Bar Exam Toolbox Blog

Tools for Bar Exam Success: What NOT to Write – A Book Review

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 2 Comments

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Today I will be talking about What NOT to Write: Real Essays, Real Scores, Real Feedback by Tania Shah and Melissa Gill.

I must say I really enjoyed this book. The authors do a great job of discussing essay writing in a very accessible way, comparing their approach to the TV show What Not to Wear on TLC and using a conversational writing style.

What I think is great about this book is that it fills a void for students; many students want to see more examples of exam writing and how they are graded. [Read more…] about Tools for Bar Exam Success: What NOT to Write – A Book Review

Bar Exam Tips: How Do You Recommend Studying While Balancing Family Responsibilities?

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 2 Comments

This question was raised to me in a lecture I did in March at Loyola Law School in Chicago (as part of Greenhorn Legal’s 3L Bootcamp). The student asked for advice about studying for the bar while balancing family commitments (children, caring for a parent, etc.). It was such a good question, I thought I would talk about it here.

Balancing Family Responsibilities and Bar Studying

I know students who have struggled with this — balancing family commitments with studying for the bar. The bar is a time where you want to be selfish and make studying a priority; however, life doesn’t always allow for that.

So what do you do?

Bar Study Tips: The Bar Exam Is One Big Interview

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 1 Comment

When I talk to students about the bar exam, there is always one thing I want them to absolutely remember:

The bar exam requires minimum competency knowledge of the law. That means that you don’t need to know every legal rule in your bar outlines.

However, that does not mean that you can be minimally competent in your test- taking skills. Remember, the bar exam is like an interview. Your essays are being presented to the bar graders as your written interview for admission to the state bar.

So let’s talk about interviews. Would you wear a sloppy or wrinkled suit to an interview? No, of course not!

Is your writing leaving a good first impression?

Now I wish that I could say that students felt the same way about their written presentations. I frequently get essays submitted to me that, in my opinion, are not professional. They are not in a condition that I would give to a boss or a judge. So why would you think the bar graders would consider you ready to practice law if your work doesn’t present itself as such?

Bar Study Tips: What Can Your Academic History Tell You About Studying for the Bar Exam?

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 1 Comment

At this point in your career you are experienced at studying the law — and at taking law school exams. You have taken countless exams of all kinds, including essays and multiple choice.

So, thinking about your past academic history, is this part of getting ready for the bar? You bet! Take this example:

What if you are a student who just “got through” your first-year classes with low B’s and some C’s? You thought, “Huh, essay classes are just not for me.” So you sort of stopped taking essay exam classes and started taking classes with take-home exams and papers. And your GPA went up, so you were feeling good about things. Great! You are getting better at law school, right? Well, perhaps not. [Read more…] about Bar Study Tips: What Can Your Academic History Tell You About Studying for the Bar Exam?

Bar Study Tips: Four (Non-Studying) Things You Can Do to Make Sure You Are Ready for Bar Season

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 2 Comments

One of the things that many people don’t consider when studying for the bar exam is how to make sure their life is ready for the bar prep period. It is important! You want to make studying your priority and eliminate potential distractions. Here are some things you may want to consider:

Bar Study Tips: Seven Reasons I Think the Bar Exam Is Hard

May 18, 2012 By Lee Burgess 2 Comments

(1) It is shrouded in mythology. I am from California. My parents are both attorneys that took the bar exam in California. I grew up surrounded by lawyers. And every one had a bar exam story. The bar is one thing that all attorneys have in common. It is challenging and overwhelming and in states with low passage rates, over half of the people who take it fail! This creates a mystique around the experience, which causes increased anxiety for all of those studying. There are also a lot of really unfortunate myths floating around relating to the bar exam, many of which will be addressed on this website.

Bar Exam Toolbox Blog

Balancing Family Responsibilities and Bar Studying

Is your writing leaving a good first impression?

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