California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[scienter]

July 2014 essay predictions IMO

Business Associations emphasizing Partnerships
Civil Procedure/Professional Responsibility crossover
Contracts/Remedies crossover
Evidence, perhaps transcript style
Real Property emphasizing Recording Acts/Conveyancing or Landlord/Tenant
Trusts emphasizing Trustee Duties/Liabilities

wild cards: Torts emphasizing negligence, or crimes emphasizing criminal procedure

[adonai]

Isen't everyone predicting corp will show up?

Ugh I HATE corps! I get big picture concepts (Duty of loyalty-corp opportunities/Ultra Vires/Insider trading/short-sales/ 10b5 ETC. but these little things on proxy voting/subscriptions/ voting trusts getting all the definitions down-overwhelming! I need to stop treating it like an MBE subject but barbri model answers scare the crap out of me!

Man, and I thought I was the only one who just felt like giving up when I started to review the voting/quorum/share distribution crap. I literally threw my outline. All the other elemental stuff I'm okay with, but when it comes to all this numbers stuff I just don't want to even bother.

[Law-So-Hard]

I feel screwed despite having spent most of my summer obsessing and poring over my studies for this stupid exam and making tons of sacrifices along the way. I'm terrified :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[CalBar2014]

There isn't a dress code for the California Bar right? A friend is taking the Virginia Bar and he said he has to wear a suit to take it. I was planning on shorts and sandals.

[LSATNightmares]

There isn't a dress code for the California Bar right? A friend is taking the Virginia Bar and he said he has to wear a suit to take it. I was planning on shorts and sandals.

No, no dress code for us. When I heard about the VA bar dress code, I thought that was so stupid and messed up.

[sambeber]

Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the three days? Things like timing, locations, breaks, etc. Thanks!

[dtl]

There isn't a dress code for the California Bar right? A friend is taking the Virginia Bar and he said he has to wear a suit to take it. I was planning on shorts and sandals.

I have heard stories about people being told to take flip flops off when they walk around the test room due to noise.

Otherwise, no dress code that I know of. I am going to be in shorts and a tshirt.

[yips]

I have heard stories about people being told to take flip flops off when they walk around the test room due to noise.

Yikes! I don't know about the other CA test centers, but the Oakland Convention Center is carpeted, so foot noise shouldn't be much of a problem.

[yips]

Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the three days? Things like timing, locations, breaks, etc. Thanks!

The Admittance Ticket Bulletin from the bar website has general info about when to be seated, when the morning and afternoon sessions begin, etc. If you're asking about specific locations within the test center, I don't think that's published-- we find out where to sit when we get there. And as far as I'm aware, the only break is the lunch break.

[sambeber]

Does anyone know where to find a schedule for the three days? Things like timing, locations, breaks, etc. Thanks!

The Admittance Ticket Bulletin from the bar website has general info about when to be seated, when the morning and afternoon sessions begin, etc. If you're asking about specific locations within the test center, I don't think that's published-- we find out where to sit when we get there. And as far as I'm aware, the only break is the lunch break.

Thanks! I knew I was missing it somewhere.

[JJDancer]

A question about crimes. Please tell me if my understanding is correct.

Conspiracy does not merge into the completed crime. However, solicitation and attempt do merge into the completed crime.

Are there any others I'm missing that are relevant to this discussion?

Thanks!

[Kiwi917]

I have heard stories about people being told to take flip flops off when they walk around the test room due to noise.

Yikes! I don't know about the other CA test centers, but the Oakland Convention Center is carpeted, so foot noise shouldn't be much of a problem.

Yips - sorry if you already answered this, but do you know how big the testing rooms are at Oakland? Is it one massive space, and if so, do they use a loudspeaker or anything for the announcements? I feel like all of my standardized testing experiences have involved some sort of "mumble mumble mumble . . . really important that you . . . mumble mumble . . OK, you may begin!" Maybe I just have terrible hearing, but this is an important enough test that I hope to be able to hear what the proctors are saying.

