The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review substantive areas of the law that you're likely to encounter on the bar exam. This time, we're focusing on a topic related to both Property and Torts, and that is nuisance. In this episode, we discuss: Where does nuisance show up on the bar exam? The similarities and diffe...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about defamation -- a topic you might see on a Torts essay along with other intentional torts, and sometimes on the MBE as well. We also highlight some of the other intentional torts that are commonly triggered in a defamation fact pattern. In this episode, we discuss: The five elements of defamation When is a statement of opinion...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review a substantive area of the law and apply the rules to fact patterns. This time, we're focusing on two topics from Torts -- specifically, assault and battery. In this episode, we discuss: Unpacking the elements of assault and battery Are threatening words enough to be consid...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review a substantive area of the law and apply it to fact patterns. This time, we're focusing on the Statute of Frauds in Contract Law. In this episode, we discuss: The types of situations that courts have decided are particularly open to fraud The elements of contract formation What ar...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode as part of our "Listen and Learn" series. This one covers two hearsay exceptions –- specifically, present sense impression and state of mind. In this episode, we discuss: An overview of hearsay and hearsay exceptions When to apply the present sense impression and the state of mind exceptions Going through several examples...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Tune in for a special milestone episode today (number 100), where we recap some of the most popular episodes and a few of our personal favorite episodes we have recorded during the past two years. In this episode, we discuss: Memorization techniques and the different types of learning styles The best ways to prepare for essay writing How to make sure y...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about preparing for taking an online bar exam, which will be the norm this year due to coronavirus concerns. We also discuss the recently-released information on how the October California bar exam will be administered. In this episode, we discuss: The long-awaited details on the October 2020 California bar exam Using AdaptiBar to...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're doing another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, talking about the Uniform Commercial Code Section 2-207 -- or "battle of the forms", as it's commonly called. In this episode, we discuss: When to use the UCC in a Contracts essay Understanding the rules of Section 2-207 The "mirror image" rule from common law Going through two hypos...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're tackling the reasonable person standard in Negligence. In this episode, we discuss: Who is the reasonable person we hold everyone else's conduct up to? When do we apply the reasonable person "under the circumstances"? S...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the latest updates from different jurisdictions on how the bar exam is likely to be administered this year, and sharing strategies to help you prepare for taking the fall exam amidst all the uncertainty.  In this episode, we discuss: What new information different jurisdictions have released since our last COVID-19 update Prepar...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and use them in fact patterns. This time we're analyzing a topic from contract law -- promissory estoppel. In this episode, we discuss: When is a promise breakable, and when is it a contract? What is inadequate consideration? The "reasonable and detrimental actions...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another update on what is known about the bar exam administration in different jurisdictions, which will hopefully help you make a more informed decision on how to proceed with your study schedule amidst the COVID-19 crisis.  In this episode, we discuss: Updates from the National Conference of Bar Examiners Which states are planning on a...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, and this time we'll review a topic from real property -- namely, constructive eviction. In this episode, we discuss: Regular eviction versus constructive eviction The Implied Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment and Implied Warranty of Habitability Using the SING mnemonic to remember the rules of constru...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about a commonly tested Civ Pro topic -- subject matter jurisdiction. In this episode, we discuss: Review of the basic concept of jurisdiction How to structure your subject matter jurisdiction essay answer The r...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about a topic you will see on every Evidence essay on the bar exam: relevance. In this episode, we discuss: The two basic kinds of relevance Relevance and admissibility in the court room Determining facts of conseq...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're sharing our latest thoughts on studying for the bar exam with the delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and generally trying to make the situation work best for you. In this episode, we discuss: Updates on the information known from various jurisdictions in the country Will anything be available online, such as the MBE? What is "courte...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today's episode is part of our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. This time, we're talking about some hearsay basics. In this episode, we discuss: What is hearsay anyway? Hearsay exceptions versus non-hearsay How you can use mnemonics or other memorization techniques for the bar exam Reviewing two...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is the second episode in our "Listen and Learn" series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we're talking about negligence per se. In this episode, we discuss: Statutory standard of care The basic steps of a negligence per se analysis How to look at the statutes narrowly and broadly Analyzing three essay question...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're introducing a new series of podcast episodes called "Listen and Learn," where we're going to review substantive areas of the law and apply some of that law to facts. In this episode, we're talking about homicide. In this episode, we discuss: Developing effective attack plans for an essay Common law homicide The four elements of malice afor...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through the July 2017 California bar exam question on Remedies. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: What is necessary for a good Remedies essay? The law on temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions The defenses...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're updating you on the bar exam postponements and other recent developments that have happened since our last episode related to COVID-19. In this episode, we discuss: What's known so far on jurisdictions that are postponing Getting your finances in order How to develop a study plan suited to the new situation Using any extra time effectively...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE Agency and Partnerships essay question from the February 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: How to approach rule-heavy questions Uniform Partnership Act (UPA) and the Revised Uniform Partnership Act (RUPA) The r...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about why mindset is so important for bar prep, and how to deal with obstacles that can derail your study. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between a fixed and a growth mindset Developing mantras for yourself The importance of positive thinking Having a strong study plan Focusing on active over passive learning How the p...

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...

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 ahea...