Barbri paced program question? Forum

[adonai]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

[smellylawstudent]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

I just followed Barbris suggestions. I also did flash cards from old classes

[adonai]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

I just followed Barbris suggestions. I also did flash cards from old classes

So you just did the AMPs and their questions?

As for sleep, I think I might use a bed

[smellylawstudent]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

I just followed Barbris suggestions. I also did flash cards from old classes

So you just did the AMPs and their questions?

As for sleep, I think I might use a bed

Lectures, amps(the right way actually read the explanations), mpq, didn't do cmr. Took a bunch of time off. Read old flash cards to supplement.

Problem now is lack of sleep from brain being on all day. Can't turn it off

[beachbum]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

I just followed Barbris suggestions. I also did flash cards from old classes

+1, I just stuck to the paced program, sans essays. Ended up with a 141.

There isn't a magic trick to it, and I don't think the average person needs to spend money on stuff outside of barbri. But at this point, you know what works for you. Keep doing that. For me, I tend to spend a lot of time reading through the CMR/lecture notes, then I'll keep reviewing that in my head throughout the day (because apparently I'm an obsessive gunner). That's what worked for me in law school, and that's what has worked so far in studying for this.

[MoneyMay]

I actually have spent very little time in the lecture notes and basically no time in the CMR or the big outline. I went straight to practice questions and the process of getting questions wrong and then reviewing them completely (the right answer and all the wrong answers) is what I did to learn the MBE.

I scored high on the midterm and I think it's an effective way to learn, although it was very time consuming. But a little part of me died inside every time I missed a question lol, and for some reason that helps me remember stuff. I also have adaptibar and have done about 400 on there. After scoring a 151 on the midterm I am not doing MBEs anymore until a 10 days or so before the exam because I need to go learn my state's essays.

[prs362]

Anyone want to share their MBE strategies with me? Did you guys who hit average+ on the simulated MBE memorize/study before you took it? Or did you just do it cold to accurately gauge where you truly were?

Similar to the above, I scored a 151 and basically just followed the paced program. I will say that I tried pretty hard to memorize during my active review/weekend review during June. I reviewed flash cards for torts the day before the exam because I'm terrible at torts, but I don't think it really helped. But I really think as long as your are around the 30th percentile+ on these Barbri practice sets/exams, you are on track to pass. So try and not get too hung up on the actual score.

[pkt63]

Also scored in the 150s and also was pretty religious with the paced program on MBE topics. I have since given up on the CMR and am trying to catch up on making flashcards, but I haven't touched an MBE question since taking that test 2 weeks ago (although apparently I have a 100 Q practice scheduled for this Friday). My make it or break it is definitely going to be the essays.

This isn't necessarily a tip for the MBEs, but I find the buzzwords on the MBEs and find that usually leads me to the top two answers, sometimes the top one. Unlike the essays, you don't have to be able to regurgitate a whole rule and its elements, you just have to recognize buzz words and attach them to the right doctrine or whatever. Not that I am saying you should go out and memorize buzz words, but I always get down to two answers this way.

I really like a suggestion made here (sorry can't remember who) about using the MBEs as mini-IRAC opportunities to practice for the essays. And I probably should do that, though I haven't had the patience so far. But that could be a more procedural way to solidify your approach and get to the right answer…?

[ph14]

I got a 158 when I took it a week or so ago. I mainly followed the paced program: (did the AMPs, which didn't take me very long), watched the lectures (on 1.5x+), and read through the CMR once for each of the MBE subjects (after i'd already watched the lectures and done the AMPs). Now i've been working through the Emanuel's book, doing roughly 1 MBE subject a day which is 40-60 questions. Not sure if i've learned more how to do the questions but i've been scoring between 85 and 95% raw (though i'm about to take property and doubt I'll score that high).

[jrf12886]

I got in the mid 150's. No CMR, and gave up on AMP. Basically just watch the lectures, make flash cards from the lecture notes, and do the practice questions (reading the explanation for any questions I get wrong).

[MoneyMay]

I really hope the MBE can help me get past my shitty essays and take me to the promise land lol

[ph14]

I really hope the MBE can help me get past my shitty essays and take me to the promise land lol

Yeah, that's what i'm hoping too. I'm pretty bad at just memorizing sheer amounts of information.

