July 2016 Texas Bar Exam Forum

[Kragoth180]

The NY Bar (UBE) looks super easy compared to the Texas bar.

The format of the UBE (two days) consists of:

6 essays on “fundamental principles of law” (MEE) (30 percent)
2 MPTs (20 percent)
200 questions on the Multistate Bar Exam (50 percent)

The MEE tests on each of the MBE subjects listed above, as well as:

Family Law
Decedents’ Estates (Wills)
Future Interests
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Conflict of Laws
Trusts
Agency
Partnership
UCC Article 9

http://news.pieperbar.com/the-differenc ... nd-the-ube

[Dedeia]

So I didn't get my answers uploaded until 6:30. Examsoft accepted them, but I'm worried Texas won't grade them. Anyone have any thoughts/knowledge on this?

Did you talk to anyone on Wednesday? I uploaded my essay answers 50 minutes late yesterday. I don't know what to do.

You will be fine. They told me the upload deadlines are for administrative convenience, and late uploads aren't penalized. So, no worries!

Great! Thank you so much!

[NolanRyan]

How the heck do we survive these next three months?!

[thewaterlanding]

How the heck do we survive these next three months?!

The first couple months aren't too bad. The last month sucks though.

[longhornlaw]

How the heck do we survive these next three months?!

The first couple months aren't too bad. The last month sucks though.

Especially when they change the date that they'll release the results but then change it back to the original date and don't tell anyone.

[NolanRyan]

Screwed up wills so badly can't stop thinking about it! Don't get me started on real property or bankruptcy

[teacozy]

Screwed up wills so badly can't stop thinking about it! Don't get me started on real property or bankruptcy

Those questions were rough. But hey, as badly as you think you did, I guarantee that there are a lot of people who did worse. If it makes you feel better, take solace in the fact that I, for example, missed critical facts on at least three questions (go me) because I was rushing through. But every year there are people who pass after bombing one part or another. Hopefully we did enough to show our minimal competency (lol).

[thewaterlanding]

Screwed up wills so badly can't stop thinking about it! Don't get me started on real property or bankruptcy

Those questions were rough. But hey, as badly as you think you did, I guarantee that there are a lot of people who did worse. If it makes you feel better, take solace in the fact that I, for example, missed critical facts on at least three questions (go me) because I was rushing through. But every year there are people who pass after bombing one part or another. Hopefully we did enough to show our minimal competency (lol).

Everyone should take solace in the fact that people who don't even answer 2-3 essays still have passed in the past. I know several people. That coupled with the fact that people just don't answer several MBE questions, P&E questions or finish the MPT. This too shall pass.

[SuperPollito]

Everyone should take solace in the fact that people who don't even answer 2-3 essays still have passed in the past. I know several people.

That is actually very comforting to know, thanks.

[fly_lawy3r]

Everyone should take solace in the fact that people who don't even answer 2-3 essays still have passed in the past.

That is beyond me how anyone could leave up to 150 points (or more? Maybe I don't fully understand the way the essays are scaled) on the table like that.

[fly_lawy3r]

Out of curiosity, do we ever find out our scores on the different sections if we pass? Or do the BLEs just release that info to the people who failed?

[washed out]

Out of curiosity, do we ever find out our scores on the different sections if we pass? NO Or do the BLEs just release that info to the people who failed? CORRECT

[washed out]

Especially when they change the date that they'll release the results but then change it back to the original date and don't tell anyone.

loololplolomao

[BVest]

Out of curiosity, do we ever find out our scores on the different sections if we pass? Or do the BLEs just release that info to the people who failed?

As answered above, no, except that you do get your MBE score (so you can transfer it to states that take it).

[tennessee_jedi]

So I didn't get my answers uploaded until 6:30. Examsoft accepted them, but I'm worried Texas won't grade them. Anyone have any thoughts/knowledge on this?

Did you talk to anyone on Wednesday? I uploaded my essay answers 50 minutes late yesterday. I don't know what to do.

You will be fine. They told me the upload deadlines are for administrative convenience, and late uploads aren't penalized. So, no worries!

Same thing happened to me and I am freaking out because I didn't upload yesterdays essays until this morning. Just trying to confirm that you were told by BLE staff that deadline was for convenience? I received the confirmation email but am also worried that Texas won't grade? Thanks in advance for the clarification

I did confirm it with a BLE staff member, and she said not to sweat it, that the deadline was for administrative convenience, and that if you received a confirmation email from examsoft, your exam will be graded.

