| Raw MBE | 140 |
| Essay 1 | 65.0 |
| Essay 2 | 57.5 |
| Essay 3 | 52.5 |
| Essay 4 | 60.0 |
| Essay 5 | 55.0 |
| Essay 6 | 55.0 |
| PT-A | 57.5 |
| PT-B | 50.0 |
| Raw Written Total = | 560 |
| Scaled Written = | 1287.4561 |
| Scaled MBE = | 1544 |
| Total Scaled Score = | 1377.2465 |
So, I still have a vacuum leak somewhere in my writing system. But I am taking active steps to address that issue this time. (Really. This time I am. Really, I am. Seriously. And I mean it. This time. For sure. Definitely. Count on it.)
31 comments:
Have you ever looked at all of your past exam scores at the same time? Might be a good idea since there is some history here, and your scors have gone up and down. Maybe you can isolate what you did "right" and "wrong" on different attempts by looking at your actual performance history. If you post the above info for all your exams, we could kibbitz, which you may or may not want. Just an idea.
You are always SO solid on your MBEs - very impressive. My unsolicited advice would be to, with the exception of brief brushing up, STOP practicing MBEs. You know the law. You are good at multiple choice inherently. In fact, if you could bump up your PTs a bit, you'd be there. No more MBEs...start writing! And start now! You can do it!
I agree with Sarah. Keep your MBE skills sharp but concentrate on your essays and PT's. A private tutor would be very helpful; it was a private tutor who helped me push my scores into the passing range and got me over the hurdle. Unlike you, my MBE scores were weak; we leveraged my writing abilities and analysis as a strategy. The secret is in the actual bar exam answers to each subject and sub-subject, and in extensive practice writing. You can do this!
Change of Venue's suggestion for a tutor is right on. I needed help with my essay and pt writing and the tutor helped me transform my writing style with a focus on what bar graders are looking for after they have dinner, put the kids to bed and sit down to grade multiple essays on the same topic. Honestly, I could not have done this alone. Good luck in February.
I took that approach, as I got either high 130s or low to mid 140 on previous MBEs and concentrated on my essays. The essays went up to some 70s and 75, but then my MBEs took a dive--dropped 15 raw mbes or so--got in the high 120 range. Sometimes ya can't win for anything!
Ah, but the secret is to keep practicing your MBE's every day while you concentrate on raising your essays and PT's. Liken it to having well-toned legs from running, but a soft "core." You keep on running, but you also add new exercises for your core. In the end, you win the race with a well-toned body. Unlike you, my MBE's were as low as 106. Like you, I was able to raise my essays to as high as 75. Thus, I continued to exercise my "legs" while I worked to improve my MBE's. It is likely that I sailed through on my 3rd attempt with very high essay and PT scores, and was able to raise my MBE scores marginally. Finally, I believed - really believed - that through focused studies I could win despite everything. Believing is a huge part of a winning game. Go win the game.
Is there a reason why scores are not released for those who pass the bar?
yes: to allow those who pass to have a smug sense of arrogance and hubris over those who didn't, even though their passing score may have only been 0.0003 points above the minimum passing requirement. Plus, the reality for most who later learn they barely passed might adversely impact their approach when dealing with opposing counsel. The "I passed the bar my first time so I can truly act like an ass" trait wouldn't be as pronounced were the taker to be informed how close to "minimally sufficient" they actually achieved. Ignorance is bliss . . . and, of course, maintains the delusion.
9:02 AM, I know a group of people who graduated from a top 10 Law School in 2008...They sat exams from California and many other States, they ALL passed on the first try...
I am sure they all passed with impressive results... But as the Professor always drummed in their heads... It is not the HIGH scores... It is "I Passed The Bar" that they and their Employers are interested in....
