2017 February California Bar Exam Forum

[sadpandayolo]

Passed - didn't pass in July. Only thing I changed was actually committing the rules to memory (my outline/crit pass flashcards) this time and using Adaptibar 50% of the time I studied. I went from somewhere around 105 MBE to 150+ MBE. Let me know if you want an Adaptibar code - helps me and you both.

Also, to all encouraging words - thank you. Really kept me going.

[Snowboarder1588]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get our admission packets?

[Guchster]

My heart is with everyone who did not pass. I am one of the unlucky ones, too. I was 15 points away from 1440. This was my first time taking the California exam.

I've been practicing in NYC for two years, having passed the NY one. This exam is tough for all of us. I'm contemplating the July 2017 one. I have to get over this gutting heartbreak that many are probably going through.

15 points is nothing. If the change in exam structure to 50:50 MBE:Essays doesn't automatically bump you to 1440, you can easily get over the bump with more targeted practice and using the lessons from barely failing this first time.

YOU GOT THIS!

[Guchster]

My heart is with everyone who did not pass. I am one of the unlucky ones, too. I was 15 points away from 1440. This was my first time taking the California exam.

I've been practicing in NYC for two years, having passed the NY one. This exam is tough for all of us. I'm contemplating the July 2017 one. I have to get over this gutting heartbreak that many are probably going through.

We're in the same boat. Been practicing in VA for two years and just failed this one on my first try. I'm actually quitting my job at the end of this month and moving to CA to focus 100% on prepping for July. Did you receive your letter already on the score breakdown?

I think it says a lot about the difficulty of this exam/harsh grading if attorneys in NY and VA with a few years of practice under their belts are failing. Ridic! Hopefully the switch to the 2 day bar makes it easier for everyone to pass, and they raise the pass rate- 34% really??

The cut score is complete bullshit too. There is no reason a 144 should be a cut score. That's ridiculous and is probably even an autopass in some jurisdictions lol. I believe NY is 133, right?

[ur_hero]

My heart is with everyone who did not pass. I am one of the unlucky ones, too. I was 15 points away from 1440. This was my first time taking the California exam.

I've been practicing in NYC for two years, having passed the NY one. This exam is tough for all of us. I'm contemplating the July 2017 one. I have to get over this gutting heartbreak that many are probably going through.

DO IT. Everything will be freshest in your memory now.

Obviously you know how your feel and your circumstances best, but I suppose granted there are no particular personal hardships or barriers to July 2017 just be done forever 2.5 months from now. Do you really want to wait until next May?.... Until 2018?....Until half way through NEXT YEAR??? :]

[sittin_pretty]

I blame the 34.5% pass rate at least in part on Essay Question #2.

I'm still traumatized by Essay Question #2... and I passed the damn exam. Seriously, it threw so many people for a loop and had us hyperventilating in the first moments of the first day (is it torts? contracts? property? AND remedies, how can it be a multiple multiple crossover wtf?) that I really believe some people never fully recovered from starting off that stressed out.

[Guchster]

I blame the 34.5% pass rate at least in part on Essay Question #2.

I'm still traumatized by Essay Question #2... and I passed the damn exam. Seriously, it threw so many people for a loop and had us hyperventilating in the first moments of the first day (is it torts? contracts? property? AND remedies, how can it be a multiple multiple crossover wtf?) that I really believe some people never fully recovered from starting off that stressed out.

I couldn't sleep at all that night because I fucked up that question so, so, so badly. Like 45 badly. I was so nervous and hopped up on adrenaline that I didn't fully take time to think about what they were asking me and let nerves get the best of me. I wrote this long winded property/contracts answer and I was going to leave myself 15 min. to address remedies ON A FRIGGIN REMEDIES QUESTION (like I said, I wasn't in the best state of mind), but then I realized this was very likely a torts question instead of a property one so used 10 of those 15 minutes to talk about fraud. Basically it was horrible. I also fucked up the evidence question by leaving out a major, major issue that I caught when they called time. I had to use every ounce of strength to not walk away from the exam at lunch and look forward to July.

