July 2016 California Bar Exam Forum

[teabreeze]

Passed too, you guys Congrats to everyone else who passed!

To those who didn't, don't despair! You will get through this. I was a 2x retaker who worked while studying both times so I have some advice to give. I'll come back later to post something more lengthy. Hold your head up!

[Zaizei]

Passed!!! This was the 3rd time I took the exam (spanish lawyer). Woohooo!!!!

[Yukos]

Passed!!! This was the 3rd time I took the exam (spanish lawyer). Woohooo!!!!

Felicidades! Creo que esto es increible -- no podriamos pasarlo en espanol!

[Zaizei]

Passed!!! This was the 3rd time I took the exam (spanish lawyer). Woohooo!!!!

Felicidades! Creo que esto es increible -- no podriamos pasarlo en espanol!

También eres español?

[Barebones]

Passed!
Second time tester. Wasn't confident that I passed at all. Was honestly thinking about whether to take a third time in another state. I remembered nothing about what I wrote for the essays so I have no idea whether it was essays or mbe that got me over.

[Yukos]

Passed!!! This was the 3rd time I took the exam (spanish lawyer). Woohooo!!!!

Felicidades! Creo que esto es increible -- no podriamos pasarlo en espanol!

También eres español?

Nope but I learned castellano there

[LockBox]

Passed!!

[Zaizei]

Passed!!! This was the 3rd time I took the exam (spanish lawyer). Woohooo!!!!

Felicidades! Creo que esto es increible -- no podriamos pasarlo en espanol!

También eres español?

Nope but I learned castellano there

Haha ok ok. Congrats to you too! We did it!! We passed the exam!!!

[Flutefool]

I hope this story gives those of you who failed some inspiration and useful tips.

I'm a repeater. I passed in New York the first time after I graduated, then I got a job in CA and needed to take the CA General Examination. First time in CA, I expected to pass no problem. I took Themis. I was surprised to fail in Feb 16.

My new study regimen for July16 consisted of the following:

-Adaptibar
-practice questions and comparing essays on baressays.
- Directed specific substantive questions to Themis (but skipped all lectures and study schedule second time around)

I ran every day. I watched a lot of sports documentaries to motivate me and spark my competitive nature. I felt very positive going into the test.

First session of essays threw me a little, but no big deal. CivPro confused me and I felt as though I discussed barely anything for real property.

Then came the PT-A. Something happened to me that has never happened any time in my life. I had a panic attack. I couldn't read the words on the paper. The sentences meshed together. All I could see was the prospect of failure and months of more studying ahead of me. I said to myself: "Just write something. You have to write something." But I couldn't manage it. I left a few headings on my screen and then asked to leave. The proctor told me I had to stay to the end

When I finally did leave, the implications of what had happened really put me in a very dark place. I had worked very hard to get my job -- a job I had wanted since I decided to go to law school -- and now my chances of keeping it were doubt. What was the point in all those job applications? What was the point in law school? I had no idea how my firm would react to a second failure. I decided I wouldn't go in for the next two days because conventional wisdom says that you can't pass this test without getting decent grades on the PTs. But I did go back.

The next two days were not too shabby but nothing to really get excited about either. Then I had the long wait to today when I would confirm my failure.

Yes, I passed. I must have aced the MBE and either the Con Law or Community Property or PT-B. Also, maybe PT-A was generously curved. (It sounds like people thought it was hard, which I can' really speak to because I couldn't really read the words on the paper.)

The most useful advice I can give that I haven't really seen on here is that you cannot let the occasion get to you. It is a looooong test (if you take again in Feb and don't wait for the shorter exam). Let that work to your advantage rather than detriment. If you feel like you're doing awful at one point, sit back, take a deep breath, and realize that you have time (days even) to bump up your score. I didn't play it cool and somehow I got away with it. Feb 16 was an academic challenge for me. July 16 was a psychological challenge. Don't underestimate either challenge.

[rcharter1978]

Passed!!

Yea!! And that's after you used the FRCP instead of .CA civ pro. You must have crushed the rest of the test

[trojankid09]

Passed! Glad to see most of the posters on this thread pass too!

[a male human]

Congrats to the others who've joined in. Thanks Flutefool for your story! Glad you got back into the game and finished the rest of the days

[Yukos]

Awesome story flutefool, you earned this pass more than most.

[2TimesTheCharm]

Hey guys,

Congrats to everyone who passed! For those who didn't, don't worry. You'll get it next time. There's a reason my name is 2TimestheCharm, I was a repeater after flunking last February's bar. My score last time was 1280, so it must have increased by at least 160 points this time around. Don't give up. The CA bar is more of a technique test than a knowledge test. Here's a list of things I did differently:

1. I stayed only with Barbri the first time. Don't do that. Get Adaptibar. Get CriticalPass flashcards. Get BarEssays. I know it's a lot of money, but it'll all be worth it when you're sitting through that MBE thinking it's easier than you remembered.

