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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Studying for the bar exam is like a marathon -- you need to taper off your training in the final days so you can rest and restore energy. Today we are going through things to do during your final weekend of bar prep. In this episode, we discuss: Setting up your routine to match that of exam day, so your body can adjust The importance of studying in the...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are sharing some last-minute tips to help you squeeze out as many points as you can from the performance test portion of the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: The four different types of PT tasks, and their characteristics How to think about the audience, tone, and organization for each of the task types The difference between the IRAC a...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! As we are seeing more and more jurisdictions switch to the UBE instead of a state-specific bar exam, many bar takers are being put in the position of taking a new bar exam, even if they are repeat takers. So, what does this mean for folks taking the UBE for the first time? In this episode, we discuss: Is it a good thing if your jurisdiction is switchin...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to avoid burnout while studying for the bar exam, and what to do if you feel that you're already burned out. In this episode, we discuss: What are the signs and symptoms of burnout? The negative effects burnout can have on your bar prep, and sometimes your health Why are so many bar studiers burned out? Tips for avoiding...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Effective practice is not easy, but it's the best active learning you can do. Today, we're going through our top tips to get the most out of your bar exam practice and set yourself up for success on exam day. In this episode, we discuss: Why just doing lots of practice questions is not enough How writing out your answers instead of outlining them is go...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about what we learned about the MBE while creating the Practice of the Week (POW) MBE Workshop, and spending lots of time with the questions. In this episode, we discuss: The fact that none of the MBE questions are actually impossible, although they require very detailed knowledge of the law The best approach to figuring out the ri...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California Bar Exam question on tort law, taken  from the February 2016 exam . This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California Bar Exam. In this episode, we discuss: A quick review of the law you will want to know for this question How to focus on issue spotting in the fact...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing things to consider when starting to study for the bar exam early, who's a good candidate to study early, and when it makes sense to start. In this episode, we discuss: What is the time period most people allocate to studying for the bar?  Types of situations where you might consider getting started sooner to reduce your stress l...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about optimal preparation for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with special guest Brittany Raposa -- one of our bar exam and law school tutors. In this episode, we discuss: A quick rundown of what the MPRE is and why it can be so challenging for some students When is the best time to sign up for the MPR...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about whether, and when, you should take bar classes in law school, and which classes will help you prepare successfully for the big day.  In this episode, we discuss: The different schools of thought on bar prep Focusing your studies based on your strong areas and which exam you're planning to sit for How you can figure out which s...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're focusing on strategies to help you beat the trend of declining MBE scores, seen in recent data released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. In this episode, we discuss: Possible reasons why MBE scores are down How much individual bar takers should be worried about this trend Good resources for finding real released MBE practice que...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on constitutional 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: A quick review of the First Amendment and its application to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment Issues related to the freedom of r...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with special guest Maggy Mahalick, Corporate Counsel and Content Manager for AdaptiBar, about how this tool can help you prepare for the MBE.  In this episode, we discuss: An introduction to the MBE prep tool AdaptiBar Why it's a good idea to study using authentic MBE questions developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about effective memorization methods to help you optimize your time and retain more information while studying for the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: How to prepare your own study materials in an easy-to-memorize format by starting with SmartBarPrep or Lean Sheets Implementing spaced repetition, or going through the materia...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. Today, we're walking through a UBE family law and conflicts of law essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions.  In This Episode We Discuss: How to approach a real MEE family law and conflicts of law question Why an incorrect conclusion is better than no conclusion at all How to outlin...

Welcome back! Today, we are talking with Alexandra Muskat about her experiences finding success after a bar exam failure. In this episode, we discuss: How to accept that you've failed the bar and how to move forward Why you have to fully commit to taking the exam before you start studying How to gain control over your bar prep and why it's important How acknowledging your anxiety and sitting in it...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode we discuss: How to draft conclusions that support your analysis and why they are important Why drawing the "wrong" conclusion isn't as problematic as not drawing a conclusion at...

Welcome back! Today we're talking about setting up your daily study schedule while studying for the bar exam, so you can get the most out of your study time, without burning out.  In this episode, we discuss: What makes a successful study day for those working with a commercial course, and those studying on their own The differences between studying with a commercial course and solo studying Why i...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE secured transactions essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why you should be spending the majority of your essay-writing time on analysis The power of the word "because" in a bar exam essay What the bar examiners a...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about dealing with panic on the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: How to handle feelings of anxiety that arise on exam day Tools for mitigating panicked feelings and regaining focus Why you need to have a plan, and practice your plan, for approaching questions on the bar Why taking time to outline is one key to avoiding panicke...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on corporations. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why memorizing concise, effective rule statements and attack plans is key to writing passing essays What should (and should not) be included in rule statements...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to support your significant other or loved ones during the bar exam. If your partner is studying for the bar exam, tune in (or feel free to pass this one along to loved ones, if you're the bar studier).  In this episode, we discuss: How to prepare your loved ones for the reality of bar exam studying What you can do to man...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're walking through a Civil Procedure MEE question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE. In this episode, we discuss: Why crafting effective rule statements is one of the keys to a successful bar exam essay How to identify the relevant rules using the facts in the question How to handle complex essay...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on wills and community property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why it is so important that California bar studiers develop excellent issue spotting skills Why you need to become an expert at reading the fact...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to pass the bar exam in 10 days (and why this plan is probably a bad idea). In this episode, we discuss: Why this is definitely a bad plan, but that it's not impossible to pass with limited study time How to give yourself the best shot at passing What resources to use to take advantage of the time you do have Why you can'...