Texas Saloon- Feb. 2016 Texas Bar Forum

[longhornlaw]

Do BarBri or Themis have any more recent P&Es than 2009? Looks like that's the most recent that Kaplan has.

IIRC, yes (barbri).

Click on Past Exams on the BLE website and you can find P&E questions going back to 2000.

I suspect (but don't know) that the problem longhornlaw was getting at is that BLE has been inconsistent about its answers for questions. At least on the more recent ones it will say "many examiners were able to explain the rule pertaining to X" without explaining what the rule is.

Nail on the head. It's all well and good if you say "examiners know this rule. Most did not know this rule," but in order to learn what they're talking about, it's nice to actually be able to read the rule.

[austinmom]

Do BarBri or Themis have any more recent P&Es than 2009? Looks like that's the most recent that Kaplan has.

IIRC, yes (barbri).

Click on Past Exams on the BLE website and you can find P&E questions going back to 2000.

I suspect (but don't know) that the problem longhornlaw was getting at is that BLE has been inconsistent about its answers for questions. At least on the more recent ones it will say "many examiners were able to explain the rule pertaining to X" without explaining what the rule is.

Nail on the head. It's all well and good if you say "examiners know this rule. Most did not know this rule," but in order to learn what they're talking about, it's nice to actually be able to read the rule.

Gotcha.

[bluesplitter]

.....I'am tired....not studying again until friday or something....need a break...gonna go for a drive.

[texasbarexaminee15]

Anyone have any predictions as to whether we'll get a trusts or guardianship question? In July we had trusts. Hoping for guardianship- less info to memorize.

I'm feeling guardianship for some reason. They'll probably think they're being sneaky since they did a guardianship essay in July and it seems like a total BLE move.

They did trusts in July. (Red trust and Blue trust I think. One was a real trust and one was funded by and for the benefit of the same person.)

It is truly amazing how much I have repressed that experience.

I wouldn't foreclose on another Trust essay. Although, a trust essay was on the July 2015 exam, there is recent precedent where the TBLE has given consecutive Trust essays (February 2014 and July 2014). So, its prudent to be prepared for both trust and guardianship. Good luck to everyone and keep pounding that rock!

[mtyler19]

I haven't gotten to many of them yet but just flipping through Barbri's consumer law essay answers, whyyyyy are they all like 3+ pages long each?? Having an especially hard day and panic mode is intensifying.

[BVest]

I haven't gotten to many of them yet but just flipping through Barbri's consumer law essay answers, whyyyyy are they all like 3+ pages long each?? Having an especially hard day and panic mode is intensifying.

BARBRI's answers are 3+ pages each. Actual answers are not as long as BARBRI answers.

[longhornlaw]

I haven't gotten to many of them yet but just flipping through Barbri's consumer law essay answers, whyyyyy are they all like 3+ pages long each?? Having an especially hard day and panic mode is intensifying.

Remember, BarBri's sample answers have been written for several months and have been edited multiple times. It's a perfect answer, not a "this is what you can write in 30 minutes and pass" answer.

[rhnevarez]

That materialmen's lien essay still gives me headaches!!!!

[BVest]

Yeah, but everyone was equally WTF on that one. There will likely be another WTF question on this exam as well. Just remember when you hit it that everyone is having that same reaction, and don't spend any more than 30 minutes on it whatever happens.

[DueProcessDoWheelies]

I bullshitted the entire materialman's lien essay and got 93rd percentile. Not trying to brag, but just emphasizing that making up a rule and writing a nice-sounding essay will get you points sometimes. Especially when its one of those WTF essays.

I knew NOTHING about that answer so I really felt like I had nothing to lose. So I guess I sounded confident in my answer. Whereas other questions I struggled with I took a shot at what I thought the right answer was and didn't score as high. Like the Secured Transactions essay. I completely forgot the rule and fucked that one up bad. I bet more people knew the rule on that one than the property one.

[DueProcessDoWheelies]

What's everyone doing these last few days?

I'm doing a bunch of essays but not writing all of them out just because I'm afraid I will burn out. I'm learning a lot but also getting really intimidate by the fact that there is so much they can test you on. Same with P&E.

[tealeaf23]

What's everyone doing these last few days?

I'm doing a bunch of essays but not writing all of them out just because I'm afraid I will burn out. I'm learning a lot but also getting really intimidate by the fact that there is so much they can test you on. Same with P&E.

I'm doing about the same. I'm outline essays and making flashcards of the rules I keep missing for extra reinforcement. I'm also doing a crim and civ P&E a day and reviewing notes from ones I've done in the past. I'm trying to keep up with MBE by doing maybe about 50 a day just to help build up the stamina and while that sounds like a lot, I feel like it's not really taking up much time. Mostly I'm trying not to get sick

[jamescastle]

Today I'm going over the 100 question BARBRI MBE Refresher.
Tomorrow I'll do the 100 question BARBRI Half-Day and go over it Friday.

