BarBri Bar Review Hangout - February 2016 Exam Forum

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Thanks for the tips, all. FYI: there are about 40 or so questions per topic of real MBE questions.

[MrMustache]

For what's it worth, my classmate was struggling with BarBri MBE questions consistently scoring in the low 50%, but a couple of weeks before the actual bar, he answered 200+ or so official NCBE questions and scored 90+%. He was surprised how easy the real questions seemed to be.

[Ineedhelpplease]

Ive spent two days going over the property outline (98 pages - still don't understand crap) - real let down. I don't know how I will ever figure out this crap.

[not guilty]

I would greatly appreciate some feedback...

I failed Florida in July. I studied hard, but not smart. I had a decent grip on every subject (minus property). It is now January 1st. I now have a below decent grip on every subject, but not enough to pass. I foresee myself getting a little better in each subject, doing better on the exam next month, but failing both sections

Would it be a huge mistake to focus all my energy on 1 half of the exam? Florida Bar is: Day 1 Florida Law and Day 2 MBE. Florida day has a bunch of MBE material in it as well. My logic is that if I focus all my energy on passing Florida portion this February then I will. I will also have an outside shot at the MBE this Feb too. I can gun hard for MBE in July if that is needed. I will be certified in August. The alternative? I very well may fall short on both sections in February. Possibly pass 1 of 2 sections in July. Finally pass the full bar in February 2017. That's what I'm scared of. Why do I think all this? Because I received a 114 and 120 on Fla/MBE last July. I would love to hear thoughts on this?
Few personal notes:
working 5 days a week for 6 hours a day
Fla Day is 3 essays and 100 MC
I've always been a decent essay writer. If I know the material this time, I think I can squeeze a high score.
Fla Day often includes MBE subjects Fed Con Law, Torts, and Property in essays

[rcharter1978]

Ive spent two days going over the property outline (98 pages - still don't understand crap) - real let down. I don't know how I will ever figure out this crap.

It probably doesn't help, but I think real property is the worst....the all time worst, and just when I think I have a handle on it.....I find out I probably don't. I guess its just one of those things that takes time....

[rahrah4lif]

Is anyone else really regretting the decision to choose Barbri? With how much they charge for the program, I expected a bit more than recycled and reused lectures and outlines and a complete reliance on my own ability to "Self-Grade" all of my essays (or at least the vast majority of them).

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Is anyone else really regretting the decision to choose Barbri? With how much they charge for the program, I expected a bit more than recycled and reused lectures and outlines and a complete reliance on my own ability to "Self-Grade" all of my essays (or at least the vast majority of them).

I think it's junk so far but I doubt others are much better.

[Ineedhelpplease]

Ive spent two days going over the property outline (98 pages - still don't understand crap) - real let down. I don't know how I will ever figure out this crap.

It probably doesn't help, but I think real property is the worst....the all time worst, and just when I think I have a handle on it.....I find out I probably don't. I guess its just one of those things that takes time....

So I ended up doing 20 property questions for the first time on adaptibar (ended up at 45%). Reading through the Barbri outline and critical pass flashcards I thought I had enough to not feel completely lost, but the fact patterns in those questions messed me up. Everything other subject I have been average or a little better,

To sum up: Property suckss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamescastle]

Ive spent two days going over the property outline (98 pages - still don't understand crap) - real let down. I don't know how I will ever figure out this crap.

It probably doesn't help, but I think real property is the worst....the all time worst, and just when I think I have a handle on it.....I find out I probably don't. I guess its just one of those things that takes time....

So I ended up doing 20 property questions for the first time on adaptibar (ended up at 45%). Reading through the Barbri outline and critical pass flashcards I thought I had enough to not feel completely lost, but the fact patterns in those questions messed me up. Everything other subject I have been average or a little better,

To sum up: Property suckss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took July 2015 and failed.
But property was the first thing we did and I wouldn't say it really clicked until early July that I started doing above average on BARBRI property questions. Property I definitely felt took more time to understand the little nuances of than most of the other subjects.

