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MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:45 pm
by plath
Yes. Not a good idea to take it right after the bar, I know.
Still, must do it. So any input on studying? Exam's this Saturday and I haven't started (still recovering from the bar)
Did you guys read the whole book or is the CMR and lecture outline enough?
Thanks!

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:31 pm
by dreakol
watched that online lecture by barbri (or themis i dont remember but it was 3 hours long and you had to fill in the blanks) and did about 100 practice Qs. that was overkill.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:36 pm
by plath
Lovely - thanks

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:57 pm
by jigglypuffdreams
I took it twice (got a damn 84 the first time and I needed 85 haha) but the second time I did things right and passed. I just skimmed an outline and did all 300 of the practice questions on Barbri's site and a handful of Themis questions. Practice questions are the most important thing because you learn to spot common things and weird little exceptions they like to test on, plus you'll end up learning little details better than staring at an outline.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:17 pm
by gaagoots
plath wrote:Yes. Not a good idea to take it right after the bar, I know.
Still, must do it. So any input on studying? Exam's this Saturday and I haven't started (still recovering from the bar)
Did you guys read the whole book or is the CMR and lecture outline enough?
Thanks!

I sat for it before taking PR--I used the *free* version of BarMax for MPRE it had the NCBE questions, explanations, lectures (dull) and outlines it was set up for 5 days of prep. I was swamped that week, but I passed, needed 86 in CA. PS. Its normal to walk out of the exam with a WTF feeling and still pass it.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:35 pm
by emciosn
I watched the free Barbri lecture (I think it was like 3-4 hours) and filled in all the blanks on the outline, then read through the outline a few times. I also did the three sets of practice questions on the Barbri website (I think there are 60 questions in each set so maybe I did 180 all together; I also read all the explanations). I echo the sentiment above that going through the practice questions is extremely helpful--you will learn certain narrow but commonly tested rules/exceptions that are not covered in the lecture/outline. All in all I studied maybe 6-8 hours the day before the test and another 1-2 hours the morning of the test and got a 99. I would say the most you would need to study to get a passing score is like 12 hours total. I also agree that the WTF feeling is to be expected. I'm sure you will do fine.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:39 pm
by lawyerwannabe
Definitely do not freak out. Two days of hard studying is overkill. But since you are taking it post bar, overkill is fine because you want to pass for sure this time.

However, in a pinch, you can get a feel for the types of questions and material covered by watching some of the barbri video and taking 2-4 practice tests. The bar is very low for the MPRE.

Good luck!

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 4:00 pm
by plath
Thanks, all!

So whats with the CMR (58 pages) and the "Comprehensive Outline" (147 pages!) in Barbri's book? Should I just ignore it and stick to the lecture's outline plus the practice exams?

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 4:10 pm
by YYZ
plath wrote:Thanks, all!

So whats with the CMR (58 pages) and the "Comprehensive Outline" (147 pages!) in Barbri's book? Should I just ignore it and stick to the lecture's outline plus the practice exams?
Just listen to the lecture and do Barbri practice exams. The MPRE questions a year ago were very similar to Barbri. Don't bother memorizing outlines, etc.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 5:10 pm
by whirledpeas86
emciosn wrote:I watched the free Barbri lecture (I think it was like 3-4 hours) and filled in all the blanks on the outline, then read through the outline a few times. I also did the three sets of practice questions on the Barbri website (I think there are 60 questions in each set so maybe I did 180 all together; I also read all the explanations). I echo the sentiment above that going through the practice questions is extremely helpful--you will learn certain narrow but commonly tested rules/exceptions that are not covered in the lecture/outline. All in all I studied maybe 6-8 hours the day before the test and another 1-2 hours the morning of the test and got a 99. I would say the most you would need to study to get a passing score is like 12 hours total. I also agree that the WTF feeling is to be expected. I'm sure you will do fine.
Ditto this, with maybe one extra day of studying (but probably honestly the same number of Hours of studying altogether). I will say, I think you're at an advantage having studied for and taken the bar exam before doing the MPRE. I know a big part of studying for the MPRE was just getting used to the way they worded the questions/answer choices. A lot of it seems less than intuitive because the format was so different from any test I had taken before. But, lucky you, you've spent the summer studying these exact questions! Granted, it's on different material. But I think just familiarity with format and having so recently taken a LEGIT difficult exam, the MPRE will truly feel like a cake walk for you.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:27 pm
by plath
whirledpeas86 wrote:
emciosn wrote:I watched the free Barbri lecture (I think it was like 3-4 hours) and filled in all the blanks on the outline, then read through the outline a few times. I also did the three sets of practice questions on the Barbri website (I think there are 60 questions in each set so maybe I did 180 all together; I also read all the explanations). I echo the sentiment above that going through the practice questions is extremely helpful--you will learn certain narrow but commonly tested rules/exceptions that are not covered in the lecture/outline. All in all I studied maybe 6-8 hours the day before the test and another 1-2 hours the morning of the test and got a 99. I would say the most you would need to study to get a passing score is like 12 hours total. I also agree that the WTF feeling is to be expected. I'm sure you will do fine.
Ditto this, with maybe one extra day of studying (but probably honestly the same number of Hours of studying altogether). I will say, I think you're at an advantage having studied for and taken the bar exam before doing the MPRE. I know a big part of studying for the MPRE was just getting used to the way they worded the questions/answer choices. A lot of it seems less than intuitive because the format was so different from any test I had taken before. But, lucky you, you've spent the summer studying these exact questions! Granted, it's on different material. But I think just familiarity with format and having so recently taken a LEGIT difficult exam, the MPRE will truly feel like a cake walk for you.
Thanks! I guess its true only having rested for less than a week I am still so damn BURNED OUT....

