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Podcast Episode 49: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Tort Law

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on tort law, taken from the February 2016 exam. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A quick review of the law you will want to know for this question
  • How to focus on issue spotting in the fact pattern
  • Why it’s important to create an outline listing each tort before you start writing the essay
  • Assessing all torts causes of action between the three parties in the question, and estimating how each cause of action is likely to fare
  • How to save time on the exam by referring back to your rule statements from previous sections
  • How to write great conclusions, using the all important “because”

Thanks for listening!
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Podcast Episode 48: When Is It Too Early to Start Studying for the Bar Exam?

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re discussing things to consider when starting to study for the bar exam early, who’s a good candidate to study early, and when it makes sense to start.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is the time period most people allocate to studying for the bar?
  • Types of situations where you might consider getting started sooner to reduce your stress later
  • Things to think about when developing a study plan
  • Is there such a thing as starting to study too early?
  • Some pitfalls that might get in your way during a longer study time
  • Whether you should start preparing again right away if you fail the exam (or think you probably did)

Thanks for listening!
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Podcast Episode 47: Preparing for the MPRE (w/Brittany Raposa)

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about optimal preparation for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with special guest Brittany Raposa — one of our bar exam and law school tutors.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A quick rundown of what the MPRE is and why it can be so challenging for some students
  • When is the best time to sign up for the MPRE?
  • Different prep course options available
  • Why practicing is important
  • What topics are tested particularly heavily, and are there tricky questions on the exam?
  • How to avoid panicking on exam day
  • How to bounce back as painlessly as possible in case you fail
  • And lastly, a reminder to base your answers on the rules rather than opinion

Thanks for listening!
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Podcast Episode 46: Should You Take Bar Classes in Law School, and When?

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we’re talking about whether, and when, you should take bar classes in law school, and which classes will help you prepare successfully for the big day.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The different schools of thought on bar prep
  • Focusing your studies based on your strong areas and which exam you’re planning to sit for
  • How you can figure out which subjects are most likely to be tested
  • Classes that are great for everyone to take
  • What classes you should strongly consider enrolling in, and which ones you could probably skip
  • When is the best time to take bar classes?
  • The importance of optional courses, such as upper-level electives, writing classes, and bar prep classes offered by your school

Thanks for listening!
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Podcast Episode 45: Why Are MBE Scores Dropping? And What to Do About It as a Bar Taker

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we’re focusing on strategies and tactics to help you beat the trend of declining MBE scores, seen in recent data released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Possible reasons why MBE scores are down
  • How much individual bar takers should be worried about this trend
  • Good resources for finding real released MBE practice questions
  • Smart tools to help you focus your MBE study
  • How many practice MBE questions are enough to prepare you to pass
  • The importance of doing your exam prep under as close to exam conditions as possible
  • Some alternative ways to mix up your MBE study routine

Thanks for listening!
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Podcast Episode 44: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Constitutional Law

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Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on constitutional law. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam.

In this episode we discuss:

  • A quick review of the First Amendment and its application to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment
  • Issues related to the freedom of religion
  • The Establishment Clause, the Free Exercise Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause
  • How to do proper analysis on California bar exam essay questions
  • How to assess what is legally significant about each fact in the question’s fact pattern
  • How to create a roadmap and organize your essay’s structure

Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 44: Tackling a California Bar Exam Essay: Constitutional Law

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