California February 2016 Bar Exam (Westside For Life) Forum

[Whizzpopper]

I didn't pass.

I honestly expected not to pass. It's just incredibly/unexpectedly hard. I hate my current offer, but now it looks like I'm stuck with it.

I'm going to drink and cry now.

[rcharter1978]

I failed with a 1290 the first time around...but this time I PASSED.

Don't give up hope, guys. The bar graders are morons and their stupid test is in no way a measure of your skills. If anyone wants old Kaplan materials or strategies hit me up, because this test can be beaten.

Can you post your strategies? Because a 1290 to a pass is one hell of a feat. And many congratulations BTW.

[rcharter1978]

Guys, I feel like not taking this exam anymore. I fully understand I am unemployable as a lawyer having graduated in 2001. I don;t even have anymore legitimate contacts to put out a shingle. Everyone of my peers has been practicing for over a decade.

The only possible way I will take this exam again if if the scores show I failed the 1st day, but did a decent job on sy 2 and day 3. Because I only had 2 hours sleep the night before the first day.

But if my scores a low across the board, then it's probably time to hang 'em up. I did 2000+ Adaptibar questions averaging over 70% correct the last month prior to the exam. If my MBE score is low, then I probably maxed out my MBE test taking abilities.

OK....here is the thing though, the bar is going to change after the July administration, right?

Aren't we going to 2 days with more weight being given to the MBE portion? If essays are your struggle, the essays IN THEORY should become a little easier and so should the PT.

So....I think you should keep going.....you ARE going to pass this thing.....don't let these bar exam assholes win.

[ivygirl08]

Long time lurker (rare poster) but second-time passer.

I failed the July examination and was devastated so I completely understand any frustrations you feel if you were not successful. But one thing I've learned through the process is that the CA bar exam is not one of intelligence, it's literally one of knowing how to take the test. I knew the law much better in July than the most recent examination but my approach to the test was completely different.

I studied for the exam while working full-time in ''biglaw". I studied during down-time at work, on the weekends and my firm gave me an additional two weeks PTO leading up to the exam (I took one week of vacation time also). The first time around I used BarBri, which was good for learning the law, but not great at teaching me how to write essay answers. The second time around I activated my free BarBri repeat course (to use the essay feedback that I didn't use the first time around because I fell behind in the schedule) and purchased AdaptiBar and a subscription to BarEssays (pm me for a discount code to Adaptibar). I also read pretty much every single post on makethisyourlastime.com and purchased the magicsheets which were good for me for day of light review.

As a note, I highly attribute my success to BarEssays because so much of your success on the CA bar exam rests on the essays. The first time around, my MBE score was approximately 165 but my essays sucked (I had most of the rules/facts but the formatting was terrible and it was hard to digest in a short period of time). I'll add links later on what not to do!

If you were unsuccessful, grieve this weekend and over the next week. But soon after, realize that you are able to conquer this thing! Also, I apologize for any grammatical errors/rambling but I wanted to share before I forgot. Feel free to PM me about my personal experience or if you'd like the PDFs of my old exams to see what not to do!

[vingonza]

Passed! Best feeling! My condolences to those who were not successful. Don't give up!

[Lawmonk31229]

Dont be to down man. The passage rate was 35%! All who didnt pass, wait for scores, gear up for July. The only guarantee of not passing is giving up. Congrats to all that passed! You deserve it. Youre an inspiration to all of us.

[lakers3peat]

I Passed.

I'm really pissed off that we didn't all pass. I maintain my position that a lot of us should have passed July (which was an easier test) and the only reason we didn't pass was because we had shitty graders.

For those who failed, take my word for it. This says NOTHING about you. The bar exam is subjective. See my post a few pages back, where I had wildly fluctuating 2nd and 3rd read grades for July.

This is a learnable/doable test. DO NOT LOSE HEART. TAKE HEART. DO NOT GIVE UP. SHIT SUCKS BUT YOU DON'T SUCK. YOU WILL PASS. I failed July and said this to myself. It is hard thing to accept but it is the truth. It is a learnable/beatable test. YOU WILL PASS.

Congrats BrokenMouse.

I tried telling you that you had it this time. I've seen lots of your posts and had the utmost faith that you passed even though you never expressed any self-confidence that you had passed lol. Very happy for you.

Was the median score to pass much lower this time around? I think it was a 1360 whereas it was a 1440 for July's examination...

