Re: 2018 July California Bar
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:10 pm
Well I’m really glad that adaptive mindset program was available.. it really helped ... smh
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This was pathetic, it needs to get more coverage.scard wrote:Well I’m really glad that adaptive mindset program was available.. it really helped ... smh
I was amazed by how shamelessly they fed lawyers this kind of bullshit.Atmosphere wrote:This was pathetic, it needs to get more coverage.scard wrote:Well I’m really glad that adaptive mindset program was available.. it really helped ... smh
Wondering the same thing. Apparently the mean MBE score for ALL CA takers last July was 1440 exactly. Which I assume means the average CA MBE score was ~67% correct. First timers in CA scored a mean of 1478. Source: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents ... chool.htmlbru1n wrote:When they say aim to get ~65%, do they mean 65% before your score is scaled, or do you just need to get a 65% with your new scaled score?
114 raw/175 = ~65%.
So in order to pass with that raw score to get to a 1440 in CA, they have to scale it at least 30 points?! I'm missing something here.
Modified with link. It is a bit dated, but the only difference will be same sex marriage. Outside of that, I found its techniques, theme based outlines, practice tests (taken straight from past bars), and explanations very helpful.carcollector wrote:In number 4 you mention an essay book. Which one?Bla Bla Bla Blah wrote:This is absolutely true. Listen to the lectures (if at all) to put yourself to sleep, or as background. That's what I did with an MP3 of all the Kaplan lectures. I haphazardly practiced, practiced, practiced on Adaptibar, threw in a Critical Pass subject every night for two weeks, listened to the lectures around this, (slacked a little bit), threw together a practiced plan of action for the Essay portion during my last week before the bar (never practiced PTs), reviewed CA law through Leansheets until I was very comfortable with CA subjects... drank beers every night of the Bar Exam (sometimes with really light study--if you can even call it that), went to sleep at 10:30pm each night... and was done with it all. Averaged about 6 to 9 hours of study per day over three weeks. Some people are probably getting tired of this because I've put it out there so much (hopefully as reassurance that this test can be done if you have fallen behind--a "don't panic" message of sorts). Also, I think that just calming yourself down and reminding yourself that you can only do what you can with your remaining month is important. Don't go ballistic, but do prepare with urgency at this point.FinallyPassedTheBar wrote:
If you absolutely need to cut things out of your review, cut the lectures out first.
With a final mention that I am as average Joe as it comes (i.e., anyone can pull this off), in order of importance:
1. Practice the MBE through a testing service that makes it ridiculously convenient. Eventually, you will have tested your way to more knowledge than what those waste of testing time lectures can ever give to you. And personal questions about an MBE subject that motivate you to study the topic more inquisitively will also be a part of your study routine. Adaptibar was with me always, and when I would take a break from any of the other studying I was doing, I'd often find myself powering through questions on my phone in a hot tub with some beers for downtime. It became more like trivia night at a pub than study at that point, and I would get hooked on doing massive sets that way.
2. Find a method of digesting outlines that is much better than the big box outlines. I think that the big box outlines are too much. They are so stuck in the trees with the information that they cover that it can be overwhelming. You don't have time to make your own outlines at this point, and the big box outlines in the books are just way more information than you actually need for the Exam... so your mind is constantly overwhelmed with trying to learn pointless shit in those outlines. Critical Pass, for me, was the most helpful thing outside of Adaptibar. You jst grab a color coded subject, lay down next to your box lid at night after a full day of practice (or burnout... one of the two), and flip them into the lid. On the one hand, it reinforced my studies. On the other, it was an easy way to make myself feel like I wasn't a piece of shit for burning out and watching pointless Youtube videos, or spending time with friends or family, all day Critical Pass is a well thought out system for studying the MBE rules, and will save you so much time.
3. Listen to your lectures whenever you cannot study. Usually I would listen to them as I was dozing off (they are better than the sounds of nature for sleeping). Other times, when I was driving (it was all I played in my car). And often I found myself tuning into something in the lecture because I had questions from my other areas of study. The lectures are helpful for retaining the rules, and for an elementary understanding on how they apply, but entirely incomplete as far as information about the exam goes.
