2017 February California Bar Exam Forum

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a male human

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Tue Nov 22, 2016 1:35 pm

Discouraged wrote:Just checked the mail, reporting in:

1: 55
2: 65
3: 60
4: 55
5: 55
6: 65
PTA: 55
PTB: 60

Raw Written: 585
Scaled Written: 1377.0573
Scaled MBE: 1343

Total Scaled Score: 1365.1372

Any suggestions on what was my weakest area? I'm thinking MBE which honestly I was pretty sure I was bombing. I wonder how many more MBE questions I would have needed to make up for the (approx 75pt gap)...
Greetings, user "Discouraged"

Here are my two cents.

First thing I notice is that your scores are pretty consistent across the board. You have a few 55s and a couple of 65s. None of the essays are particularly excellent (none over 70), and none are particularly terrible (no 50s).

This tells me that you may need to work on something that applies to all the essays. Specifically, your may want to make sure that your IRAC structure is CLEAR and on point. Signal your competence to your graders. Use clean headers to signal each issue, IRAC is clearly (break up I, R, A, C into at least one separate paragraph each), use clean organization.

Next, your MBE isn't anything to write home about. Based on the scaled scores, your MBE was weaker than the written portion. Use real questions and understand all the answer explanations for every question you get right/wrong. Each question is an opportunity for validation or a lesson. How do you know you understand? If you come back to the same question in a few days and you still get it wrong, you didn't understand. Once you put in the quality work and treat each question with respect, your score will improve.

Having better knowledge of the law will also help with your essays.

Don't ignore PTs either. Many people are realizing they underestimated the PTs, but this is an actual section that accounts for like 30% of your grade. I thought I was pretty good at the PTs until they threw some gnarly ones at me that destroyed me. You don't need to go crazy on practicing, but don't procrastinate. Do a full three-hour PT one every Tuesday or a lazy Sunday and compare your answer to sample and model answers. You got 4-5 hours to spare every week.

Basically, you're in the same situation I was my first time. You just need an approach that works for you. Hopefully the ones I briefly discussed above will give you some ideas.

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by EnoughIsEnough » Tue Nov 22, 2016 2:54 pm

Like many of you I am shocked not seeing my name on the pass list.

BREAKDOWN:

Essay 1: 55
Essay 2: 65
Essay 3: 55
Essay 4: 60
Essay 5: 60
Essay 6: 55

PT A: 50
PT B: 60

Raw Written: 570
Scaled Written: 1324.86
Scaled MBE: 1393

Total scaled score: 1348.71

When I walked out of the testing center I felt good about my essays and PTs and assumed if I did not pass it would be because of my MBEs. It turned out to be opposite.

Before I received my letter and thinking my MBE score hurt me (I only did ~1000 of MBE Qs) I was thinking about getting Adaptibar to increase my MBE score. But after seeing my MBE score I am not so sure Adaptibar would be the best investment in my case. or is it?

I already ordered my new set of Barbri books because I did not know better ($250 refundable deposit + $25 shipping.) Also I have heard good things about Adaptibar, Baressays, Critical pass and Leansheet, but I do not know how to use all of these sources more effectively and efficiently.

Any recommendations as to how I should approach?

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Tue Nov 22, 2016 3:01 pm

EnoughIsEnough,

AdaptiBar is highly regarded, assuming you have the budget.

If you have a starter budget, I highly recommend getting Emanuel's Strategies and Tactics Vol. 1 and working through it cover to cover (see the second post for info on both of these).

BarEssays is great for comparing your practice essays to real graded answers. I liked looking at sub-65, 65, and over-65 answers (ideally with grader annotations) to see what went right and what went wrong.