[MrMustache]

Any chance any of you guys could send me your CA civ pro pdf with the lecture notes? I was almost finished with mine, but my computer crashed and didn't save the notes

[Chueyx1289]

Is anyone else really regretting the decision to choose Barbri? With how much they charge for the program, I expected a bit more than recycled and reused lectures and outlines and a complete reliance on my own ability to "Self-Grade" all of my essays (or at least the vast majority of them).

I think it's junk so far but I doubt others are much better.

I don't think any of them are that great. I'm using Barbri and I hate it. Thing is since everyone is using these programs, everyone will be about the same level if they put in the work.

[Chueyx1289]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

How was it different? That was the exact way I learned torts and I didn't take evidence. Then again, I had an extremely to the point BLL torts professor.

[Chueyx1289]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

How was it different? That was the exact way I learned torts and I didn't take evidence. Then again, I had an extremely to the point BLL torts professor.

For evidence, I guess we followed the rules more and the lecture seems to be mixing in hearsay exceptions and exclusions with character evidence. I mean both torts and evidence is pretty straightforward so i can adapt. I just didn't want to have to. My torts teacher was also to the point. Pretty sure, we didn't use foreseeability as a measure for duty. But i mean it makes sense. I'll just adapt. Not that difficult.

[rinkrat19]

Checking in. Failed Oregon in July with Barbri. I think I did between 50-60% of the program. I doomed myself by watching the lectures, which IMO were fairly worthless and so mentally exhausting (because they were so fucking BORING) that I couldn't face doing all my assigned questions or essays afterwards. This time I'm going to skip the lectures entirely. Studying efficiently is a MUST because this time I'm working 40-45 hrs/wk (As of today, I cut down from 60-70 hrs/wk until the exam.) I may read through my lecture notes book from July, to refresh myself some of the hypos. But you do NOT get your time's worth out of the lectures.

I have Critical Pass, which IS just CMR on large cards. I guess it makes it nicely portable, but that's about it.

I also got Emanuel Strategies & Tactics for the MBE. Real MBE questions. That was worth it, and probably why I got as close as I did to passing.

[rcharter1978]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

I'm not sure if this is your first time. But I can tell you that I knew a guy who worked for Barbri and he was VERY clear that the CMR should be the guide, not the lecture notes. Some of the lecturers are great, but I think the lecturers submit the notes for the lecture book (from what I understand) so it can kinda be a little different from the CMR or the big Barbri book.

I like the idea of the CMR, but there are so many pages between topics that sometimes I get lost. I think it breaks it all down pretty well, and if you can't get it from there, the big book should give a clearer explanation. I did however, have to break out my old school Torts E&E the other day so I guess nothing is perfect.

[Chueyx1289]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

I'm not sure if this is your first time. But I can tell you that I knew a guy who worked for Barbri and he was VERY clear that the CMR should be the guide, not the lecture notes. Some of the lecturers are great, but I think the lecturers submit the notes for the lecture book (from what I understand) so it can kinda be a little different from the CMR or the big Barbri book.

I like the idea of the CMR, but there are so many pages between topics that sometimes I get lost. I think it breaks it all down pretty well, and if you can't get it from there, the big book should give a clearer explanation. I did however, have to break out my old school Torts E&E the other day so I guess nothing is perfect.

This is my first time yes. I just graduated law school. I just feel like if i use the CMR, then what's the point of the lecture? That's a huge waste of time and money. If i use the CMR and am further confused, I can get examples from the big book. On the other hand, if i read the CMR, listen to the lecture, and have a lecture outline, I will literally never get to the questions. Something's got to give. But so far i'm very unimpressed with Barbri.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

I am basically using the lectures (on 2x speed) as the barebones skeleton of an outline that I am later filling in with the CMR. At least thats what I am trying to do.

