California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[Mr. Pink]

Ugh PTs. I wrote two out for Barbri and outlined 2 more. I agree, they aren't as intensive as the other parts of the exam but for me I get really fatigued/bored because I find them really tedious to get through and I'm worried I haven't had as much practice on them as I'd like. I'd like to outline 2 more this week but somehow clogging up my brain on state of columbia law seems stupid. Although fun fact, I googled some of the facts from the Barbri practice test, about the wrongful death heli-skiing accident and it was a case out of BC Canada.

I did that one too. Damn businessman without enough sense to understand the waiver. Most of them are real cases (at least the library cases) but they always stress to read them and never assume that you know it because they often change facts to fit the assignment.

Don't stress about the PTs. Unlike the other portions of the exam, all of the info you need to complete them is right in front of you- closed universe so to speak. I think reviewing other ones and outlining is a good way to go from here on out, and mostly just to get an idea of what the various tasks will look like. At least that's what I'm doing.

[Mr. Pink]

I just talked with the Bar admissions office in LA. They said that the Ontario center testing area will be open from 2-4 P.M. next Monday for us to take a look at the center and ask questions.

Thank you... I was hoping to be able to check out the place beforehand.

[Mr. Pink]

Ugh PTs. I wrote two out for Barbri and outlined 2 more. I agree, they aren't as intensive as the other parts of the exam but for me I get really fatigued/bored because I find them really tedious to get through and I'm worried I haven't had as much practice on them as I'd like. I'd like to outline 2 more this week but somehow clogging up my brain on state of columbia law seems stupid. Although fun fact, I googled some of the facts from the Barbri practice test, about the wrongful death heli-skiing accident and it was a case out of BC Canada.

Some of the Pts actually help you study certain areas of the law. For example, the February 2013 ptb talk about the UCC rules for contract modifications, written confirmation etc. Nevertheless, it seems at this point, they may take too much time to study and maybe not worth the time, unless one needs to drastically improve their pt score.

Any particularly tricky or good PTs you recommend I take a look at? And if anyone has been prepping with PTs please weigh in and help me spend my time more efficiently.

In re Cook- Review and Critique interviews taken; plan a trust making sure the trust adheres to clients wishes

People v. Wils- statement of facts, and argument showing claims of errors by trial court requiring reversal of judgment

Vasquez v. Speakeasy, Inc. and Northern Center of Worship- Brief supporting the position of immediate resolution based on stipulated statements of facts

Sorry I do not have the dates of the test, but maybe that helps with some. The other good ones I have done are mentioned by other posters- Keef is a good one to try out.

[lmr]

Am i dumb/screwed for thinking feb 2014 civ pro question was hard?

I got removal jurisdiction and all the sub issues correct under number 1. Sub-questions #2 and #3 threw me off-I completely missed the final judgment rule and still don't understand it...part #3 I was going to go w a specific performance analysis bc i missed the timely appeal issue....

i saw the model answer did a remedies analysis but most 65+ on bar essays did not and i saw a few 50 somethings did do a remedies analysis....barbri has it listed as a remedies and civ pro question CA bar says only civ pro...how do i self grade?!!!

[Law-So-Hard]

Ugh PTs. I wrote two out for Barbri and outlined 2 more. I agree, they aren't as intensive as the other parts of the exam but for me I get really fatigued/bored because I find them really tedious to get through and I'm worried I haven't had as much practice on them as I'd like. I'd like to outline 2 more this week but somehow clogging up my brain on state of columbia law seems stupid. Although fun fact, I googled some of the facts from the Barbri practice test, about the wrongful death heli-skiing accident and it was a case out of BC Canada.

Some of the Pts actually help you study certain areas of the law. For example, the February 2013 ptb talk about the UCC rules for contract modifications, written confirmation etc. Nevertheless, it seems at this point, they may take too much time to study and maybe not worth the time, unless one needs to drastically improve their pt score.

Any particularly tricky or good PTs you recommend I take a look at? And if anyone has been prepping with PTs please weigh in and help me spend my time more efficiently.

