I am preparing for the February 2012 Idaho Uniform Bar Exam. The exam consists of the MBE, MEE and MPT. After a lot of research and consulting with colleagues, I believe the best source for study material is the National Conference of Bar Examiners (see www.ncbex.org) However, I have also discovered a web site that contains some excellent suggestions and useful information. The site is www.beagoat.com I know the name sounds strange but the advise and information is very helpful.
Good luck to all who are preparing for the February 2012 Bar Exam. I hope you are able to find time to enjoy your families during the holidays even though you are preparing for the Bar Exam.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Repeater Preparing for February 2012 Bar Exam
I have had the unfortunate experience of not passing the Bar Exam. I am planning to take the February 2012 Idaho Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and because I work full time I have decided to start studying now. This will be the first time Idaho offers the UBE which consists of the MBE, MEE and MPT. I plan to obtain most of my study material from the National Center of Bar Examiners (www.ncbex.org) I would be interested in receiving any comments from anyone who may have already experienced the UBE. It seems like it should be a fairly straight forward exam. I wonder how the popular Bar Review courses will structure their classes and materials to help bar exam candidates prepare for these exams.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Recommending the Bar Exam Mind
How you use the time between now and the next bar exam will determine whether or not you pass the exam. Because you graduated from law school, no matter what your ranking, you have the intellectual ability to pass the bar exam. I repeated the bar exam multiple times so I know from first hand experience the effects of not managing life's distractions. You must carefully manage your time so when you are studying there are no distractions. But it is equally important for you to schedule time to exercise and meditate. You need to be physically and emotionally strong going into the bar exam!
Review the schedule you have in place. Does it allow for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day? Do you allow yourself time to rest your mind? One successful bar exam applicant scheduled a movie every Friday afternoon. This may or may not work for you but it worked for her. Preparing for the Bar Exam is more about how you prepare and less about how many hours you prepare.
A fellow blogger has recently written a book which you might find helpful in managing the stress associated with preparing for the Bar Exam. He has successfully completed the Oregon and California Bar Exams and shares my desire to disseminate information that can improve any applicants chance of passing any Bar Exam. I highly recommend you visit http://www.barexammind.com/ to access his ebook and other well written tips you might find helpful in your journey towards becoming a licensed attorney.
Review the schedule you have in place. Does it allow for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day? Do you allow yourself time to rest your mind? One successful bar exam applicant scheduled a movie every Friday afternoon. This may or may not work for you but it worked for her. Preparing for the Bar Exam is more about how you prepare and less about how many hours you prepare.
A fellow blogger has recently written a book which you might find helpful in managing the stress associated with preparing for the Bar Exam. He has successfully completed the Oregon and California Bar Exams and shares my desire to disseminate information that can improve any applicants chance of passing any Bar Exam. I highly recommend you visit http://www.barexammind.com/ to access his ebook and other well written tips you might find helpful in your journey towards becoming a licensed attorney.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Time to Start Studying
If you plan to take the July 2011 Bar Exam you may want to consider beginning your studies now. Even before you begin a bar review course you can at least identify the subject areas that will be on your jurisdiction's bar exam and begin work on creating subject matter outlines. You have approximately ten (10)weeks from now until the exam in July. You will need time to study your outlines and write practice exams so you can see there really isn't a lot of time to be fully prepared between now and the July exam.
If on the other hand you have begun studying, you can really improve your chances of passing the bar exam by aggressively avoiding and/or eliminating distractions. When I attempted to study at home, I was constantly going to the refrigerator, answering the phone, turning on the news and anything else I could think of to stay away from my desk. Studying at home may work for you if you have more discipline that I had but if you find yourself having difficulty focusing on your studies it may be time for a change of venue.
Good luck to all! If you put in a good faith effort you will pass the Bar Exam.
If on the other hand you have begun studying, you can really improve your chances of passing the bar exam by aggressively avoiding and/or eliminating distractions. When I attempted to study at home, I was constantly going to the refrigerator, answering the phone, turning on the news and anything else I could think of to stay away from my desk. Studying at home may work for you if you have more discipline that I had but if you find yourself having difficulty focusing on your studies it may be time for a change of venue.
Good luck to all! If you put in a good faith effort you will pass the Bar Exam.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Study Schedule for July 2011 Bar Exam
The more popular bar exam review courses are designed to take advantage of your rote or short term memory and therefore usually start about eight (8) weeks before the exam. If you are fortunate enough to not be working and can dedicate yourself to studying without distractions or interruptions for 8 weeks then these programs will work with one disclaimer. You MUST do the work as assigned, NO EXCEPTIONS!! Failure to follow instructions and failure to do all the work as assigned and on schedule will increase your chances of failure.
If you cannot dedicate uninterrupted 8 weeks of your life to prepare for the bar exam then you must start earlier. In my personal opinion, if you can allocate some additional time to begin reviewing rules and substantive law before you begin practicing then you will benefit from the additional study time. Plan for distractions and interruptions because they will most likely happen.
If you allow more time to prepare, you can and should prepare your own study outlines and flash cards in lieu of buying or using others. It is not the outlines that makes the difference but the work you do in preparing the outlines.
Anyone who made it through law school can pass the bar exam if you are honest with yourself and do the work!!!! Read, and then take practice tests to reinforce what you just read.
You will succeed!
If you cannot dedicate uninterrupted 8 weeks of your life to prepare for the bar exam then you must start earlier. In my personal opinion, if you can allocate some additional time to begin reviewing rules and substantive law before you begin practicing then you will benefit from the additional study time. Plan for distractions and interruptions because they will most likely happen.