[BVest]

The proper reaction here is probably "why the f-ck would I want to look at that?," but the exam is now available online as a past exam.

https://ble.texas.gov/past-exams

[0lol]

The proper reaction here is probably "why the f-ck would I want to look at that?," but the exam is now available online as a past exam.

https://ble.texas.gov/past-exams

wow that was fast

[SuperPollito]

the exam is now available online as a past exam.

https://ble.texas.gov/past-exams

Why the f00k would I want to look at that?

[JazzOne]

the exam is now available online as a past exam.

https://ble.texas.gov/past-exams

Why the f00k would I want to look at that?

In case you have to retake in February. Obvs.

[washed out]

One of the interns working in a different section within my place of employment recently graduated and took the bar last week. Like 90%+ of all takers of the Texas bar, she is very nervous to get her results and feels uncertain about her passing chances. Yesterday, she found out that I have taken the bar twice - in Okahoma (July '13) and Texas (Feb '16). I tried to assure her I have been in her position twice, once also as a new graduate, and that I also was nervous to know my results. She asked if I immediately resumed studying for the next administration of the bar exam. I told her I did not, and I did not have a good explanation as to "why".

I think it was a good question. People struggle to memorize the rules of law in time to take the bar. There is simply too much material. If a taker could memorize all the rules and recall them as accurately as possible on test day, they could better apply it to the facts and come to the right conclusion. If a taker could have more time to study, they could memorize and recollect more rules, which would theoretically help them be better off on test day. The taker also could use the time to practice as many MBE/MPT/Essay questions as they can. If she were to resume bar study now, and she were to need to take the February 2017 bar, she will have the chance to acquire 10 months' worth of bar study. 3 months for the July bar (May-July), 4 months until the July bar results become released (Aug-Nov), and 3 months until next year's Feb bar, in addition to the experiences she acquired by simply appearing on test day and performing at the July bar examination.

Any re-takers care to provide some guidance for our intern?

[Doggy24]

One of the interns working in a different section within my place of employment recently graduated and took the bar last week. Like 90%+ of all takers of the Texas bar, she is very nervous to get her results and feels uncertain about her passing chances. Yesterday, she found out that I have taken the bar twice - in Okahoma (July '13) and Texas (Feb '16). I tried to assure her I have been in her position twice, once also as a new graduate, and that I also was nervous to know my results. She asked if I immediately resumed studying for the next administration of the bar exam. I told her I did not, and I did not have a good explanation as to "why".

I think it was a good question. People struggle to memorize the rules of law in time to take the bar. There is simply too much material. If a taker could memorize all the rules and recall them as accurately as possible on test day, they could better apply it to the facts and come to the right conclusion. If a taker could have more time to study, they could memorize and recollect more rules, which would theoretically help them be better off on test day. The taker also could use the time to practice as many MBE/MPT/Essay questions as they can. If she were to resume bar study now, and she were to need to take the February 2017 bar, she will have the chance to acquire 10 months' worth of bar study. 3 months for the July bar (May-July), 4 months until the July bar results become released (Aug-Nov), and 3 months until next year's Feb bar, in addition to the experiences she acquired by simply appearing on test day and performing at the July bar examination.

Any re-takers care to provide some guidance for our intern?

That sounds like a nice recipe for burn out. And what if you end up passing? Then 3 months of study for naught, then again, you could lightly study (lean sheets, quizlet, etc) and keep things fresh. It never hurts to know a sh!t ton of law. 10 months seems a little excessive though, hey, maybe it will help her learn some obscure bankruptcy exceptions.

[bigtex29]

One of the interns working in a different section within my place of employment recently graduated and took the bar last week. Like 90%+ of all takers of the Texas bar, she is very nervous to get her results and feels uncertain about her passing chances. Yesterday, she found out that I have taken the bar twice - in Okahoma (July '13) and Texas (Feb '16). I tried to assure her I have been in her position twice, once also as a new graduate, and that I also was nervous to know my results. She asked if I immediately resumed studying for the next administration of the bar exam. I told her I did not, and I did not have a good explanation as to "why".