In re Cook- Review and Critique interviews taken; plan a trust making sure the trust adheres to clients wishes

People v. Wils- statement of facts, and argument showing claims of errors by trial court requiring reversal of judgment

Vasquez v. Speakeasy, Inc. and Northern Center of Worship- Brief supporting the position of immediate resolution based on stipulated statements of facts

Sorry I do not have the dates of the test, but maybe that helps with some. The other good ones I have done are mentioned by other posters- Keef is a good one to try out.

Thank you

[a male human]

Am i dumb/screwed for thinking feb 2014 civ pro question was hard?

I got removal jurisdiction and all the sub issues correct under number 1. Sub-questions #2 and #3 threw me off-I completely missed the final judgment rule and still don't understand it...part #3 I was going to go w a specific performance analysis bc i missed the timely appeal issue....

i saw the model answer did a remedies analysis but most 65+ on bar essays did not and i saw a few 50 somethings did do a remedies analysis....barbri has it listed as a remedies and civ pro question CA bar says only civ pro...how do i self grade?!!!

You're not alone. I stared at the last two calls for like 5 minutes and screamed "what the fuck" in the middle of the exam.

[Law-So-Hard]

Am i dumb/screwed for thinking feb 2014 civ pro question was hard?

I got removal jurisdiction and all the sub issues correct under number 1. Sub-questions #2 and #3 threw me off-I completely missed the final judgment rule and still don't understand it...part #3 I was going to go w a specific performance analysis bc i missed the timely appeal issue....

i saw the model answer did a remedies analysis but most 65+ on bar essays did not and i saw a few 50 somethings did do a remedies analysis....barbri has it listed as a remedies and civ pro question CA bar says only civ pro...how do i self grade?!!!

You're not alone. I stared at the last two calls for like 5 minutes and screamed "what the fuck" in the middle of the exam.

The model answer on that one made me feel like shit overall

[duskfall]

I just talked with the Bar admissions office in LA. They said that the Ontario center testing area will be open from 2-4 P.M. next Monday for us to take a look at the center and ask questions.

I'd swing by earlier to see if they're open. They might.

[Mr. Pink]

Am i dumb/screwed for thinking feb 2014 civ pro question was hard?

I got removal jurisdiction and all the sub issues correct under number 1. Sub-questions #2 and #3 threw me off-I completely missed the final judgment rule and still don't understand it...part #3 I was going to go w a specific performance analysis bc i missed the timely appeal issue....

i saw the model answer did a remedies analysis but most 65+ on bar essays did not and i saw a few 50 somethings did do a remedies analysis....barbri has it listed as a remedies and civ pro question CA bar says only civ pro...how do i self grade?!!!

You're not alone. I stared at the last two calls for like 5 minutes and screamed "what the fuck" in the middle of the exam.

I hope someone does this during our exam haha.... it would either 1) make me feel good that I knew the material; or 2) make me feel good that I wasn't the only one.

[CalBar2014]

Does anyone have the elements for strict products liability nailed down? The lecture gave the following:

(1) D is a merchant
(2) Product must be defective (manufacture, design, warning)
(3) Product was defective when left manufacturer/not been altered
(4) Foreseeable use by the plaintiff.

CMR is all over the place, but has the following:

(1) Strict duty owed by commercial supplier
(2) production or sale of defective product
(3) actual and proximate cause
(4) damages

These are somewhat different. What am I missing? Also, is "assumption of the risk" in a contributory negligence jurisdiction a valid defense or not?

Thank you in advance for any help!

[LSATNightmares]

Does anyone have the elements for strict products liability nailed down? The lecture gave the following:

(1) D is a merchant
(2) Product must be defective (manufacture, design, warning)
(3) Product was defective when left manufacturer/not been altered
(4) Foreseeable use by the plaintiff.

CMR is all over the place, but has the following:

(1) Strict duty owed by commercial supplier
(2) production or sale of defective product
(3) actual and proximate cause
(4) damages

These are somewhat different. What am I missing? Also, is "assumption of the risk" in a contributory negligence jurisdiction a valid defense or not?