Re: MPRE

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:08 pm
by JenDarby
I found the Kaplan questions to be more difficult and thus better to study with. I also preferred the explanations.

The short barbri outline that is available online is great though.

When in doubt ALWAYS pick the SECOND most ethical answer.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:06 am
by dliodoir
Hey all,

Just sat the NY bar using BarBri International programme (from Ireland). US professional ethics is new to me and I'm sitting the MPRE this Saturday. I watched the BarBri lecture and did their three study mode practice exams. Got 35/60; 39/60; 35/60.

Looking good or keep doing as many questions as I can find online?

Thanks in advance!

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:18 am
by JenDarby
dliodoir wrote:Hey all,

Just sat the NY bar using BarBri International programme (from Ireland). US professional ethics is new to me and I'm sitting the MPRE this Saturday. I watched the BarBri lecture and did their three study mode practice exams. Got 35/60; 39/60; 35/60.

Looking good or keep doing as many questions as I can find online?

Thanks in advance!
You should be able to sign up for the Kaplan MPRE course online for free. They have a couple practice tests if you want more studying. You will probably be fine with those scores though. Perhaps just read the short barbri outline as a refresher the night before.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:23 am
by MoneyMay
FYI I (and 2 of my friends) just watched the BarBri video twice and filled in the handout both times, did exactly zero practice questions, and passed by a large margin. If you put in even a single day of hard work it is going to be very difficult to fail (btw, seriously not meant as a humble brag, I just don't want you or anyone else to stress too much after the bar about the MPRE).

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:25 am
by JenDarby
MoneyMay wrote:FYI I (and 2 of my friends) just watched the BarBri video twice and filled in the handout both times, did exactly zero practice questions, and passed by a large margin. If you put in even a single day of hard work it is going to be very difficult to fail (btw, seriously not meant as a humble brag, I just don't want you or anyone else to stress too much after the bar about the MPRE).
Agreed, I'm not the best at multiple choice but did all the Kaplan practice tests and read the outline while at work. That was over studying. If you pick the second most ethical answer and understand the nature of the questions than you should pass by a very wide margin.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:44 am
by ChiCube21
These responses are definitely calming my nerves about the MPRE.

I'm also taking Saturday and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I just have a quick question --

The admissions ticket requires a "passport-type" photo -- does that mean that it has to be on Kodak photo paper, or can I just print it on my color printer at home?


Thanks!

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:05 pm
by WVUguy11
ChiCube21 wrote:These responses are definitely calming my nerves about the MPRE.

I'm also taking Saturday and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I just have a quick question --

The admissions ticket requires a "passport-type" photo -- does that mean that it has to be on Kodak photo paper, or can I just print it on my color printer at home?


Thanks!
The NCBE website has a really thorough explanation page for the photo requirement. It has to be very clear, head and shoulders only, plain background, not too dim, and you alone must be in the photo looking straight at the camera. I got mine taken and printed at Walgreens in like 8 minutes; it costs like 10 bucks and they give you two, which is nice in case you lose one.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:16 pm
by ChiCube21
WVUguy11 wrote:
ChiCube21 wrote:These responses are definitely calming my nerves about the MPRE.

I'm also taking Saturday and I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I just have a quick question --

The admissions ticket requires a "passport-type" photo -- does that mean that it has to be on Kodak photo paper, or can I just print it on my color printer at home?


Thanks!
The NCBE website has a really thorough explanation page for the photo requirement. It has to be very clear, head and shoulders only, plain background, not too dim, and you alone must be in the photo looking straight at the camera. I got mine taken and printed at Walgreens in like 8 minutes; it costs like 10 bucks and they give you two, which is nice in case you lose one.

Okay, awesome -- thanks!

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:41 pm
by franklyscarlet
Oh lord, thanks for the photo reminder. I'm so unprepared for this.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:50 pm
by WVUguy11
franklyscarlet wrote:Oh lord, thanks for the photo reminder. I'm so unprepared for this.
Photo with admission ticket, driver's license, and pencils, that is what I have gathered we have to take into the testing room.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:45 pm
by plath
Why on earth won't they allow earplugs.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:47 pm
by JenDarby
plath wrote:Why on earth won't they allow earplugs.
Because it's easy and being a lawyer means dealing with slightly more stress and annoyances than pencil noises? Lol, but seriously, you're not even allowed to have water.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:53 pm
by plath
JenDarby wrote:
plath wrote:Why on earth won't they allow earplugs.
Because it's easy and being a lawyer means dealing with slightly more stress and annoyances than pencil noises? Lol, but seriously, you're not even allowed to have water.
WHAT.

Re: MPRE

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:07 pm
by WVUguy11
plath wrote:Why on earth won't they allow earplugs.
We weren't allowed to take them into the Bar exam in my jurisdiction, but they provided them inside the room. I guess they think someone will try to plant a device inside that will emit Fromm's Kaplan lecture.

Has anyone found a recent raw-scaled score conversion chart anywhere? I saw one somewhere from like 2005, but I am hoping to get a more modern sense of the number I need to get correct.