Themis Bar Review Hangout - February 2015 Exam Forum

[TheLegalOne]

How many hours a day are you guys averaging?

I'm averaging about 8 hours 7 days a week. It just does not feel like it, though. The videos are eating up my time and I need to get more essays written on my own.

With the exam being a month out, I'll need to increase to 10 hours or find a way to feel confident without watching the videos.

[arizzle]

I work full time -- at night no less-- and have finally decided that the video lectures just take too much time. Instead, I'm pivoting to reviewing my Critical Pass cards for each subject ($40 on Craigslist), doing the assessment questions for each corresponding lecture, and then doing practice MBE questions.

Anyone else taking a similar path?

[jasonmac]

I'm averaging around 50 hours a week. A 60 hour week just burned me out. I'm doing all the assigned work (i'm almost 2 days behind). One of the things Themis recommends is that we watch all the videos, so i've been watching them at 1.5X speed, which is perfect. My goal is to get over 75%, but most importantly is to learn the material. 100% seems like a ridiculous goal (I do have a life dammit!). I'm also using critical pass flashcards (they are awesome). I'm surprised at how much work is assigned. Why are weekends so brutal? Why don't they schedule a day off? I just don't want to ever do this again, so i'm fine working my butt off, but damn, this is tiring!

[sparty99]

Is Anyone Taking The Illinois Exam? We can split the remaining videos. I already have a lot completed.

[numbertwo88]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

[TheLegalOne]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

IKR! It feels like forever since Themis gave us K and Prop questions. I have been trying to do some on my own but I'm looking forward to these mixed sets. Hopefully the goal will be greater than 50%. Every single goal has been 50% (w/the exception of the first Civ Pro set being 2% (yes, two percent) - unless that was an error. I questioned Themis about the 50% goal (because I know Barbri gives a goal of 65%) and I was told the goal will increase over these mixed problems.

Almost there! Dig Deep!!

[sparty99]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

IKR! It feels like forever since Themis gave us K and Prop questions. I have been trying to do some on my own but I'm looking forward to these mixed sets. Hopefully the goal will be greater than 50%. Every single goal has been 50% (w/the exception of the first Civ Pro set being 2% (yes, two percent) - unless that was an error. I questioned Themis about the 50% goal (because I know Barbri gives a goal of 65%) and I was told the goal will increase over these mixed problems.

Almost there! Dig Deep!!

Do you actually get more than 50%? I think the highest I got was 67%. I haven't done the mix-set. But I'm a lil worried if other people consistently score over 50%. Like 70% and I'm doing horrible.

[TheLegalOne]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

IKR! It feels like forever since Themis gave us K and Prop questions. I have been trying to do some on my own but I'm looking forward to these mixed sets. Hopefully the goal will be greater than 50%. Every single goal has been 50% (w/the exception of the first Civ Pro set being 2% (yes, two percent) - unless that was an error. I questioned Themis about the 50% goal (because I know Barbri gives a goal of 65%) and I was told the goal will increase over these mixed problems.

Almost there! Dig Deep!!

Do you actually get more than 50%? I think the highest I got was 67%. I haven't done the mix-set. But I'm a lil worried if other people consistently score over 50%. Like 70% and I'm doing horrible.

I typically get high 60s but I just wondered why 50% has been the goal? I have seen crazy obscure exceptions tested that I just wouldn't have known, so I "kind of" see why they are shooting for 50 but still...there's a big difference between 50% and 65%. Now, the graded essays....that's another story! I'm either at 60 or 65%...never passing with a 70%!!! My analysis sucks.

[jhan11]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

IKR! It feels like forever since Themis gave us K and Prop questions. I have been trying to do some on my own but I'm looking forward to these mixed sets. Hopefully the goal will be greater than 50%. Every single goal has been 50% (w/the exception of the first Civ Pro set being 2% (yes, two percent) - unless that was an error. I questioned Themis about the 50% goal (because I know Barbri gives a goal of 65%) and I was told the goal will increase over these mixed problems.

Almost there! Dig Deep!!

Goal at the mixed sets increases to 60% and then to 70%. I think 70% is the highest they go.

[numbertwo88]

Starting mixed problem sets tomorrow -- aiming to finish all problem sets and practice essays by the 21st.

Can't believe it's almost that time ... Again

IKR! It feels like forever since Themis gave us K and Prop questions. I have been trying to do some on my own but I'm looking forward to these mixed sets. Hopefully the goal will be greater than 50%. Every single goal has been 50% (w/the exception of the first Civ Pro set being 2% (yes, two percent) - unless that was an error. I questioned Themis about the 50% goal (because I know Barbri gives a goal of 65%) and I was told the goal will increase over these mixed problems.

Almost there! Dig Deep!!

Do you actually get more than 50%? I think the highest I got was 67%. I haven't done the mix-set. But I'm a lil worried if other people consistently score over 50%. Like 70% and I'm doing horrible.

I've been ranging in the 60s to low 70s - my studying has over emphasized the MBE since I did super shitty on the actual MBE which I think was due in part to not practicing enough (I did about 55% or less of the practice MBEs over the summer). My concern with the sets being mixed is screwing them up since I started studying in the middle of November so civ pro isn't as fresh in my mind as property is. Hopefully it all just clicks.

[numbertwo88]

Does anyone notice the civil procedure questions getting harder or is it just me? I understand testing nuances but this is bordering on fucking ridiculous.

[sparty99]

Does anyone notice the civil procedure questions getting harder or is it just me? I understand testing nuances but this is bordering on fucking ridiculous.

I thought they were hard to begin with.

[jhan11]

Does anyone notice the civil procedure questions getting harder or is it just me? I understand testing nuances but this is bordering on fucking ridiculous.