4. Essay Exam Writing for the CABX: In my last week of study, I picked up an essay writing book on Amazon that saved me so much time. It took me less than an hour to figure out their system, and then the CA specific outlines were much more theme based (which got me into thinking about how I should approach the Essays which are also much more theme based). Practice all of their CA specific tests (three for each subject) and reviewed whether I had issues spotted/stated the rule as their model answers had (lets be real, the majority of my Essay practice was trying to issue spot and at least state the rule, but I didn't have time to do much more than think out what my analysis would be... I urgently needed to at least be set with the rules, and spotting issues, as far as practice went, and analysis was something that I am better at bullshitting).
5. Get something like Leansheets to have one concise outline on the CA rules to review over and over again. These are like the broken down version that Themis wants you to spend a lifetime making, and only contain the meat. Use your Themis book outlines as a supplement when you don't quite understand a topic in your Leansheets.
6. Pass the bar. I did exactly this and had less than a month to prep (I'm one of the 27.3 percent winners from Feb. 2018).
Put the PT first. It was a last second decision as I was sitting there in the CBX last February, but it really helped. I think I went 20 minutes over, but it was perfection. And I was easily able to BS my last essay within 40 minutes for a decent score.Yogagirl wrote:I barely finished writing out a few rule statements and only a little bit of analysis for the first question. When there were only 30 seconds left wrote a concluding sentence and salutation. I know its a 50.
This makes a lot of sense. Thanks!Bla Bla Bla Blah wrote:Put the PT first. It was a last second decision as I was sitting there in the CBX last February, but it really helped. I think I went 20 minutes over, but it was perfection. And I was easily able to BS my last essay within 40 minutes for a decent score.Yogagirl wrote:I barely finished writing out a few rule statements and only a little bit of analysis for the first question. When there were only 30 seconds left wrote a concluding sentence and salutation. I know its a 50.
There is no BSing that PT (in my opinion). It's either a well written Motion or Memo, or it isn't. So all formalities for legal writing it are in play... just as if you were in practice. The rules are there in the material, so the rule statements need to be solid. IRAC is a must. And everything needs to be organized an analyzed with specific facts.
The regular questions, however, you can play them a little bit more fast and loose.
I had no experience with the PT portion, and didn't practice it at all. I just figured it would be about the same as writing a motion for my firm. But here was my thought process when I finally sat down at the exam desk: Why put yourself up against the gun with an essay like the PT? Especially considering that knocking it out of the park gives you 10 points for every 5 that you could get on a regular question (which makes a big difference).
Try that strategy and see how you do. I think it will make a big difference.
carcollector wrote:This makes a lot of sense. Thanks!Bla Bla Bla Blah wrote:Put the PT first. It was a last second decision as I was sitting there in the CBX last February, but it really helped. I think I went 20 minutes over, but it was perfection. And I was easily able to BS my last essay within 40 minutes for a decent score.Yogagirl wrote:I barely finished writing out a few rule statements and only a little bit of analysis for the first question. When there were only 30 seconds left wrote a concluding sentence and salutation. I know its a 50.
There is no BSing that PT (in my opinion). It's either a well written Motion or Memo, or it isn't. So all formalities for legal writing it are in play... just as if you were in practice. The rules are there in the material, so the rule statements need to be solid. IRAC is a must. And everything needs to be organized an analyzed with specific facts.
The regular questions, however, you can play them a little bit more fast and loose.
I had no experience with the PT portion, and didn't practice it at all. I just figured it would be about the same as writing a motion for my firm. But here was my thought process when I finally sat down at the exam desk: Why put yourself up against the gun with an essay like the PT? Especially considering that knocking it out of the park gives you 10 points for every 5 that you could get on a regular question (which makes a big difference).
Try that strategy and see how you do. I think it will make a big difference.