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by SimonBolivar » Tue Nov 22, 2016 3:43 pm

Like so many of you, I am disappointed by the results, but optimistic that we will pass in February. I have always struggled with multiple choice, and it seems that this was my greatest weakness on the exam. Here is my breakdown:

1st Read 2nd Read Operant Grade

Essay 1: 60 55 57.5
Essay 2: 65 65 65
Essay 3: 65 65 65
Essay 4: 60 55 57.5
Essay 5: 70 70 70
Essay 6: 60 55 57.5
PT A: 55 50 52.5
PT B:
65 60 62.5

Raw written:
602.5
Scaled Written: 1437.95
Scaled MBE: 1301.00

TOTAL SCALED SCORE:
1390.01

I am not surprised by PT A since I was totally confused while taking it, though I am surprised by how low PT B was. I really thought PT B would be able to off-set PT A. Also, I ended up getting lower scores on some essays I thought I had done decent (e.g. civ, con, and PR). Overall, the number one area I need to address is probably the MBE section.

Best of luck to everyone!

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by lawyer2b_ » Tue Nov 22, 2016 4:08 pm

https://www.barsecrets.com/blog/dr-sacc ... a-bar-exam

The February predictions are out. However, I highly suggest that you do not rely solely on these predictions while studying. Make sure you are well versed in all the subjects.

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by sadpandayolo » Tue Nov 22, 2016 4:09 pm

Essay 1: 60
Essay 2: 60
Essay 3: 65
Essay 4: 60
Essay 5: 70
Essay 6: 60
PT A : 50
PT B : 60

Raw Written 595.0
Scaled Written: 1411.8503
Scaled MBE: 1336

Total Scaled Score: 1385.3027

I'm guessing AdaptiBar for MBE but 100% lost as to how to improve PTs...

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unclepete

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by unclepete » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:11 pm

lawyer2b_ wrote:https://www.barsecrets.com/blog/dr-sacc ... a-bar-exam

The February predictions are out. However, I highly suggest that you do not rely solely on these predictions while studying. Make sure you are well versed in all the subjects.
Ugh I don't see a whole essay on Remedies going well... Overall, not bad though.

Does anybody have tips on finding a good tutor to grade essays and PTs?

1289yup

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by 1289yup » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:35 pm

First time taker. Completed 100% of Themis. T14 grad.

Essay 1: 60
Essay 2: 52.5
Essay 3: 55
Essay 4: 62.5
Essay 5: 60
Essay 6: 57.5
PTA: 62.5
PTA: 62.5

Scaled written: 1420.5486
Scaled MBE: 1466
Scaled TOTAL: 1436.4566

My second set of graders gave me a score of 1442. Unfortunately, when averaged with the scores from the first set of graders, it bumped me below 1440.

Brutal.

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rcharter1978

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by rcharter1978 » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:35 pm

unclepete wrote:
lawyer2b_ wrote:https://www.barsecrets.com/blog/dr-sacc ... a-bar-exam

The February predictions are out. However, I highly suggest that you do not rely solely on these predictions while studying. Make sure you are well versed in all the subjects.
Ugh I don't see a whole essay on Remedies going well... Overall, not bad though.

Does anybody have tips on finding a good tutor to grade essays and PTs?
Personally I chose a tutor who was a former bar grader. They seem to fill up quick.

Raiden and a male human are also tutors. And both seem pretty cool.

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rcharter1978

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by rcharter1978 » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:39 pm

1289yup wrote:First time taker. Completed 100% of Themis. T14 grad.

Essay 1: 60
Essay 2: 52.5
Essay 3: 55
Essay 4: 62.5
Essay 5: 60
Essay 6: 57.5
PTA: 62.5
PTA: 62.5

Scaled written: 1420.5486
Scaled MBE: 1466
Scaled TOTAL: 1436.4566

My second set of graders gave me a score of 1442. Unfortunately, when averaged with the scores from the first set of graders, it bumped me below 1440.

Brutal.
If I were you I'd be so mad. It's one thing to totally miss the mark, but to get so close!!

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a male human

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:42 pm

I don't know why they even do the regrade shit. Most of the regrades end up with a lower score anyway. I swear it's just a mechanism to boot people to failure.

