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Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to wish everyone strong preparations. With hard work and dedication we will be prepared.

Pretty sure I failed the Feb. exam. Going to start re-studying for this in a week or so.

I feel pretty good about my performance this past Feb. But still starting my bar review in 2 weeks...mid-march.

.

Robert, thanks by the way!

First timer taking it here. Finishing my final semester in law school now. I will begin prep soon (probably within the next two weeks).

I am still figuring out an attack plan. I studied for the SAT and ACT while deployed, and did the LSAT while working full time. However, this time I have nothing to do for the next five months but finish law school and study for the bar full time. Kinda pumped, oddly enough. So working to make sure this feeling says fresh. The goal is to get the right materials lined up, get the plan down on paper, and then begin. That's where I'm at.

BrokenMouse: I hear you. My position is that this semester I have a really light load primarily so I can start bar prep before May. I know myself, and I know two months will not be enough for me to be prepared to pass. Obviously not a fact. But I would rather not take the chance. A concern I have is the potential for early burn out.

BrokenMouse wrote:Isnt it too early considering youve already taken Feb? Even first time takers dont start till May.

Yea, but I realize that I need more time to actually write 5-6 essays on every CA topic. I have the Bar Breaker book by Jeff Adachi. Personally, I need extra time to complete it every essay question in it.

rhs67858 wrote:Robert, thanks by the way!

First timer taking it here. Finishing my final semester in law school now. I will begin prep soon (probably within the next two weeks).

I am still figuring out an attack plan. I studied for the SAT and ACT while deployed, and did the LSAT while working full time. However, this time I have nothing to do for the next five months but finish law school and study for the bar full time. Kinda pumped, oddly enough. So working to make sure this feeling says fresh. The goal is to get the right materials lined up, get the plan down on paper, and then begin. That's where I'm at.

Sure no problem.

Are you taking Barbri?

6TimeFailure wrote:

rhs67858 wrote:Robert, thanks by the way!

First timer taking it here. Finishing my final semester in law school now. I will begin prep soon (probably within the next two weeks).

I am still figuring out an attack plan. I studied for the SAT and ACT while deployed, and did the LSAT while working full time. However, this time I have nothing to do for the next five months but finish law school and study for the bar full time. Kinda pumped, oddly enough. So working to make sure this feeling says fresh. The goal is to get the right materials lined up, get the plan down on paper, and then begin. That's where I'm at.

Sure no problem.

Are you taking Barbri?

Yes, but I still have not paid yet. I am waiting for my $500 discount to go through. Also, I am still just waiting before paying $2000 for a bar prep program. Did you use BarBri?

Did the admin delete ca feb 2016 thread? I can't locate it.

rhs67858 wrote:

6TimeFailure wrote:

rhs67858 wrote:Robert, thanks by the way!

First timer taking it here. Finishing my final semester in law school now. I will begin prep soon (probably within the next two weeks).

I am still figuring out an attack plan. I studied for the SAT and ACT while deployed, and did the LSAT while working full time. However, this time I have nothing to do for the next five months but finish law school and study for the bar full time. Kinda pumped, oddly enough. So working to make sure this feeling says fresh. The goal is to get the right materials lined up, get the plan down on paper, and then begin. That's where I'm at.

Sure no problem.

Are you taking Barbri?

Yes, but I still have not paid yet. I am waiting for my $500 discount to go through. Also, I am still just waiting before paying $2000 for something, because I want to make sure BarBri is the one. Did you use BarBri?

Yes I did Barbri my first time. I have mixed feelings about it. I find their simulated MBE questions strange and not on point. And I think their lectures are mostly a waste of time. But then again, many people pass the exam just doing Barbri.

For this past Feb, I used Barbri's Convisor Mini Review book, Adaptibar, Baressays.com, Barbreaker essay book, and some Themis books.

b2016 wrote:Did the admin delete ca feb 2016 thread? I can't locate it.

I can't either.

Raiden wrote:

b2016 wrote:Did the admin delete ca feb 2016 thread? I can't locate it.

I can't either.

+1

Well after looking through the MBE post, I can understand why it was locked. I think we got too specific about the discussion of questions

Zaizei wrote:

Raiden wrote:

b2016 wrote:Did the admin delete ca feb 2016 thread? I can't locate it.

I can't either.

+1

Guess we can share our misery during this wait under this new and improved board. Probably for the better that we don't continue reminiscing about the Qs. Anyone go anywhere fun post exam? How do we stop thinking and dreaming about the exam? I def didn't have this much difficulty forgetting about the exam after July, but struggling this time around

EDIT: I see another board started by brokenmouse - migrating there.

App's open.

For those who took February 2016 - I know our scores don't come out until May, but are we able to sign up for the July 2016 bar today along with the first timers, or do we have to wait until results come out?

