California Bar Exam (July 2014) thread Forum

[hyc9598]

For mac users, do you use times new roman font 20 and hide question and sidebar?

[rolen27]

Question about wills: are adopted children considered "kindred " for purposes of the anti lapse statute?

[Carryon]

Question about wills: are adopted children considered "kindred " for purposes of the anti lapse statute?

I think they are,but not sure?

[Carryon]

For previous takers at ontario test center, did anybody use a mouse pad?

[2807]

Question about wills: are adopted children considered "kindred " for purposes of the anti lapse statute?

Yes.

Here ya go--

Adopted Children inherit from their adoptive parents and relatives.
The relationship to their natural parent is severed for inheritance, unless
1. The natural parent lived with the adopted child in a parent-child relationship, and
2. The adoption was by the spouse/domestic partner of the natural parent.


Non-Marital Children inherit from and through their mother. There is a presumption of paternity that allows the child to inherit from and through the father, if either of the following occurs:
A. The parents subsequently marry, and the father
i) is named on the birth certificate,
ii) promises to pay child support, or
iii) is ordered by a court to pay child support;
B. The father holds out the child as his own.

Otherwise, the child needs other clear and convincing proof of paternity (e.g. through a court adjudication, or DNA testing). This applies to posthumous paternity determinations.


Stepchildren (or foster children) held out as one’s own children, may be treated as children by the court (“adoption by estoppel”) if the relationship began during the child’s minority and clear and convincing evidence exists that the adult would have adopted but for a legal barrier.

Half-siblings inherit the same as those of the whole blood.

[2807]

For mac users, do you use times new roman font 20 and hide question and sidebar?

Are you referring to SoftTest and the exam's fonts?

No memory of changing from whatever the default is.

However, I did learn that you can grab the corner of the text box and expand it to give you more working space.
That helped.

Also, I use Command- B for "bold" and... GOOD LORD if you accidentally hit "N" you will get a a "New" page.
YOU WILL HAVE A HEART ATTACK...

But just stop, and you can get out of it. I can't remember how, but I did it many times...

[dtl]

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.

Supposedly, according to the NCBE, watches are not allowed during the MBE portion. http://www.ncbex.org/about-ncbe-exams/m ... -policies/

I was under the impression silent analog watches were kosher. I guess you are not supposed to independently time the MBE?

Edit: Looked and the California rules explicitly allow them. I guess the NCBE puts out rules for "every jurisdiction" to follow, but California doesn't. False alarm!

[Apple Tree]

For people taking in Pasadena, what are you doing for lunches?

[Kiwi917]

Supposedly, according to the NCBE, watches are not allowed during the MBE portion. http://www.ncbex.org/about-ncbe-exams/m ... -policies/

I was under the impression silent analog watches were kosher. I guess you are not supposed to independently time the MBE?

Edit: Looked and the California rules explicitly allow them. I guess the NCBE puts out rules for "every jurisdiction" to follow, but California doesn't. False alarm!

Good to know. I am more concerned about timing on the essays anyway, but it would be a little crazy for them not to let us have watches for the MBE if they don't provide wall clocks.

[TitoSantana]

I really think there's going to be a Second Amendment question and the facts are going to involve a spoon, a donkey and a toothless guy from Kentucky with a speech impediment. Your're welcome!

[yips]

Edit: Looked and the California rules explicitly allow them. I guess the NCBE puts out rules for "every jurisdiction" to follow, but California doesn't. False alarm!

See, that's what was confusing to me.
NCBE says no watches, no mechanical pencils, and no earplugs at the MBE.
CA says that there is a whole list of things you can't bring to the MBE, but watches, mechanical pencils, and earplugs are not specifically identified.
Are we supposed to treat the CA rules as superseding the NCBE rules?

[gaagoots]

For mac users, do you use times new roman font 20 and hide question and sidebar?

I did an essay in examsoft using ariel 14 on my Mac because 12 was tiny for my eyes. When they printed it and I got it back, it was large 14 font. I'd worry about having large print granny font with 20. I'm not sure if they adjust it to default 12 before it's printed or not.

