BarBri - NY Exam - July 2014 Forum

[Guchster]

Are you guys watching the SFE lecture videos for the exam analysis? If anyone has watched them yet, were they helpful or do you think time would be better spent memorizing and practicing?

[jd20132013]

i dont have the slightest intention of watching them

[Stringer6]

Are you guys watching the SFE lecture videos for the exam analysis? If anyone has watched them yet, were they helpful or do you think time would be better spent memorizing and practicing?

i'm going to watch tomorrow. will let you know if they suck. but i've liked them all so far.

[turquoiseturtle]

Are you guys watching the SFE lecture videos for the exam analysis? If anyone has watched them yet, were they helpful or do you think time would be better spent memorizing and practicing?

i'm going to watch tomorrow. will let you know if they suck. but i've liked them all so far.

How has everyone been doing on the SFE comparatively? I thought it was relatively hard! I've been getting around 75% pretty consistently, but I'm down closer to 65% on the SFE.

[Guchster]

Are you guys watching the SFE lecture videos for the exam analysis? If anyone has watched them yet, were they helpful or do you think time would be better spent memorizing and practicing?

i'm going to watch tomorrow. will let you know if they suck. but i've liked them all so far.

How has everyone been doing on the SFE comparatively? I thought it was relatively hard!

Just took it and felt the same--I thought Barbri was going to give in and go for an ego boost this close to the end but I was unpleasantly surprised.

I found the simulated MBE videos pretty awesome for the most part, but I didn't think that about the MBE workshop ones. I'm going to probably watch a few tomorrow and make up my mind how I feel about them.

[lilyorchid]

Yeah, I'm not watching the SFE videos. I'm not doing the SFE until tomorrow, that's when it appears in my paced plan. Apparently it's hard, thanks for steeling me for the worst. Not that I wouldn't have been so steeled anyway, but...

I'm currently most worried about the essays, though. I kind of get what I need to do for MBE and I'm still prepping furiously because I still think that's where most of the difference will be made, but I'm nonetheless worried about my ability to recall rules of law exactly and spit out essay answers.

I got Critical Pass flashcards and they really helped with my confidence level and scores since I've been using them. (Probably isn't too late to order 'em but you gotta do it now: --LinkRemoved--)

Because of my good experience with my first above-and-beyond Barbri purchase, I'm thinking about breaking down and getting the SmartBarPrep outline for NY Essays. Excessive? Does anyone have it/like it? Would love opinions. You can PM me if you're a lurker or something. Thanks.

[peanut123]

same as you. Some really easy questions that basically resort to "define what a battery is" and some impossible oddball questions.

Also was a little annoyed at the same fact questions.

I'm embarrassed to admit the number of times I got the first question wrong, checked my answer and read the explanation, then got the second question wrong too, read the explanation, and still SOMEHOW got the third wrong.

Yeah that is driving me crazy - If I'm not getting the concept on the first question to test it, I'm not going to get the second or third. Maybe it drives in a point that it's an area worth studying, but it just pisses me off in the moment.

[greenjuice]

I watched a few of the SFE videos but didn't think they were that useful. I don't know if she does all of the review lectures, but the three I watched were all by the same woman that did the crim law review for the simulated MBE. In every video she tells you to "exhaust your resources" and says we should be doing all the assignments in all the books, even the essays that weren't assigned. Great, guess I'm screwed

[legalbeagle56]

Yeah, I'm not watching the SFE videos. I'm not doing the SFE until tomorrow, that's when it appears in my paced plan. Apparently it's hard, thanks for steeling me for the worst. Not that I wouldn't have been so steeled anyway, but...

I'm currently most worried about the essays, though. I kind of get what I need to do for MBE and I'm still prepping furiously because I still think that's where most of the difference will be made, but I'm nonetheless worried about my ability to recall rules of law exactly and spit out essay answers.

I got Critical Pass flashcards and they really helped with my confidence level and scores since I've been using them. (Probably isn't too late to order 'em but you gotta do it now: --LinkRemoved--)

Because of my good experience with my first above-and-beyond Barbri purchase, I'm thinking about breaking down and getting the SmartBarPrep outline for NY Essays. Excessive? Does anyone have it/like it? Would love opinions. You can PM me if you're a lurker or something. Thanks.