2. Do not forget to IRAC. I didn't IRAC the first time, because I didn't know what IRAC was. Separate each letter of IRAC into different paragraphs; DO NOT lump it all together in the same paragraph. Additionally, the words "Here,..." (for analysis) and "Thus,..." (for conclusion) should be second nature.

3. Use standard headers. I didn't use the standard headers the first time, and that was not a good decision. Ex: for Community Property, your first sentence should always be "California is a community property state." BarEssays will provide you with enough essays that, if you practice with it, you will notice the standard headers for each subject.

4. Adaptibar is your friend. Adaptibar will keep you from having to take the exam a third or fourth time. Ask "a male human" for a discount code. (Thanks, by the way.)

5. Do not underestimate the PT's. Practice organizing and word vomiting. Also, when reading the cases, whenever you see something that may be relevant, transcribe it to your exam. It saves a lot of time, and you can always cut and past later. A 70-85 on a PT does wonders for your essay score. (I'm pretty sure the only reason I passed was because of my PT's. My PTA was 3900 words and my PTB was 3700, all of it IRAC-ed, organized, and checked for spelling.)

6. Most importantly, do not give up. The CA bar is notorious for failing people, both smart and otherwise. Whatever happened here does not reflect on your ability to function as an attorney. You all survived law school; you are all attorney material. Don't forget that, and kill it next time.

[Genius]

I think everyone who did not pass is taking time off to grieve rather than post here. I also noticed this thread didnt have the "comraderie" that I had a year ago, evidenced by much longer thread page counts.

For those who did not pass this is just a blip on a radar. English is not my first language and I passed on my second try. I took barbri but ditched it after failing and went for self studying the second time. I am available to chat if you need someone to talk to about study methods or anything else.

[Raiden]

For those of you who didn't pass, remember that so much can be out of your hands, the topics you receive and the graders who grade your essays can make a difference on whether you pass or not. Don't let this time of bitterness bring your down when its time to study again. Take some time off for yourself, but remember that the bar is beatable and there is no reason why you cannot beat it.

I am a bar tutor, so feel free to reach out to me to anyone that wants to have 1-on-1 review of your score report.

[lawyer2b_]

I'm a third time passer! Please don't give up for those who didn't pass. Seriously, I know the feeling. Dont give up!!!!

[Baller31]

For those of you who didn't pass, remember that so much can be out of your hands, the topics you receive and the graders who grade your essays can make a difference on whether you pass or not. Don't let this time of bitterness bring your down when its time to study again. Take some time off for yourself, but remember that the bar is beatable and there is no reason why you cannot beat it.

I am a bar tutor, so feel free to reach out to me to anyone that wants to have 1-on-1 review of your score report.

Where are you located?

[Interpretationc]

Damn..
i said facts would support valid prenup since
no evid of undue influence,
took their time to discuss in advance
no evid of non disclosure,


I never mentioned 7 days ...was there any fact suggesting 7 days not met? I can't remember but was prenup and waiver signed at same time?

Me too, I went through all possible defenses and said no facts show non disclosure, no facts show waiver is not knowingly and voluntarily and prenu does not require legal counsel unless one party has a legal counsel, and they discuss for weeks before signing it, so 7days requirement has been met....

Are there any reasonable points that I can get.... Really freaks me out right now, my whole essay relies on assumption of valid prenup...omg

Passed. Second time. Congrats to all who passed. I passed NY bar first time but failed Feb test. No one was easy on this we all deserve it.
For those who did not pass, I quote my early post just to let ypu know that you have no reason to give up, three months fly in the blink of an eye. Most of you probably are way better than me. I posted above comment the day after exam bc I was totally freaked out. It was not just essay 5, I messed up service and used federal rule entirely on essay 1, I did not mention six covenants under deed warranty on essay 2, I found there was a clear and unequivocal statement of repudiation on essay 3, I did not even know what was 11th amendment and left this issue totally undiscussed on essay 4. I ran out of time on essay 6, leaving couple issues with only headings. The minute I found I was again wrong on finding prenuptial agreement valid on essay 5 literally freaked me out. It killed my last piece of fantasy on this exam. There wasn't a single essay that I was unaware of my big mistakes. I also did not distinguish "gift" from "discounted price" on PTA which I think is a major argument for "dedication". It was too oblivious and common sense that no testers will ignore it. And I knew all these problems within hours after exam by looking into my bar prep outlines or simply thinking it in a "cool mind".
For the past three months, I lived in dark, way worse than the first time I fluke. I can't imagine how my colleagues and my boss will look at a repeated loser. I even doubted my intelligence cause I really studied hard this time. But after all I need to face them. I thought of the possibility of losing the job or being labeled as "failure expert". I was prepared to do it all over again. Until tonight, I was to some extent disappointed with my life. But I am so lucky. I can't believe my eyes when I saw my name on the pass list. Now I know that many times you felt down only because you expect too much on yourself. Those expectations are way more than required. High aims are good but never let them imprison your life. No matter how bad you felt during or after exam, never give up cause probably most people felt it same way. Fight till the last and your efforts will surely be paid off!

