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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're sharing five lessons we've learned while trying to study another language, that could be applied to bar exam study as well. In this episode, we discuss: Picking your program carefully What if your progress is not satisfactory? Do you need a combination of multiple study methods? The true value of a one-on-one tutor Learning to play the lon...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE Criminal Law/Procedure and Evidence essay question from the July 2016 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: Review of the law on hearsay, the Fifth Amendment, and Miranda rights Reading the question from the July 2016 b...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing how our mind deals with failure, and why making mistakes can actually lead to better learning.  In this episode, we discuss: Why being wrong when highly confident in the answer is a powerful way to absorb information Why guessing on multiple choice questions doesn't lead to learning A look at how kids deal with their mistakes Th...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to know who or what you can trust when preparing for the bar exam, and why it's important to go all in with an approach once you've decided to trust it.  In this episode, we discuss: Evaluating what works best for your learning style and life situation Where to get practice materials and feedback Can you test a course bef...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE constitutional law essay question from the July 2018 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: Do you need to cite cases when answering Con Law questions? The Tenth Amendment and use of federal funding Reading the Con Law q...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through the February 2016 California bar exam question on wills, trusts, and property . This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: The law pertaining to trusts, interests in real property, and the duties of a trustee Reading the question o...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about taking the bar in a new state, when you're already licensed elsewhere. In this episode, we discuss: Figuring out if it's possible to take the attorney version of the exam What are the most efficient study methods if you've already passed once? Evaluating what topics you should focus on Why the passage rate for attorney applic...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're strategizing about how to resolve problems you're having while studying for the MBE, specifically when you're struggling with the law. In this episode, we discuss: How complicated is the law on the MBE? The importance of evaluating why you are getting questions right or wrong Doing targeted practice on areas of the law where you feel less...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through the July 2017 California bar exam question on civil procedure. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: The law pertaining to subject matter jurisdiction, joinder, and pleading requirements Reading the facts in the civil procedur...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE Contracts essay question from the July 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 easily determine you are working with a Contracts question Does the scope of the question fall into the UCC world or the common la...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through the February 2017 California bar exam question on criminal law and criminal procedure. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Fourth Amendment rights, including The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine When is a search by a sta...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are sharing five lessons we learned from drafting sample answers for California and MEE essay questions as part of our Writing of the Week program.   In this episode, we discuss: Why you must practice under timed conditions The importance of having a formatting scheme Following a strict IRAC formula Using clear and concise language Why feedba...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about the ins and outs of the bar admission application process, some requirements you may not be aware of, and common issues that can arise during your application.   In this episode, we discuss: Making sure you know what the rules are where you're applying Some specific state requirements you may run into The importance of starti...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about why "attack plans" are important to develop and memorize during your bar study, and how to use them on exam day. In this episode, we discuss: Thinking about each subject as a universe of topics Why attack plans are so critical, specifically for the California bar exam An example of an attack plan for criminal law How can you...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE Agency and Torts essay question from the February 2015 bar exam. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: The test for determining whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor What's the employer's liability for empl...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE Real Property essay question. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: Review of the law on real property warranty deeds Reading a question from the February 2018 UBE and noting what's legally significant about each fact in the fact...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In today's episode, we are walking through the July 2016 California bar exam question on contract law. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Review of the main points of contract law A walk-through the July 2016 California bar exam question on contract law...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this second part of a two-part episode, we are going through drafting an answer for the February 2018 Multistate Performance Test. We recommend listening to last week's episode first, where we reviewed the file and the library.  In this episode, we discuss: A quick reminder of the performance test's timing A review of the task memo and facts in the...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of our series on how to approach questions on the UBE. Today, we are walking through the file and library on the February 2018 Multistate Performance Test. Next time, we'll discuss drafting an answer to this performance test. In this episode, we discuss: A reminder to read the instructions and memo on the performance test carefully...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are chatting about getting the most value out of your commercial bar review course as you are preparing for the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: A review of the major commercial courses available, and what they include Adjusting the study schedule to your particular learning needs How reading lectures could be more efficient than listen...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are welcoming special guest Elizabeth Knox -- disability consultant and tutor -- to talk about the types of situations in which you could apply for accommodations on the bar exam, and tips for having your request approved. In this episode, we discuss: The type of work Elizabeth does as a disability consultant A reminder to apply for accommoda...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this second part of a two-part episode, we are going through drafting an answer for the July 2018 California Performance Test. We recommend listening to last week's episode first, where we focused on reviewing the task memo, file, and library.  In this episode, we discuss: The timing aspect of the performance test A quick review of the IRAC, CRAC, a...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast!  Today, we're walking through a Performance Test from the California Bar Exam . In this first part of a two-part episode , we are focusing on reviewing the task memo, file, and library for the Brief on the July 2018 California Performance Test. In the next episode, we'll talk about outlining and drafting your answer.  In this episode, we discuss: The t...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Mindfulness is a common buzz word these days, but the reason it's so popular is that, for a lot of people, it really works. Today, we're discussing various mindfulness techniques to help you stay calm and collected while preparing for the bar exam, and beyond. In this episode, we discuss: How Alison and Lee got introduced to mindfulness Why should you...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the specific things bar graders are looking for as they are going through stacks of student answers in a limited amount of time. In this episode, we discuss: Making each important issue stand out so it's easy to spot since the bar grader is reading your answer quickly Using the facts given in the question precisely Not focusing...