I slept maybe 2-3 hours that night because I kept waking up from the stress of having blown basically an entire question, and then from the stress from not being able to go back to bed and get some rest before Day 2.

The bar is such an exercise of mental and emotional endurance than it is an intellectual one. I let one stupid question get the better of me.

Not sure how I passed. Probably due to the MBE. I passed the NY bar a few years ago, and that was probably my saving grace.

[rayforoc]

wanted to post my scores on this thread as well. All advice is appreciated. I do feel like walking away. I am just really upset. Sometimes I wonder if my ADHD plays a factor, or if its just working harder and smarter...

Essay 1: 70
Essay 2: 50
Essay 3: 60
Essay 4: 60
Essay 5: 55
Essay 6: 55
PT A: 55
PT B: 50

Raw Written: 560
Scaled Written: 1232.75
Scaled MBE: 1346.00

TOTAL SCALED SCORE: 1272.38

Here's my MBE Percent Breakdown

Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 41.0
Contracts: 67.5
Crim Law: 53.9
Evidence: 61.6
Real Prop: 21.0
Torts: 27.7

Seriously, I'll never go to the gym again if it means passing this. I have to work at least part time. I thought I felt the pass too. I thought I did well. What a shame...

[Guchster]

wanted to post my scores on this thread as well. All advice is appreciated. I do feel like walking away. I am just really upset. Sometimes I wonder if my ADHD plays a factor, or if its just working harder and smarter...

Essay 1: 70
Essay 2: 50
Essay 3: 60
Essay 4: 60
Essay 5: 55
Essay 6: 55
PT A: 55
PT B: 50

Raw Written: 560
Scaled Written: 1232.75
Scaled MBE: 1346.00

TOTAL SCALED SCORE: 1272.38

Here's my MBE Percent Breakdown

Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 41.0
Contracts: 67.5
Crim Law: 53.9
Evidence: 61.6
Real Prop: 21.0
Torts: 27.7

Seriously, I'll never go to the gym again if it means passing this. I have to work at least part time. I thought I felt the pass too. I thought I did well. What a shame...

What did you use to prep? Given your scores on both the MBE and essay portions, it looks like underlying knowledge of BLL might have been the culprit.

Also, before you get too hard on yourself, please recognize that your 134.6 is higher than NY's 133 cut score on the MBE. Just think of that for a second and be proud of that.

[ur_hero]

wanted to post my scores on this thread as well. All advice is appreciated. I do feel like walking away. I am just really upset. Sometimes I wonder if my ADHD plays a factor, or if its just working harder and smarter...

Essay 1: 70
Essay 2: 50
Essay 3: 60
Essay 4: 60
Essay 5: 55
Essay 6: 55
PT A: 55
PT B: 50

Raw Written: 560
Scaled Written: 1232.75
Scaled MBE: 1346.00

TOTAL SCALED SCORE: 1272.38

Here's my MBE Percent Breakdown

Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 41.0
Contracts: 67.5
Crim Law: 53.9
Evidence: 61.6
Real Prop: 21.0
Torts: 27.7

Seriously, I'll never go to the gym again if it means passing this. I have to work at least part time. I thought I felt the pass too. I thought I did well. What a shame...

First, could you give us a bit of background on what you did the first time? It seems like it's the writing mostly that needs focus, as your MBE was solid (although you can bring this up too for sure as a buffer to really cash in considering the 50% weight this July!)

-What programs/materials did you use?
-What were your study habits like in terms of intensity, hours, consistency, etc.?
-What was your method for learning/practicing essays?
-How did you study for the MBE?
-How many practice essays/MBEs did you do and how did you gauge whether you were on the track toward success (e.g., graded essays scores and MBE percentages during practice?)

[dredd16]

Is this the first time students are getting MBE breakdowns? I don't remember getting those before in the "Sorry, you didn't pass" letter.