Rest of the time I'm reviewing essays (trying to do at least a couple in each topic everyday). For some topics - consumer law mainly - I'm reading question then the answer right away and hoping to just drill in myself the way to answer the questions. Honestly feel that studying for consumer law this way (read question, read answer, read question, read answer) is better than making an outline or reviewing notes. It's more like studying for the P&E stuff (just drill drill drill practice questions and learn the material that way). Speaking of P&E, I'm mostly good on that. I think I have about 3 more to review from the INFORMATION tab on BARBRI so the really recent ones. I'll probably do another hard rush on that Monday morning or something before I shut down everything for that afternoon and evening. Planning to watch one or two movies that night to chill out and relax.

[bluesplitter]

Going for a cruise...mini road trip before trekking to Austin!....really pumped about about getting back to my life!!


I am going in with the idea that this test is really about the m.b.e.,after months of prepping...i am even now more convinced.


Do great on m.b.e., and u will pass.

[longhornlaw]

What's everyone doing these last few days?

I'm doing a bunch of essays but not writing all of them out just because I'm afraid I will burn out. I'm learning a lot but also getting really intimidate by the fact that there is so much they can test you on. Same with P&E.

I'm doing a last pass of two topics a day and doing about three essays each. Have one more mbe review of property tonight, then a half mock bar tomorrow. Driving up to Austin Monday, got an Airbnb right next door to the convention center.

Somewhere in there I'm packing because the wife and I are heading to Thailand to celebrate this all being done.

[BVest]

In case y'all didn't see this BLE post, the BLE expects parking at Palmer to be full. Palmer has about 900+ parking spaces; last February there were about 1300 examinees.

Also, they're going to collect parking fees on exit rather than on arrival. Personally, I think that will be far worse than if they stuck with their usual practice of collecting them on the way in. While everyone arrives within a fairly small window, from about 6:45 to 8:15, almost everybody leaves within a much narrower time window, in the 10 minutes after the exam is over. The only exceptions are those weirdos who finish early. And not just a little early, because you have to finish at least 15 minutes early to be allowed to leave. Otherwise you have to stay in your seat until all exam materials have been collected and they release everyone. Maybe it was just when I got there in the morning (usually around 7:40), but the line to get into the garage was never more than about 8 cars per parking booth when I was driving in.

[RetakeFTW]

What's everyone doing these last few days?

I'm doing a bunch of essays but not writing all of them out just because I'm afraid I will burn out. I'm learning a lot but also getting really intimidate by the fact that there is so much they can test you on. Same with P&E.

I'm doing very little targeted work like multiple choice or essays and going big picture again. Trying to work my outlines down quite a bit. Once my brain hits on what section of my outline I'm supposed to be in, I can usually pull out the minor stuff.

This was my problem in July, and somewhat my problem with Themis. July I worked small to big. Absolutely crushed a couple of essays, but flopped on a majority of them. This winter its been big to small, and like I said, now back to the big stuff. Seems to be helping.

[austinmom]

What's everyone doing these last few days?

I'm doing a bunch of essays but not writing all of them out just because I'm afraid I will burn out. I'm learning a lot but also getting really intimidate by the fact that there is so much they can test you on. Same with P&E.

I'm doing a last pass of two topics a day and doing about three essays each. Have one more mbe review of property tonight, then a half mock bar tomorrow. Driving up to Austin Monday, got an Airbnb right next door to the convention center.

Somewhere in there I'm packing because the wife and I are heading to Thailand to celebrate this all being done.

PSA - offtopic.
Longhorn Law - My husband and I went to Thailand after I passed NY and before I took MS back in 2008. You will have an amazing time. I'm happy for you just thinking about my experience.

[austinmom]

In case y'all didn't see this BLE post, the BLE expects parking at Palmer to be full. Palmer has about 900+ parking spaces; last February there were about 1300 examinees.

Also, they're going to collect parking fees on exit rather than on arrival. Personally, I think that will be far worse than if they stuck with their usual practice of collecting them on the way in. While everyone arrives within a fairly small window, from about 6:45 to 8:15, almost everybody leaves within a much narrower time window, in the 10 minutes after the exam is over. The only exceptions are those weirdos who finish early. And not just a little early, because you have to finish at least 15 minutes early to be allowed to leave. Otherwise you have to stay in your seat until all exam materials have been collected and they release everyone. Maybe it was just when I got there in the morning (usually around 7:40), but the line to get into the garage was never more than about 8 cars per parking booth when I was driving in.

I live in Austin and I'm walking (staying at a nearby hotel so I can guarantee sleep as I have two little kids at home). That parking lot can be a cluster. I would recommend maybe trying to park in a nearby hotel garage or even in Zilker park. At first, I would recommend Uber but without having a phone, that's a toughie.

[BVest]

In case y'all didn't see this BLE post, the BLE expects parking at Palmer to be full. Palmer has about 900+ parking spaces; last February there were about 1300 examinees.