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ArtistOfManliness

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by ArtistOfManliness » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:53 pm

Anyone have a reservoir of differences between CA law and UBE-land law for the subjects that overlap? (whatever those might be... I've been delaying studying)

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Tue Nov 22, 2016 7:04 pm

ArtistOfManliness wrote:Anyone have a reservoir of differences between CA law and UBE-land law for the subjects that overlap? (whatever those might be... I've been delaying studying)
Is Prof. Resp. a UBE subject?

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1289yup

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by 1289yup » Tue Nov 22, 2016 7:09 pm

rcharter1978 wrote:
1289yup wrote:First time taker. Completed 100% of Themis. T14 grad.

Essay 1: 60
Essay 2: 52.5
Essay 3: 55
Essay 4: 62.5
Essay 5: 60
Essay 6: 57.5
PTA: 62.5
PTA: 62.5

Scaled written: 1420.5486
Scaled MBE: 1466
Scaled TOTAL: 1436.4566

My second set of graders gave me a score of 1442. Unfortunately, when averaged with the scores from the first set of graders, it bumped me below 1440.

Brutal.
If I were you I'd be so mad. It's one thing to totally miss the mark, but to get so close!!
Yeah, the worst part is that, according to the second set of graders, I passed. If only they had gotten my exam to grade FIRST then I would have passed.

1289yup

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by 1289yup » Tue Nov 22, 2016 7:11 pm

a male human wrote:I don't know why they even do the regrade shit. Most of the regrades end up with a lower score anyway. I swear it's just a mechanism to boot people to failure.
My regrade resulted in a passing score....but when it was averaged with the first grade, it bumped back to an overall fail (1436.4566).

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unclepete

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by unclepete » Tue Nov 22, 2016 7:31 pm

does somebody with an Adaptibar discount code mind PMing me?

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a male human

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Tue Nov 22, 2016 7:32 pm

1289yup wrote:
a male human wrote:I don't know why they even do the regrade shit. Most of the regrades end up with a lower score anyway. I swear it's just a mechanism to boot people to failure.
My regrade resulted in a passing score....but when it was averaged with the first grade, it bumped back to an overall fail (1436.4566).
Oh man, I see. I'm sorry to hear that.

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lawyer2b_

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by lawyer2b_ » Tue Nov 22, 2016 8:35 pm

I have an adaptibar discount code. It's for $30.00 off. PM me if you're interested!

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by ur_hero » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:23 am

Just signed on with a tutor to focus on essay writing and PTs.

Along with that, my plan of action is 12 weeks (6-8 while working big firm, 4-6 full-time) as follows:

I. Maintaining and Improving MBE (1459 scaled- before)

1.) Adaptibar
2.) Themis MBE Milestones & PQ's

II. Skyrocketing Essay/PT Scores

1.) Tutor (well-reputed, expensive)
2.) Whitney Roberts Bar Code Cheat Sheets
3.) BarEssays
4.) BarIssues
5.) LeanSheets

Feeling good about this. Going to blow it away this time.

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2807

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by 2807 » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:02 am

When doing the MBE practice:

Do yourself a favor, treat each question as a tiny essay.
IRAC your answer. It should be basically 4 sentences.
ISSUE, RULE, APPLICATION, CONCLUSION(answer)

This will not only help you focus on WHAT LEGAL ISSUE is actually being tested in the question, it will also help you learn to precisely phrase it, state the rule, and apply ONLY the facts given.

Stay focused.

If you find that you can't state the PRECISE LEGAL ISSUE... or you do not know the RULE... well.. now you discovered what to review.

WIN/WIN

Also, one sentence for each other answer as to why it is the wrong answer.

It is a lot of work.
Are you willing to do it?

stv

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by stv » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:17 pm

ur_hero wrote:Just signed on with a tutor to focus on essay writing and PTs.

