We at Bar Exam Toolbox are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, and it’s on all our minds. In the span of a few short weeks, it has changed our everyday lives in unimaginable ways. Even those of us who considered ourselves germ-conscious before are now hyper-aware whenever we have to venture outside: “Did I just touch my face after hitting the elevator button?” “Did I sanitize my phone after putting it on the counter at the store?” [Read more…] about How to Deal with COVID-19 Uncertainty
Bar Exam Toolbox Blog
Ideas Foreign Trained Attorneys Should Consider Before Taking A Bar Exam
Over the years I have taught a number of students whose primary language was not English, let alone American English. I have a deep respect for these students who want to enter into a profession that relies so heavily on the written word. During the course of their legal educations in the United States, they have the opportunity to make adjustments, practice writing in English, and start thinking like an American attorney. But what if you are an attorney who has trained outside the United States? How do you prepare to take a bar examination that is the culmination of law school studies when you do not have that foundation of a legal education provided here in the United States? [Read more…] about Ideas Foreign Trained Attorneys Should Consider Before Taking A Bar Exam
Podcast Episode 82: Tips for Long-Term Bar Exam Studiers
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re sharing our tips for folks who are planning on studying longer-term for the bar exam, including first-time takers, repeat takers, U.S. attorneys, and foreign-trained attorneys.
In this episode we discuss:
- The importance of evaluating your strengths and weaknesses
- Developing and sticking to a study schedule
- Getting feedback on your writing
- Bar classes and other options for law school students
- How much time should you allocate to studying if you’re a repeat taker?
- Resources for attorney takers
- What should you focus on as a foreign-trained attorney?
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 82: Tips for Long-Term Bar Exam Studiers
Change of Plans? How to Study for the Bar Exam at Home
The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19) led many law schools to temporarily close their campuses in recent weeks. For some law students, this meant an abrupt loss of on-campus student housing. This unprecedented scenario has forced many law students to reconsider their plans for the summer, including where they will study for the bar exam. [Read more…] about Change of Plans? How to Study for the Bar Exam at Home
Podcast Episode 81: Initial Thoughts on COVID-19 and the Bar Exam
Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about how the coronavirus epidemic could impact the July 2020 bar exam, and the fact that you may need to adjust your bar study schedule for unexpected demands.
In this episode we discuss:
- Our opinion on the likelihood that the July exams will go forward as scheduled
- How the exam format could change
- Using the lockdown to get ahead on studying if you can
- Having a Plan B in case the exam is canceled or postponed
- Looking for flexible, on-demand study options
- In what situations it might be a better idea to delay taking the exam
- Paying attention to overall stress and anxiety during this unprecedented situation
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 81: Initial Thoughts on COVID-19 and the Bar Exam
Write, Read, Rewrite: Using Model Answers to Game your Essays
When the email notifying me that my grader had submitted feedback for my first MEE practice essay arrived, I was eager to see what they had to say. I felt good about the subject and thought I had a reasonable handle on the formatting.
I scored a measly 48%. I was shocked and confused.
I skimmed the feedback and then I read the model answers for the essay. I was dismayed: the models were comprehensive and elegant. By comparison, mine was clunky with large knowledge gaps. I couldn’t imagine going from that dismay to test ready within mere months. I put the essay away and moved on to another subject. [Read more…] about Write, Read, Rewrite: Using Model Answers to Game your Essays