[jrf12886]

I really hope the MBE can help me get past my shitty essays and take me to the promise land lol

What really worries me are the NY multiple choice questions. They all seem to cover material not mentioned in the lecture. I'm just relying on MBE and essays to make up for it.

[prs362]

I really hope the MBE can help me get past my shitty essays and take me to the promise land lol

Yeah, that's what i'm hoping too. I'm pretty bad at just memorizing sheer amounts of information.

Yeah, I definitely struggle on the essays much more than the MBE. Hopefully that improves some in July, as I basically know nothing of NY Practice at this point. Going to try and get my MBE as high as possible in case I dip below below 5s on some of the essays.

[adonai]

Yeah, I guess my main problem with MBEs was because I was focusing way too much on the essays. I've done about 20 practice essays fully written out and timed, and only did about 250 mbes (not counting the simulated exams). I feel I'm in a real bad place because I still have trouble determining when a contract has been made on the MBEs, and I don't think I've done enough to the point I see patterns. I'm actually in the 0 percentile for contracts on the full simulated MBE. Yep, it is that bad. Those questions where they have a contract->counteroffer->option contract->acceptance->revocation all in one question stem trip me up bad because if you mess up on one part you mess up the rest of the chain.

[prs362]

Yeah, I guess my main problem with MBEs was because I was focusing way too much on the essays. I've done about 20 practice essays fully written out and timed, and only did about 250 mbes (not counting the simulated exams). I feel I'm in a real bad place because I still have trouble determining when a contract has been made on the MBEs, and I don't think I've done enough to the point I see patterns. I'm actually in the 0 percentile for contracts on the full simulated MBE. Yep, it is that bad. Those questions where they have a contract->counteroffer->option contract->acceptance->revocation all in one question stem trip me up bad because if you mess up on one part you mess up the rest of the chain.

You've got time, so don't get too down on yourself. My advice would just be be to adjust your studying focus a bit. I'm kind of doing the opposite, because I've been focusing almost exclusively on MBE and, as a result, doing poorly on the essays.

[MoneyMay]

Yeah, I guess my main problem with MBEs was because I was focusing way too much on the essays. I've done about 20 practice essays fully written out and timed, and only did about 250 mbes (not counting the simulated exams). I feel I'm in a real bad place because I still have trouble determining when a contract has been made on the MBEs, and I don't think I've done enough to the point I see patterns. I'm actually in the 0 percentile for contracts on the full simulated MBE. Yep, it is that bad. Those questions where they have a contract->counteroffer->option contract->acceptance->revocation all in one question stem trip me up bad because if you mess up on one part you mess up the rest of the chain.

Hey man you're definitely fine. You're probably good on the essays and the MBE is the most learnable (sp?) part of the whole exam. I don't know if you are looking for more resources, but I would look into Adaptibar. You can drill single subjects at a time and they address your weaknesses by giving you the same types of questions you miss to make you learn it. Once you've seen 100 Ks questions you've seen everything. GOod luck!

[lmr]

Yeah, I guess my main problem with MBEs was because I was focusing way too much on the essays. I've done about 20 practice essays fully written out and timed, and only did about 250 mbes (not counting the simulated exams). I feel I'm in a real bad place because I still have trouble determining when a contract has been made on the MBEs, and I don't think I've done enough to the point I see patterns. I'm actually in the 0 percentile for contracts on the full simulated MBE. Yep, it is that bad. Those questions where they have a contract->counteroffer->option contract->acceptance->revocation all in one question stem trip me up bad because if you mess up on one part you mess up the rest of the chain.

What resources are you studying w? CMR? Lecture notes? How are you doing on your contracts' essays? Spotting the issues? Why don't try doing the studysmart questions on "self study" mode instead of mixed sets (consideration/formation of K, etc). That way you can answer the questions based on issues and force yourself to read the explanation for each one.

Forget about trying to spot patterns on the questions-they test the same things but in different ways so you might not see a pattern where you can just automatically select an answer.

[adonai]

Yeah, I guess my main problem with MBEs was because I was focusing way too much on the essays. I've done about 20 practice essays fully written out and timed, and only did about 250 mbes (not counting the simulated exams). I feel I'm in a real bad place because I still have trouble determining when a contract has been made on the MBEs, and I don't think I've done enough to the point I see patterns. I'm actually in the 0 percentile for contracts on the full simulated MBE. Yep, it is that bad. Those questions where they have a contract->counteroffer->option contract->acceptance->revocation all in one question stem trip me up bad because if you mess up on one part you mess up the rest of the chain.