Does anyone know how quickly the Bay Area test centers (Oakland, Santa Clara) tend to fill up? I was going to wait til the end of the week to sign up for personal reasons but don't want to miss out.

cjc2015 wrote:For those who took February 2016 - I know our scores don't come out until May, but are we able to sign up for the July 2016 bar today along with the first timers, or do we have to wait until results come out?

Don't worry about signing up until results are released mid-May. Repeaters don't have a late fee, and can choose any test center at that time.

6TimeFailure wrote:

cjc2015 wrote:For those who took February 2016 - I know our scores don't come out until May, but are we able to sign up for the July 2016 bar today along with the first timers, or do we have to wait until results come out?

Don't worry about signing up until results are released mid-May. Repeaters don't have a late fee, and can choose any test center at that time.

The test centers won't already be filled? I'm looking at Sacramento or Bay area locations, and I'm worried they will be filled up. Don't really want to have to fly or drive down to Ontario/LA locations...

Are people already studying for the July bar? Good thing I saved this text before the admins locked access to the lost piece of history that is the February thread. This collection of resources seemed helpful to people. Feel free to suggest your own!


Investing in resources is an indicator of success, but you also shouldn't just buy everything willy nilly. The more choices you have, the more confused you're likely to be (and waste time on things that ultimately don't help).

So what are you supposed to buy? I've been hanging around TLS bar subjthreads since 2013 and seen the most effective tools that helped people pass the bar. On my second attempt at the CA bar, I've tried some that helped me pass, and I've tried some that didn't add any value.

Below is a list of resources I picked out that should give you the most bang for your buck. You don't have to take on more bar loans. Pick a few resources that work for you, then just add water and practice.

You may not have the patience or mental energy to think about this when you're still shell shocked, gripped by anxiety, or overwhelmed with the reality of defeat. Maybe you're lost, desperate to magically pass, or simply deferring the hard decision of seeking the right help. You'll definitely go through a rollercoaster of feels. That's OK. Take solace in knowing that all the information is out there; all you need to do is implement them, when you're ready to do so.

Search the [ID] to jump to the description of a featured resource, tagged by sections of interest:

[*1] Strategies & Tactics for the MBE I & II + Civ Pro resources [MBE]
[*2] Law in a Flash [MBE] [Essays]
[*3] BarEssays.com ($25 off) [Essays]
[*4] Past CA essays and performance tests (and a guide to own the PTs) [Essays] [PTs]
[*5] BarIssues.com ($20 off) [Essays]
[*6] BarMax MBE app [MBE]
[*7] Adaptibar ($60 off) [MBE]



[*1] Strategies & Tactics for the MBE (Emanuel): This is the MBE bible.

It's great (and may be the only MBE supplement you need) because it comes with hundreds of representative MBE questions that are all genuine and were previously administered, and I urge you to study with the real deal (see why).

Read it all, do all the questions, and review all the answers. Each subject is prefaced with a discussion of the tricky areas and how to deal with them. Some subjects have an overview of the major topics. There will be tips that revolve around multiple choice in general. The 200-question practice test at the back can be done to gauge your progress sometime in the final month leading to the bar.

So what does it look like inside? Pics incoming:
Subject overview
Questions
Explanations

Link: 6th edition (2016) -- includes excellent author-generated Civ Pro questions

I no longer recommend the 5th edition (2012) given the picky, nuanced Civ Pro MBE questions that have appeared lately


[*1] Strategies & Tactics for the MBE II (Emanuel): This is the expansion pack to the above book, containing new questions. It's in a different format, where the answer appears right beneath the question. If you're doing a question for practice, you'll have to carefully cover the answer as you do each question.

The valuable feature in Vol. 2 is how the questions are categorized into labeled topics. For example, Q45 on page 166 is filed under Chapter 5 Formal Proceedings -- I. Grand Jury Proceedings -- A. Self-incrimination and immunity. For better or worse, some headings contain answer spoilers for the concepts, e.g., Q46 on page 167 is filed under B. No right to have attorney present in grand jury room, which gives away the answer. Nonetheless, great for supplementary real MBE questions, especially if you know or want to improve on specific issues.

What it looks like inside

Link: 2012 (latest) edition


[*1] What about Civ Pro MBE?
Civ Pro MBE questions nowadays are picky, testing specific nuances such as number of days before a certain deadline. Strategies & Tactics (6th ed., 2016) Volume 1 is likely your best bet to prepare for Civ Pro questions, given that the questions are similar to real MBE questions even if they are written by the author.

(To look at additional Civ Pro MBE questions, the NCBE has sample questions here.

BarMax MBE app or Adaptibar (below [*6][*7]) may provide a good number of Civ Pro questions as well.

Additionally, I've heard (hearsay) that Glannon Guide to Civil Procedure (2013) was more than sufficient. It’s cheaper than BarMax or AdaptiBar, but check out based on your own curiosity)


[*2] Law in a Flash cards: I bought 6 boxes of these to patch up my weak subjects. They were especially handy when I had to be out, like when I was trying to learn some tricky Evidence concepts and I could whip out a few cards from my wallet, or when I was trying to learn the various federal jurisdictions inside a noisy Verizon store.

