Flash Cards or Outlines? Forum

[WolverineMachine]

I didn't really use flash cards much in school, but see a lot of people in the library (I know bad idea) making flash cards. Personally, I've been sitting down after lectures and making concise outlines from the material - just like in school.

Anyone have any suggestions as to whether making flash cards are a must, makes no difference, or outlines are preferred? Thanks!

[thegrayman]

For NY I made my own outlines because everyone else was doing it.

For CA I said screw it and just used the barbri materials (the CMR), didn't make a single outline.

I found outlining to be a waste of time, you already have an outline right there in front of you and unlike law school you don't get to take your outlines in the exam room with you.

I did use the critical pass flashcards for both NY and CA, I thought those were pretty useful.

Everyone is different, that was my takeaway from it all.

[Neve]

I learn best by flash cards so I used Critical Pass flash cards (referral link with discount code for $15 off - http://criticalpass.refr.cc/WXNZSR4) as a supplement to my Barbri course. It's essentially the CMR in flash card format and they are a huge time saver. However, they are not a replacement for the CMR. I don't know if it's a wise use of valuable time to make your own cards or outlines for the bar exam. There is a lot to learn in a limited amount of time. There is also always the option of annotating in the CMR and on the Critical Pass flash card itself - there are blanks lines for writing notes on each card - to customize your learning toolkit.

[L_William_W]

I didn't really use flash cards much in school, but see a lot of people in the library (I know bad idea) making flash cards. Personally, I've been sitting down after lectures and making concise outlines from the material - just like in school.

Anyone have any suggestions as to whether making flash cards are a must, makes no difference, or outlines are preferred? Thanks!

Make your own outlines. It's not a waste of time. When you make your own outlines, you're actively engaging in the material. Making your own outlines and reading someone else's outlines is two different things. Passing the bar requires understanding the material, not just memorizing rules.

[silenttimer]

I made outlines after each lecture. Two/three weeks before the bar I condensed my outlines into flash cards and used them to drill the essential concepts.

[Law&coffee]

Make your own outlines. It's not a waste of time. When you make your own outlines, you're actively engaging in the material. Making your own outlines and reading someone else's outlines is two different things. Passing the bar requires understanding the material, not just memorizing rules.

Barbri's entire lecture program is built on actively engaging in the material - that's why you "fill in the blank" as you listen to the lecture. I agree that passing the bar requires understanding the material, but there are many ways to accomplish this such as highlighting and annotating outlines and flash cards that are designed specifically for the bar exam.

[hogfan1991]

I wanted to pass along an opportunity to use a discount code to save $20 on the Critical Pass Flashcards as a supplement to study for the Bar Exam. These Flash Cards are for the MBE section of the Bar, so anyone can benefit from them (unless you are taking the Bar in Louisiana). These Flashcards disseminate all the MBE material into flashcards to help with memorization.

I've spoken with past bar passers and they swear by them and used them extensively the last few weeks of Bar Prep. I hope everyone's prep is going well and best of luck! If you do use the code, if you could please send me "quote" this message or somehow let me know.

The code can be used by and shared with any friends anywhere, it is not specific to Arkansans. Thanks!

Website: http://www.criticalpass.com/
Discount Code: 20ARKANSAS

[LionelHutzJD]

Make your own outlines. It's not a waste of time. When you make your own outlines, you're actively engaging in the material. Making your own outlines and reading someone else's outlines is two different things. Passing the bar requires understanding the material, not just memorizing rules.

Barbri's entire lecture program is built on actively engaging in the material - that's why you "fill in the blank" as you listen to the lecture. I agree that passing the bar requires understanding the material, but there are many ways to accomplish this such as highlighting and annotating outlines and flash cards that are designed specifically for the bar exam.

I think you nailed it. We are paying Barbri 3k - I don't think making our own outlines is essential when we are provided with these lecture handouts.

[Neve]

Make your own outlines. It's not a waste of time. When you make your own outlines, you're actively engaging in the material. Making your own outlines and reading someone else's outlines is two different things. Passing the bar requires understanding the material, not just memorizing rules.

Barbri's entire lecture program is built on actively engaging in the material - that's why you "fill in the blank" as you listen to the lecture. I agree that passing the bar requires understanding the material, but there are many ways to accomplish this such as highlighting and annotating outlines and flash cards that are designed specifically for the bar exam.

I think you nailed it. We are paying Barbri 3k - I don't think making our own outlines is essential when we are provided with these lecture handouts.

It's important not to waste valuable time while studying for the bar by assuming it's like a regular law school exam. It's not. Yes, utilize the same study methods, but don't waste time by creating your own outlines for 20+ different subjects.

[L_William_W]

Again, this is just my opinion...

When you make an outline, you're not just aimlessly typing (or writing). You're actively learning the material. You're learning the nuances of the rules, as well as the exceptions. There's a difference between listening to a boring Barbri lecture for 3 hours and actually doing the work yourself. I'll use a simple analogy: if you wanted to learn how to play basketball, would you watch a DVD by LeBron James telling you how to play or would you actually practice on a court?

And I'll reiterate that you won't pass the bar just by memorizing rules (it took me 4 attempts to realize that). You have to know when and how to apply those rules. Making your own outlines teaches you how to do so.