Part I: The Unsavory ClientPart II: Law School
How on earth am I supposed to pass the Bar?
At a minimum, sign up for Barbri. The mini PMBR courses are phenomenal. Add on Barbri essay courses as desired. If you are taking more than one state, take each essay course. Different states are looking for different things in the essay answers.
You should not work at all while studying for the Bar. You should be studying a solid 6-10 hours every day. Remember that someone - yourself, your firm, etc. - is paying thousands of dollars for this. Do not waste the money.
Do not underestimate the value of flash cards. Get a few hundred index cards and carry them with you everywhere!
Take as many practice tests as possible. Barbri will give you more than 2000 questions. Do them all. Do every single essay, too.
All those courses are really expensive. Any shortcuts?
Yes. Sign up for Barbri. Hunt down PMBR lecture CDs on eBay. Start looking for these CDs several months prior to the Bar to get the best price. Many firms will cover the cost of these courses - be sure to ask if your firm does not bring up the issue. Ask newly admitted attorneys for their study materials.
How did you pass the Bar?
I focused on the big issues, like hearsay and homicide. I did not seek to understand everything - most of my studying was memorizing rules and examples. Do not fret about understanding the Rule Against Perpetuities. For one, no one understands it. For another, there will only be 1-2 MBE questions on RAP, if any. Spend hours trying to understand the RAP, and you've just wasted time you could have been using to know your recording acts. Don't waste time! Memorize and move on.
I think it would be a better idea to understand everything.
Nope. Sorry. The bar exam is not about in-depth understanding. It is about minimum competency. Those who seek to understand everything will over-analyze on exam day, get flustered when they do not understand a question perfectly, and probably fail at least the MBE.
Which state is the easiest/hardest?
CA is commonly held up as a "hard" state because of its low pass rate, but one should also note that CA has the most unaccredited law schools. NY is viewed as tough, but NY tends to test NY-specific rules on the essay day. I've taken the very different bars in two states, but I can't say that one was easier than the other.
I heard that some applicants wear diapers to the Bar. Is this true?
I know that it has happened. Personally, I'd waste too much valuable time trying to work up the courage to relieve myself in a room with 1500 people.
What do I do the week before the bar?
1. Pack your plastic bags. Depending on the state, you will be allowed a small plastic bag with various items. I labeled each bag "Day 1," "Day 2," and "Day 3." Unwrapped mints, Advil, medication, eye drops, pencils, ear plugs, cash, IDs, etc. Be very sure you understand what is allowed in the exam room, including the dimensions of your baggie.
2. Pick out your clothing. Be sure you understand the state's dress code! Hats, hoodies, flip-flops, and heels are not allowed in most states. Because you will not know the temperature of the exam room, I recommend sneakers, socks, relaxed bottoms, and layered cardigan/button down tops. Delaware candidates do not have the "relaxed" option. If you feel more "on" wearing a suit, go for it.
3. Confirm your hotel reservations.
4. Decide what you will eat for lunch. Will you be able to bring a lunch? If not, are there area stores where you can purchase your lunch? Make sure you have cash and some small bills and change.
5. If at all possible, go to the exam site a week before the exam. I scouted out one state's site. It made me feel more comfortable. And I learned that there were no vending machines on site.
Other tips?
1. Do not panic. Many people fail because they panic. There is no need to panic if you have been sticking to Barbri's study schedule.
2. Use earplugs.
3. Eat a decent breakfast and lunch.
4. Stay at a hotel within walking distance of the test center. You do not want to hit traffic on exam days.
5. Go out for dinner with fellow candidates after Day 1, but get back to your hotel early. Do not go back to your room after Day 1 and hit the books. Have a nice dinner, take a bath, and review your materials before bed.
6. Get up very early. I had to be at my site by 8am, and was up at 4am. I enjoyed a nice breakfast and reviewed my materials. I did not sleep in until the last minute.
What if I don't pass the Bar?
I don't know. I've passed two Bars on the first try, and presently studying for a third state. I do know that the chance of passing as a second-time taker is dismal - between 10%-30%, depending on the state. Try to avoid failing. If you do fail, take every single PMBR offering.
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