July 2015 MBE Scores/Results Forum

[zot1]

Looks like someone from Themis has reported in (I know someone was interested in hearing from a Themis user).

To just summarize a couple of random thoughts: While this isn't much of a sample size and it'd be nice to have another 50 scores, I think there is some somewhat useful data that is starting to suggest how you performed with your bar course's MBE's translates into how you may have done on the MBE itself. I know a lot of people (myself included) were concerned that how the MBE felt extremely difficult compared to respective bar course's MBE finals. I personally thought Kaplan's final was brutal, but thought the AM section of the MBE was harder than any 100 set I did with Kaplan. However, how you felt about the AM section doesn't seem to indicate that you failed and "success" in the practice MBE's may indicate success on the Bar MBE's. This is also very similar to what I've heard from dozens of people who took the Bar previously. Many walked out feeling like the MBE's kicked their ass, but found their scaled score was approximately 10-15 points greater than their bar review final. Wouldn't that be nice?!?!?! Anyway, just a small bit of light as we wait this crap out. ONLY 72 MORE DAYS UNTIL CBX RESULTS!



Here's an updated Google Excel doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0


Random Numbers: Course: Self Study; Scaled MBE Score: 153; Was scoring 138’s raw w/Barbri; State: WI, Passed
WVU Mountaineer: Course: Kaplan; Scaled MBE Score: 152; Thought MBE was hard as shit; State WV, Passed
BuckinghamB: Course: Barbri; Scaled MBE Score: 151; Estimated he guessed on over half of MBE Q’s & at 70 percentile w/Barbri; State: WI, Passed
Mountaineer4Life: Course: Barbri; Scaled MBE Score: 147; Had 118 Raw on Barbri practice final; State: WV, Passed
BuckytheBadger: Course: Barbi; Scaled MBE Score: 171; Thought MBE's were difficult and was hitting 65-70% w/Barbri; State: WI, Passed
Andy 524: Course: Kaplan; Scalled MBE Score 173.7; Kaplan Midterm and Final were 153/200; State: AR, Passed
Anonymous 1: Course: Barbri; Scaled MBE Score: 156; Raw score of 123 on Barbri Practice Test; State: WI, Passed
Anonymous 2: Course Barbri; Scaled MBE Score: 120; Barbri Midterm: 120 and Final: 48/100; State: WI, Passed
Anonymous 3: Course Themis; Scaled MBE Score: 132.4; Averaged approximately 65% w/Themis; State: AR, Passed

I was asking about Themis, thank you.

Definitely not what I hoped to see. Dude passed but with closer range than others mentioned.

[robinhoodOO]

I was asking about Themis, thank you. Definitely not what I hoped to see. Dude passed but with closer range than others mentioned.

I wouldn't extrapolate too much based on a single Themis response.

Also, think of it this way: He/she was at 65%. 65% of 190 is 123.5 raw score on the Bar Exam. The scaled MBE score was 132.4, so an 8.9 point increase over what he was getting in the practice MBE exams.

Plus, my guess is that the scaled score adds slightly more than 8.9 (10-15 is what Kaplan suggested adding). So, take your average percent and figure out the potential raw score out of 100 and add 10-15 for a very rough estimate (assuming you did about as well as you were doing w/Themis).

Lastly, think of it this way: He/she still PASSED with a lower MBE score! In fact, that was one of the things they were hoping their reported information would convey: That you can still pass the bar exam even if you didn't do well on the MBE's (or vice versa).

Hopefully that's a little more reassuring

EDIT re Update: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

[PJP]

Does anyone know how many points Kaplan tells you to add to your raw score from your mid-term/final/additional test to get a sense of your scaled score?

[odoylerulez]

Does anyone know how many points Kaplan tells you to add to your raw score from your mid-term/final/additional test to get a sense of your scaled score?

Kaplan claims 15, but from the responses in this thread and from what I've heard so far, it seems that adding 20 is a more reliable indicator.

[PJP]

Does anyone know how many points Kaplan tells you to add to your raw score from your mid-term/final/additional test to get a sense of your scaled score?

Kaplan claims 15, but from the responses in this thread and from what I've heard so far, it seems that adding 20 is a more reliable indicator.

20 sounds very nice...

[zot1]

I was asking about Themis, thank you. Definitely not what I hoped to see. Dude passed but with closer range than others mentioned.

I wouldn't extrapolate too much based on a single Themis response.

Also, think of it this way: He/she was at 65%. 65% of 190 is 123.5 raw score on the Bar Exam. The scaled MBE score was 132.4, so an 8.9 point increase over what he was getting in the practice MBE exams.

Plus, my guess is that the scaled score adds slightly more than 8.9 (10-15 is what Kaplan suggested adding). So, take your average percent and figure out the potential raw score out of 100 and add 10-15 for a very rough estimate (assuming you did about as well as you were doing w/Themis).