[teabreeze]

Failed

I'm a first time taker admitted in another jurisdiction.

Does anyone know how long you can practice transactional law in CA without being licensed here? I'm wondering if I should ask my firm if I can take the bar next year instead. I'm pretty burned out from the Feb exam and feel that there's too little time until the July 2016 exam. July 2017 would be ideal since it changes over to the 2-day exam then, but that might be asking the firm for too much.

Thanks for any help!

[lakers3peat]

Dont be to down man. The passage rate was 35%! All who didnt pass, wait for scores, gear up for July. The only guarantee of not passing is giving up. Congrats to all that passed! You deserve it. Youre an inspiration to all of us.

Where is the passage rate?? They have not published the statistics yet have they?

[InTheWideLand I Walk]

There is a god- i passed! and that was my 4th time. I also just accepted an offer as partner at the P.I. law firm ive been working at. Whoever didnt pass- pm me if you want to learn the ultimate study strategy that i invented and used while working full time. I also have a very bad memory and very short attention span but this worked.

[a male human]

I Passed.

I'm really pissed off that we didn't all pass. I maintain my position that a lot of us should have passed July (which was an easier test) and the only reason we didn't pass was because we had shitty graders.

For those who failed, take my word for it. This says NOTHING about you. The bar exam is subjective. See my post a few pages back, where I had wildly fluctuating 2nd and 3rd read grades for July.

This is a learnable/doable test. DO NOT LOSE HEART. TAKE HEART. DO NOT GIVE UP. SHIT SUCKS BUT YOU DON'T SUCK. YOU WILL PASS. I failed July and said this to myself. It is hard thing to accept but it is the truth. It is a learnable/beatable test. YOU WILL PASS.

+1 to preparing for the bar being a LEARNABLE SKILL
+1 to the bar being subjective with unpredictable results

Congrats WholeMouse

[a male human]

Dont be to down man. The passage rate was 35%! All who didnt pass, wait for scores, gear up for July. The only guarantee of not passing is giving up. Congrats to all that passed! You deserve it. Youre an inspiration to all of us.

Where is the passage rate?? They have not published the statistics yet have they?

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/News/T ... 01625.aspx

[BrokenMouse]

Dont be to down man. The passage rate was 35%! All who didnt pass, wait for scores, gear up for July. The only guarantee of not passing is giving up. Congrats to all that passed! You deserve it. Youre an inspiration to all of us.

Where is the passage rate?? They have not published the statistics yet have they?

i 2ND THIS. 35% IS CRIMINAL.

[minkylowlife]

Hey! Thanks for the congrats. <3 So I used the Kaplan system and just drilled the hell out of essay practice, mostly. I did it while working a full-time job. I did all my lectures via audio while driving or jogging, so I couldn't get distracted doodling or doing anything else. And every night, three to five essays, every weekend day three essays, ten essay outlines, and then one performance test. Every day was 50 MBE questions, too, and if I did well that day I 'rewarded' myself with a checkpoint quiz. I went through every answer to every MBE question.

My essays were the thing that sunk me the first time around (I got straight 50's on most of them) and the PTs (some phenomenally low scores). My MBE was just around passing the first time. My advice is definitely to learn the formula the bar examiners want the essay in, and to not neglect any subject because it 'never shows up'. I very nearly got boned on Trusts, I feel. I only studied that the last day because it just MIGHT show up.

This is a dumb side thing, but if you can take a game theory lecture series, DO IT. It made torts and contracts so much easier because those subjects are entirely based on game theory, and you can learn the basics of that in an afternoon.

35% WHAT THE HELL

[a male human]

Long time lurker (rare poster) but second-time passer.

I failed the July examination and was devastated so I completely understand any frustrations you feel if you were not successful. But one thing I've learned through the process is that the CA bar exam is not one of intelligence, it's literally one of knowing how to take the test. I knew the law much better than I knew it in July but my approach to the test was completely different.

I studied for the exam while working full-time in ''biglaw". I studied during down-time at work, on the weekends and my firm gave me an additional two weeks PTO leading up to the exam (I took one week of vacation time also). The first time around I used BarBri, which was good for learning the law, but not great at teaching me how to write essay answers. The second time around I activated my free BarBri repeat course (to use the essay feedback that I didn't use the first time around because I fell behind in the schedule) and purchased AdaptiBar and a subscription to BarEssays (pm me for a discount code to Adaptibar). I also read pretty much every single post on makethisyourlastime.com and purchased the magicsheets which were good for me for day of light review.

