California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[adonai]

Community property question regarding putative spouses.

Assume Husband is married to W1 and moves to another state. Husband then tells W2 that he is single and ends up marrying W2.

W2 is a putative spouse, but what happens with Husband upon dissolution of the marriage with W2? How is he treated despite his bad faith?

I believe the rule is that it hasn't been decided in CA whether the bad faith spouse recovers upon dissolution, but that it will most likely be treated as a normal dissolution where each spouse recovers equally. See barbri comm. prop. essay 4 model answer.

[adonai]

I actually thought the three (in the case of the PTs) were pretty similar. Granted, I didn't like use a rubric of my own or anything so maybe I wasn't comprehensive enough, but they all had the exact same structure (no surprise on a PT I guess), decent application of facts, conclusions and use of the law, except the higher scored ones where one failed to use one point of law on one subsection and one failed on two subsections. They all seemed easy to follow (again, one of the higher scoring ones had a lot of typos that made it harder to follow, but whatever). Maybe if I'm really freaking myself out about this I should go back to those three and literally sit down and compare them point for point and maybe if I give it more time, I'll discover why they were graded differently. Given that we are told the actual bar exam graders spend like two minutes per essay, I was hoping it would be somewhat obvious to me why two essays got SUCH disparate scores. There have definitely been a few times this has been true…where I see a whole section left off a low scoring essay, or several partially incorrect rule statements. But as I've been reading through a lot of these in the last few days, it seems like the variance (on those qualities you referenced) among the high scoring essays are just as significant as the variance between the high and low scorers, so it's hard to find any thread of consistency for what makes the high scoring ones better than the low.

You might just be right. You probably are right that it might just be a grader specific thing. People who get into the regrade stage have seen variations of 10+ points on regrade. I'm sure they aren't spending several minutes grading the essay point by point like you said. So it probably was just an issue of grader arbitrariness. I'd like to think that would balance itself out with other essays, though. Like where you did a really bad essay and got a really good score on it.

[Charles Barkley]

Thanks for the responses.

[Carryon]

So, I was reviewing the list of what we can and can't bring into the exam to see if I needed to buy certain items like a proper laptop raiser. One thing that seems to be missing is bottled water. Are we not allowed to bring it to the exam? It seems unusual that we can bring medicine, but how are we supposed to take the medicine without water? I'm also not happy that we can't have food -- I get so hungry after a couple of hours!

Here is what is allowed with respect to the laptop computer "External standard or ergonomic keyboards and equipment such as a mouse are allowed. These items may be wireless.
Maximum size allowed of laptop computer screen is 17 inches."

I think that means that we can take an external keyboard that is wired into the laptop, I hope it does?

they are pretty strict with food and water and really really strict with a cell. Don't take a cell into the examination room.

[lmr]

I just downloaded exam soft for the bar and it was absolutely awful-apparently a lot of people had problems getting the thing to download properly mine kept on showing my school's name and wouldn't turn into the cal bar one until I kept on messing w it. My old law school exam files still show up there-i hope that's not a problem. I think exam soft is pretty crappy...

[Carryon]

For those that are feeling good about your essays, are you using Barbri's (or Themis, whatever) rubric to score yourself or how can you tell you are doing well? I'm feeling really uncertain about the essays because even though I almost always score in the Passing or Above Passing range on their rubric, when I look through the scored answers on Baressays, I honestly find it hard to tell the difference between some essays, sometimes that score as differently as 57.5 and 70. This morning, I did an essay and looked at the same essay with a failing score (somewhere in the 50s) on Baressays, and I swear it was only *slightly* different from Barbri's model answer. Just now, I outlined a PT and looked at the answers on Baressays and I read two that both got 70 and personally thought they were crap, and they definitely did not mirror the model answer in really critical ways (e.g. use of the library on appropriate subsections). I read one that got a 57.5 and again, it all but mirrored the Barbri model answer. I don't think I can afford to risk in the 50s on any essays, even though I expect to have some cushion from the MBE. I just am not sure if I should be confident in Barbri's rubric, and Baressays has just made me more confused. I haven't upgraded to the premium subscription, but it is only like 1 of every 10, it seems like, that offers grading analysis, so of the 4 I referenced above, not one of them even had grading analysis offered to clarify, even if I did pay the extra $50.

I don't know whether I need advice on how to better tell a good essay from a bad one, or just advice on how to just have confidence in what I am doing now and keep moving. But as of right now, I feel like the grading is totally arbitrary and yet just 2-3 5 point increments are totally make it or break it for the overall test.

I recommend paying the extra 50 dollars. They generally score about 1 or 2 exams with grader comments per bar exam test period (e.g. feb 2014, july 2013 etc.) In addition, you get to see the model answers,which are well worth the cost imo. Does barbri themis or anybody else just sell just the rubric so you can self score your results?