[drawingasmile]

I don't quite understand the MBE breakdowns. I got .7% on one and 90.8% for another...

What does it mean?

[maxmartin]

Is this the first time students are getting MBE breakdowns? I don't remember getting those before in the "Sorry, you didn't pass" letter.

Yep some states even provide this info for successful candidates.

[maxmartin]

I don't quite understand the MBE breakdowns. I got .7% on one and 90.8% for another...

What does it mean?

That means you are doing better than 90.8% of the people in one subject, but you are at the bottom of the bottom in another subject. So in next edition, you can take it easy on your 90.8 subject and study hard on your 0.7 subject to increase your mbe score.

[drawingasmile]

I don't quite understand the MBE breakdowns. I got .7% on one and 90.8% for another...

What does it mean?

That means you are doing better than 90.8% of the people in one subject, but you are at the bottom of the bottom in another subject. So in next edition, you can take it easy on your 90.8 subject and study hard on your 0.7 subject to increase your mbe score.

Ahhhh okay, got it. Thanks!

[maxmartin]

I don't quite understand the MBE breakdowns. I got .7% on one and 90.8% for another...

What does it mean?

That means you are doing better than 90.8% of the people in one subject, but you are at the bottom of the bottom in another subject. So in next edition, you can take it easy on your 90.8 subject and study hard on your 0.7 subject to increase your mbe score.

Ahhhh okay, got it. Thanks!

Good news for you is your upswing potential is enormous. It is extremely easy to increase from 0.7 to at least 50.

[InterAlia1961]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score

Essay 1 65 60 62.5
Essay 2 55 60 57.5
Essay 3 55 55 55
Essay 4 60 60 60
Essay 5 70 60 65
Essay 6 60 60 60
PTA 60 55 57.5
PTB 65 65 65

Raw Written: 605
Scaled Written: 1371.0350
Scaled MBE: 1469

Total Scaled Score: 1405.3228

MBE Scores:
Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 77.7
Contracts: 76.2
Crim Law: 43.2
Evidence: 86.1
Real Prop: 84.9
Torts: 57.6

I SUCK. I'm reviewing Crim law/procedure right now. See you over on the July 2017 Board.

[ur_hero]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score

Essay 1 65 60 62.5
Essay 2 55 60 57.5
Essay 3 55 55 55
Essay 4 60 60 60
Essay 5 70 60 65
Essay 6 60 60 60
PTA 60 55 57.5
PTB 65 65 65

Raw Written: 605
Scaled Written: 1371.0350
Scaled MBE: 1469

Total Scaled Score: 1405.3228

MBE Scores:
Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 77.7
Contracts: 76.2
Crim Law: 43.2
Evidence: 86.1
Real Prop: 84.9
Torts: 57.6

I SUCK. I'm reviewing Crim law/procedure right now. See you over on the July 2017 Board.

If this were the new July Bar format and you did comparably, pretty sure you'd have passed. You're gonna crush this. I'll be lurking around to see how things work out :]

[Guchster]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score

Essay 1 65 60 62.5
Essay 2 55 60 57.5
Essay 3 55 55 55
Essay 4 60 60 60
Essay 5 70 60 65
Essay 6 60 60 60
PTA 60 55 57.5
PTB 65 65 65

Raw Written: 605
Scaled Written: 1371.0350
Scaled MBE: 1469

Total Scaled Score: 1405.3228

MBE Scores:
Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 77.7
Contracts: 76.2
Crim Law: 43.2
Evidence: 86.1
Real Prop: 84.9
Torts: 57.6

I SUCK. I'm reviewing Crim law/procedure right now. See you over on the July 2017 Board.

Wow you are so, so close to passing. Keep doing what you're doing and you're going to crush July 2017. Looks like if you performed exactly as you did in February you would've gotten a 1420 scaled score. Some more focused work on your essays and focusing on Civ Pro and Crim Law should take you over the edge.