[yips]

Yips - sorry if you already answered this, but do you know how big the testing rooms are at Oakland? Is it one massive space, and if so, do they use a loudspeaker or anything for the announcements? I feel like all of my standardized testing experiences have involved some sort of "mumble mumble mumble . . . really important that you . . . mumble mumble . . OK, you may begin!" Maybe I just have terrible hearing, but this is an important enough test that I hope to be able to hear what the proctors are saying.

It's in the grand ballroom, which is massive. I've seen airplane hangars that were smaller. There are movable walls to divide it up, but I don't know whether they will do that and have several smaller rooms or just stick with one big open space. No clue on the loudspeaker question. My money is on one dude who's poor at public speaking standing at a crappy mic reading off of sheets of paper. I'm definitely going to familiarize myself with the Exam Rules Bulletin just in case.

Also, they say that the proctors keep the official time but that we are responsible for timing ourselves and that any warnings are only given as courtesies. Does this mean that we should aim to finish like a minute early? I'd hate to have to cut off my work in the middle of a sentence just because the proctor called time 15 seconds before my watch...

[Kiwi917]

Yips - sorry if you already answered this, but do you know how big the testing rooms are at Oakland? Is it one massive space, and if so, do they use a loudspeaker or anything for the announcements? I feel like all of my standardized testing experiences have involved some sort of "mumble mumble mumble . . . really important that you . . . mumble mumble . . OK, you may begin!" Maybe I just have terrible hearing, but this is an important enough test that I hope to be able to hear what the proctors are saying.

It's in the grand ballroom, which is massive. I've seen airplane hangars that were smaller. There are movable walls to divide it up, but I don't know whether they will do that and have several smaller rooms or just stick with one big open space. No clue on the loudspeaker question. My money is on one dude who's poor at public speaking standing at a crappy mic reading off of sheets of paper. I'm definitely going to familiarize myself with the Exam Rules Bulletin just in case.

Also, they say that the proctors keep the official time but that we are responsible for timing ourselves and that any warnings are only given as courtesies. Does this mean that we should aim to finish like a minute early? I'd hate to have to cut off my work in the middle of a sentence just because the proctor called time 15 seconds before my watch...

I'm aiming to leave a few minutes at the end to run spell-check, clean up headings, etc., but inevitably with these sorts of tests I end up writing until the last second. I might draft my final sentence once I know what the conclusion will be, so that at least I know the end of my answer will be clean.

[Charles Barkley]

A question about crimes. Please tell me if my understanding is correct.

Conspiracy does not merge into the completed crime. However, solicitation and attempt do merge into the completed crime.

Are there any others I'm missing that are relevant to this discussion?

Thanks!

Correct.

Assault/Battery/Larceny merge with robbery, too.

[dtl]

Yips - sorry if you already answered this, but do you know how big the testing rooms are at Oakland? Is it one massive space, and if so, do they use a loudspeaker or anything for the announcements? I feel like all of my standardized testing experiences have involved some sort of "mumble mumble mumble . . . really important that you . . . mumble mumble . . OK, you may begin!" Maybe I just have terrible hearing, but this is an important enough test that I hope to be able to hear what the proctors are saying.

It's in the grand ballroom, which is massive. I've seen airplane hangars that were smaller. There are movable walls to divide it up, but I don't know whether they will do that and have several smaller rooms or just stick with one big open space. No clue on the loudspeaker question. My money is on one dude who's poor at public speaking standing at a crappy mic reading off of sheets of paper. I'm definitely going to familiarize myself with the Exam Rules Bulletin just in case.

Also, they say that the proctors keep the official time but that we are responsible for timing ourselves and that any warnings are only given as courtesies. Does this mean that we should aim to finish like a minute early? I'd hate to have to cut off my work in the middle of a sentence just because the proctor called time 15 seconds before my watch...

I'm aiming to leave a few minutes at the end to run spell-check, clean up headings, etc., but inevitably with these sorts of tests I end up writing until the last second. I might draft my final sentence once I know what the conclusion will be, so that at least I know the end of my answer will be clean.

The clock in examsoft is also enabled, right? It was in the mock exam.

[yips]

The clock in examsoft is also enabled, right? It was in the mock exam.

Yeah, I guess my concern is if the time on the proctor clock and the time on the examsoft clock don't match up. I really don't want to be the one trying to convince a proctor that I actually have three more minutes, please.

