Texas Saloon- Feb. 2016 Texas Bar Forum

[bluesplitter]

So I want to go ahead and start studying this week. Does anyone think it's too early? Just right? Focusing on MBE exclusively until Barbri program officially starts.

After a false start on Nov 1st, I started in earnest on November 13th. Took three days from bar studying to focus on final exams....i would say u need to start now.


I started with the intent to "master" the mbe and be around 140ish + zone on MBE so i could just maintain by doing about 30 to 50 questions a day( which takes 3-5 hours) and doing the essays after the turn of the year for 4-5 hours. Just repetition. Every Saturday is my mpt/procedure day. Making progess so far.

[RetakeFTW]

Hey everyone, I'm a retaker who also can't seem to pass the MPRE (though my only time taking was 2 days after failing the Bar, so whatever).

Question about grade release. The next MPRE is March 19, 2016, making the release in the April 17-23 range. Guessing/hoping that is well before the February results come out? Didn't want to have to study more after the Bar, but what can ya do?

Also, I live in Austin, and about 5 minutes from the testing center, if anyone has any questions moving forward.

[KTnKT]

Should have a week or two between results. Sucks though. Retaking both.

Then again, pretty much everything sucks about this process right now.

Then again, maybe that's just finals week talking.

[texasbar]

Hey everyone, I'm a retaker who also can't seem to pass the MPRE (though my only time taking was 2 days after failing the Bar, so whatever).

Question about grade release. The next MPRE is March 19, 2016, making the release in the April 17-23 range. Guessing/hoping that is well before the February results come out? Didn't want to have to study more after the Bar, but what can ya do?

Also, I live in Austin, and about 5 minutes from the testing center, if anyone has any questions moving forward.

I wrote the mpre in August because, even though I had zero motivation to do it after the bar exam, I knew that it would be even worse to write it after results! You will ace it the next time around.

It looks like bar results were released on April 29 last year...

[a mouse duh]

[deleted]

[texasbarexaminee15]

Just checking in! Repeat taker. Failed the July 2015 Exam by 10 points. On a positive note, I believe in myself and my abilities to PASS in February! I also believe in you all! First timer or repeater, we can do this!

Peace and Love.

[Summer562]

Is anyone interested having a small study group in Austin? I usually do most of my studying solo but I'm thinking it might be helpful to meet up a few times for the essay portion to compare essay writing, discussing (memorizing) topics, and just overall support to stay on track.

Let me know. Best wishes!

[texasbarexaminee15]

Is anyone interested having a small study group in Austin? I usually do most of my studying solo but I'm thinking it might be helpful to meet up a few times for the essay portion to compare essay writing, discussing (memorizing) topics, and just overall support to stay on track.

Let me know. Best wishes!

Hey Summer, I'm definitely interested in forming a small study group. I'm in San Antonio, but I wouldn't mind the drive to ATX. Keep me posted.

[BVest]

BLE site updated this week. For one, it has the general instructions.

Second, it has samples of the new format for P&E exam. Basically it's the same as before, but instead of one book for both questions and space to write answers, there are two books, one for questions and one for answers. The reason for the change is that this administration will allow typed responses to P&E. If you choose to type your responses, they'll be limited to 460 characters. If you handwrite, you'll be limited to the usual space (5 lines).

Third, sample answers from July are up.

New for this exam:

Procedure & Evidence Questions will be presented in a new format. A sample of the new P&E format is available here: Sample New Format P&E Question Booklet --- Sample New Format P&E Answer Booklet
Laptop examinees can use their laptops for the Procedure and Evidence Questions.
Laptop examinees will be able to upload their answer files at the exam site. We will no longer require laptop examinees to perform a mandatory USB back up.
We will provide foam ear plugs. Examinees cannot bring their own.
Prescription medicine, in its original labeled container, is now Permitted. No additional permission or arrangements are required.
Fitness trackers are Prohibited.
On Wednesday, when we administer the MBE, bring plenty of No. 2 pencils—please do not bring pens, highlighters, or pencil sharpeners.
All examinees must turn in all exam materials at the end of each testing session—including Essay question books and P&E Question books.

Admission Tickets will be delivered electronically to examinees’ eFast accounts beginning February 1, 2016.

[JazzOne]

Hey gang. I'm a local test prep guru with a background in MCAT and LSAT. I do a significant amount of bar prep tutoring, and I'd be happy to answer questions, offer advice, or simply provide some moral support.

The best piece of advice that I can offer you is to get organized. I never met a successful attorney who wasn't insanely organized. Organization includes effective time management. Good luck!