I thought they were hard to begin with.

Civ pro lecture was a waste of time. Felt like I had to study from scratch and learn from MBE PQs But it did force me into memorizing all the "within ~ days" stuff that I wouldn't have done otherwise.

[sparty99]

Does anyone notice the civil procedure questions getting harder or is it just me? I understand testing nuances but this is bordering on fucking ridiculous.

I thought they were hard to begin with.

Civ pro lecture was a waste of time. Felt like I had to study from scratch and learn from MBE PQs But it did force me into memorizing all the "within ~ days" stuff that I wouldn't have done otherwise.

I agree....I have learned more from the questions.

[numbertwo88]

Are there any repeat Themis takers doing the simulated MBE entirely online?

I refused to pay $200 or whatever it was for new books and... I almost regret it for this 1 task but not quite.

[ginger root]

Are there any repeat Themis takers doing the simulated MBE entirely online?

I refused to pay $200 or whatever it was for new books and... I almost regret it for this 1 task but not quite.

I was just going to re-use my book from the summer, but your question has me thinking that they're probably not using the same exact test....

[numbertwo88]

Are there any repeat Themis takers doing the simulated MBE entirely online?

I refused to pay $200 or whatever it was for new books and... I almost regret it for this 1 task but not quite.

I was just going to re-use my book from the summer, but your question has me thinking that they're probably not using the same exact test....

I figure with the addition of civil procedure, it can't be the same.

I'm about to take it now. Nervous as hell

[ginger root]

I figure with the addition of civil procedure, it can't be the same.

I'm about to take it now. Nervous as hell

Yeah, oops. Clearly, I wasn't thinking.

Good luck!

[numbertwo88]

I forgot how 200 MBE questions felt. Literally painful.

I'm curious how the simulated MBE score correlates to the actual MBE given my actual MBE score was just 3 points higher than my simulated MBE score -- on the simulated today I got a 122.

Part of me thinks it would've been easier on paper versus all online.

My actual MBE score in July was 125. And it killed me.

[numbertwo88]

And I'd like to add, fuck some of those civil procedure questions to hell.

[sparty99]

I forgot how 200 MBE questions felt. Literally painful.

I'm curious how the simulated MBE score correlates to the actual MBE given my actual MBE score was just 3 points higher than my simulated MBE score -- on the simulated today I got a 122.

Part of me thinks it would've been easier on paper versus all online.

My actual MBE score in July was 125. And it killed me.

I don't think it's comparable as it is not weighted. You should focus more on how you did compared to everyone else. If people are getting 150 and you got a 122, well, that might be an issue. But if you got 122 and people got 125, you are in the ball game. Remember that 90% of Themis people pass or whatever your state bar is goign to be. Thus, you want to be near or better than other Themis people.

[sparty99]

And I'd like to add, fuck some of those civil procedure questions to hell.

I think you should go to the movies and relax for a while. Recoup.

[ginger root]

I forgot how 200 MBE questions felt. Literally painful.

I'm curious how the simulated MBE score correlates to the actual MBE given my actual MBE score was just 3 points higher than my simulated MBE score -- on the simulated today I got a 122.

Part of me thinks it would've been easier on paper versus all online.

My actual MBE score in July was 125. And it killed me.

Wait, which state are you in? My simulated MBE isn't even available online until February 10. I'm in CA.

I do agree that it's easier on paper. Sometimes I don't read as carefully when I'm reading the questions online and I make some stupid mistakes because of that. But I find it helpful to keep a sheet of paper next to me when doing the questions and I make the same notes that I would make on the question booklet. I have a little system of notations that I use. For example, as soon as I see a contracts question, I write down "UCC" or "CL." As soon as I see an evidence question, I write down "CIV" or "CRIM." Etc... It gets more complicated than that, but that's the general idea. If you're not doing this already, I highly recommend it. It will help keep you engaged with the question and focused on which rules they're testing.

[numbertwo88]

I forgot how 200 MBE questions felt. Literally painful.

I'm curious how the simulated MBE score correlates to the actual MBE given my actual MBE score was just 3 points higher than my simulated MBE score -- on the simulated today I got a 122.

Part of me thinks it would've been easier on paper versus all online.

My actual MBE score in July was 125. And it killed me.

Wait, which state are you in? My simulated MBE isn't even available online until February 10. I'm in CA.

I do agree that it's easier on paper. Sometimes I don't read as carefully when I'm reading the questions online and I make some stupid mistakes because of that. But I find it helpful to keep a sheet of paper next to me when doing the questions and I make the same notes that I would make on the question booklet. I have a little system of notations that I use. For example, as soon as I see a contracts question, I write down "UCC" or "CL." As soon as I see an evidence question, I write down "CIV" or "CRIM." Etc... It gets more complicated than that, but that's the general idea. If you're not doing this already, I highly recommend it. It will help keep you engaged with the question and focused on which rules they're testing.

I'm in Massachusetts. The state advisers said between 110 - 120 was "good" for the simulation & what most people score but I can't handle that as good because I'm terrified of not passing for a 2nd time. Trying to trust the process but it's hard!

Taking the simulation online probably didn't help either since I cannot underline/jot down little notes as I read. I was using a piece of scratch paper to jot down things but I do think it would've been easier to have my eyes in 1 spot as opposed to darting between 2 places. I'm definitely going to take your advice for the next practice MBE I do! It seem like it'll help me out to keep my focus/rules in line.

[TheLegalOne]

And I'd like to add, fuck some of those civil procedure questions to hell.

I'm with you! It is my lowest category and I actually like the subject. Pleadings, in particular, is bringing me down. I don't know why the rules in this area will not stick with me.