[dredd16]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score


Essay 5 70 60 65

This just goes to show that as much as we can try to predict our scores/self-grade with a Barbri rubric/hire a former CA bar grader for a tutor to evaluate our scores in practice, sometimes it's just simple bad luck that your essay was given to one bar grader who was especially hard vs. another one who was especially more lenient.

All you can do is pick yourself back up and leave no room for error in the other areas in order to prevent another re-read.

[JoeSeperac]

To anyone that failed, if you let me know your MBE sub-scores, I can tell you your raw MBE scores and % correct (by MBE subject and overall). For example, if your %tile for Civil Procedure is 19.7, it means that you scored better than only 19.7% of examinees nationwide on the 25 graded Civil Procedure MBE questions (out of about 23,000 February 2017 examinees). However, what these percentiles don't tell you are your raw scores (e.g. that you answered 13/25 of the Civil Procedure MBE questions correctly, meaning 52% correct for Civil Procedure). With this information, you can correlate your exam MBE scores to your practice MBE scores (e.g. if you were getting 70% correct in MBE practice but 55% correct on the exam, you should find a better source of MBE practice questions).

http://seperac.com/subscoreform.php

[Aydog]

Congratulations to everyone who passed the February bar. I just passed this February on my fifth try (class of 2014). I went to a local California accredited night school, and I also went though being re-read twice. My first bar I scored a 1320.

The bar exam is hard, but there is a formula to pass.

I didn't work while studying for the bar, and doing a minimum of 1000 plus MBE questions and taking notes on a flash card on the questions you get wrong.

I'm sorta jealous this February they released percentile ranks on the mbes I just got a scaled score only in July (1400)

I'm pretty sure the reason I passed because I got a 65 and a 70 on the performance test.

With the new format , it should help most law students pass with decent mbes .

If you got re-read don't lose hope, you can easily pass this.

Ayman

[ManoloM]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score

Essay 1 65 60 62.5
Essay 2 55 60 57.5
Essay 3 55 55 55
Essay 4 60 60 60
Essay 5 70 60 65
Essay 6 60 60 60
PTA 60 55 57.5
PTB 65 65 65

Raw Written: 605
Scaled Written: 1371.0350
Scaled MBE: 1469

Total Scaled Score: 1405.3228

MBE Scores:
Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 77.7
Contracts: 76.2
Crim Law: 43.2
Evidence: 86.1
Real Prop: 84.9
Torts: 57.6

I SUCK. I'm reviewing Crim law/procedure right now. See you over on the July 2017 Board.

Wait, you still get a re-read even though you got a passing score the first time?

[a male human]

Here's my breakdown. Failed on the re-read:

WRITTEN First Read Second Read Operative Score

Essay 1 65 60 62.5
Essay 2 55 60 57.5
Essay 3 55 55 55
Essay 4 60 60 60
Essay 5 70 60 65
Essay 6 60 60 60
PTA 60 55 57.5
PTB 65 65 65

Raw Written: 605
Scaled Written: 1371.0350
Scaled MBE: 1469

Total Scaled Score: 1405.3228

MBE Scores:
Civ Pro: 51.5
Con Law: 77.7
Contracts: 76.2
Crim Law: 43.2
Evidence: 86.1
Real Prop: 84.9
Torts: 57.6

I SUCK. I'm reviewing Crim law/procedure right now. See you over on the July 2017 Board.

Wait, you still get a re-read even though you got a passing score the first time?

Total score wasn't above 1440, so it got a reread of all the essays.

A 65 isn't a "passing" score. It's just a score that will generally get you to the 1440 passing written scaled score, if your essays and PTs have a score of, on average, 65.

[Aydog]

I got my admission packet on Monday, and I think we all had the same problem with the three day bar surviving with three to four hours of sleep each night.

I noticed some of the people who posted had vey low performance test scores in the 55 range.


Usually if you got two 70s in the performance it was an auto pass with an MBE over 1350.

But with the new format you have to do well on the mbes over 1400 minimums