As a note, I highly attribute my success to BarEssays because so much of your success on the CA bar exam rests on the essays. The first time around, my MBE score was approximately 165 but my essays sucked (I had most of the rules/facts but the formatting was terrible and it was hard to digest in a short period of time). I'll add links later on what not to do!

If you were unsuccessful, grieve this weekend and over the next week. But soon after, realize that you are able to conquer this thing! Also, I apologize for any grammatical errors/rambling but I wanted to share before I forgot. Feel free to PM me about my personal experience or if you'd like the PDFs of my old exams to see what not to do!

Awesome! Yes, +1 again to the exam being about how to take the test -- it's a learnable skill.

Thanks for sharing your strategies and especially for the shoutout to http://www.makethisyourlasttime.com

[bigpapi]

I passed. This was my third try (not counting the time I didn't prepare and didn't even bother arriving at the test center because I couldn't even bring myself to go through the charade) after graduating in 2011. Please, if you did not pass this time, keep your chin up! If I could do it, you can too. I am the poster child for "did shitty at a top school and was one of the 5% of my graduating class to fail the test the first time," and even my under-performing ass finally managed to get it done.

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to those who didn't pass this time. You can, and WILL pass this test if you keep your head right and keep trying. Win the battle in your mind first.

I would be happy to share advice and study materials if anyone wants them, just drop me a PM.

[BrokenMouse]

i can't emphasize enough how much this exam is about learning how to take the test rather than intelligence or lawyering skills. it's designed to keep people out.

seriously folks. take a few days to grieve but do not lose hope. this test is learnable and beatable.

[a male human]

I failed with a 1290 the first time around...but this time I PASSED.

Don't give up hope, guys. The bar graders are morons and their stupid test is in no way a measure of your skills. If anyone wants old Kaplan materials or strategies hit me up, because this test can be beaten.

Amazing reversal! Congrats

[BrokenMouse]

i dont know how any of us can help you feel better. it's just such a disappointing and heartbreaking experience to fail the bar no matter first time or tenth. i want to encourage you to believe us. you can do this exam. do not lose hope. this exam is beatable!

I plan to stick around the forums for a few more days to help out others. I'm so grateful for all of you who have given advice to us retakers and supporting us. PM me if you guys have any questions.

I took:

barbri twice just for the books + speed through some lectures
1 x Emanuel's MBE book
baressays.com

[MrMustache]

The pass rate was only 35.7%. [48% for ABA approved takers]

source http://www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/News/T ... 01625.aspx

[MailboxCrusher]

I passed.

Very sorry to those that did not pass. I know the feeling well and it sucks so much. Take a few days off. I studied the second time for 7 weeks and passed with a tutor. It breaks my heart to have shared so much with some of you that have not passed. Hang in there - be safe and trudge forward.

[Notorious RBG]

i can't emphasize enough how much this exam is about learning how to take the test rather than intelligence or lawyering skills. it's designed to keep people out.

seriously folks. take a few days to grieve but do not lose hope. this test is learnable and beatable.

Congrats Broken Mouse!

I just wanted to pop in and second this sentiment. I passed last July on my fourth try. And I just got hired from my JD-preferred job to a law firm with a robust practice in the field I have been working in since graduating law school. F*ck statistics. No person is a statistic. This test is ridiculous but if you graduated law school you can absolutely pass if you don't give up and don't let it demoralize you. If you didn't get it this time DO NOT GIVE UP!

[Barebones]

.

[lacrossebrother]

.

[Notorious RBG]

I passed. This was my third try (not counting the time I didn't prepare and didn't even bother arriving at the test center because I couldn't even bring myself to go through the charade) after graduating in 2011. Please, if you did not pass this time, keep your chin up! If I could do it, you can too. I am the poster child for "did shitty at a top school and was one of the 5% of my graduating class to fail the test the first time," and even my under-performing ass finally managed to get it done.

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to those who didn't pass this time. You can, and WILL pass this test if you keep your head right and keep trying. Win the battle in your mind first.

I would be happy to share advice and study materials if anyone wants them, just drop me a PM.

This bolded part is brilliant, posting for emphasis and now I will duck out of this thread forever to leave it to the bar-takers. Congrats to all who passed! Onward and upward.