Do you need supplements (Adaptibar, Critical Pass, Emanuel)? Forum

[EvelynS]

Hey guys!

Would you recommend buying supplements in addition to a Barbri course in order to pass the MBE portion? I was looking at Adaptibar, Critical Pass MBE Flashcards, and Emanuel's Strategies and Tactics. Any thoughts?

[bluewin888]

why Critical Pass MBE Flashcards?

[EvelynS]

why Critical Pass MBE Flashcards?

It seems like some people on TLS were highly recommending them in addition to barbri or any other commercial barbri course.

[numbertwo88]

I found the strategies & tactics book helpful in studying - the tips were especially helpful for me.

The sample MBE questions in the book were good as well, however, I used Themis and so many of the questions overlapped. I don't know anything about Barbri's MBE questions and whether or not they'll overlap as much as they did with Themis.

I also invested in critical pass cards because I skipped lectures entirely but being that it was my 2nd time taking the bar exam, I didn't think the lectures were important (more just a huge time suck). I made my MBE outlines based on the critical pass cards and filled in with additional information from the long outlines provided by Themis.

So basically - you might not *need* the supplements. Maybe give it a week or 2 without them and them adjust accordingly. That's assuming you're studying for at least 10 weeks - and tweaking 8 weeks in advance. You really just have to find what works for you.

[EvelynS]

I found the strategies & tactics book helpful in studying - the tips were especially helpful for me.

The sample MBE questions in the book were good as well, however, I used Themis and so many of the questions overlapped. I don't know anything about Barbri's MBE questions and whether or not they'll overlap as much as they did with Themis.

I also invested in critical pass cards because I skipped lectures entirely but being that it was my 2nd time taking the bar exam, I didn't think the lectures were important (more just a huge time suck). I made my MBE outlines based on the critical pass cards and filled in with additional information from the long outlines provided by Themis.

So basically - you might not *need* the supplements. Maybe give it a week or 2 without them and them adjust accordingly. That's assuming you're studying for at least 10 weeks - and tweaking 8 weeks in advance. You really just have to find what works for you.

Thanks!

[gaagoots]

Critical pass flashcards were basically mini outlines of the BarBri lectures and me helped quite a bit, especially the damn FOB and 3rd P rights which seem to keep coming up in practice MBEs. I used Adaptibar the entire time, and found it very helpful especially for the real thing since I worked during bar prep and had it with me at all times. Don't bother with their Civ pro MBEs, they were bad and nothing like the real thing. I started early on MBEs and I'm glad I did because my first 2 months were pathetic, I definitely saw improvement in the end.

[Neve]

I got my best grades in law school by making flashcards from outlines. For me - a visual learner - Critical Pass was an excellent tool to learn the MBE information (http://criticalpass.refr.cc/8GVXRT9 - referral link with a discount code for 20% off). If you're an auditory or kinesthetic learner, then sticking with the lecture videos alone or at the gym might be worthwhile, but once again, knowing your learning style is important in determining which supplement to get.

I've also heard great reviews of Adaptibar and Emanuel's - the only downside with Adaptibar is the cost; but Emanuel's Strategies & Tactics is available for a nominal price on Amazon and definitely worth getting. I had Emanuel's during my bar study period, but I didn't utilize it like I should have (I still passed my state bar exam). Online Practice Exams (OPE) are also also available for purchase on the MBE website (at http://www.ncbex.org/practice-exams/).

[Law&coffee]

Bar Max is a great alternative to Adaptibar at $250.

[Neve]

20ARKANSAS and MICHIGAN20 are two discount codes for Critical Pass cards. Both codes are for $20 off, but you cannot "stack" them. The codes expire in about a week.

[Raiden]

You cannot go wrong with Adaptibar. Searching TLS you will find that Adaptibar has nothing but raging reviews from anyone that uses it. When I took the bar, I found the fact patterns on the actual bar to be similar to Adaptibar. Their mobile interface made it easy to answer many MBE questions without it feeling too taxing, helping with my MBE endurance on the actual exam. It's also nice how they change the questions you face according to your weaknesses. PM anyone who's taken Adaptibar for $50 off, feel free to PM me if you want the $50 discount.

[pinaylawyer]

I just have one comment with critical pass: while it is good in drilling you with black letter law for MBE, I just find it hard to organize my framework topics in my essay practices using this alone.. it keeps me going back to the outlines

[Law&coffee]

I just have one comment with critical pass: while it is good in drilling you with black letter law for MBE, I just find it hard to organize my framework topics in my essay practices using this alone.. it keeps me going back to the outlines

When using Critical Pass, I found it helpful to go through 2-3 subjects per day. After I went through 2-3 stacks, I would do a practice set of MBE questions on the same subject or mixed subject. Then I would review all my answers and the explanations. I think it's most effective to do a practice set immediately after reviewing the flash cards. If you need greater explanation then you can reference the CMR further (in addition to Barbri's assignment, not in lieu of).