Let me make a few replies to this post.Honey0808 wrote:I've been getting physically ill from all the stress I've experienced from trying to assess whether I passed. Reading peoples' posts seems to exacerbate the stress (it's my own fault, I know I should stay away from these forums). Time to say goodbye and not visit this thread again.
That being said, I just want to say that I am extremely thankful for countless people on this forum who have been encouraging to others and have offered helpful advice without being condescending. It is easy to fall into depression after failing an exam and feel as though the whole world is against you when people say really degrading things to you about your failure. But one thing that helps me remain positive is realizing there are genuinely good, nonjudgmental people out there who have gone out of there way to help others, even if it is through as 'small' of a gesture as writing a post on here. To everyone who is also waiting on results, I sincerely wish you the best and I empathize for everyone who is going through this terrible process.
And as a reminder to those who have passed, don't use your admitted status as an excuse to degrade others and say things like "the bar exam tests minimum competence, and if you didn't pass you likely shouldn't be a lawyer" and all that other b.s. The majority of users on here thankfully are not like that, but after browsing a lot of forums I have found a disturbingly high number of posts from people arrogant beyond belief who are clearly trying to kick people when they're down. I have seen many competent lawyers at all types of firms, from public to small to large corporate firms, who failed and have eventually passed AND really thrive in their field. After all, while the bar exam requires hard work, it also requires a *tiny* amount of sheer luck.
Much love to y'all.
Don’t stress, be happy you didn’t put sincerely applicant or any formal ending after it. You were not the one submitting the argument, you were simply providing the argument to your superior and your superior would be the one puting their own ending.Honey0808 wrote:I can't get over how I was mid-sentence in my conclusion for the PT when time was called. Also didn't put a "Sincerely, Applicant" or w/e at the end of the email. Such a fun game trying to estimate whether the mistakes I made warrant a fail, or trying to convince myself "I'm fine I'm sure I passed" for another 3+ months! wow I feel #blessed #productive #barexamsareawesome #sosick
Best of luck to you, man! Sounds like a lot is riding on this exam.Althink wrote:I have been practicing law for 11 years, attended a top 5 Law school and currently work at a Big Law firm. I took the CA Bar exam in Feb 18 and did not pass. Granted, I did not have a chance to study for the month and a half right before the exam because of working 80 hour weeks, but I still had a little time to study and decided to take it since I paid for the exam. The only way that I can transfer at my job to it’s CA office is if I am licensed in cA (and I just got engaged....fiancé lives in CA)! I took the full exam rather than the Attorney’s Exam since my MBE scores were strong when I took the bar exam in 2007 and I passed without studying for the essays. Although I did not have a chance to really study for the Ca bar because of work, I am so glad that I sat for the Feb exam! I was able to gain insight into what the exam is actually like and what is needed to pass.
The CA Bar exam lives up to its reputation....you cannot wing this exam. You really have to learn how to take it. In my opinion, as a practicing attorney, it does not test minimum competency at all. Very successful attorneys at my current firm failed the Feb 18 exam. However, if you want to practice in CA, as I do, you must pass it.
I decided to retake and sit for the July 18 Bar exam. I worked full time while studying, but this time I did things differently. First, I decided to take the Attorneys Exam and I focused on really learning how to write the essays and focus on how CA essays are structured. I really put my all into this exam and hope I had enough time to study and pass it this around. I hand wrote the exam, so I could not go deep with my analysis and there were tricky parts to some questions that were much harder than the tests of past years. I don’t care what anyone says, the exam is definitely getting harder each year and February exams are harder.
This time around, I read Mary Basick’s CA Bar Essays and book and used Bar Essays. These two resources taught me how to take the CA Bar exam.....I have a fighting chance of passing because of these two resources. I have learned with standardized tests, it’s all about learning how to master the exam. CA Bar is no different, but it is definitely a beast!
I am very nervous and keep replaying in my mind where I know I missed an issue and could have made a stronger analysis. The Con law question freaked me out, but I identified the causes of actions (privileges and immunities, dormant clause, sovereign immunity, due process, equal protection)-at least I hope that’s right, but just couldn’t remember the exceptions to all of the rules. The exchange between the parties in the Contracts question was difficult for me to analyze in a short amount of time, but I did the best that I could. In real life, you actually have time to think about the issues and research the law!