Also, they're going to collect parking fees on exit rather than on arrival. Personally, I think that will be far worse than if they stuck with their usual practice of collecting them on the way in. While everyone arrives within a fairly small window, from about 6:45 to 8:15, almost everybody leaves within a much narrower time window, in the 10 minutes after the exam is over. The only exceptions are those weirdos who finish early. And not just a little early, because you have to finish at least 15 minutes early to be allowed to leave. Otherwise you have to stay in your seat until all exam materials have been collected and they release everyone. Maybe it was just when I got there in the morning (usually around 7:40), but the line to get into the garage was never more than about 8 cars per parking booth when I was driving in.

I live in Austin and I'm walking (staying at a nearby hotel so I can guarantee sleep as I have two little kids at home). That parking lot can be a cluster. I would recommend maybe trying to park in a nearby hotel garage or even in Zilker park. At first, I would recommend Uber but without having a phone, that's a toughie.

I would not recommend either of these things. The only hotels close enough have their own parking issues. And Zilker is in the same zip code, but nowhere near enough to consider parking at.

[austinmom]

In case y'all didn't see this BLE post, the BLE expects parking at Palmer to be full. Palmer has about 900+ parking spaces; last February there were about 1300 examinees.

Also, they're going to collect parking fees on exit rather than on arrival. Personally, I think that will be far worse than if they stuck with their usual practice of collecting them on the way in. While everyone arrives within a fairly small window, from about 6:45 to 8:15, almost everybody leaves within a much narrower time window, in the 10 minutes after the exam is over. The only exceptions are those weirdos who finish early. And not just a little early, because you have to finish at least 15 minutes early to be allowed to leave. Otherwise you have to stay in your seat until all exam materials have been collected and they release everyone. Maybe it was just when I got there in the morning (usually around 7:40), but the line to get into the garage was never more than about 8 cars per parking booth when I was driving in.

I live in Austin and I'm walking (staying at a nearby hotel so I can guarantee sleep as I have two little kids at home). That parking lot can be a cluster. I would recommend maybe trying to park in a nearby hotel garage or even in Zilker park. At first, I would recommend Uber but without having a phone, that's a toughie.

I would not recommend either of these things. The only hotels close enough have their own parking issues. And Zilker is in the same zip code, but nowhere near enough to consider parking at.

What would you recommend BVest? I know we are the guinea pigs for this administration's single site test, but there has got to be more creative ideas that my brain can't imagine. Even the BLE website suggests ridesharing but emphasizes that phones aren't allowed at the testing site. I have yet to hear of any coat check or secure area at Palmer where we can safely leave prohibited items of value.

[BVest]

I'd suggest

1) walking if you're staying in walking distance,
2) carpool if you can easily (that one's especially for the UT students/recent grads who are in complexes with/near others),
3) getting an SO to drive you and pick you up (or take the buss back),
4) maybe do uber there and and either bus back or take your phone but in a backpack (there's the drop zone outside the secure area... it's not secure per se, but I certainly didn't hear of anyone's stuff being messed with. If concerned about theft, disguise your phone as a sandwich or something unappealing),
5) otherwise get there early enough that you're not the person who gets screwed.

[DueProcessDoWheelies]

I'd suggest

1) walking if you're staying in walking distance,
2) carpool if you can easily (that one's especially for the UT students/recent grads who are in complexes with/near others),
3) getting an SO to drive you and pick you up (or take the buss back),
4) maybe do uber there and and either bus back or take your phone but in a backpack (there's the drop zone outside the secure area... it's not secure per se, but I certainly didn't hear of anyone's stuff being messed with. If concerned about theft, disguise your phone as a sandwich or something unappealing),
5) otherwise get there early enough that you're not the person who gets screwed.

I will probably be walking, but... on essay day I want to go over my notes during lunch. In July I left my notes in my car... do they let you leave stuff outside the testing room?

[DueProcessDoWheelies]

Secured Transactions question!

So a Buyer in the ordinary course of business (BIOC) takes precedence over everyone if he meets all the requirements. One of the requirements is to take without notice of the security agreement.

But I just did a UCC essay (number 38) and it said that just because a BIOC knows about the existence of a security agreement doesn't mean he will lose his BIOC status! How is that possible?

Not finding a clarification of this issue in the big outlines either.

[BVest]

I'd suggest

1) walking if you're staying in walking distance,
2) carpool if you can easily (that one's especially for the UT students/recent grads who are in complexes with/near others),
3) getting an SO to drive you and pick you up (or take the buss back),
4) maybe do uber there and and either bus back or take your phone but in a backpack (there's the drop zone outside the secure area... it's not secure per se, but I certainly didn't hear of anyone's stuff being messed with. If concerned about theft, disguise your phone as a sandwich or something unappealing),
5) otherwise get there early enough that you're not the person who gets screwed.

I will probably be walking, but... on essay day I want to go over my notes during lunch. In July I left my notes in my car... do they let you leave stuff outside the testing room?

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