How do you know when it's time to give up on the bar exam?
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:48 am
Hi,
So I'm in an odd predicament. I took the July bar exam in 2012, failed, then went for a masters (honors/cum laude) until 2013, then failed the February 2014 bar, so I retook it in July 2014. I have no interest in practicing law, and went into policy. I've worked in the government via internships, in a think tank or two, and now, as a contractor for a high-profile institution known by most Americans.
My parents are placing undue pressure on me to retake if I don't pass this third time around, (**results come out tomorrow) but I have no extra money to retake. I'll probably retake it two or three years from now (giving time to get more contacts) or forgo it altogether. I've been interviewing for prestigious research fellowships and have come to the realization that I'm not strong in time-controlled test-taking. Even in law school, I needed extra time b/c of excruciating carpal tunnel (which since resolved itself).
I changed my way of studying by rereading old exams, focusing on trouble spots, reframing my MPT structure, going with my gut on MBEs (instead of doubting myself too much and changing answers constantly). I finished the MBEs 20-30 min ahead of time, but I'm pretty sure I failed (again, for the 3rd time).
I want to see if there's anyone out there like me (or if y'all are gunners, that's fine too), but--how do you know when it's time to give up on retaking the bar exam? I used a regional prep the first time, BarBri the second time, then self-study the third time.
So I'm in an odd predicament. I took the July bar exam in 2012, failed, then went for a masters (honors/cum laude) until 2013, then failed the February 2014 bar, so I retook it in July 2014. I have no interest in practicing law, and went into policy. I've worked in the government via internships, in a think tank or two, and now, as a contractor for a high-profile institution known by most Americans.
My parents are placing undue pressure on me to retake if I don't pass this third time around, (**results come out tomorrow) but I have no extra money to retake. I'll probably retake it two or three years from now (giving time to get more contacts) or forgo it altogether. I've been interviewing for prestigious research fellowships and have come to the realization that I'm not strong in time-controlled test-taking. Even in law school, I needed extra time b/c of excruciating carpal tunnel (which since resolved itself).
I changed my way of studying by rereading old exams, focusing on trouble spots, reframing my MPT structure, going with my gut on MBEs (instead of doubting myself too much and changing answers constantly). I finished the MBEs 20-30 min ahead of time, but I'm pretty sure I failed (again, for the 3rd time).
I want to see if there's anyone out there like me (or if y'all are gunners, that's fine too), but--how do you know when it's time to give up on retaking the bar exam? I used a regional prep the first time, BarBri the second time, then self-study the third time.