So frustrating that my fate depends on passing this exam...my job, living in the same state as my fiancé...it’s like my life is on hold until I pass this thing. The thought of retaking it scares me like crazy Bc it sucks so much out of you! Good luck to everyone! Just know if you are a retaker, this exam does not measure the kind of lawyer you will/can be! I am living proof of this....I’m one hell of a corporate attorney!
Praying for good results of Pass in November....I really have my all this time around!
More than a tiny amount! That test is ridiculous. More ridiculous still is that I'm still waiting for them to clear my moral character (which I gave them just before taking in February). The CA Bar is pretty much the most useless, take your money for and kick you while they are at it, organization I have ever come across.Honey0808 wrote:I've been getting physically ill from all the stress I've experienced from trying to assess whether I passed. Reading peoples' posts seems to exacerbate the stress (it's my own fault, I know I should stay away from these forums). Time to say goodbye and not visit this thread again.
That being said, I just want to say that I am extremely thankful for countless people on this forum who have been encouraging to others and have offered helpful advice without being condescending. It is easy to fall into depression after failing an exam and feel as though the whole world is against you when people say really degrading things to you about your failure. But one thing that helps me remain positive is realizing there are genuinely good, nonjudgmental people out there who have gone out of there way to help others, even if it is through as 'small' of a gesture as writing a post on here. To everyone who is also waiting on results, I sincerely wish you the best and I empathize for everyone who is going through this terrible process.
And as a reminder to those who have passed, don't use your admitted status as an excuse to degrade others and say things like "the bar exam tests minimum competence, and if you didn't pass you likely shouldn't be a lawyer" and all that other b.s. The majority of users on here thankfully are not like that, but after browsing a lot of forums I have found a disturbingly high number of posts from people arrogant beyond belief who are clearly trying to kick people when they're down. I have seen many competent lawyers at all types of firms, from public to small to large corporate firms, who failed and have eventually passed AND really thrive in their field. After all, while the bar exam requires hard work, it also requires a *tiny* amount of sheer luck.
Much love to y'all.
Althink wrote:So frustrating that my fate depends on passing this exam...my job, living in the same state as my fiancé...it’s like my life is on hold until I pass this thing. The thought of retaking it scares me like crazy Bc it sucks so much out of you! Good luck to everyone! Just know if you are a retaker, this exam does not measure the kind of lawyer you will/can be! I am living proof of this....I’m one hell of a corporate attorney!
Praying for good results of Pass in November....I really have my all this time around!
Yeah I just got it too, it’s just asking if you’ll allow your school to see your scores if you failAuxilio wrote:Did everyone else just get an email saying they forgot to get permission to release scores. What the hell.
It's just a seemingly large omittance from what is presumably the same application each year.Atmosphere wrote:Yeah I just got it too, it’s just asking if you’ll allow your school to see your scores if you failAuxilio wrote:Did everyone else just get an email saying they forgot to get permission to release scores. What the hell.
Very interested in this since a higher mean/average score means a higher scale.scard wrote:Anyone know when the ncbe release the mean mbe scores?
February 2018 mean was released mid april, so around 7-8 weeks. It has now been 6 weeks since the July exam.scard wrote:Anyone know when the ncbe release the mean mbe scores?
What does it mean if the mean is high verses when it is low? what is better for recent bar takers?frqw9201 wrote:February 2018 mean was released mid april, so around 7-8 weeks. It has now been 6 weeks since the July exam.scard wrote:Anyone know when the ncbe release the mean mbe scores?
The NCBE posted the mean scores. http://www.ncbex.org/news/july-2018-ave ... -decrease/lnu1992 wrote:What does it mean if the mean is high verses when it is low? what is better for recent bar takers?frqw9201 wrote:February 2018 mean was released mid april, so around 7-8 weeks. It has now been 6 weeks since the July exam.scard wrote:Anyone know when the ncbe release the mean mbe scores?