[whitecollar23]

As many people may have said (I haven't read through the thread), "to each their own." If you think supplements will help you study, use them. If you study effectively in a different way, don't use them. Bar courses and supplements are normally built for the average student. However, all students are different. If you study like most students do, they'll probably be helpful. If you don't and can be more effective another way, they probably won't be worth the time. It's all about efficiency in the end.

[Law&coffee]

As many people may have said (I haven't read through the thread), "to each their own." If you think supplements will help you study, use them. If you study effectively in a different way, don't use them. Bar courses and supplements are normally built for the average student. However, all students are different. If you study like most students do, they'll probably be helpful. If you don't and can be more effective another way, they probably won't be worth the time. It's all about efficiency in the end.

I think a good rule of thumb is to stick with the study method that worked best for you in law school. If you studied best with flash cards, then use Critical Pass with the CMR. If you studied best with outlines, use the CMR and Lean Sheets. Stick with the study method that works for you in addition to the bar prep assignments.

[Neve]

A few of my classmates used Lean Sheets towards the end of the bar study period. I am not sure if it's a good resource.

[nf2016]

If anyone needs a $50 discount code for Adaptibar, PM me

[Law&coffee]

A few of my classmates used Lean Sheets towards the end of the bar study period. I am not sure if it's a good resource.

I never personally used them, but my friends who did all passed (of course, they took a bar prep class,too). You can see samples on their website.

[Neve]

A few of my classmates used Lean Sheets towards the end of the bar study period. I am not sure if it's a good resource.

I never personally used them, but my friends who did all passed (of course, they took a bar prep class,too). You can see samples on their website.

Thanks for the information, LC.

[JoeySkoko]

is there any utility getting BOTH adaptibar and emmanuel?

I already have emmanuel,and just weighing up cost / benefit? Is there big overlap in the questions?

[squiggle]

is there any utility getting BOTH adaptibar and emmanuel?

I already have emmanuel,and just weighing up cost / benefit? Is there big overlap in the questions?

I'm using both. I think there's some overlap as both use real questions, but Adaptibar has 1,700 questions (and great data regarding how you're doing on each subtopic, how you compare to those in your state, and your performance timing-wise). Emmanuel's has outlines and arguably better answer explanation, but it has less questions overall. Adaptibar has a free trial that you can do if you're curious but not totally sold. I also have a $50 Adaptibar discount, which I can send you if you PM your email address. Each has their benefit, and I'm finding both useful.

[Law&coffee]

is there any utility getting BOTH adaptibar and emmanuel?

I already have emmanuel,and just weighing up cost / benefit? Is there big overlap in the questions?

I'm using both. I think there's some overlap as both use real questions, but Adaptibar has 1,700 questions (and great data regarding how you're doing on each subtopic, how you compare to those in your state, and your performance timing-wise). Emmanuel's has outlines and arguably better answer explanation, but it has less questions overall. Adaptibar has a free trial that you can do if you're curious but not totally sold. I also have a $50 Adaptibar discount, which I can send you if you PM your email address. Each has their benefit, and I'm finding both useful.

Great response. If you can afford both and have the time to utilize each tool, I recommend doing so. If cost is a factor, but time is not, then BarMax plus Emmanuel's is a good supplemental alternative.

[Neve]

Bar Max is a great alternative to Adaptibar at $250.

Has anyone used both BarMax and Adaptibar? And if so, can you offer insight comparing the two?

[passx3]

Donno if I passed yet, but Adaptibar was the bomb. Good explanations, easy and almost fun to use. I felt prepared for the MBE.

Took Kaplan as my primary source but I mostly used Adaptibar for practice questions... I think I did like 1,200 total Kaplan questions including practice exams and I did 1,505 AdaptiBar.

Note that I did feel the Adaptibar civ pro questions were terrible, so I only did like 20 and gave up on their Civ Pro. They were way too "hard" in my opinion, and they're not actual MBE questions. The percentage of users who tended to get their civ pro questions right was usually like 15%, as opposed to 60% or so for real MBE questions. In hindsight I should've just continued with them and probably would have learned a lot.

[Neve]

Thanks. Adaptive seems much more widely used over BarMax. It's hard to determine which one is superior.

[Law&coffee]

Donno if I passed yet, but Adaptibar was the bomb. Good explanations, easy and almost fun to use. I felt prepared for the MBE.

Took Kaplan as my primary source but I mostly used Adaptibar for practice questions... I think I did like 1,200 total Kaplan questions including practice exams and I did 1,505 AdaptiBar.

Note that I did feel the Adaptibar civ pro questions were terrible, so I only did like 20 and gave up on their Civ Pro. They were way too "hard" in my opinion, and they're not actual MBE questions. The percentage of users who tended to get their civ pro questions right was usually like 15%, as opposed to 60% or so for real MBE questions. In hindsight I should've just continued with them and probably would have learned a lot.

I had a mentor who used Kaplan for bar prep and he told me there were lots of errors (not only typos, but errors in the black letter law itself) in Kaplan's materials. I have always been reluctant to use Kaplan as a result.