thought I knew contracts better than property. Even with all those correct torts ones, still got less than the average -- 51%. Eek. Well, these were the first ones I've done without letting myself look at outlines or anything else.

[BlueLaw11]

I'm in CA and I've put a lot of focus early on into getting the MBE topics down, but every few days now Themis has us learn a new state-specific essay topic like Remedies or Community Property in CA. I watched the lectures, filled out the handout, and I've done a practice essay or two (albeit open book because I can't really recall much of the law), but its tough to find time to study that stuff and really get it down at all when theres so much else to do every single day.

tldr; Does anyone have tips on how to handle state-specific essay topics? Should I just go through the lectures and whatever assigned work and then not worry too much about them till later in bar studying? My worry is that if I don't get a better grasp of this stuff now, that its all going to compound later the bar studying process as I pick up more and more subjects.

In the same boat, they gave only a day apiece for Remedies and CP so I'm floundering on the essays. I'm making flashcards tonight so I can get the ball rolling on trying to learn these now. With Civ Pro and Evidence on the horizon, I think the more we can do for it now the better