I am feeling overwhelmed. Not by the prospect of the exam. Not by the hours and hours of lectures, note taking, and reading. I am overwhelmed by the volume of material that I have to memorize in order to pass the bar the first time. Honestly, I am not certain that the human brain has the capacity to absorb and retain all of the terms of art, Black Letter law, and nuances of the law. Hopefully, by the end of this article we will all feel less anxious because we will be armed with a few critical tools to make memorization for the bar exam easier. [Read more…] about The Bar Exam Is Coming! How to Memorize It All
Bar Exam Toolbox Blog
Podcast Episode 53: What to Do if Your Jurisdiction is Adopting the UBE
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! As we are seeing more and more jurisdictions switch to the UBE instead of a state-specific bar exam, many bar takers are being put in the position of taking a new bar exam, even if they are repeat takers. So, what does this mean for folks taking the UBE for the first time?
In this episode we discuss:
- Is it a good thing if your jurisdiction is switching to the Uniform Bar Examination?
- Resources where you can learn more about the UBE
- The importance of finding out what is the same and what is different in the UBE and state-specific exams, and building on the knowledge you already have
- How to do focused practice and get feedback on your writing style
- Should you forum shop?
Thanks for listening!
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What You Should Do in Your Last Month Before the Bar
As I’m sure you’ve heard me say a few thousand times already, I failed the bar the first time. The difference between my first bar prep experience and my second, couldn’t be any farther apart. This was a purposeful design, as my first attempt was spent with a giant cloud of anxiety hanging over my head, and I decided for my second attempt that I could not live like that any more.
The first time I studied for the bar, I took the first month to get my bearings, realized my bearings were wrong and I needed to study how I studied, not how the commercial bar prep program told me to study, and spent the last month doing just that. Basically, I spent that last month cramming in as much information as I could, practicing here and there, and panicking 24 hours a day.
During my second attempt, I learned how to use my time more wisely and was able to spend my final month practicing essays and going through multiple MBE questions – practices that I think influenced my bar score more than reading long outlines could have. Below I’ll outline what I think you should do in your last month before the bar to give the bar your all.
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Tackling Torts MBE Questions
The Multistate Bar Exam, one of the most daunting portions of the bar, contains a total of 200 questions, 175 of which are scored. But by breaking down the study topics into manageable pieces and understanding the number of questions asked in each category, you can streamline your bar review process. In this post, we’ll talk about how you can approach Torts MBE questions to boost your score. [Read more…] about Tackling Torts MBE Questions
Podcast Episode 52: Avoiding Burnout While Studying for the Bar Exam
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about how to avoid burnout while studying for the bar exam, and what to do if you feel that you’re already burned out.
In this episode we discuss:
- What are the signs and symptoms of burnout?
- The negative effects burnout can have on your bar prep, and sometimes your health
- Why are so many bar studiers burned out?
- Tips for avoiding mental exhaustion
- How to get back on track if you are burned out
Thanks for listening!
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How to Manage Your Anxiety in the Days Before the Bar Exam
In the days leading up to the bar exam, you may feel increased anxiety. This is no surprise — by the time the bar exam approaches, you’ve spent months studying and preparing for one of the most challenging academic experiences of your life. It’s important to have a plan in place to manage your anxiety in the days before the bar exam. Being proactive about this can help you minimize stress and reduce your fears about the test and achieve a passing score. [Read more…] about How to Manage Your Anxiety in the Days Before the Bar Exam