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Hi all,

This is my first post-- I've really appreciated following along and getting advice from this forum during bar prep. I just passed the July 2018 bar in a UBE jurisdiction. I am now considering taking CA because my partner is there.

Questions for everyone-- how should I study? For how long? When should I start studying for February?

For context, I am starting a big law job next month so expect to get quite busy. But I also think I am better off taking it sooner rather than later, while MBE info at least is still fresh. And is it worth paying for a whole new prep course? I'm a bit hesitant to spend that much money, but I also felt very confident following a plan (I did Barbri the first time around). Does anyone have input on the Barbri Attorney's course? For further context, I passed by a considerable margin (348) with a 170 MBE, so I am hoping I won't have to spend TOO much time reviewing MBE material and can focus on CA-specific law for the essays.

If I were you, I would focus on something like SmartBarPrep for the written portion (which focuses only on the topics that they have tested in the past - to maximize efficiency as you will score high on the MBE), and something to keep the MBE fresh. You got a 170 on the MBE so do that! I would suggest Adaptibar on top of my mind but it may be easier than what you did already. I definitely would not pay for a whole course like barbri or stuff like that.

MAwannabeCAatty wrote:Hi all,

This is my first post-- I've really appreciated following along and getting advice from this forum during bar prep. I just passed the July 2018 bar in a UBE jurisdiction. I am now considering taking CA because my partner is there.

Questions for everyone-- how should I study? For how long? When should I start studying for February?

For context, I am starting a big law job next month so expect to get quite busy. But I also think I am better off taking it sooner rather than later, while MBE info at least is still fresh. And is it worth paying for a whole new prep course? I'm a bit hesitant to spend that much money, but I also felt very confident following a plan (I did Barbri the first time around). Does anyone have input on the Barbri Attorney's course? For further context, I passed by a considerable margin (348) with a 170 MBE, so I am hoping I won't have to spend TOO much time reviewing MBE material and can focus on CA-specific law for the essays.

Definitely talk to Barbri. When I spoke to them about doing this (took J18 in NY) they told me that if your firm paid for your bar exam course you can take a second course in another jurisdiction for free within 3 years. I doubt you'd need a full course again, but a free course is a free course.

Thanks so much! Both of these responses are really helpful. Apparently the extra state for Barbri was a specific package I didn't have, but I can do an extra course for $1500. Considering that or just doing something like SmartBarPrep (which I hadn't known about, so thank you!) and using my old Barbri materials for the MBE (I didn't return them).

If anyone else has suggestions for CA study materials, let me know!

With that extremely high MBE score, you've got a great shot at passing California if you can pull off a score like that again. Get a hold of Barbri's Conviser Mini Review and learn the California specific law while reviewing old essays that they have posted on their website. You might also want to practice some PTs.

Sean (Silverman Bar Exam Tutoring)

MAwannabeCAatty wrote:Thanks so much! Both of these responses are really helpful. Apparently the extra state for Barbri was a specific package I didn't have, but I can do an extra course for $1500. Considering that or just doing something like SmartBarPrep (which I hadn't known about, so thank you!) and using my old Barbri materials for the MBE (I didn't return them).

If anyone else has suggestions for CA study materials, let me know!

SmartBarPrep is amazing. Same with Adaptibar. I cannot say enough great things about both of those. They did a far better job of pointing out likely to be tested topics than Barbri and pretty much every other resource I tried. I have admittedly not seen their CA outlines, but their UBE stuff was phenomenal. I'm already planning on using their materials when I take CA.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice. I am 95% certain I am going to take CA in February.

Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on the Barbri Attorney's Course? Specifically for this situation (first bar was UBE, second bar will be CA) ideally, but any thoughts on the course are appreciated! I'm leaning towards spending the extra money to take a prep course again, just because I don't want the headache of figuring out my own study plan on top of starting a new job.

Hi MAwannabeCAtty, I'm in the same boat as you -- taking the CBX this Feb after passing the Jul 2018 UBE in my jurisdiction. How did you get the $1500 quote from Barbri? I used them for my Jul 2018 UBE as well.