I think it was a good question. People struggle to memorize the rules of law in time to take the bar. There is simply too much material. If a taker could memorize all the rules and recall them as accurately as possible on test day, they could better apply it to the facts and come to the right conclusion. If a taker could have more time to study, they could memorize and recollect more rules, which would theoretically help them be better off on test day. The taker also could use the time to practice as many MBE/MPT/Essay questions as they can. If she were to resume bar study now, and she were to need to take the February 2017 bar, she will have the chance to acquire 10 months' worth of bar study. 3 months for the July bar (May-July), 4 months until the July bar results become released (Aug-Nov), and 3 months until next year's Feb bar, in addition to the experiences she acquired by simply appearing on test day and performing at the July bar examination.

Any re-takers care to provide some guidance for our intern?

Goodness. That sounds like literal hell.

[0lol]

One of the interns working in a different section within my place of employment recently graduated and took the bar last week. Like 90%+ of all takers of the Texas bar, she is very nervous to get her results and feels uncertain about her passing chances. Yesterday, she found out that I have taken the bar twice - in Okahoma (July '13) and Texas (Feb '16). I tried to assure her I have been in her position twice, once also as a new graduate, and that I also was nervous to know my results. She asked if I immediately resumed studying for the next administration of the bar exam. I told her I did not, and I did not have a good explanation as to "why".

I think it was a good question. People struggle to memorize the rules of law in time to take the bar. There is simply too much material. If a taker could memorize all the rules and recall them as accurately as possible on test day, they could better apply it to the facts and come to the right conclusion. If a taker could have more time to study, they could memorize and recollect more rules, which would theoretically help them be better off on test day. The taker also could use the time to practice as many MBE/MPT/Essay questions as they can. If she were to resume bar study now, and she were to need to take the February 2017 bar, she will have the chance to acquire 10 months' worth of bar study. 3 months for the July bar (May-July), 4 months until the July bar results become released (Aug-Nov), and 3 months until next year's Feb bar, in addition to the experiences she acquired by simply appearing on test day and performing at the July bar examination.

Any re-takers care to provide some guidance for our intern?

seems like an epic waste of time

[BVest]

Not yet mentioned, but part of the reason for the short study timeline is retention. The retention level on BLL studied now is going to be almost zero as opposed to BLL studied in December-February.

[DueProcessDoWheelies]

One of the interns working in a different section within my place of employment recently graduated and took the bar last week. Like 90%+ of all takers of the Texas bar, she is very nervous to get her results and feels uncertain about her passing chances. Yesterday, she found out that I have taken the bar twice - in Okahoma (July '13) and Texas (Feb '16). I tried to assure her I have been in her position twice, once also as a new graduate, and that I also was nervous to know my results. She asked if I immediately resumed studying for the next administration of the bar exam. I told her I did not, and I did not have a good explanation as to "why".

I think it was a good question. People struggle to memorize the rules of law in time to take the bar. There is simply too much material. If a taker could memorize all the rules and recall them as accurately as possible on test day, they could better apply it to the facts and come to the right conclusion. If a taker could have more time to study, they could memorize and recollect more rules, which would theoretically help them be better off on test day. The taker also could use the time to practice as many MBE/MPT/Essay questions as they can. If she were to resume bar study now, and she were to need to take the February 2017 bar, she will have the chance to acquire 10 months' worth of bar study. 3 months for the July bar (May-July), 4 months until the July bar results become released (Aug-Nov), and 3 months until next year's Feb bar, in addition to the experiences she acquired by simply appearing on test day and performing at the July bar examination.

Any re-takers care to provide some guidance for our intern?

Retaker here. Failed July '15, passed Feb '16.

There is no benefit in starting to study now. Tell her that.

First, everyone feels shitty about the exam. That's okay. You don't feel good when you feel like you got a D on a test, right? Well, you need a D to pass the exam.

But even if she does fail, it's not a good idea to study this early. Burnout is a very real thing. There's a reason the bar is about 2 months after graduation-- 60 days is a pretty reasonable study period for a test like that. No one can memorize everything that's on the exam, but if you start studying before that, you'll burn out pretty badly in the couple of weeks prior to the exam. Also, your retention will fade. In mid-February, you will likely have forgotten what you studied in September, unless you're constantly reviewing.

When I found out I failed in November, I didn't actually start studying again until mid-December. You really need to give your brain a break.

It's not how long you study, it's how effectively you study.