What resources are you studying w? CMR? Lecture notes? How are you doing on your contracts' essays? Spotting the issues? Why don't try doing the studysmart questions on "self study" mode instead of mixed sets (consideration/formation of K, etc). That way you can answer the questions based on issues and force yourself to read the explanation for each one.

Forget about trying to spot patterns on the questions-they test the same things but in different ways so you might not see a pattern where you can just automatically select an answer.

Thanks all for the suggestions and encouragement. I just recently purchased Bar Max's MBE, and will be drilling those these last few weeks. I don't think I'll be doing anymore essays, maybe some light issue spotting. I've been studying using friends' outlines who passed on the first try. Their outlines were based off CMR, lectures, and the essay approach outline. I've been adjusting and filling in extra as I did essays and MBEs.

I'm not having a problem on the contracts essays mainly because they are so straightforward and test on general principles. They definitely aren't as detailed and tricky as the MBEs, which I find tend to take you on a twisted road of facts. The wrong answers tend to be the ones that will be "right" when you make a certain miscalculation, such as interpreting an offer as an invitation to offer and going down that road.

[jd20132013]

are these scores you all are mentioning your raw scores? because Jesus I thought my score was good, but good to see there's real improvement still available

[LAWYER2]

are these scores you all are mentioning your raw scores? because Jesus I thought my score was good, but good to see there's real improvement still available

IKR! I was happy about just scoring average, however I'm even more inspired to do better now.

[rawrab]

in my state I only have 6 essays (2 MPTS) and secured transactions and commercial paper are ranked (12th and 14th) in terms of frequently tested on the essays. I don't get these subjects at all. How much time should I devote to memorizing them? Or should I just not bother and hope it doesn't come up?

[july14bar]

I can't believe how quickly the big day is approaching! I'm in a relatively high-pass 50/50 state (9 essays + MPT).

Based on everything I've seen, I should be good for a 140-145 MBE. But I have no idea whether I'm on the right track with essays. The typical essay in my state has four subparts. I can usually provide a good response for two subparts (adequate regurgitation of the rule and solid analysis). But I usually have to make an educated guess on the other two subparts. If I score around 140 on the MBE, should that kind of performance on essays be sufficient? I really have no clue what is "good enough" (all I have access to are the model answers).

I'm also curious what some of you think about my plan of attack now that Barbri has ended. My plan involves dedicating a chunk of time to memorize and practice each subject (a half day for minor state subjects, one day for major state subjects, one day for the MPT, and two days for MBE subjects). On those days, I memorize flashcards, read through the CMR, and do a ton of practice essays/MBEs. Then for the final 4-5 days, I'm planning on briefly reviewing each subject and doing mixed MBE sets/random essays. Does this sound like a solid approach?

[july14bar]

in my state I only have 6 essays (2 MPTS) and secured transactions and commercial paper are ranked (12th and 14th) in terms of frequently tested on the essays. I don't get these subjects at all. How much time should I devote to memorizing them? Or should I just not bother and hope it doesn't come up?

Commercial paper is a horrible subject but I've found secured transactions to be fairly straightforward. I came up with a seven step plan of attack for secured transactions that made it seem much more manageable. The only step that requires much memorization/thought is 6 (priority battles).

(1) Is there a PMSI?
(2) What type of collateral?
(3) Is there attachment?
(4) Is there perfection?
(5) What type of interest does the opposing creditor have?
(6) Who has priority?
(7) Was there a proper sale/repossession?

[rawrab]

in my state I only have 6 essays (2 MPTS) and secured transactions and commercial paper are ranked (12th and 14th) in terms of frequently tested on the essays. I don't get these subjects at all. How much time should I devote to memorizing them? Or should I just not bother and hope it doesn't come up?

Commercial paper is a horrible subject but I've found secured transactions to be fairly straightforward. I came up with a seven step plan of attack for secured transactions that made it seem much more manageable. The only step that requires much memorization/thought is 6 (priority battles).

(1) Is there a PMSI?
(2) What type of collateral?
(3) Is there attachment?
(4) Is there perfection?
(5) What type of interest does the opposing creditor have?
(6) Who has priority?
(7) Was there a proper sale/repossession?

This is helpful! I understand everything except PMSI can someone give like a for dummies explanation of what the hell PMSI is?