Lastly, think of it this way: He/she still PASSED with a lower MBE score! In fact, that was one of the things they were hoping their reported information would convey: That you can still pass the bar exam even if you didn't do well on the MBE's (or vice versa).

Hopefully that's a little more reassuring

EDIT re Update: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

But I like to be negative!!

Just kidding--I know what you mean and I know there's no reason to be crazy. Unfortunately, this whole bar stuff makes me think things and I can't stop it.

It's alright, results will come out soon enough.

[robinhoodOO]

I was asking about Themis, thank you. Definitely not what I hoped to see. Dude passed but with closer range than others mentioned.

I wouldn't extrapolate too much based on a single Themis response.

Also, think of it this way: He/she was at 65%. 65% of 190 is 123.5 raw score on the Bar Exam. The scaled MBE score was 132.4, so an 8.9 point increase over what he was getting in the practice MBE exams.

Plus, my guess is that the scaled score adds slightly more than 8.9 (10-15 is what Kaplan suggested adding). So, take your average percent and figure out the potential raw score out of 100 and add 10-15 for a very rough estimate (assuming you did about as well as you were doing w/Themis).

Lastly, think of it this way: He/she still PASSED with a lower MBE score! In fact, that was one of the things they were hoping their reported information would convey: That you can still pass the bar exam even if you didn't do well on the MBE's (or vice versa).

Hopefully that's a little more reassuring

EDIT re Update: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

But I like to be negative!!

Just kidding--I know what you mean and I know there's no reason to be crazy. Unfortunately, this whole bar stuff makes me think things and I can't stop it.

It's alright, results will come out soon enough.

And everyone is always asking...haha. Even if they've asked me before, they ask again. And again.

Anyway, here's the most recent update: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

[Diceman102]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

[robinhoodOO]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

[gaagoots]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

Phew! I finished the a.m. exam a bit early and counted my "D"s which I knew I had quite a few. I had 34 of them, but not long strings of 15 in a row. So it worried me when I saw people with high scores having those strings.

[sd5289]

Looks like someone from Themis has reported in (I know someone was interested in hearing from a Themis user).

Here's an updated Google Excel doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

Anonymous 3: Course Themis; Scaled MBE Score: 132.4; Averaged approximately 65% w/Themis; State: AR, Passed

Any chance the Themis anon can say how they felt about the MBE itself? Was it worse than Themis' long practice sets at the end? About the same?

[robinhoodOO]

Looks like someone from Themis has reported in (I know someone was interested in hearing from a Themis user).

Here's an updated Google Excel doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

Anonymous 3: Course Themis; Scaled MBE Score: 132.4; Averaged approximately 65% w/Themis; State: AR, Passed

Any chance the Themis anon can say how they felt about the MBE itself? Was it worse than Themis' long practice sets at the end? About the same?

I'll reach out to them and publish the feedback to the Google doc

[nyny]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

I heard something similar and each of the 10 different test have different "experimental questions" (nongraded questions)... meaning some test takers may have a certain sample question whereas others may not of had that question at all.

[nyny]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

Phew! I finished the a.m. exam a bit early and counted my "D"s which I knew I had quite a few. I had 34 of them, but not long strings of 15 in a row. So it worried me when I saw people with high scores having those strings.

That's still a lot of "D"s out of 100 questions... According to you, 1/3rd of your answers in the AM were "D"!!!

[robinhoodOO]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

I heard something similar and each of the 10 different test have different "experimental questions" (nongraded questions)... meaning some test takers may have a certain sample question whereas others may not of had that question at all.

I've heard that too, but have no actual idea whether that's confirmed. It'd be nice to find out, but I suspect the NCBE is very hush, hush about it.

Also, I didn't count, but if I had to guess, I'd say roughly 1/3 of my answers to the AM section were "D," as well. It was by far the largest share answers to that section and I also had a 12-15 "D" answer run. I remember looking down and thinking no way all of these can be "D," I'm screwed.

[nyny]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

I heard something similar and each of the 10 different test have different "experimental questions" (nongraded questions)... meaning some test takers may have a certain sample question whereas others may not of had that question at all.

I've heard that too, but have no actual idea whether that's confirmed. It'd be nice to find out, but I suspect the NCBE is very hush, hush about it.

Also, I didn't count, but if I had to guess, I'd say roughly 1/3 of my answers to the AM section were "D," as well. It was by far the largest share answers to that section and I also had a 12-15 "D" answer run. I remember looking down and thinking no way all of these can be "D," I'm screwed.

i felt the same way! I do know that in the PM section, though I did not count the answer choices or notice a trend, I felt like the answer choices kind of evened out.