[a male human]

Hey guys,

Congrats to everyone who passed! For those who didn't, don't worry. You'll get it next time. There's a reason my name is 2TimestheCharm, I was a repeater after flunking last February's bar. My score last time was 1280, so it must have increased by at least 160 points this time around. Don't give up. The CA bar is more of a technique test than a knowledge test. Here's a list of things I did differently:

1. I stayed only with Barbri the first time. Don't do that. Get Adaptibar. Get CriticalPass flashcards. Get BarEssays. I know it's a lot of money, but it'll all be worth it when you're sitting through that MBE thinking it's easier than you remembered.

2. Do not forget to IRAC. I didn't IRAC the first time, because I didn't know what IRAC was. Separate each letter of IRAC into different paragraphs; DO NOT lump it all together in the same paragraph. Additionally, the words "Here,..." (for analysis) and "Thus,..." (for conclusion) should be second nature.

3. Use standard headers. I didn't use the standard headers the first time, and that was not a good decision. Ex: for Community Property, your first sentence should always be "California is a community property state." BarEssays will provide you with enough essays that, if you practice with it, you will notice the standard headers for each subject.

4. Adaptibar is your friend. Adaptibar will keep you from having to take the exam a third or fourth time. Ask "a male human" for a discount code. (Thanks, by the way.)

5. Do not underestimate the PT's. Practice organizing and word vomiting. Also, when reading the cases, whenever you see something that may be relevant, transcribe it to your exam. It saves a lot of time, and you can always cut and past later. A 70-85 on a PT does wonders for your essay score. (I'm pretty sure the only reason I passed was because of my PT's. My PTA was 3900 words and my PTB was 3700, all of it IRAC-ed, organized, and checked for spelling.)

6. Most importantly, do not give up. The CA bar is notorious for failing people, both smart and otherwise. Whatever happened here does not reflect on your ability to function as an attorney. You all survived law school; you are all attorney material. Don't forget that, and kill it next time.

I join in concurrence in whole with respect to each of these points.

This is a LEARNABLE SKILL. You don't need to be a "natural test taker." You can acquire the means to pass this "technique test" as 2Times put it. However, you still need to know the law at a minimum and -- this part many seem to forget -- how to apply it in a live environment with a real essay (harder than it seems when you're not face to face with the uncertainty of what you just put down on paper/screen).

[LurkerTurnedMember]

For those of us who passed, where do we het our specific score? I read that we can transfer the mbe score but my result page just said my name is on the list with no specific break down..

[a male human]

For those of us who passed, where do we het our specific score? I read that we can transfer the mbe score but my result page just said my name is on the list with no specific break down..

If you passed, your scores remain a mystery. You only get a breakdown of raw essay scores and a scaled MBE score if you did not pass the bar (in which case you get a packet postal mailed to you in about 3-4 weeks)

[LurkerTurnedMember]

For those of us who passed, where do we het our specific score? I read that we can transfer the mbe score but my result page just said my name is on the list with no specific break down..

If you passed, your scores remain a mystery. You only get a breakdown of raw essay scores and a scaled MBE score if you did not pass the bar (in which case you get a packet postal mailed to you in about 3-4 weeks)

Then how does "waiving" into other jurisdictions work? How do we figure out if our score is high enough to waive into another jx in the first place?

[LockBox]

Passed!!

Yea!! And that's after you used the FRCP instead of .CA civ pro. You must have crushed the rest of the test

I was a repeater so it was still a shock, though I didn't apply FRCP - I applied CA Civ pro where needed. Any reason you thought I applied FRCP instead of CA Civ Pro? Anyone apply FRCP exclusively and pass?

[a male human]

For those of us who passed, where do we het our specific score? I read that we can transfer the mbe score but my result page just said my name is on the list with no specific break down..

If you passed, your scores remain a mystery. You only get a breakdown of raw essay scores and a scaled MBE score if you did not pass the bar (in which case you get a packet postal mailed to you in about 3-4 weeks)

Then how does "waiving" into other jurisdictions work? How do we figure out if our score is high enough to waive into another jx in the first place?

I hear that you can request a score report to be sent to a given jurisdiction and that jx will either accept or reject based on the score you send over. I don't believe you know your exact score even if you pay to send it to other jurisdictions.

This is based on hearsay and memory. If someone else could confirm...