Should I take courses that are tested on the bar exam? Forum

[Poets]

I take the Feb bar and this fall is my last semester. Other than 1L classes, which I forget most of them, I haven't taken any bar related courses. I was concerned about my grades and those bar related courses (evidence, crimlaw procedure, secured transactions, family law, etc) are NOT my areas of interest.

It would be much more helpful to take the bar subject courses in law school despite the fact that I will suck at those courses (probably get a B)? If I take other courses of my interest, I will easily get an A.
What do you think?

[kellyfrost]

To be able to practice law, you must pass the bar exam.

[blueapple08]

Yeah, you're going to want to take at least some bar courses. They are not fun and most are difficult, but it is extremely difficult to try to teach yourself an entire area solely with a bar course. Try learning hearsay rules in the 2 days that bar courses cover them. Not sure what other subjects are tested in your state, but at least take evidence.

[doctoroflaw91]

Yeah, you're going to want to take at least some bar courses. They are not fun and most are difficult, but it is extremely difficult to try to teach yourself an entire area solely with a bar course. Try learning hearsay rules in the 2 days that bar courses cover them. Not sure what other subjects are tested in your state, but at least take evidence.

I second taking evidence. The other MBE topics, like criminal procedure, are easily learnable through the bar program. But evidence is one that you will want to spend a significant amount of time on that bar prep might not afford.

[thegrayman]

I think you should, especially for evidence.

Trying to learn the hearsay rule for the first time during bar prep would be a (more) miserable experience.

[stv]

Yeah, you're going to want to take at least some bar courses. They are not fun and most are difficult, but it is extremely difficult to try to teach yourself an entire area solely with a bar course. Try learning hearsay rules in the 2 days that bar courses cover them. Not sure what other subjects are tested in your state, but at least take evidence.

I second taking evidence. The other MBE topics, like criminal procedure, are easily learnable through the bar program. But evidence is one that you will want to spend a significant amount of time on that bar prep might not afford.

What are the other topics that are easily learnable through the bar program? How about family law, secured transaction, remedy?

Other than evidence, what would you recommend taking in law school?

[rcharter1978]

Yeah, you're going to want to take at least some bar courses. They are not fun and most are difficult, but it is extremely difficult to try to teach yourself an entire area solely with a bar course. Try learning hearsay rules in the 2 days that bar courses cover them. Not sure what other subjects are tested in your state, but at least take evidence.

I second taking evidence. The other MBE topics, like criminal procedure, are easily learnable through the bar program. But evidence is one that you will want to spend a significant amount of time on that bar prep might not afford.

What are the other topics that are easily learnable through the bar program? How about family law, secured transaction, remedy?

Other than evidence, what would you recommend taking in law school?

I think remedies is probably easier to learn in bar prep. You'll pick up on a lot of it in other law school classes like contracts and torts.

[justonemoregame]

I forget most of them.
concerned about my grades in last semester.
It would be much more helpful?
easily get an A.

Literally take bar-related courses only.

[doctoroflaw91]

Yeah, you're going to want to take at least some bar courses. They are not fun and most are difficult, but it is extremely difficult to try to teach yourself an entire area solely with a bar course. Try learning hearsay rules in the 2 days that bar courses cover them. Not sure what other subjects are tested in your state, but at least take evidence.

I second taking evidence. The other MBE topics, like criminal procedure, are easily learnable through the bar program. But evidence is one that you will want to spend a significant amount of time on that bar prep might not afford.

What are the other topics that are easily learnable through the bar program? How about family law, secured transaction, remedy?

Other than evidence, what would you recommend taking in law school?

I never took any of those courses in law school, and I'm learning them now in bar prep. I don't find them overwhelming, as long as you don't allow yourself to get too far into the weeds. For the purposes of the bar, you have to remember that the scope of information that you need to know is far more shallow than that which is required to do well in a law school course.