I also hide the question and side bar, the question takes up too much screen real estate and unless I need the calculator (I suck at math for any Moore/Marsden or any other CP calculations) otherwise I hide it.

[JJDancer]

Does anyone know a RP essay - specifically covering covenants that I could refer to? Meaning do you know the exam administration I can refer to to find it? Ideally in the past 7 years or w/e is provided by Cal Bar?
Or if you have a sample answer for an older one you don't mind sharing?
Thanks!

[Rotor]

Yeah, I saw plenty of room in the lobby/corridor area to leave stuff.

Rotor, do you know how they organize that? Just, like, a giant pile of crap, or like an ad hoc coat check type system or what? (I'm assuming you've gone through this process before...?)

Also, you apparently can take whatever is in your clear baggie into the bathroom. So in addition to medications/tampons/whatever, I guess you can also have the joy of bringing your keys and loose money (no wallets!) with you. How awkward.

Best option: only bring what you will bring with you into the room. If you must have a backpack/purse/etc. you'll just dump it wherever you find a spot. Not sure why you'd bring your baggie to the bathroom. Just leave it at your table with your computer if you have to get up during the exam.

And yes, took the test in Oak back in 2012. Saw the question about the location-- I haven't really been keeping tabs on the rest of the thread. Good luck to everyone next week! Just remember to relax and breathe. Remember, it's only a test. You could always be in a foxhole in Afghanistan instead.

[a male human]

Quick tips for Tuesday, Wedsnesday, Thursday

1. Feeling anxious and nervous? Chew gum (before the exam starts). This will trick your brain into thinking there is no fight-or-flight situation here.

2. Want to feel fresh? Get sleep in 90-minute chunks, i.e., complete your sleep in complete REM cycles to reduce sleep inertia. If you have extended your hotel stay until Thursday evening, use lunch break to take a siesta (you'll be pretty tired by the end of your 15th hour).

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

X. Don't bring paper clips to the MBE (Weds). A proctor will rummage through your baggie and take it away conspicuously.

[lmr]

Quick tips for Tuesday, Wedsnesday, Thursday

1. Feeling anxious and nervous? Chew gum (before the exam starts). This will trick your brain into thinking there is no fight-or-flight situation here.

2. Want to feel fresh? Get sleep in 90-minute chunks, i.e., complete your sleep in complete REM cycles to reduce sleep inertia. If you have extended your hotel stay until Thursday evening, use lunch break to take a siesta (you'll be pretty tired by the end of your 15th hour).

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

X. Don't bring paper clips to the MBE (Weds). A proctor will rummage through your baggie and take it away conspicuously.

Dumb question how does skipping essays work w respect to exam soft? For my class finals I'd just skip through screens or if I was feeling paranoid I'd do all my essays on one screen and label the question-how you do you do that for the bar? Label you essays? Go back and forth through question screen? I'm afraid to even copy and paste bc I heard it can stimulate exam soft problems...

[Carryon]

Quick tips for Tuesday, Wedsnesday, Thursday

1. Feeling anxious and nervous? Chew gum (before the exam starts). This will trick your brain into thinking there is no fight-or-flight situation here.

2. Want to feel fresh? Get sleep in 90-minute chunks, i.e., complete your sleep in complete REM cycles to reduce sleep inertia. If you have extended your hotel stay until Thursday evening, use lunch break to take a siesta (you'll be pretty tired by the end of your 15th hour).

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

X. Don't bring paper clips to the MBE (Weds). A proctor will rummage through your baggie and take it away conspicuously.

Dumb question how does skipping essays work w respect to exam soft? For my class finals I'd just skip through screens or if I was feeling paranoid I'd do all my essays on one screen and label the question-how you do you do that for the bar? Label you essays? Go back and forth through question screen? I'm afraid to even copy and paste bc I heard it can stimulate exam soft problems...