[LSATNightmares]

I just downloaded exam soft for the bar and it was absolutely awful-apparently a lot of people had problems getting the thing to download properly mine kept on showing my school's name and wouldn't turn into the cal bar one until I kept on messing w it. My old law school exam files still show up there-i hope that's not a problem. I think exam soft is pretty crappy...

Yeah, I downloaded mine when CalBar first sent the email, and ExamSoft the company was no help at all when I was trying to uninstall my school's ExamSoft. They kept telling me it would override the school ExamSoft, but I didn't trust them. Luckily, I just went to my school's tech office and they took care of everything for me. But it was still like a 2-hour ordeal.

[LSATNightmares]

So, I was reviewing the list of what we can and can't bring into the exam to see if I needed to buy certain items like a proper laptop raiser. One thing that seems to be missing is bottled water. Are we not allowed to bring it to the exam? It seems unusual that we can bring medicine, but how are we supposed to take the medicine without water? I'm also not happy that we can't have food -- I get so hungry after a couple of hours!

Here is what is allowed with respect to the laptop computer "External standard or ergonomic keyboards and equipment such as a mouse are allowed. These items may be wireless.
Maximum size allowed of laptop computer screen is 17 inches."

I think that means that we can take an external keyboard that is wired into the laptop, I hope it does?

they are pretty strict with food and water and really really strict with a cell. Don't take a cell into the examination room.

Yeah, I would assume you can just bring in any keyboard that you plug into your computer. If I go with a laptop raiser, that's what I'll be doing.

[LSATNightmares]

They say water is available. Sounds like a water cooler or fountain in the room or something?

If that's the case, that would be awesome, though I hope we get water bottles at our desk. I would hate to keep getting up in the middle of the exam to go to a water fountain to avoid getting dehydrated or take medicine.

[2807]

They say water is available. Sounds like a water cooler or fountain in the room or something?

If that's the case, that would be awesome, though I hope we get water bottles at our desk. I would hate to keep getting up in the middle of the exam to go to a water fountain to avoid getting dehydrated or take medicine.

I can speak for the Century Plaza exam (last July).
They had tables set up in a lobby area right outside the doors to the massive (I mean MASSIVE !) banquet room where you will take the test.
(there was also an overflow room which was smaller, but still held 100s of people )

The tables had large containers of ice water and cups for everyone. You can get up, scamper out, drink and use the bathrooms quickly and easily.

No food, no water allowed in the room. There are proctors everywhere so do no get sneaky.

Cram a granola bar/snack in your pocket, eat it right as you go in, and you will survive.

After the first morning session, you will see the flow of it all, and adjust accordingly.

[JJDancer]

They say water is available. Sounds like a water cooler or fountain in the room or something?

If that's the case, that would be awesome, though I hope we get water bottles at our desk. I would hate to keep getting up in the middle of the exam to go to a water fountain to avoid getting dehydrated or take medicine.

I can speak for the Century Plaza exam (last July).
They had tables set up in a lobby area right outside the doors to the massive (I mean MASSIVE !) banquet room where you will take the test.
(there was also an overflow room which was smaller, but still held 100s of people )

The tables had large containers of ice water and cups for everyone. You can get up, scamper out, drink and use the bathrooms quickly and easily.

No food, no water allowed in the room. There are proctors everywhere so do no get sneaky.

Cram a granola bar/snack in your pocket, eat it right as you go in, and you will survive.

After the first morning session, you will see the flow of it all, and adjust accordingly.

Thanks

Are you supposed to leave everything else in your car? If you d don't drive there is there somewhere to store your stuff?

[Carryon]

They say water is available. Sounds like a water cooler or fountain in the room or something?

If that's the case, that would be awesome, though I hope we get water bottles at our desk. I would hate to keep getting up in the middle of the exam to go to a water fountain to avoid getting dehydrated or take medicine.

I can speak for the Century Plaza exam (last July).
They had tables set up in a lobby area right outside the doors to the massive (I mean MASSIVE !) banquet room where you will take the test.
(there was also an overflow room which was smaller, but still held 100s of people )

The tables had large containers of ice water and cups for everyone. You can get up, scamper out, drink and use the bathrooms quickly and easily.

No food, no water allowed in the room. There are proctors everywhere so do no get sneaky.

Cram a granola bar/snack in your pocket, eat it right as you go in, and you will survive.

After the first morning session, you will see the flow of it all, and adjust accordingly.

Thanks

Are you supposed to leave everything else in your car? If you d don't drive there is there somewhere to store your stuff?

at ontario, they had an area where you can put your stuff that was not in the exam room, but it was in the building.

[adonai]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

[Carryon]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

rule of perpetuities is always talked about, but rarely tested, but you never know what may happen.

