If I fail the bar exam again Forum

[rdawkins28]

I save a lot of time passng the bar the first time since I'm not stupid. Frees up time to post.

Wow

Yeah, that was kinda aggressive.

I can appreciate why someone would feel this way, no offense taken.

I got out of LS in mid-2010. Didn't take the bar till mid-2011 since I had another job. Now I'm working in a small relaxed office with one other lawyer. You can pass the bar; you're so close. And you can still make it as a lawyer, either as a solo practitioner or as an associate for an established soloist. There are plenty of them around.

Please PM me if you need help. I'm also in Texas.

[encore1101]

[ebo]

"I'm going to spend my free time trolling people online who didn't pass the bar"
-Someone with serious insecurity issues

[cocoapuffs1]

I save a lot of time passng the bar the first time since I'm not stupid. Frees up time to post.

Wow

Yeah, that was kinda aggressive.

I can appreciate why someone would feel this way, no offense taken.

I really wish I was this mature.

[Canada99]

First time I worked and studied at the same time, and had some other stuff going on in my personal life, and didn't pass. Second time I studied full time, was with BarBri the first two times, and failed again. Third time I switched to Kaplan. As far as not being "fully honest with myself" I didn't do as well on the Essay portions this time, mostly because I was focusing on MBE more than other sections, but I still did well enough in those sections to pass if I had scored even a below average score on the MBE. Right now I'm well below average.

If I did re-take, and I'm still pretty far from even wrapping my mind around that, Do I go back to Kaplan? Do I do something completely different? I just really don't know.

I've heard good things about Themis. Also, how many practice MBE's have you done (each time, not collectively)?

I'm definitely a fan of Themis. The explanations on the MBE questions as well as the lectures where they broke down every single question on the "midterm" were incredibly helpful (The conlaw section of that was absolutely amazing). Also, I thought their "model" essay answers and the feedback on graded essays were really useful (towards the approach of the Bar, I just spent a lot of time re-typing their answers in subjects I struggled with).

I know if you're worried about price and you're interested in going into any kind of Public Interest law, you can get the program for about 1k. Most of the reps are willing to throw in other discounts if money is an issue as well.

Good luck to you.

Agreed! The full exam simulation with a detailed lecture for each topic was amazing. That was when the questions started to click.

@TxBarTaker09, I would seriously consider doing Themis (with possibly some one-on-one tutoring). As I've mentioned in other posts, I went to law school outside the US so I didn't have any background in Con, Crim, or Evidence. Themis taught me these subjects completely from scratch. Whichever program you choose, commit fully to it and finish 100% of the program!

[TxBarTaker09]

I save a lot of time passng the bar the first time since I'm not stupid. Frees up time to post.

Wow

Yeah, that was kinda aggressive.

I really wish I was this mature.

It's not a maturity thing, I just understand that to some people the bar exam is easy to pass, to some people it isn't. If you're someone who doesn't understand why an individual would fail a bar exam you would probably assume it was either effort in the person's preparation or the individual is just not intelligent. I, personally, probably wouldn't remark on it, even to a stranger on the internet, but I get it.

As far as Themis, I will look into them, right now I'm at about 600 for a Kaplan re-take. Has anyone ever done one-on-one tutoring before? I'm just curious as to how much of that is different from just doing the bar prep courses.

[chass]

I don't think a course is going to help you since you took two already. I would study on my own and get a tutor for specific problem areas.

[TxBarTaker09]

I don't think a course is going to help you since you took two already. I would study on my own and get a tutor for specific problem areas.

I have considered this as well. Although I would probably want to have outlines to go over for Texas Essays, just to keep it fresh in my mind, sitting through lectures and stuff doesn't seem like it would be worth my time anymore.

[sparty99]

I don't think a course is going to help you since you took two already. I would study on my own and get a tutor for specific problem areas.

I have considered this as well. Although I would probably want to have outlines to go over for Texas Essays, just to keep it fresh in my mind, sitting through lectures and stuff doesn't seem like it would be worth my time anymore.

The MBE is your weaksest subject? I would think that's the area where you could improve the most! It is all classes you have taken before. Some of the subjects are not too challenging: Crim, Torts, and ConLaw. I would buy Strategies & Tactics for the MBE by Steven Emanuel. You get REAL MBE QUESTIONS with explanations. Additionally, it offers STRATEGIES on each subject. Themis doesn't offer you strategy on how to take the exam. It is mostly model answers and practice questions. I would buy this today and start studying for February!

[OklahomasOK]

I don't think a course is going to help you since you took two already. I would study on my own and get a tutor for specific problem areas.

I have considered this as well. Although I would probably want to have outlines to go over for Texas Essays, just to keep it fresh in my mind, sitting through lectures and stuff doesn't seem like it would be worth my time anymore.

You want my Tx Bar outlines? They GREATLY helped me. Reduces everything down into 2-6 pages per topic.

[Grapes]

I recommend the Strategies and Tactics for the MBE book. probably the most helpful bar exam study item you can buy. also the Critical Pass flashcards are a must for the MBE.

[TxBarTaker09]

Ok, so I decided for various reasons to take the Feb. bar exam. I'm taking a full 3 month study period this time (instead of the usual 8 weeks) and going hard on MBE.


Thanks all for your encouragement and offers of help!

[arkhamhorror]

Good luck! Get the Critical Pass flashcards and just go crazy on them.

Also would recommend Bar in a Flash for the state essay issues. It's like a super condensed CMR and it was all I used for the Texas essays. That way you can spend more time on MBE and less on essay review.

[gaagoots]

I'm pleased to see you get back on the horse again

I bought a book called Daily Reflections for Bar Exam Study. I needed something as 'pick up' or a quick lift when my confidence is wavering.
Like others, I have Critical Pass but in app form and Law in A flash flashcards in app format too for the detailed nuances of areas I suck at (i.e future interests (RAP)--3rd party rights). I also recommend the Emanuel's Strategies and Tactics if MBE's are your weak area.

[NYandTX]

Ok, so I decided for various reasons to take the Feb. bar exam. I'm taking a full 3 month study period this time (instead of the usual 8 weeks) and going hard on MBE.


Thanks all for your encouragement and offers of help!

You're so close! I have no doubt that you can do it. It's telling that you always score so high on the MPT since that seems like the most lawyer like task on the bar (at least for litigators). It sounds like you're a strong writer, which is helping you pull high marks on the MPT and the essays.

I know the P/E portion is just 10%, but I'm wondering if that might be an easy place to rack up some extra points. I have the last five P/E exams printed out with the answers written in so that they're really easy to review and memorize. If you want them, just let me know - I could scan them in and email them to you.

I think you're right to focus on the MBE. Try not to tell yourself, "I'm not good at multiple choice." Your confidence may just be low in that area because you think it's your weak point. I've always been pretty good with standardized tests, but I hate the MBE, and I'm not very good at it. The thing about the MBE is that even if you pass it, you feel like you failed it. I mean, if you get 70% correct, you basically passed with flying colors while in any other scenario, you would have barely eked by. For some people (myself included) that feels really uncomfortable and leads to a lower score. Basically, the MBE is a mind f*ck. But I'm certain that with a game plan and a few months of practice, you'll be able to build your confidence and kill it.

I was lurking in the Texas waiting thread the entire week before results came out, and you were such a source of calm. Thank you for that.

[middlemarch]

OP: I took Themis for the July 2014 New York bar exam. I thought it was a good program, and the outlines were clear and helpful. If you would like the Themis MBE books, I can ship them to you (at my expense), just PM me.

Good luck!