California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[ph14]

Don't even bother taking the exam w that mentality. I think you need to change your attitude a bit.

That's a bit harsh. He's just had a not so great day. No need to pile on him right now.

and practice more-how much time are you putting in a day? Have you dissected why you are getting each question wrong? making a list of rules to review? Particular subject areas that are weak? are you at least narrowing them down to two? People can pass the exam w a month of total prep. I don't buy your logic that you can't make progress w/in a month based on the past month, that's ridiculous

Agreed.

Maybe harsh but i don't think anyone should be going into an exam thinking they are going to fail and having february be even a remote option in their mind at this point. self-fulfilling prophecies are real. he/she needs to eliminate that negative thinking-it's unproductive.

He just got his simulated MBE results back. He can have a day to be upset.

[ditch digger]

Dumb question, but why is the CA bar exam much more difficult than the others?

[adonai]

Don't even bother taking the exam w that mentality. I think you need to change your attitude a bit.

That's a bit harsh. He's just had a not so great day. No need to pile on him right now.

and practice more-how much time are you putting in a day? Have you dissected why you are getting each question wrong? making a list of rules to review? Particular subject areas that are weak? are you at least narrowing them down to two? People can pass the exam w a month of total prep. I don't buy your logic that you can't make progress w/in a month based on the past month, that's ridiculous

Agreed.

Maybe harsh but i don't think anyone should be going into an exam thinking they are going to fail and having february be even a remote option in their mind at this point. self-fulfilling prophecies are real. he/she needs to eliminate that negative thinking-it's unproductive.

He just got his simulated MBE results back. He can have a day to be upset.

All of the above is true and merited, and part of me was saying the same thing to myself as i felt crappy. I felt bad but am pretty much over it already. Pressing on. Thanks for the concern..the vent helped

[ph14]

All of the above is true and merited, and part of me was saying the same thing to myself as i felt crappy. I felt bad but am pretty much over it already. Pressing on.

Good for you.

[Charles Barkley]

I struggled with the MBE last summer while I was studying for the Florida bar. I did bar study w/ Themis last summer. On the actual bar exam, I crushed the MBE.

The questions Themis used (probably the same with barbri) were significantly harder than anything I saw on test day.

Take that for whatever it is worth.

Just stick with it.

[Apple Tree]

Dumb question, but why is the CA bar exam much more difficult than the others?

Would like to know this too. I think the essays are supposed to be longer and harder.

[Mr. Pink]

I hate that I have to learn CA CP even tho it's never been tested and likely won't be on the test. What a waste of time.

CA CP=CA Civil Pro?

I was stressing over this today-bar secrets guy said that they have to test CA CP or it would be like they are conceding the subject given that the mbe will have CP next administration. Also, everyone is saying how CA evidence is definitely going to be tested. Are we going to the lucky ones who get a CA civ pro and CA evidence exam?

i will kill myself.

Save a plot for me. They just tested Civ Pro in Feb, so who knows, maybe we get lucky and miss it. I hear there is also a good chance that Partnerships/Corporations will be an essay in July too.

Do we know already when the bar results for this July will be out in November?

November 21st, per the CA site

I think there's some value in saying "community property hasn't been tested in over ten years, so it probably won't be on this test." But lol at trying to guess the essays.

I hope they do. I find Com Prop very easy. Any combination of Torts, Real Prop, Com Prop, Contracts, Crim on the first day would be great (for me at least) in gaining some good momentum. Evidence, Con, Civ pro are the ones I struggle with.

[lmr]

So it's a given at this point that we are getting evidence w CA distinctions, right? There's no way we won't get evidence....bar secrets guy said we may also get property bc bar examiners like to test property in clusters. I really hope we don't get a RAP or mortgages question....bar secrets guy also said wills and trusts is a good possibility too. Also said there has been a drought in UCC K essays questions so we might get one...who knows i feel like the only sure thing is evidence in some form.

[ph14]

So it's a given at this point that we are getting evidence w CA distinctions, right? There's no way we won't get evidence....bar secrets guy said we may also get property bc bar examiners like to test property in clusters. I really hope we don't get a RAP or mortgages question....bar secrets guy also said wills and trusts is a good possibility too. Also said there has been a drought in UCC K essays questions so we might get one...who knows i feel like the only sure thing is evidence in some form.

I think there's some value in saying "community property hasn't been tested in over ten years, so it probably won't be on this test." But lol at trying to guess the essays.

[Lasers]

fuck evidence. fuck my life.

[lmr]

So it's a given at this point that we are getting evidence w CA distinctions, right? There's no way we won't get evidence....bar secrets guy said we may also get property bc bar examiners like to test property in clusters. I really hope we don't get a RAP or mortgages question....bar secrets guy also said wills and trusts is a good possibility too. Also said there has been a drought in UCC K essays questions so we might get one...who knows i feel like the only sure thing is evidence in some form.