[Kinopio Taicho]

I've been lurking on thread since May, but I don't know if I can keep going on. I got 48 out of 100 on the Barbri Simulated MBE, which is worse than I did on the 200 question exam in the middle. I'm about to cry, how am I possibly getting dumber?

[iLoveFruits&Veggies]

I've been lurking on thread since May, but I don't know if I can keep going on. I got 48 out of 100 on the Barbri Simulated MBE, which is worse than I did on the 200 question exam in the middle. I'm about to cry, how am I possibly getting dumber?

chin up!
1. You've still got 2 full weeks! From what I hear, this is when it all sinks in! (it better!!)
2. I took 2 NCBE released MBE exams on adaptibar last week (100 questions each) and my score went down the second time! I think scores go down for lots of folks since we're so overwhelmed by this point!
3. Although the CA Bar is MUCH harder than the LSAT, I distinctively remember taking all sorts of practice LSAT exams and then getting my best score on the actual exam itself, so while "practice" tests are helpful, they're not 100% indicative of how you'll do on the real thing.
4. Although I wish the exam was 100% MBEs (those are my forte!), in reality, most of our score will come from the essays (my weakness) and the PTs, so the MBEs aren't everything - just one piece of the puzzle. Just keep practicing them, and look for reoccurring patterns. They're there!! Soon you'll be able to say, "oh, it's another one of those questions! I remember!"

Don't despair!! You can do it!! (I'm writing this to myself as much as I am to you lol! I'm not very confident at the moment either!!)

[Kinopio Taicho]

1. You've still got 2 full weeks! From what I hear, this is when it all sinks in! (it better!!)
2. I took 2 NCBE released MBE exams on adaptibar last week (100 questions each) and my score went down the second time! I think scores go down for lots of folks since we're so overwhelmed by this point!
3. Although the CA Bar is MUCH harder than the LSAT, I distinctively remember taking all sorts of practice LSAT exams and then getting my best score on the actual exam itself, so while "practice" tests are helpful, they're not 100% indicative of how you'll do on the real thing.
4. Although I wish the exam was 100% MBEs (those are my forte!), in reality, most of our score will come from the essays (my weakness) and the PTs, so the MBEs aren't everything - just one piece of the puzzle. Just keep practicing them, and look for reoccurring patterns. They're there!! Soon you'll be able to say, "oh, it's another one of those questions! I remember!"

Don't despair!! You can do it!! (I'm writing this to myself as much as I am to you lol! I'm not very confident at the moment either!!)

Thanks - I needed to hear it. Some Mario and a donut later, and I'm ready to get back into the fight at least.

[lmr]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

What if it ends up being an essay question? Don't do that to yourself at least formulate a half assed attack plan if comes up on an essay question.

[iLoveFruits&Veggies]

1. You've still got 2 full weeks! From what I hear, this is when it all sinks in! (it better!!)
2. I took 2 NCBE released MBE exams on adaptibar last week (100 questions each) and my score went down the second time! I think scores go down for lots of folks since we're so overwhelmed by this point!
3. Although the CA Bar is MUCH harder than the LSAT, I distinctively remember taking all sorts of practice LSAT exams and then getting my best score on the actual exam itself, so while "practice" tests are helpful, they're not 100% indicative of how you'll do on the real thing.
4. Although I wish the exam was 100% MBEs (those are my forte!), in reality, most of our score will come from the essays (my weakness) and the PTs, so the MBEs aren't everything - just one piece of the puzzle. Just keep practicing them, and look for reoccurring patterns. They're there!! Soon you'll be able to say, "oh, it's another one of those questions! I remember!"

Don't despair!! You can do it!! (I'm writing this to myself as much as I am to you lol! I'm not very confident at the moment either!!)

Thanks - I needed to hear it. Some Mario and a donut later, and I'm ready to get back into the fight at least.

Hurray!!!

[Anonnn]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

What if it ends up being an essay question? Don't do that to yourself at least formulate a half assed attack plan if comes up on an essay question.

+1 to this. There's really no subject that we can just totally ignore because if it comes up on an essay, we're screwed.

But for real about future interests/RAP. I just did like 5-6 questions on this area and got maybe 1-2 right. Between this and the easements/covenants/servitudes real property is crushing my spirits atm....

BUT WE MUST SOLDIER ON.

[lmr]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

What if it ends up being an essay question? Don't do that to yourself at least formulate a half assed attack plan if comes up on an essay question.

+1 to this. There's really no subject that we can just totally ignore because if it comes up on an essay, we're screwed.

But for real about future interests/RAP. I just did like 5-6 questions on this area and got maybe 1-2 right. Between this and the easements/covenants/servitudes real property is crushing my spirits atm....

BUT WE MUST SOLDIER ON.

Look @ the Feb 2014 property question....zoning + mortgages (zero mention of zoning and non-conforming use on barbri lecture notes btw). Looking at the model answers on baressays i can't even tell the difference bw a 57 and a 65...