Thank you in advance for any help!

I know the answer. Numbers (3) and (4) from the lecture go under actual and proximate cause from the CMR. Better to go with the CMR outline of the elements, rather than the lecture elements. Numbers (1) and (2) between the lecture and CMR are pretty much the same.

[pkt63]

Does anyone know if we can leave early on Wednesday if we finish MBE early? Either AM or PM session?

[Carryon]

Does anyone know if we can leave early on Wednesday if we finish MBE early? Either AM or PM session?

I think that you have to stay for the entire testing time. Maybe use that time to check some of your answers again.

[JJDancer]

Does anyone know if we can leave early on Wednesday if we finish MBE early? Either AM or PM session?

I think that you have to stay for the entire testing time. Maybe use that time to check some of your answers again.

IIRC, you can leave anytime if you finish but if you finish within the last 10-15 minutes you need to wait until the end.

[FutureInLaw]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

[pkt63]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

I was sort of wondering this too and especially if it is the norm that at least one of the essays or subparts will always be something none of our courses prepped us for. Like in Feb there was something about zoning and in July 2013, there was something else…so is that always the case, basically?

[Carryon]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

I was sort of wondering this too and especially if it is the norm that at least one of the essays or subparts will always be something none of our courses prepped us for. Like in Feb there was something about zoning and in July 2013, there was something else…so is that always the case, basically?

yes, however, since I have going over the old exams, there is usually an old exam question that is somewhat but no entirely similar to the current question. My strategy is to study the old exams and then study outlines for subjects not tested on the exams. Though it seems that i might not have as much time to study the outlines.

[Anonnn]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

I was sort of wondering this too and especially if it is the norm that at least one of the essays or subparts will always be something none of our courses prepped us for. Like in Feb there was something about zoning and in July 2013, there was something else…so is that always the case, basically?

Holy hell just looked at the Feb 2014 one about zoning. The claim versus the city definitely would've thrown me. One of the model answers actually took it in a Con Law direction which is what I probably would've done given that I had no recollection of "Variance" for zoning (but I also haven't looked at Real Prop in a couple of days so...).

[Law-So-Hard]

Haven't looked at the Feb 14 zoning one yet (WTF) but July '13, 13th amendment........................................................?!

[iLoveFruits&Veggies]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

My stomach is in knots and I can barely focus at all today due to the stress of the ESSAYS!!! I just know I'm going to get at least a couple of which I know NOTHING about! I'm doomed!!! I'm gonna be stuck with Civ Pro MBEs in Feb!! ARGH!!

[pkt63]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

My stomach is in knots and I can barely focus at all today due to the stress of the ESSAYS!!! I just know I'm going to get at least a couple of which I know NOTHING about! I'm doomed!!!

We're all potentially doomed! Not only because of the surprise factor, but I swear, I have been making good use of my baressays.com subscription and the grading is fucking arbitrary a significant percentage of the time. Today I read an essay that got a 60 (i.e. not a pass) and one that got a 70 (i.e. a clear fucking pass) and I swear they were identical in structure, issue spotting, use of facts. It's like seriously disheartening.

[Law-So-Hard]

Is it the norm to feel fucked for the essays? Fuck.

My stomach is in knots and I can barely focus at all today due to the stress of the ESSAYS!!! I just know I'm going to get at least a couple of which I know NOTHING about! I'm doomed!!! I'm gonna be stuck with CA Civ Pro MBEs in Feb!! ARGH!!

Seriously the thought of doing Civ Pro MBEs is terrifying me into studying

[a male human]

This is why you need to nail the PTs.

[Law-So-Hard]

This is why you need to nail the PTs.

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/BarP ... .23.08.pdf

Every little bit counts

[a male human]

This is why you need to nail the PTs.

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/BarP ... .23.08.pdf

Every little bit counts

It does. You'd better bust your ass for all sections of the exam.

PTs are arguably the easiest part to prepare for, yet it's still ~1/3 of the test and people forget about it. Remember you only have 2 shots at it.