[JJDancer]

A question about crimes. Please tell me if my understanding is correct.

Conspiracy does not merge into the completed crime. However, solicitation and attempt do merge into the completed crime.

Are there any others I'm missing that are relevant to this discussion?

Thanks!

Correct.

Assault/Battery/Larceny merge with robbery, too.

Thanks!

[Carryon]

A question about crimes. Please tell me if my understanding is correct.

Conspiracy does not merge into the completed crime. However, solicitation and attempt do merge into the completed crime.

Are there any others I'm missing that are relevant to this discussion?

Thanks!

Correct.

Assault/Battery/Larceny merge with robbery, too.

Thanks!

I know larceny merges with robbery, but battery
Would not merge if robbery occurred from threat of imminent force. Is that true, anybody?

[JJDancer]

Correct.

Assault/Battery/Larceny merge with robbery, too.

Thanks!

I know larceny merges with robbery, but battery
Would not merge if robbery occurred from threat of imminent force. Is that true, anybody?

I guess you are saying if there wasn't actually a battery then it wouldn't merge. But if there was, then it would.

Also solicitation can merge into conspiracy as a lesser included (as per one of the MBE answers)

[Kiwi917]

The clock in examsoft is also enabled, right? It was in the mock exam.

Yeah, I guess my concern is if the time on the proctor clock and the time on the examsoft clock don't match up. I really don't want to be the one trying to convince a proctor that I actually have three more minutes, please.

I'm going to set my watch to the proctor's time and then probably just keep an eye on the examsoft clock as I'm actually working. Trick for those who don't like telling time on analog watches - setting it to start at exactly 12:00 (regardless of what time it actually is) makes it easy to quickly calculate how much time you have left, more like a stopwatch. Might be more disorienting for some, but I find it helpful especially when the proctors choose to start at 9:07 or something.

[AMCD]

Sounds likely. These are Bracci's predictions, no?

[AMCD]

July 2014 essay predictions IMO

Business Associations emphasizing Partnerships
Civil Procedure/Professional Responsibility crossover
Contracts/Remedies crossover
Evidence, perhaps transcript style
Real Property emphasizing Recording Acts/Conveyancing or Landlord/Tenant
Trusts emphasizing Trustee Duties/Liabilities

wild cards: Torts emphasizing negligence, or crimes emphasizing criminal procedure

These are Steve Bracci's predictions, no?

[km23]

For those who have taken the test at the Santa Clara convention center:

1. Was the room cold/hot? Should I bring an extra layer?

2. Are there any good (but not super heavy) lunch places nearby?

1. The room wasn't too cold or too hot. The temp was good, but wear layers because it could be different this year. I wore a tshirt with a cardigan, jeans, and flats and I was fine…took off the cardigan at times.

2. They sell food in the Hyatt attached to the convention center (I think there was a small stand where they sold sandwiches, salads, etc., as well as bar food and an actual restaurant). There's mostly companies and hotels immediately around the convention center, and I don't know if I would risk driving even a few blocks away and finding parking again (but I'm a worrier so yea lol). Maybe bring lunch in a cooler in your car or have a non-bar friend or family member bring lunch for you…there were actually tons of parents bringing their grown kids food lol--it's the bar exam…there is no shame so arrange whatever is best for you.

I also read someone post about pillows…I brought a pillow and my back and bottom thanked me after day 3 Ya it's annoying to carry around but you don't want to be in pain because of a crappy chair.

Also, it's okay to study the day before, but obviously not hardcore. I did final review on Monday from 8am-3pm. I also studied a bit before Day 3 on subjects I thought would come up (the subjects I studied didn't actually come up but oh well. It gave me peace of mind). Good luck--hope you have plans to celebrate on Thursday!!! You're almost there!

[pkt63]

So I got an email this morning congratulating me on my new membership in the ABA and gave me my member number. For a minute I got it confused with the cal bar and had this weird thought that I won some kind of last minute lottery where I get admitted to the Cal bar without taking the exam. Alas, no.

Still Wtf is this from the ABA? I don't remember applying. And why are they sending me unimportant shit the weekend before they KNOW we're all taking the bar exam?? Freaked me the F out. ..