Prep for NJ essay portion. Forum

[JD_Boston]

I am taking the NJ exam in July. I have all the material for MBE portion but looking for the best way to prep for the NJ essay portion. Any recommendation? Majority of the bar prep courses are required to buy the entire course. However, I need only NJ portion. Any recommendation would be truly appreciated.

[L_William_W]

I passed the July 2015 New Jersey Bar exam- and my MBE was a mediocre 130.2 (you need an average of 133 to pass. My essays were obviously 136 or higher).

The NJ essays are basically issue spotting essays. There are seven sections- Contracts, Con Law, Evidence, Civ Pro, Crim Law, Property, and Torts

The easiest essays are crim and torts. The hardest essays are property and civ pro

In crim, they usually test on felony murder, conspiracy, and warrant exceptions. Most of the rules are straightforward. Go line by line because there are often hidden issues within the fact pattern. And if you forget a rule, spot the issue and make up some BS.

Torts tests on negligence, strict liability, strict product liability, vicarious liability, and intentional torts (including defamation). This is an easy section, but you have to be careful and not miss an issue

Con law varies in level of difficulty. The February 2015 con law fact pattern was hard. The July 2015 fact pattern was easy. Make sure you know substantive and procedural due process, the levels of scrutiny, and the commerce clause.

Evidence is tricky but predictable. Simply know the hearsay exceptions

Contracts is not my favorite section. It often tests on contract formation, material breach, the UCC, and part performance. Make sure to argue both sides

In civ pro, know the difference between personal and subject matter jurisdiction, as well as the sub-rules.

I suck in Property

Outline every NJ essay you can get your hands on. Although the characters change, the fact patterns are usually the same. And I also recommend using Ameribar essay graders. They grade your essays tougher than the bar examiners.

[JD_Boston]

Thank you, L_William_W! This is really helpful. Do you know if it is sufficient to go over the essays posted on the NJ website? I am also planning to reach out to Ameribar review. Hope they sell only the essay portion review. Again, thank you!

[L_William_W]

The NJ essays on the site contain questions and SAMPLE answers. 95% of the material in the sample answers are correct. However, a few of the answers contain incorrect statements of law or are missing issues. Ameribar uses the NJ essays. However, they grade you tougher than the actual bar examiners and their answers are 100% correct. My advice is to outline as many essays as possible and look for patterns in the questions and answers (I have a book with NJ essays dating back to 2001. PM me if you want me to mail it to you). Also, make your own outlines using old Barbri materials. As for the MBE, I recommend the large Kaplan book.