I went to a party Saturday evening and when I was asked "What do you do?," I said, "I'm a lawyer."
Gosh, I'm a lawyer! The reality of it hasn't quite set in.
"You're a lawyer?"
"Yes, newly minted, and this is the first group I've said that to!"
In 5 days, my first tutored student sits down to take the bar exam. I have confidence in her and believe that she has all that it takes to rock this exam.
When YOU go into the exam, calm your nerves, and keep all distractions (including your self-talk) at bay. Write down your timing on scratch paper and quickly skim each essay exam. Strategize. For example, I wrote the 2nd most difficult essay first to get my mind humming. I saved the easiest essay for last so that I could dedicate a little more time to the most challenging "assignment."
Keep your eye on the clock.
And, if you see an issue but can't remember a rule, make up a rule statement, and analyze the facts against this made up rule. You'll still receive points.
But, most of all, BELIEVE in you. YOU CAN DO THIS! YOU CAN ROCK THIS EXAM!
Showing posts with label Good luck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good luck. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tips for Preparing for the California Bar Exam
Having received some inquiries related to the above, I'll attempt to summarize my tips:
Background:
The California Bar exam is heavily weighted towards the written portion of the exam and counts for 65% of the overall score. Each PT (performance exam) counts for two essays; there are 6 essays in all and 2 PT's.
The MBE portion of the exam counts for 35% of the scaled score.
Day 1 and Day 3 consists of 3 essays in the morning, and one PT in the afternoon. Day 2 consists solely of the MBE's; 100 questions in the morning and 100 questions in the afternoon.
MBE's
Read Strategies and Tactics by Walton after tackling at least 500 Bar Bri or PMBR MBE's. S&T provides insights into what the examiners are testing and ACTUAL bar exam questions. (See sidebar on blog.)
Do the on-line NCBE questions. You can purchase two sets of 100 questions for $26.00 each and the license is good for one year. (See sidebar on blog.)
Do a minimum of 2,000 MBE's and track the rule statements and trigger facts from missed questions.
If you can afford it, sign up to Adaptibar or MicroMash. Discounts are available on the blog, "The Life and Times of a Future California Attorney." (See sidebar -- "Blogs I follow.")
Essays and PT's
Download ten years of essays from State Bar of California and every model Recorder answer available. (See sidebar on blog.) Formally outline at least 60, if not all exams. Write another 60 exams under timed conditions. (Adachi's Bar Breaker series also provides great insights to the exam and suggests writing 100 essays as preparation for the bar exam.)
Develop rule statements to use for your own outlines by subject.
Critically analyze your strengths and weaknesses and, if possible, get a tutor to provide critical feedback.
Focus on agency, partnership and corporations. It seems that California is placing more emphasis on these areas and be well versed in Civil Procedure (Fed and Cal).
Walking into the Exam
If you follow these simple tips, you should feel prepared to take the exam. At exam time, controlling anxiety, managing sleep, managing life . . .all can interfere with exam performance . . .
I am following these same, simple steps to prepare for the Illinois Bar exam and learning new law by breaking down the NCBE essays. California does not test on negotiable instruments and secured transactions, administrative law, or state constitutional law.
Background:
The California Bar exam is heavily weighted towards the written portion of the exam and counts for 65% of the overall score. Each PT (performance exam) counts for two essays; there are 6 essays in all and 2 PT's.
The MBE portion of the exam counts for 35% of the scaled score.
Day 1 and Day 3 consists of 3 essays in the morning, and one PT in the afternoon. Day 2 consists solely of the MBE's; 100 questions in the morning and 100 questions in the afternoon.
MBE's
Read Strategies and Tactics by Walton after tackling at least 500 Bar Bri or PMBR MBE's. S&T provides insights into what the examiners are testing and ACTUAL bar exam questions. (See sidebar on blog.)
Do the on-line NCBE questions. You can purchase two sets of 100 questions for $26.00 each and the license is good for one year. (See sidebar on blog.)
Do a minimum of 2,000 MBE's and track the rule statements and trigger facts from missed questions.
If you can afford it, sign up to Adaptibar or MicroMash. Discounts are available on the blog, "The Life and Times of a Future California Attorney." (See sidebar -- "Blogs I follow.")
Essays and PT's
Download ten years of essays from State Bar of California and every model Recorder answer available. (See sidebar on blog.) Formally outline at least 60, if not all exams. Write another 60 exams under timed conditions. (Adachi's Bar Breaker series also provides great insights to the exam and suggests writing 100 essays as preparation for the bar exam.)
Develop rule statements to use for your own outlines by subject.
Critically analyze your strengths and weaknesses and, if possible, get a tutor to provide critical feedback.
Focus on agency, partnership and corporations. It seems that California is placing more emphasis on these areas and be well versed in Civil Procedure (Fed and Cal).
Walking into the Exam
If you follow these simple tips, you should feel prepared to take the exam. At exam time, controlling anxiety, managing sleep, managing life . . .all can interfere with exam performance . . .
I am following these same, simple steps to prepare for the Illinois Bar exam and learning new law by breaking down the NCBE essays. California does not test on negotiable instruments and secured transactions, administrative law, or state constitutional law.
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