[dallas31]

Just checking in... Repeat taker...failed by only a few points...will be retaking barbri

[jamescastle]

When is the deadline for doing that ExamSoft registration? Did I miss that? I'm not seeing an email about it at all...

[jamescastle]

When is the deadline for doing that ExamSoft registration? Did I miss that? I'm not seeing an email about it at all...

Maybe I should have researched before I posted instead of the other way around.
Anyway, from this page:
https://ei.examsoft.com/GKWeb/login/txbar
does that mean it opens 01/08/2016 at 10:00AM until 01/19/2016 at 11:59PM?

[KTnKT]

Yes, that is how I read it.

Also, I remembered reading somewhere else that it wasn't open until January. But the post about missing the deadline freaked me out a bit too.

[BVest]

That's also not too far off of the timing from the July bar (download period was 6/5 - 6/15 for 7/28 bar exam).

[bluesplitter]

Well fellow Bar Takers,

Considering it is the end of 2015, I feel a fitting question is, "How has studying been going so far, what are some things you want to try differently tomorrow/next year?"(after recovery from tonight's reasonable festivities)

[KTnKT]

I want to get into the routine of studying set hours. Up till now it has been a bit haphazard.

Buuut 2016 is our time to rock the bar.

[texasbar]

Well fellow Bar Takers,

Considering it is the end of 2015, I feel a fitting question is, "How has studying been going so far, what are some things you want to try differently tomorrow/next year?"(after recovery from tonight's reasonable festivities)

My studying has been highly inconsistent so far but now that we're in January, I plan on sticking to a strict schedule....starting tomorrow

[bluesplitter]

So I have some progress to Report! via Adaptibar.

It took about 6 weeks at about 4-5 hours per day focusing on MBE but I finally am getting some real gains.

Started on November 13th in earnest.

By 12/10/15 I had an average of
Questions - 598
Accuracy Rate - 53.7%

Now the following:
Exam Date # of Questions Score
Exam 1 (2006) 12/19/2015 100 61%
Submit
Exam 2 (2008) 01/03/2016 100 77%

So encouraged by this.


I just wanted to share, because anyone else i tell that is not involved with bar prep in the past or present won't "get" why i am so excited by these numbers. lol

Keep up the work guys and hang tough.

[murdock83]

Checking in, retaking unfortunately.

I'm looking at booking a room for the Feb exam, but am not really familiar with the Austin downtown area. Is there anywhere that you would specifically avoid? I'm trying to get fairly close, but wanted something safe and affordable as well. It was pretty easy to gauge traffic in Houston, but not sure about ATX.

*Happy* studying to all.

[bluesplitter]

There are also a list of hotels on BLE website

[bluesplitter]

Checking in, retaking unfortunately.

I'm looking at booking a room for the Feb exam, but am not really familiar with the Austin downtown area. Is there anywhere that you would specifically avoid? I'm trying to get fairly close, but wanted something safe and affordable as well. It was pretty easy to gauge traffic in Houston, but not sure about ATX.

*Happy* studying to all.

100 buks off regular rate at Radisson if u let them know u are taking bar exam.


500 buks or so for 3 nights...

Thats what i did.

[left shark]

Checking in, retaking unfortunately.

I'm looking at booking a room for the Feb exam, but am not really familiar with the Austin downtown area. Is there anywhere that you would specifically avoid? I'm trying to get fairly close, but wanted something safe and affordable as well. It was pretty easy to gauge traffic in Houston, but not sure about ATX.

*Happy* studying to all.

If possible, try not to go any further south than Woodward St. (though Oltorf wouldn't be terrible) and no further north than MLK (though that's pushing it a little). Staying somewhere along S. Congress Ave. would be great, since you won't have to fight 35. Honestly, the only areas I would avoid are way north, both for sketchy reasons (Rundberg Ln.) but also for traffic, which is terrible on 35. It doesn't help that ice storms are not unheard of in February.

You might also consider Airbnb- I did that for the July bar in Houston and it was cheaper than a hotel, and even nicer since it was a guesthouse in a quiet residential area.

[austinmom]

As someone who lives in Austin, I would avoid any hotel or location that requires you to use Mopac (Loop 1) or I35 to get to the exam testing site if possible. I know that the Embassy Suites (maybe it's a Doubletree?) is within walking distance to Palmer Events center and that there are hotels off Congress that are huge and easy to get to as well (Stephen F. Austin, Hotel Van Zandt, W, Westin, Radisson, Hyatt, Hilton, Courtyard).

[murdock83]

Thanks for the recommendations! I had no idea 35 was quite so bad. I almost booked a room off there as I'm trying to stay budget friendly. Definitely gonna rethink that plan!