I bought the SmartBarPrep outline a while ago and have found it to be really useful - well worth the $99 in my opinion. It is nice in that all of the rule statements that have ever appeared on the last 37 bar exams are laid out right in front of you. No need to go searching through lecture handouts or the CMR to find a rule statement. A few (and I mean very, very few) rule statements needed some tweaking, but overall I'm glad I bought it.

[obiwankenobi]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

[pizzasodafries]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

i am using that too, but beware there are some errors in their rules of law, especially in Wills

[obiwankenobi]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

i am using that too, but beware there are some errors in their rules of law, especially in Wills

crap.. major errors? like what?

[thetashster]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

i am using that too, but beware there are some errors in their rules of law, especially in Wills

crap.. major errors? like what?

i've also found it extremely useful. as for 2010, i feel like there were a lot of changes to a lot of things that year. and that could be why it wasn't highly repeated. they could have added or removed a topic. and i recall a lot of wills things happening in 2010.

[pizzasodafries]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

i am using that too, but beware there are some errors in their rules of law, especially in Wills

crap.. major errors? like what?

Off top of my head, cant think of anything now, nothing MAJOR, but some small little parts that were a drop inconsistent with outline, i will post the differences when i look over the Hacked essays in a bit

[pizzasodafries]

Can someone explain to me what "Continue a business" prohibition for a trustee actually is?

Can't really understand what this entails that makes it a breach of fiduciary duties.

[thetashster]

Can someone explain to me what "Continue a business" prohibition for a trustee actually is?

Can't really understand what this entails that makes it a breach of fiduciary duties.

take with a grain of salt, but i thought it meant you can't use the funds from the trust to run your own business.

[legalbeagle56]

I also bought the SmartBarPrep outline and have found it to be very useful. I've been going through 2 or so topics per day, memorizing and rewriting the rule statements. The only thing I'm worried about is what percentage of the rules on this year's exam will be repeats. For example, in July 2013, 94% of the rules were repeats (so SmartBarPrep was obviously extremely useful for that exam), but in July 2010 only 65% of the rules were repeats (so not as useful...) This does seem like the most efficient way of studying though, since I just don't see how I could memorize every single rule statement that has AND has not but could be on the exam.

i am using that too, but beware there are some errors in their rules of law, especially in Wills

crap.. major errors? like what?

Off top of my head, cant think of anything now, nothing MAJOR, but some small little parts that were a drop inconsistent with outline, i will post the differences when i look over the Hacked essays in a bit

I specifically remember that the numbers listed in the exempt personal property set-aside were wrong/old, and I think some points were left out for pretermitted children and ademption.

[obiwankenobi]

crap.. major errors? like what?

Off top of my head, cant think of anything now, nothing MAJOR, but some small little parts that were a drop inconsistent with outline, i will post the differences when i look over the Hacked essays in a bit[/quote]

I specifically remember that the numbers listed in the exempt personal property set-aside were wrong/old, and I think some points were left out for pretermitted children and ademption.[/quote]

thanks pizzasodafries and legalbeagle56!

[klankenburger]

Has anyone gotten to the mixed sets?

Does anyone else find these as difficult or more difficult than the sets 5/6, or is it just me?

Thanks.

The mixed sets are supposed to be a lot easier. The first page or two of the MBE book lists the average scores of each practice set. Practice sets 5 & 6 for every subject average about 50%. I felt WAY better after I realized that.

[belowthelaw57]

Rant {

Just did the homework for this morning. I know I've posted ad infinitum about how Set 5/6s are just Barbri's way of making you feel like shit about yourself, but they REALLY went out of their way for Torts Set 5. I'd say a good 4-5 were just straight up judgment calls that depended on whether or not you were persuaded by the facts. Scored the lowest on this than I have on anything for weeks.

Went from feeling somewhat in control this morning to feeling completely unprepared. I just need to remember it's just not an indicator of my mastery over the material and a mindgame. GET IT TOGETHER GOOCH.

}

Yea I did 5 a couple weeks ago, and started doing 6 last week. I stopped and decided to not to continue. I think they're useless and probably counter productive. the level of detail they test on will never tested on the actual exam and teach you too much. They make you doubt your instincts and over think, which will lower your score. If there is that rare very very hard question, you can risk getting it wrong. Better that you're confident on all the rest.