[rcharter1978]

I just did part 1 of the Evidence lecture and it's completely different from how i learned it. The same goes for Torts. Debating whether I ever needed to go to law school if Barbri teaches it completely different.

I'm not sure if this is your first time. But I can tell you that I knew a guy who worked for Barbri and he was VERY clear that the CMR should be the guide, not the lecture notes. Some of the lecturers are great, but I think the lecturers submit the notes for the lecture book (from what I understand) so it can kinda be a little different from the CMR or the big Barbri book.

I like the idea of the CMR, but there are so many pages between topics that sometimes I get lost. I think it breaks it all down pretty well, and if you can't get it from there, the big book should give a clearer explanation. I did however, have to break out my old school Torts E&E the other day so I guess nothing is perfect.

This is my first time yes. I just graduated law school. I just feel like if i use the CMR, then what's the point of the lecture? That's a huge waste of time and money. If i use the CMR and am further confused, I can get examples from the big book. On the other hand, if i read the CMR, listen to the lecture, and have a lecture outline, I will literally never get to the questions. Something's got to give. But so far i'm very unimpressed with Barbri.

Some of the lectures were good, especially for subject that I really didn't get the first time around (Civil Procedure!) or if you just had a professor the first time around that you didn't understand. I always feel that way with the Barbri schedule....something's gotta give.

[jamescastle]

Freer's lectures are really good and I would strongly recommend watching them.

[THE_U]

Freer's lectures are really good and I would strongly recommend watching them.

Yep. His were the only lectures I really felt were helpful. I think I'm going to watch them again to review Civ Pro...though after July, I'm not sure how the hell to prepare for Civ Pro, given how weird those questions were.

[lawst_]

I am basically using the lectures (on 2x speed) as the barebones skeleton of an outline that I am later filling in with the CMR. At least thats what I am trying to do.

Same, basically. Originally planned to not listen to any lectures, but since I'm stuck at work 40-50 hours/week, I figured I'd listen to the lectures while working and take notes on anything that jumped out. Been filling in the rest with the CMR.

Seriously, as a second time taker, I can't believe how much I underutilized the CMR the first time around. I feel like Barbri didn't emphasize its importance and it was more or less a book to be used if you had additional questions.

CMR has been a life saver this time around.

[ladylawyer1221]

I think your use of Barbri really just depends on what type of studier/learner you are. While I didn't find all of the lectures particularly that great (I listened to all of them at 2x speed), I made sure to fill out every single lecture handout. I then went back and made my own outline from the lecture handouts, so that way they were in the format & style I like. It makes it much easier to digest this way, plus I found I memorize info better if I am forced to process it into my own outline instead of filling in blanks. I sometimes even made flash cards from the lecture handout, which also helped with some MBE subjects. I rarely used CMR -- only used it for the subjects I didn't take in law school that would be tested in essay format (like trusts or oil & gas) on the TX bar. CMR is helpful if the lecture handout confuses you, otherwise it's just entirely too much information for your brain to memorize.

It's still early in the process, and I doubted Barbri from the very first day -- but I did what former bar passers told me, and that is to just trust the process. Do as much as you can and really work towards memorizing as much as you can. You'll reach a certain point where you realize you can only memorize so much. Be sure to do all of the assigned MBE practice. I'll be the first to admit that I felt that the Barbri questions did not feel anything like the real test (I walked out of the MBE literally feeling like I spent the entire summer studying for the wrong test), but somehow it works. I was scoring right around the goal scores Barbri gave, got a 118 (i think) on the simulated MBE... but ended up with a 152.5 on the real thing. Trust the process and keep working towards your goal!!!!!