Along with that, my plan of action is 12 weeks (6-8 while working big firm, 4-6 full-time) as follows:

I. Maintaining and Improving MBE (1459 scaled- before)

1.) Adaptibar
2.) Themis MBE Milestones & PQ's

Feeling good about this. Going to blow it away this time.
Why do many people do Adptibar in addition to their bar review course? Is it because they run out of MBE practice questions provided by Barbri, Kaplan or Themis?

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by ur_hero » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:25 pm

I've heard good things about Adaptibar's method and interface. I already answered most multi sets for Themis last time, so wanted to mix it up. I'm prioritizing Adaptibar and then supplementing with Themis actually. (might do all of both).
stv wrote:
ur_hero wrote:Just signed on with a tutor to focus on essay writing and PTs.

Along with that, my plan of action is 12 weeks (6-8 while working big firm, 4-6 full-time) as follows:

I. Maintaining and Improving MBE (1459 scaled- before)

1.) Adaptibar
2.) Themis MBE Milestones & PQ's

Feeling good about this. Going to blow it away this time.
Why do many people do Adptibar in addition to their bar review course? Is it because they run out of MBE practice questions provided by Barbri, Kaplan or Themis?

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a male human

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by a male human » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:32 pm

stv wrote:
ur_hero wrote:Just signed on with a tutor to focus on essay writing and PTs.

Along with that, my plan of action is 12 weeks (6-8 while working big firm, 4-6 full-time) as follows:

I. Maintaining and Improving MBE (1459 scaled- before)

1.) Adaptibar
2.) Themis MBE Milestones & PQ's

Feeling good about this. Going to blow it away this time.
Why do many people do Adptibar in addition to their bar review course? Is it because they run out of MBE practice questions provided by Barbri, Kaplan or Themis?
I, for one, think it's critical to do real, NCBE-released questions. I do not like manufactured questions that impose artificial difficulty that are unnecessarily complex. If you want to make things challenging, do real questions under a stricter time limit, instead of trying to solve questions that may not even have a proper answer. You want to get used to the types of questions that actually appear on the bar.

Just my two cents (as always).

lawyer2b_

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by lawyer2b_ » Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:44 pm

a male human wrote:
stv wrote:
ur_hero wrote:Just signed on with a tutor to focus on essay writing and PTs.

Along with that, my plan of action is 12 weeks (6-8 while working big firm, 4-6 full-time) as follows:

I. Maintaining and Improving MBE (1459 scaled- before)

1.) Adaptibar
2.) Themis MBE Milestones & PQ's

Feeling good about this. Going to blow it away this time.
Why do many people do Adptibar in addition to their bar review course? Is it because they run out of MBE practice questions provided by Barbri, Kaplan or Themis?
I, for one, think it's critical to do real, NCBE-released questions. I do not like manufactured questions that impose artificial difficulty that are unnecessarily complex. If you want to make things challenging, do real questions under a stricter time limit, instead of trying to solve questions that may not even have a proper answer. You want to get used to the types of questions that actually appear on the bar.

Just my two cents (as always).
Agreed!!!

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Re: 2017 February California Bar Exam

Post by Genius » Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:16 pm

1289yup wrote:First time taker. Completed 100% of Themis. T14 grad.

Essay 1: 60
Essay 2: 52.5
Essay 3: 55
Essay 4: 62.5
Essay 5: 60
Essay 6: 57.5
PTA: 62.5
PTA: 62.5

Scaled written: 1420.5486
Scaled MBE: 1466
Scaled TOTAL: 1436.4566

My second set of graders gave me a score of 1442. Unfortunately, when averaged with the scores from the first set of graders, it bumped me below 1440.

Brutal.
Savage shit. wtf. they should award the highest grade instead. That's some bullshit

edit: btw you can challenge the MBE scantron and pay a small fee to get it hand graded. Sometimes you can net a point or two. I think it's worth it in your case because 1 or 2 points from the MBE can literally mean pass or fail. You should do this asap.
Last edited by Genius on Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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