Comments on Bar exam advice from a simple minded lawyer | Real Lawyers Have Blogs

noreinsgirl@gmail.com (Sharon) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:13:07 -0800

Will apply to every single law exam and eventually the Bar in CA, Kev. Thanks, mate.

jill@jillgormley.com (Jill ) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:12:22 -0800

GREAT advice, especially the bits about trying to learn any more over the breaks and ignoring others who want to rehash the questions. I was so stressed about the bar that I did not sleep well for a week preceding it--until I got to the multistate exam, where I fell asleep immediately. If not for a proctor who "accidently" bumped me as he was walking by, I might have slept through the whole thing. Despite napping through part of it, I passed the NY exam (not an easy one) on my first try, and as Kevin says, it's much more likely than not that you will pass your exam, too.
As one who has graded practice essays for a bar exam prep company, I'll add this--don't write your essays like you're preparing a memo for a judge or senior partner, even if the examiners tell you to do that. It's almost inevitable that students who are worrying about composing a lucid, well-written memo for some legal eminence will forget to analyze some basic point, or assume they don't have to because the reader already knows the Statute of Frauds doesn't apply, or something like that. Don't make that mistake! Just a quick and dirty statement of issue, rule of law, relevant facts and conclusion will get you full credit, and save you time. Maybe even enough time for a nap.

bcoxe@hc-lawfirm.com (Bradley Coxe) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:50:31 -0800

Good advice. I always tell people to think of the dumbest lawyer/professor they know and remember they passed the bar exam. Personally I kicked back a beer at lunch during the break and killed the 2nd half of the day.

gakeeratty@aol.com (greg keer) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:55:49 -0800

Fear is going to an out-of-state law school and then take in another state's bar exam. I luckily found a nice hotel a far enough away from the bar exam site so I had no other bar examinees to deal with. I have two bits of advice on studying. I would study one hour in the morning and one hour at night. I focused on two areas, one where my prep course flagged sensitive issues. Two I would
review those areas from my law school outlines where I was the weakest. But I spent more time sipping Jamison's and reading novels then studying.
Greg Keer

donna@richardpatricklaw.com (Donna) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:16:37 -0800

Like your marathon analogy, this is excellent advice for most tests in life.

help@raveaboutit.com.au (Sydney Lawyers) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:47:12 -0800

Definitely agree with running to let off some steam between law exams - sometimes it is so easy to get bogged down in the books. It really is the best way to clear the head. Back in my teenage years, I was a coffee + cigarette man - these days, not so much!

stalnir@wpl.pl (adwokat Rypin) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:39:30 -0800

a very interesting publication

baradvisor@gmail.com (Bar Advisor) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:40:15 -0800

Damn, 8 to 10 miles during breaks. Was this during the exam or just during the weeks leading up to the exam? If during the exam, how'd you fit that in and still eat lunch?

baradvisor@gmail.com (Bar Advisor) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:41:25 -0800

Damn, 8 to 10 miles during breaks. Was this during the exam or just during the weeks leading up to the exam? If during the exam, how'd you fit that in and still eat lunch?

jhm_law@yahoo.com (Jon) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:37:01 -0800

For the multistate bar exam, you already KNOW the answer. You just need help remembering it quickly. Process of elimination:

1. The one you think is the correct answer

If you don't see one, then--

2. The one you think is the most correct answer

If you don't see one, then--

3. The one you think is the least wrong answer

If you don't see one, then--

4. Next question.

Hey, if you only get to 70% of the questions, then you need to get them all correct. But if you get to 100% of the questions, then you only need to get 70% of them correct. So, ask yourself this: When was the last time you actually needed to work for a C-?

clint786@hotmail.com (Clint) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:41:57 -0800

These are definitely some good tips. I'm usually a calm person and what happens is meant to be, but I'm becoming more and more stressed as the bar exam approaches. I keep telling myself to settle down and take things step by step, but that isn't helping. I thought I would be ready for the challenge, especially after my long hall. I will try to incorporate some of your tips and hopefully I can calm myself down and function properly. Thanks so much for sharing.