Link: List of LIAF products


[*3] BarEssays.com: One of the most popular resources you'll see mentioned around the forums.

What does it look like inside?
- Check out this essay that scored an 85! Imagine if you studied this and produced the same results on the bar...
- Also fairly new to BarEssays are essay templates that you can literally copy and paste. Check out this Contracts template.

If you're wondering what makes a passing essay vs. what doesn't on the California Bar Exam, this is a large repository of actual graded essays and PTs submitted by those who didn't pass. But this doesn't mean the essays are all sub-par! While there are essays scored 40 and 50 that show what is not passing material, there are essays that earned 75, 80, or even 85. There are nearly 3,000 essays that you can search by subject, range of score, year/month, and even typed/handwritten/both for anyone worried about handwriting. Some have grader commentary. These essay examples are useful after you outline or write out an essay to check whether you discussed relevant issues and rules and used the facts properly. I'd look at least one below and one above 65, with grader commentary if available. Because the State Bar doesn't disclose how well its model answers did, it's hard to tell whether they are barely passing or top scoring. All they tell you are that they are passing essays and that essays don't need to hit all the issues, implied by answers A and B covering different issues (although each usually hits all the key issues).

The owner has raised the price in recent months, and I don't blame him. Fortunately, I have a coupon for $25 off a subscription! Ask me or someone else.


[*4] Past essays and performance tests: These might be the only free things you get from the CA State Bar. They release exam questions from each administration.

Link: State Bar of California Past Exams

If you're looking for convenient access to individual questions organized by subject and issue, check out BarIssues.com below ($20 off).

For a budget version, here is an essay locator -- a list of essays organized by subject and issues contained therein (issues incomplete).

User Rap Genius found a repository of all the essay questions and sample analyses here: https://sites.google.com/site/easybarpasser/past-exams/

I have also put together a guide to own the PTs (v. 1.4), including an approach to answering the PTs in 3 hours, why you NEED to practice PTs, and list of PTs to practice in order of difficulty.


[*5] BarIssues.com: Need to hone in on that mysterious issue you've never been able to tame ever since you laid eyes on it? Need to know which issues have been tested most frequently?

BarIssues is a directory of all the issues that have been tested on the California Bar Exam in the last 10 or so years. You can sort by frequency or the issue itself. A convenient link to the question and model answers is available whenever you explore a subject and its issues.

It's a subscription-based service like BarEssays (i.e., no perpetual access). But I have a $20 coupon for this as well!


[*6] BarMax MBE Questions iOS app ($249.99): As with the rest of BarMax's offerings, your materials are available on an iPad, which allows for great portability. A solid choice if you don't mind reading questions on a tablet and being unable to write on a paper surface. But the better-known MBE supplement is...


[*7] Adaptibar ($395/335): This program is web based and accessible via PC (desktop or laptop) and mobile site. This is useful for those who are working and studying at the same time because you can prepare with AdaptiBar during lunch and breaks. Detailed explanations are provided for each question as well as thorough subject performance and timing analysis feedback. In addition, the program allows users to create PDF reports of questions that were answered incorrectly. This makes it simple to print the questions and explanations out and review the rules you didn't understand.

Moreover, the online app adapts to your strengths and weaknesses and can create customized full-length tests, too. Additional information regarding the program can be found in this flyer and at http://www.adaptibar.com/pricing.aspx.

It is indeed rather expensive, but it’s probably the single best comprehensive option to study for the MBE, assuming you have the budget... but I have a code for $60 $30 off an AdaptiBar subscription (ask me or someone else). UNFORTUNATELY, THIS TURNED INTO $30 FOR ALL CODES YOU SEE HERE, PER ADAPTIBAR POLICY CHANGE.

cjc2015 wrote: The test centers won't already be filled? I'm looking at Sacramento or Bay area locations, and I'm worried they will be filled up. Don't really want to have to fly or drive down to Ontario/LA locations...

No, repeaters can choose any test center once the results are out. They reserve space for that reason. First-timers though should sign-up as quickly as possible to insure they get the test center they prefer.

a male human wrote:
[*7] Adaptibar ($395/345?): This program is web based and accessible via PC (desktop or laptop) and mobile site. This is useful for those who are working and studying at the same time because you can prepare with AdaptiBar during lunch and breaks. Detailed explanations are provided for each question as well as thorough subject performance and timing analysis feedback. In addition, the program allows users to create PDF reports of questions that were answered incorrectly. This makes it simple to print the questions and explanations out and review the rules you didn?t understand.

Use someone's code (like Buen's) for $50 more off (if stackable).

I highly recommend Adaptibar.com It made studying for the MBE "doable" imho.

PM me with your email address for a discount code. Thanks

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Are you guys already studying for the July test?

I just got my huge box of BarBri books. Do you just start reading the outlines, or is there more to it?