I think there's some value in saying "community property hasn't been tested in over ten years, so it probably won't be on this test." But lol at trying to guess the essays.

Your point?

[Carryon]

Dumb question, but why is the CA bar exam much more difficult than the others?

Would like to know this too. I think the essays are supposed to be longer and harder.

I have taken other state bars. Basically, you have more issues to discuss per essay and pt question. Essays in other states require 30 minutes to answer, and pts in other states require 90 minutes to answer.

[Carryon]

I have a laptop certification question. I downloaded the softest software and recieved a prompt to register the software. it requests

Login Id:

password:

Do I wait until I receive an email from softest that will provide me with my login and password, or is the login id: my file number and the password is my birthdate as I used to initially login in to softest to download the software ?

[Moab]

I have a laptop certification question. I downloaded the softest software and recieved a prompt to register the software. it requests

Login Id:

password:

Do I wait until I receive an email from softest that will provide me with my login and password, or is the login id: my file number and the password is my birthdate as I used to initially login in to softest to download the software ?

Login Id is your File # (on your admissions ticket or easily found on your status page)
Password is your bday in ddmmyyyy format

[FutureInLaw]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

[LSATNightmares]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

I dunno, I beg to differ. I coughed up $100 for Baressays after signing up for Barbri and have been regretting it. I've only looked at it a few times, mostly where I thought the Barbri book was confusing.

[FutureInLaw]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

I dunno, I beg to differ. I coughed up $100 for Baressays after signing up for Barbri and have been regretting it. I've only looked at it a few times, mostly where I thought the Barbri book was confusing.

Oh, I agree. I don't think it's necessarily the most useful tool. But, for the worriers, I think it's comforting to see just how little is expected from the essays.

[Mr. Pink]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

I have only been here regularly in prep for the bar, but I have noticed a lot of people here worrying too much. Hell, it's just a test, and it consist of stuff you have spent 3 years learning. You're just bringing it all together now. Obviously you passed law school, so you know the material, which is all you need to know to pass the exam.

I saw, either this thread or another, where people were worried about some things they had never been taught before- mortgages, torts other than negligence- and I don't know what to say. I didn't go to a fancy law school, but I was taught everything and really honed into essay writing/ Seeing this stuff for the bar is almost second nature to me now.

[adonai]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

Do those essays spot all the issues though? If they did, that might be the most important part regardless of whether they did good analysis or rule statements. It at least gives the grader an excuse to give points. Issue spotting is probably the hardest part of an essay IMO.

From getting essays graded by barbri as well as talking to those who failed, it seems graders expect a discussion of issues that aren't really issues or have already been assumed in the fact pattern. For example, the fact pattern will say "A and B entered into a valid written contract." You miss out on points if you don't analyze contract formation. Other times I found barbri doesn't expect you to address those issues. It is really tough to discern when you need to do the discussion to get points and when you're wasting your time.

[james11]

Honestly, for people freaking out about essays, the money spent on Baressays.com is worth it.

People here tend to be worriers, perfectionists, and overachievers. The money spent will bring you so much comfort because, honestly, many of the passing essays are just bad. Wrong or missing law. Brief analysis. I just did the February 2009 Civ Pro essay, and the 65s and even 67.5s are just not that good.

You'll likely do better than they did, so no need to worry.

Do those essays spot all the issues though? If they did, that might be the most important part regardless of whether they did good analysis or rule statements. It at least gives the grader an excuse to give points. Issue spotting is probably the hardest part of an essay IMO.

From getting essays graded by barbri as well as talking to those who failed, it seems graders expect a discussion of issues that aren't really issues or have already been assumed in the fact pattern. For example, the fact pattern will say "A and B entered into a valid written contract." You miss out on points if you don't analyze contract formation. Other times I found barbri doesn't expect you to address those issues. It is really tough to discern when you need to do the discussion to get points and when you're wasting your time.

I echo the earlier sentiments about the helpfulness of baressays.com. I failed the bar the first time and passed the second time. The first time when I failed, I thought that the barbri grading was not helpful and did not give me a good idea of what was needed to pass. The models also did not help in this respect as they are not real essays. I think looking at the real graded essays on baressays is the only way to accurately gauge your progress. To get the full value of the site, I think you need to spend some significant time reading and assessing the graded essays after you do a practice essay. Eventually I figured out that my problems had to do with weak rule statements, missing elements in rules, and poor irac and I worked hard to correct these issues.

[Cyberpirate]

hey guys,

Does anyone have a sample mbe answer sheet for practice. You know the one with the a,b,c,d option only on a PDF or so. I borrowed my friends barbri mbe workbook and was asked not to mark on it. Would be better if there is a fillable form for the multiple choice questions on a PDF.