[IFoughtTheLaw]

Thanks to the posters above for mentioning the SmartBarPrep outline!! I was freaking out about the NY essays, and I'm very pleased with this outline.

[Guchster]

Rant {

Just did the homework for this morning. I know I've posted ad infinitum about how Set 5/6s are just Barbri's way of making you feel like shit about yourself, but they REALLY went out of their way for Torts Set 5. I'd say a good 4-5 were just straight up judgment calls that depended on whether or not you were persuaded by the facts. Scored the lowest on this than I have on anything for weeks.

Went from feeling somewhat in control this morning to feeling completely unprepared. I just need to remember it's just not an indicator of my mastery over the material and a mindgame. GET IT TOGETHER GOOCH.

}

Yea I did 5 a couple weeks ago, and started doing 6 last week. I stopped and decided to not to continue. I think they're useless and probably counter productive. the level of detail they test on will never tested on the actual exam and teach you too much. They make you doubt your instincts and over think, which will lower your score. If there is that rare very very hard question, you can risk getting it wrong. Better that you're confident on all the rest.

Completely agree with all of this. I will NOT be doing Sets 6 for the areas I'm borderline or struggling with; I just have so much to do and I don't have time wasting it on practicing judgment calls and answers that flip on Barbri's whim and mood (with the seeming purpose to make you throw your hands in the air and think you're an awful test taker).

In their place for paced program days, I recommend doing the Set A/Set B/Drills or Mixed Sets in the practice questions bar, and if you've done those to work in the half-day or full-day set instead.

[thetashster]

Rant {

Just did the homework for this morning. I know I've posted ad infinitum about how Set 5/6s are just Barbri's way of making you feel like shit about yourself, but they REALLY went out of their way for Torts Set 5. I'd say a good 4-5 were just straight up judgment calls that depended on whether or not you were persuaded by the facts. Scored the lowest on this than I have on anything for weeks.

Went from feeling somewhat in control this morning to feeling completely unprepared. I just need to remember it's just not an indicator of my mastery over the material and a mindgame. GET IT TOGETHER GOOCH.

}

Yea I did 5 a couple weeks ago, and started doing 6 last week. I stopped and decided to not to continue. I think they're useless and probably counter productive. the level of detail they test on will never tested on the actual exam and teach you too much. They make you doubt your instincts and over think, which will lower your score. If there is that rare very very hard question, you can risk getting it wrong. Better that you're confident on all the rest.

Completely agree with all of this. I will NOT be doing Sets 6 for the areas I'm borderline or struggling with; I just have so much to do and I don't have time wasting it on practicing judgment calls and answers that flip on Barbri's whim and mood (with the seeming purpose to make you throw your hands in the air and think you're an awful test taker).

In their place for paced program days, I recommend doing the Set A/Set B/Drills or Mixed Sets in the practice questions bar, and if you've done those to work in the half-day or full-day set instead.

If anybody's willing to spend any more money than we already have ... NCBEs actual releases questions are worth the 50 dollars. Yeah some are easy but they're different from Barbri. And I'm glad I looked at them cuz they take some adjusting.

[Guchster]

Stupid Wills Q.

What happens if an interested witness is joined by two disinterested witnesses--as well as be an intestate distributee if the will were not established?

I know if she would take as an intestate distributee she would get the lesser of her intestate share or will disposition--but what if there is also 2 other disinterested witnesses? The CMR and outlines make it sound like she would get the full amount bequeathed in the will and the "lesser of" rule wouldn't apply.... is this true?

HALP

[thetashster]

Stupid Wills Q.

What happens if an interested witness is joined by two disinterested witnesses--as well as be an intestate distributee if the will were not established?

I know if she would take as an intestate distributee she would get the lesser of her intestate share or will disposition--but what if there is also 2 other disinterested witnesses? The CMR and outlines make it sound like she would get the full amount bequeathed in the will and the "lesser of" rule wouldn't apply.... is this true?

HALP

My notes say dude gets the original gift with two disinterested witnesses. Without those it's the lesser of rule. Any other thoughts?