I heard that too about slowing of exam soft software due to copying and pasting a lot at Ontario test center. Wonder if exam soft fixed this problem? Anybody know?

[Carryon]

Quick tips for Tuesday, Wedsnesday, Thursday

1. Feeling anxious and nervous? Chew gum (before the exam starts). This will trick your brain into thinking there is no fight-or-flight situation here.

2. Want to feel fresh? Get sleep in 90-minute chunks, i.e., complete your sleep in complete REM cycles to reduce sleep inertia. If you have extended your hotel stay until Thursday evening, use lunch break to take a siesta (you'll be pretty tired by the end of your 15th hour).

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

X. Don't bring paper clips to the MBE (Weds). A proctor will rummage through your baggie and take it away conspicuously.

What do people use the paper clips for, separate cases and documents for the pts?

[a male human]

Quick tips for Tuesday, Wedsnesday, Thursday

1. Feeling anxious and nervous? Chew gum (before the exam starts). This will trick your brain into thinking there is no fight-or-flight situation here.

2. Want to feel fresh? Get sleep in 90-minute chunks, i.e., complete your sleep in complete REM cycles to reduce sleep inertia. If you have extended your hotel stay until Thursday evening, use lunch break to take a siesta (you'll be pretty tired by the end of your 15th hour).

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

X. Don't bring paper clips to the MBE (Weds). A proctor will rummage through your baggie and take it away conspicuously.

Dumb question how does skipping essays work w respect to exam soft? For my class finals I'd just skip through screens or if I was feeling paranoid I'd do all my essays on one screen and label the question-how you do you do that for the bar? Label you essays? Go back and forth through question screen? I'm afraid to even copy and paste bc I heard it can stimulate exam soft problems...

Yeah, if you can, don't copy more than maybe 3 lines at a time just to be safe. I don't know whether that issue is fixed.

In SofTest, when you press Begin (I have trauma associated with that word), you will see three lines to the right indicating which question you're on. It will also indicate Question # near the top. You can navigate among the three screens using the arrows at the top or clicking on the appropriate line on the side bar. Is this making any sense? It might look different if you've hidden the side bar or if you're using a Mac.

What do people use the paper clips for, separate cases and documents for the pts?

I used it to clip my ID to my admission ticket. It's an allowed item on T/R but not on W.

[TitoSantana]

I hope I get to the test center on time. Waking up is the second hardest thing in the morning for me.

[LSATNightmares]

Okay, so I'm not going crazy, the bar exam starts on Tuesday, right? My nightmare is to miss the first day, after that story the Wills, Trusts, and Estates guy shared in the Barbri lecture about the applicant who got confused what the first day was.

[Kiwi917]

3. Want to maximize your essay points? Decide now the order in which you will approach your essays. Then take 15 seconds to skim each essay question in the beginning. 1) Arrange them so your weakest subject is last; if you will bomb it, you can at least reserve your mental endurance for the first two essays. This was my approach. Or 2) arrange them weakest first so that things get less frustrating over time. Either way, decide which intentional approach you will take beforehand. Don't get suckered into their pace and run out of time on essay 3, your best subject. Make sure you type your answers in the right screen on SofTest.

What do you think about not looking ahead at the essays at all? I am a little worried that if I see something terrifying on #2 or 3, it will stress me out and make it harder to perform well on the other essays. But at the same time, I can see the benefit of arranging them strategically.

[Charles Barkley]

So the Cali bar website won't let me log in to print my ticket. Whenever I try to log in with my file number, I get the following error:

The Registration Number must be only nine alphanumeric characters.

I'm entering the number in correctly. It's only 6 characters. Any ideas?

[LSATNightmares]

So the Cali bar website won't let me log in to print my ticket. Whenever I try to log in with my file number, I get the following error:

The Registration Number must be only nine alphanumeric characters.

I'm entering the number in correctly. It's only 6 characters. Any ideas?

Try your SSN?

[Charles Barkley]

I'm a noob.

I didn't realize I was supposed to also enter in my SSN and date of birth.