[gtg]

I wish Schechter taught all the subject lol

[MidwestnWest]

July 2015 Hindsight View: BarBri is Worth It (Long Post)

Alright folks, I never post on this board, but I've been having insomnia lately, so why the hell not. I know you all are worried about the bar exam...I was too! Just an FYI, I passed the bar the first time and had an overall score in the 96 percentile for my state. My MBE score was 165, that's 94 percentile. That is not to boast...I'm only telling you this so you can all settle the f down. I was just as worried as you and did fine.

I remember all through BarBri prep being really concerned about whether I would pass. Right before the exam, I was consistently getting about 65% of BarBri MBE practice questions correct. I had all of my essays that could be graded graded, and even had additional essays graded by BarBri. My essays received mostly marks of 3 and 4 (0-7 scale). I don't think that I ever received a mark above 4 on a graded BarBri essay. Going into the bar using BarBri as my benchmark, I thought I would just squeak by with a passing score.

I have read this before, and I personally believe this to be true: BarBri over-prepares you for the bar by making you believe it's harder than it actually is. Don't get me wrong, any bar exam is extremely difficult on many levels...but there was a very large disparity between my actual bar score and the scores that I was getting in BarBri. Coincidence? Maybe, but probably not.

If you do the entire BarBri review course, AND I MEAN THE ENTIRE COURSE, you probably won't pass the bar exam because you will have shot yourself before you even sat for it. No really, if you can do the entire course and you're still feeling like you can eat up more, great...but I think monitoring your burnout level is CRITICAL. I had the luxury to not have to work the summer I took BarBri and I am very thankful for that. I realize that is not possible for some of you folks, but, if it is at all possible, take off work.

In the beginning of the program when you're doing the lectures and filling in the handouts, don't kill yourself studying 12 hrs/day. You will need the stamina to push through the last 3-4 weeks before the exam and then the exam itself. During the first 4-6 weeks of the program, I would do bar prep for 4-6 hrs per day. That's it. I watched the video lectures in my bed, outside in the sun on my laptop, or wherever I felt comfortable. I would finish each day with doing about 2-3 sets of practice MBE questions and thoroughly go over the explanations to the MBE answers. I also made an outline (by subject) of the explanatory points for the MBE questions I missed. Do a few MBE sets on the weekend, but mainly get some rest and relaxation. I took the July exam, so I was barbecuing a lot and getting a lot of sun and exercise...this is really important. I did solely practice MBE questions for the first 4-6 weeks while I was learning the material, no essays or MPTs. I didn't see the point of doing essays while I was learning subject matter, as MBE questions seemed more suited to that end.

The final 3-4 weeks before the exam is when you really want to push hard and put in 8-10 hrs/day, BUT take at least one day off per week to do NOTHING bar related (you need off time like this for your brain to build synapses and shit). During the last 4 weeks, I switched gears and did a couple MPTs and then started doing lots of essays. I would mix in some MBE practice sets in between and go over my outlines from missed MBE questions. For primary review material, I liked the conviser mini for some subjects and the handouts for others (like civ pro and evidence). This is when I really committed everything to memory and tested and retested my recall. I also made my own handwritten, condensed outline on notebook paper of state-only (essay) subjects, e.g. commercial law, wills, etc. I highlighted all the essay explanatory points in the model answers that I failed to spot or otherwise got wrong. I reviewed these highlights occasionally.

During the bar exam on the MBE day, I would keep track of my pace by checking the official clock in the exam room every 30 minutes and determining if I needed to speed up or slow down based on what question number I was on.

I did not outline the essays on a separate sheet of paper on exam day as I had done during prep. There was simply no way to efficiently or effectively outline an essay in this manner because we were not given scratch paper as we had during the MPT on exam day(check your state bar to see if they give you scratch paper during the essay portion of the exam).

I studied at night during the exam days back at the hotel. Again, I was not completely burnt out because I had been taking care of myself.

That is what worked for me, but that's just me. God's speed to you all.

p.s. Sweet Baby Ray's BarBQ sauce is probably the best out there so save yourself the trouble and just get that. Charcoal is KING.