If you allow more time to prepare, you can and should prepare your own study outlines and flash cards in lieu of buying or using others. It is not the outlines that makes the difference but the work you do in preparing the outlines.
Anyone who made it through law school can pass the bar exam if you are honest with yourself and do the work!!!! Read, and then take practice tests to reinforce what you just read.
You will succeed!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
When to begin studying for the July 2011 Bar Exam?
I remember the first time I began studying for the Bar Exam. I was following the BarBri 8 week schedule and half way into the course I remember thinking I should have started two months before that.
The most useful tool you will have in preparing for the bar exam is the set of outlines you make yourself. If you get in a time crunch, commercial outlines can help but the process of creating your own outlines is far more helpful. Count the number of subjects and you realize that there are in most jurisdictions more than 16 subjects that can potentially be tested on the bar exam.
Allow yourself one week per subject to adequately study the material and prepare the course outlines. If you leave yourself no less than two weeks before the exam to review your outlines you get the idea. In my humble opinion you should start studying for the bar exam no less than four months before the exam and earlier if possible.
If you started now preparing for the July 2011 exam you will have approximately 16 weeks between March 1 and June 30 to study and prepare your outlines. I cannot over emphasize the importance and value of preparing your own outlines.
To add to the time issue, is the need to practice essays, MBE exams and MPT exams. Second to the importance of preparing your own study outlines is the essential task of taking practice tests and grading your own performance. You should begin taking practice exams even if you do not believe you know the substantive law. Consider them an assessment if you need to understand why. Your exam results will reveal your strengths and weaknesses and this will help you structure your study plan.
Take the bar exam seriously, turn off the television, dedicate yourself the task at hand and you will pass the bar exam.
Best of luck!
The most useful tool you will have in preparing for the bar exam is the set of outlines you make yourself. If you get in a time crunch, commercial outlines can help but the process of creating your own outlines is far more helpful. Count the number of subjects and you realize that there are in most jurisdictions more than 16 subjects that can potentially be tested on the bar exam.
Allow yourself one week per subject to adequately study the material and prepare the course outlines. If you leave yourself no less than two weeks before the exam to review your outlines you get the idea. In my humble opinion you should start studying for the bar exam no less than four months before the exam and earlier if possible.
If you started now preparing for the July 2011 exam you will have approximately 16 weeks between March 1 and June 30 to study and prepare your outlines. I cannot over emphasize the importance and value of preparing your own outlines.
To add to the time issue, is the need to practice essays, MBE exams and MPT exams. Second to the importance of preparing your own study outlines is the essential task of taking practice tests and grading your own performance. You should begin taking practice exams even if you do not believe you know the substantive law. Consider them an assessment if you need to understand why. Your exam results will reveal your strengths and weaknesses and this will help you structure your study plan.
Take the bar exam seriously, turn off the television, dedicate yourself the task at hand and you will pass the bar exam.
Best of luck!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Take Care of Yourself
There is no doubt that those of you preparing for the February 2011 Bar Exam are feeling the stress. It is very important to take care of yourself physically at this stage. Nutrition, exercise and rest have never been more important. In the few days remaining, review rules via flashcards or outlines. If you find a topic you feel particularly weak in, outline and issue a couple of essays on that topic.
Give yourself credit for the work you have put in. Go in to the exam as relaxed as you can be and with the physical strength to endure the time of the exam. Believe in yourself and you will succeed!
Good luck!
Give yourself credit for the work you have put in. Go in to the exam as relaxed as you can be and with the physical strength to endure the time of the exam. Believe in yourself and you will succeed!
Good luck!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time Remaining
In the time remaining before the February Bar Exam it is critically important that you write practice essays and MPTs under timed test conditions even if you do not believe you know enough substantive law. After writing the practice exams, use your notes to grade yourself. This exercise will improve your knowledge of the law and make you feel more comfortable during the exam.
Make the rest of your study time about active learning. Passive learning will not serve you nearly as well!!
Good luck!
Make the rest of your study time about active learning. Passive learning will not serve you nearly as well!!
Good luck!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Essays
It is very important at this stage of your studies that you include practicing essays under timed conditions. Write complete essays! Don't just outline. Do this even if you do not believe you know enough substantive law! Grading yourself with your outlines and study materials will strengthen your weak areas of knowledge. Put in the work and you will pass! Good luck!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A New Year and a New Career
First I want to wish you a very Happy New Year! This is the year that many of you will begin your career as a licensed attorney. If you are committed and stay focused, you will pass the bar exam, rather it be this February or July. Once you have your license you will begin to discover your true interests. Believe in yourself and find your passion. Do not be afraid to make a change if you find yourself working in an area of law that is not suited for you. Do not be afraid to branch out and pursue a dream or passion that has nothing to do with the law. A dear friend of mine and classmate passed two different state bar exams the first time she took each of them. She recently told me she is going back to an earlier profession because she discovered in her words, "I am just not very good at practicing law." That was a very brave and courageous admission on her part. She is obviously very capable and I believe from my observations, good at practicing law but she is not comfortable and therefore will make in change in her career.
I hope you each find the passion in practicing law and I hope you are willing to help those who may not be able to afford to pay you. The reward you will receive from doing Pro Bono work is many times worth more than any money you might earn.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
I hope you each find the passion in practicing law and I hope you are willing to help those who may not be able to afford to pay you. The reward you will receive from doing Pro Bono work is many times worth more than any money you might earn.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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