[robinhoodOO]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

I heard something similar and each of the 10 different test have different "experimental questions" (nongraded questions)... meaning some test takers may have a certain sample question whereas others may not of had that question at all.

I've heard that too, but have no actual idea whether that's confirmed. It'd be nice to find out, but I suspect the NCBE is very hush, hush about it.

Also, I didn't count, but if I had to guess, I'd say roughly 1/3 of my answers to the AM section were "D," as well. It was by far the largest share answers to that section and I also had a 12-15 "D" answer run. I remember looking down and thinking no way all of these can be "D," I'm screwed.

i felt the same way! I do know that in the PM section, though I did not count the answer choices or notice a trend, I felt like the answer choices kind of evened out.

Ya, I did not notice the same trend in the PM section, and it felt a bit easier too.

[ineptimusprime]

I'm in the minority, but I thought the AM session was easier than the PM session. AM session had quite a few I was pretty sure on (also had a huge string of Ds and a lot of Ds generally) and some that I had no idea on. The PM session was almost entirely 50/50 for me, which I found ten times more frustrating than the question make-up of the AM section. I didn't feel like I was doing a 50/50 guess nearly as much in the morning. On the whole, I thought the MBE was damn hard (and I got 180/200 raw on the Themis practice exam and 75% overall for the course on around 1200 MBE questions).

It's been a while and it's all a blur now, but that's my recollection.

Anxious to get my score next week (Idaho).

[anon sequitur]

I had around 1/3rd D's as well, but since there are only four answer choices, that's not a huge deviation from randomness.

[nyny]

I'm in the minority, but I thought the AM session was easier than the PM session. AM session had quite a few I was pretty sure on (also had a huge string of Ds and a lot of Ds generally) and some that I had no idea on. The PM session was almost entirely 50/50 for me, which I found ten times more frustrating than the question make-up of the AM section. I didn't feel like I was doing a 50/50 guess nearly as much in the morning. On the whole, I thought the MBE was damn hard (and I got 180/200 raw on the Themis practice exam and 75% overall for the course on around 1200 MBE questions).

It's been a while and it's all a blur now, but that's my recollection.

Anxious to get my score next week (Idaho).

I thought the PM section was slightly less difficult... Man about 1 and a half more months until NY results are released. Truth be told a low MBE won't kill you as much as screwing over essay day in NY, where 60% of the total points are up for grabs.

[trustmouse83]

Quick question. Aren't AM and PM sessions different for some on the MBE?

It's my understanding that this is not the case. Particularly because it could potentially encourage cheating. For example, if I'm taking the one section and you're taking the other, this could create an opportunity for us to collaborate during the break as to the separate sections that we have yet to take.

They do, however, have approximately 10 different tests for the same 100 question sets. By that I mean that they have organized each section in 10 different ways, mixing the questions up so as to eliminate cheating during the exam.

If anyone with more official information, I'd be very interested

Phew! I finished the a.m. exam a bit early and counted my "D"s which I knew I had quite a few. I had 34 of them, but not long strings of 15 in a row. So it worried me when I saw people with high scores having those strings.

I had 36!

But I did have a string of them early, then one or two different letters, then more D's.

I'm happy to see your post! I'm glad I counted them now.

[hoppingabird]

I'm looking forward to some Iowa exam takers contributing their passing results here soon. They will find out today whether or not they passed. Those who pass will receive a letter in the mail with their scaled MBE score a few days later. They do not release MBE scores for those who do not pass.

[lawdutch2015]

I'm looking forward to some Iowa exam takers contributing their passing results here soon. They will find out today whether or not they passed. Those who pass will receive a letter in the mail with their scaled MBE score a few days later. They do not release MBE scores for those who do not pass.

We actually find out tomorrow is what they told us. But, who knows...maybe they will release early to make us feel better?

[hoppingabird]

I'm looking forward to some Iowa exam takers contributing their passing results here soon. They will find out today whether or not they passed. Those who pass will receive a letter in the mail with their scaled MBE score a few days later. They do not release MBE scores for those who do not pass.

We actually find out tomorrow is what they told us. But, who knows...maybe they will release early to make us feel better?

Sorry for the incorrect information! I thought I read somewhere it would be 9/10. But I did not take the exam so I am not "in the know."

[lawdutch2015]

I'm looking forward to some Iowa exam takers contributing their passing results here soon. They will find out today whether or not they passed. Those who pass will receive a letter in the mail with their scaled MBE score a few days later. They do not release MBE scores for those who do not pass.

We actually find out tomorrow is what they told us. But, who knows...maybe they will release early to make us feel better?

Sorry for the incorrect information! I thought I read somewhere it would be 9/10. But I did not take the exam so I am not "in the know."

Oh no worries! I believe last year it was 9/10 but of course, this year, they had to make it an ominous date... lol