[adonai]

Anyone think it's wiser to just skip future interests/RAP MBEs? They only make up about 5 questions total on average. I've been investing a lot of time trying to study for them but I can't for my life get many of them right. I feel it is really inefficient to study for them considering we have two weeks left.

What if it ends up being an essay question? Don't do that to yourself at least formulate a half assed attack plan if comes up on an essay question.

+1 to this. There's really no subject that we can just totally ignore because if it comes up on an essay, we're screwed.

But for real about future interests/RAP. I just did like 5-6 questions on this area and got maybe 1-2 right. Between this and the easements/covenants/servitudes real property is crushing my spirits atm....

BUT WE MUST SOLDIER ON.

Look @ the Feb 2014 property question....zoning + mortgages (zero mention of zoning and non-conforming use on barbri lecture notes btw). Looking at the model answers on baressays i can't even tell the difference bw a 57 and a 65...

Have they even tested on future interest/RAP on an essay, though? That's like the worst possible thing that can happen on the bar.
I'd even say its worse than CA civ pro.
I know the zoning/subjacent support thing was tested prior to feb 2014. It just hadn't been tested in like 10 yrs or something like that.

[lmr]

+1 to this. There's really no subject that we can just totally ignore because if it comes up on an essay, we're screwed.

But for real about future interests/RAP. I just did like 5-6 questions on this area and got maybe 1-2 right. Between this and the easements/covenants/servitudes real property is crushing my spirits atm....

BUT WE MUST SOLDIER ON.[/quote]

Look @ the Feb 2014 property question....zoning + mortgages (zero mention of zoning and non-conforming use on barbri lecture notes btw). Looking at the model answers on baressays i can't even tell the difference bw a 57 and a 65...[/quote]
Have they even tested on future interest/RAP on an essay, though? That's like the worst possible thing that can happen on the bar.
I'd even say its worse than CA civ pro.
I know the zoning/subjacent support thing was tested prior to feb 2014. It just hadn't been tested in like 10 yrs or something like that.[/quote]

Actually i heard lateral support had never been tested and i can't find any old zoning questions-none included in the barbri essay book or quick google search.

Look i hope RAP/future interests and property as whole isn't included and i'm not going to spend 6 hours learning RAP but i'll try to have a decent definition and roadmap so that I'll just have a 5 minute panic attack rather than an hour long one if it comes up on an essay question

Here's how NY tested RAP-question #3

http://www.nybarexam.org/ExamQuestions/FEB2013QA.PDF

[2807]

I've been lurking on thread since May, but I don't know if I can keep going on. I got 48 out of 100 on the Barbri Simulated MBE, which is worse than I did on the 200 question exam in the middle. I'm about to cry, how am I possibly getting dumber?

When doing MC's you may likely be going slightly too fast and falling for the "sucker choice"
They know where your brain is going when reading the facts, and they put a wrong answer right there in your path...

Try this:

PAUSE

After every Q: Pause, and ask yourself "What are they REALLY testing me on here?"

This allows you you to cut through the nonsense and "fools gold" and dismiss wrong answers, narrowing your choices, or likely identifying the right one quicker !

Just try it, you'll see....

Good luck.

[a male human]

I've been lurking on thread since May, but I don't know if I can keep going on. I got 48 out of 100 on the Barbri Simulated MBE, which is worse than I did on the 200 question exam in the middle. I'm about to cry, how am I possibly getting dumber?

Keep going on. You have no choice. Finish it and see what happens. You will do better than you think.

Barbri is known for fear mongering, so I wouldn't listen to those assholes about how good you are. Have you done real MBE questions with Emanuel's Strategies & Tactics for the MBE? Maybe the BarMax app? I literally did Vol. 1 cover to cover and picked my trouble areas from Vol. 2. That's it. Well, I did a few Barbri and Kaplan questions, but those were useless.

Vol. 1
http://amzn.to/1tVlw53 (2012)
http://amzn.to/1hH1vzq (2009)
Vol. 2
http://amzn.to/1icMz6S (2012)
http://amzn.to/1mrp9eW (2009)

Even if you got a lower score it doesn't mean you got dumber. It could mean the simulated MBE had harder or dumber questions to scare you. Or you just got lucky on your first 200Q exam, and the average between those two scores is your true ability (at least at doing Barbri questions).

Lastly, are you learning from doing the questions? You should read all the explanations for all the questions you get right and all questions you get wrong. You should take note of parts you didn't know before and confirm parts you knew already. Mark it on your answer sheet. Write a few words to jog your memory.

MBE is great because you can test yourself so quickly. Each question takes ~1.8 minutes on average. You can take many "little bets" that tell you what's wrong. Fail here with little bets so you don't fail on the bar where you go all in.