Also does anyone have problems with the PT's I am struggling with them. I am soo not able to complete them within 3 hours. I tried reading facts and then the library where i took about 4 hours. And then tried library and then facts where i took about 4.5 hours. Its ridiculous. I really need some help here..

[hyc9598]

Dumb question, but why is the CA bar exam much more difficult than the others?

It is like quality control. They opened the flood gate. So they have to control quality. They allow foreign attorneys to take exam without condition or limitation. They allow non-aba schools easily. They can argue the first time ABA school graduates' pass rate is 70 percent. The reason why it's overall average pass rate is 50 percent is because somebody lowers the rate by 20 percent and assuming there are 50% of non first time takers and non aba graduates and foreign attorneys or out of state attorneys, and their pass rate is 30%, it makes the average 50% ((30+70)/2=50).

Every year, about 10K applicants take exam (winter, summer). Out of that, 5K is presumably first time aba takers. Others are presumably not. The former's pass rate is 70%. The latter's pass rate is 30%.

[2807]

I have only been here regularly in prep for the bar, but I have noticed a lot of people here worrying too much. Hell, it's just a test, and it consist of stuff you have spent 3 years learning. You're just bringing it all together now. Obviously you passed law school, so you know the material, which is all you need to know to pass the exam.

I saw, either this thread or another, where people were worried about some things they had never been taught before- mortgages, torts other than negligence- and I don't know what to say. I didn't go to a fancy law school, but I was taught everything and really honed into essay writing/ Seeing this stuff for the bar is almost second nature to me now.

Yikes.
I have to chime in on this...

No.
Oh my.
This is a trap.

Knowing the law is not enough.
Certainly, graduating law school is not enough.

Yes, knowing the law is important, but you better be drilling with real timed essays and learning how to:
1. Spot ..then
2. Succinctly address LEGAL issues.. then
3. State the applicable law, and..
4. Use ONLY the relevant facts, and finally
5. State a conclusion that is consistent with that analysis.
6. ...quickly.

Format is king--- Do not be fooled by the released answers.
Do not risk it by hoping your grader takes the time to read deeply and discover your legal brilliance.

Think of it this way:
You just finished years of studying "Cars"
You know all about brakes, fuel, engines, inertia, friction, steering, and more..
Oh, you were a genius in car classes.
You may even have been in a club.

But the final exam... is a DRIVING TEST.

It does not matter how much you "KNOW" about cars...
You must PRACTICE DRIVING to pass.

Nearly 50% fail for many reasons...
Including: They relied on their legal brilliance, and/or they did not practice what is needed.

Practice what matters.
Focus NOW
1. DO NOT confuse activity with progress..
2. Name your weaknesses
3. Make a list.
4. Know thy enemy.
...Then, claw thru that list and conquer.
One at a time.

Apply your new knowledge to timed real essays.
Then, do it again.

It will all be over soon.
This should feel like work.

You can do it.

***** For those who want/need essay an essay structure approach that helps, look in the Feb CA Bar thread.
We talked a lot in there. Use whatever parts of that discussion help you....
Essay building dialog starts around page 3... here:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 9&start=50

[LSATNightmares]

Btw, I know people were freaking out late last week about their simulated MBE results. I happened to take another look at the results today, simply because I thought maybe the scores would change as more test results came in. Sure enough, that was the case. My ranking went up. I know CA had their results in early, but a bunch of other states hadn't taken the test yet. So if you were initially upset about your score, it may be better now.

[km23]

Guess ill be retaking in feb. Got my simulated mbe results.

And how did you do?

Didn't even break 100. I got an 89 which is around bottom 10%. Worse than my diagnostic. I actually got stupider over time.

I know barbri questions are supposed to be harder, but an 89 wont make up the difference no matter how you view it.

I took and passed the July 2013 Bar. First time taker. I did horribly on the midterm…worse than you by a couple or a few points. Listen you guys--I can't stress enough how much of a difference the month of July will make not only with regards to your knowledge of the law and test-taking abilities, but also your confidence...if you continue to push through.

July is where the law really tends to stick in your mind…maybe not even until the week before the exam, but that's when you want to be at your prime anyway. Keep memorizing and keep practicing A LOT. You will succeed if you do not waste July. If something hasn't been working for you, DROP THAT METHOD. NOW. After barbri/kaplan/whatever lectures end, create your own schedule and stick to it. Focus on 2-3 subjects per day and alternate, providing equal coverage for all subjects. Sure, the MBE subjects are important because they show up on the MBE and written portions; nevertheless, don't underestimate the CA subjects. You will never know everything--you just need to know enough. For MBE practice, write down WHY you got answers wrong for every single question you guessed or answered incorrectly - this saved me and I even reviewed my printed out list once before I went to bed before MBE day.

By the first day of the bar, I was ready to go. I was ready to tackle the exam because I was confident in all of the hard work I put into that test. Test day advice: leave each session behind…treat each session as a new exam. Confidence and focus are key.

Good luck to all.