DAE feel like they understand the material, but can't . . . Forum

[portaprokoss]

Does anyone else feel like they understand the material but can't rattle off elements?

I kill MBE questions, but if you asked me to define voluntary manslaughter all I could say is "intent + reasonable person angry," or diversity jx is "p-d-diversity + more than 75." When I go beyond the MBE topics to essay topics, I feel like (except for, perhaps, the 5 most tested essay topics out of the total 20), I pretty much have only the broad brushstrokes memorized.

Is it normal to feel this way? My practice essays get to the right answers about 2/3 of the time, but I never state the law as eloquently as the model answers. Thoughts?

If this is my weakness, how should I best spend tonight and tomorrow

[turquoiseturtle]

Does anyone else feel like they understand the material but can't rattle off elements?

I kill MBE questions, but if you asked me to define voluntary manslaughter all I could say is "intent + reasonable person angry," or diversity jx is "p-d-diversity + more than 75." When I go beyond the MBE topics to essay topics, I feel like (except for, perhaps, the 5 most tested essay topics out of the total 20), I pretty much have only the broad brushstrokes memorized.

Is it normal to feel this way? My practice essays get to the right answers about 2/3 of the time, but I never state the law as eloquently as the model answers. Thoughts?

If this is my weakness, how should I best spend tonight and tomorrow

I honestly think that this is how everyone feels. When you look at the model answers they're either written by Barbri with open notes or they're student answers that are chosen from literally thousands. If you think about the huge number of actual essays, there are so many out there that did not eloquently state the elements. They've chosen the few that happened to know the elements for that particular essay topic.

[amk110]

I definitely feel like that. I'm very good at spotting correct/incorrect statements of the law on the MBE at this point, but not so good at regurgitating correct elements on the spot.

The BARBRI model answers are so unbelievably perfect, they're pretty much worthless as a study aid. All they're doing is stressing me out by making me feel completely inadequate.

Thankfully a few of the passing student answers are pretty abysmal, so I still have a glimmer of hope.

[encore1101]

Yes. I got mid-low 40s on all the Mixed Problem sets, but if you asked me to list how to terminate a marriage and on what grounds, i'd just be like:

[pizzasodafries]

ha, i really LOL'd at that pic