New York Bar Subjects vs. California Bar Subjects Forum

[ladybug1989]

Hi guys, I'm in this peculiar spot right now where I am waiting to hear back from two firms regarding post-grad employment. The problem is that one of the firms is in New York and the other is in California. I've been told I won't hear back until mid June. And I'm signed up for both bar exams. My bar prep course (Kaplan) is for California.

So far I've been skipping the Cali oriented subjects, like CA evidence, and just proceeding with MBE subjects since they're on both exams. How difficult would it be to learn the California material in like the last month of bar prep, or vice verasa the new york materials? Also can someone with knowledge let me know how the two exams are different? What subjects does California test that New York doesn't, and what subjects does New York test that Cali doesn't? Thanks for the help, I'm stressing out because I'm not following Kaplan's schedule and skipping the essay/MPT stuff for now.

[ithrowds]

Evidence is on the MBE

[stephcurry30]

The main differences between NYBX and CABX:

1. CABX Topics (not on NYBX) - Community Property, Professional Responsibility (Model Rules + CA PR), California Civil Procedure, California Evidence, Remedies

2. NYBX Topics (not on CABX) - Family Law, Secured Transactions (UCC 9), Conflict of Laws

3. Exam Difference Between CABX and NYBX (MPT/MEE) - NYBX has 2 MPTs whereas CABX has 1 MPT (90 minutes); NYBX has 6 essays whereas CABX has 5 essays

Tbh, this isn't an ideal studying situation. You can in try to focus on studying the MBE subjects, particularly the ones that don't have CA specific components, first (e.g. Torts, Con Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property) and then hope that you find out where you'll be within the next two weeks but I'd assume the worst and think the firms don't get back to you until later on...

The back to back MPTs in the 1st 3 hours of the exam on Day 1 is a b*tch for the NYBX. This is a lot more draining imho than doing 3 essays in the AM and then 2 essays + one 90 minute MPT for CABX's Day 1.

I think it's definitely possible to learn the NYBX specific topics in a short period of time, especially something like family law, but I don't think CABX specific topics are as easy to remember. Community Property is straight-up memorization of boilerplate language that you plug in when you spot issues, but it's a major pain in the ass trying to remember CA specific rules for Civ Pro and CA Evidence. I just remember it took a long ass time trying to memorize those rules and the differences with the Federal rules.

Hope this is helpful!

[ladybug1989]

The main differences between NYBX and CABX:

1. CABX Topics (not on NYBX) - Community Property, Professional Responsibility (Model Rules + CA PR), California Civil Procedure, California Evidence, Remedies

2. NYBX Topics (not on CABX) - Family Law, Secured Transactions (UCC 9), Conflict of Laws

3. Exam Difference Between CABX and NYBX (MPT/MEE) - NYBX has 2 MPTs whereas CABX has 1 MPT (90 minutes); NYBX has 6 essays whereas CABX has 5 essays

Tbh, this isn't an ideal studying situation. You can in try to focus on studying the MBE subjects, particularly the ones that don't have CA specific components, first (e.g. Torts, Con Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property) and then hope that you find out where you'll be within the next two weeks but I'd assume the worst and think the firms don't get back to you until later on...

The back to back MPTs in the 1st 3 hours of the exam on Day 1 is a b*tch for the NYBX. This is a lot more draining imho than doing 3 essays in the AM and then 2 essays + one 90 minute MPT for CABX's Day 1.

I think it's definitely possible to learn the NYBX specific topics in a short period of time, especially something like family law, but I don't think CABX specific topics are as easy to remember. Community Property is straight-up memorization of boilerplate language that you plug in when you spot issues, but it's a major pain in the ass trying to remember CA specific rules for Civ Pro and CA Evidence. I just remember it took a long ass time trying to memorize those rules and the differences with the Federal rules.

Hope this is helpful!

Thanks this was very helpful. I plan on selecting which bar I will take by June 17th at the latest, regardless of whether I hear back from a firm. I hope that would give me enough time to learn/memorize state specific subjects.