I'm no expert but I passed on my 3rd attempt. What I learned from the first two was that the graders did not like something about my writing style. I couldn't pinpoint it and neither could the tutors. It was then that I created my method which was to do between 100-200 MBE practice questions every day and print out all the bar questions and sample answers to read over. Every day I would just read through the questions then all sample answers for that question. I would highlight any concepts that were the slightest bit foreign to me. Eventually I would only read through the highlighted portions. This I felt prepared me more for the writing than any practice writing ever did while doing that many MBE questions prepared me for anything the MBE section could throw at me. I got so good that I could finish each MBE section with complete confidence and an hour to spare. As for the performance tests, I'm of the opinion that there really is no way to practice those. They're about time management. Read over a few in different categories and just muscle your way through them. I've tutored other people on this method and its been successful. It may work for you as well. Good luck in February!
Reading the report of GPs scores, I am reminded of that line from Fight Club: "Dejavu all over again."
GP, I know you've been self studying, and it's clearly worked well for you on the MBE. BarBri is expensive, but I think it would really help you with your writing. I passed the atty's exam and took BarBri and am convinced the class got me through the bar. If you're anti-BarBri, there are many other well-regarded bar prep courses (such as Fleming's). You've obviously got the brain power, and we all hate to see you banging your head against the wall twice each year. We're all pulling for you!
GP! I want to disagree with the last comment about Barbri. Taking Barbri is like trying to learn football via lectures and outlines. Simply put, you have to PRACTICE. That is the only way that you're going to get better at writing. You should really be doing 2 timed essays a day starting off, and then increasing them toward exam time. The Cal Bar website sample answers are more than sufficient for you to compare your answers with. Make sure you are hitting every issue, especially damages in torts and contracts essays. Also EVERY WORD/PHRASE in the prompt is there for a reason. They all point at issues. GOOD LUCK GP! Let's get over this hump in February!!!!
9:13 - BarBri and other courses emphasize the need to practice essays. They also teach students how to approach them. I don't think I would have passed without BarBri.
GP - you may want to consider taking a course or maybe trying to find a reasonably priced tutor. It would help you with the essays. Good luck!!!
GP: I have been a reader of your blog for the past four years, going all the way back, in fact, to the time when I was studying for my bar exam (which I passed on the first attempt). I must recommend that you change the title of your blog to "Failing the California Bar Exam. Stop misleading your readers.
Anon: December 23, 2011 10:28 PM
Merry Christmas. It must be nice to celebrate the holidays by posting a pompous and cruel message for GP. It is clear that you do not have the class or maturity to be a human being. You are a fraud just trolling the internet. You do not have the intelligence to get into a law school or pass the bar. Give it a rest clown.
Go take an easier bar exam. Like Oregon's.
You need to get 70s and above on the essays, and PT's to pass. Try Bar Breakers by Jeff Adachi the pink book do exactly what it says, all you need and keep up the MBE's.
Bar Breakers won't help with PT's though, you need to learn a PT method and practice PT's at least 6.
Any predictions for feb yet?
Your PT exams can't get any lower if you tried. Flemings has a wonderful PT course. I'm dyslexic, the PT was seemingly impossible for me. I took Flemmings course 3x, then the last month, I sat and wrote a PT exam every other day, as my final act of "study" for that day. I compared my exam against the model answer.
It was hell trying to study like this... utter hell. But you obviously aren't getting the PTs and you can fail every essay, so long as you pass your PTs and get a 140 on your MBEs. This seems silly, but you can't control the essays.. the issues given are the issues given... PTs... all the law is there.... they recycle legal issues on the Pts, and once you've learned to work them, you nail it every time.
Yes, you bombed every essay, and the PTs that's the majority of the bar. Any predictions yet?
Good luck dude. Hire a tutor - it will be cheaper in the long run (unless you are independently wealthy). I'm sure you have heard this already, but you need to focus on your analysis for both essay and PTs. A tutor should be able to help you understand what analysis is - you clearly are having trouble applying the facts (analysis) because your legal knowledge appear to be solid (hence, 140 MBE). See you on the other side of the bar soon.
I failed with a 1436 total scaled score. So near and yet...... However I am an English lawyer who was qualified for 15 years, and had 8 weeks to learn the law/ remind myself of subjects I hadn't thought about for nearly 20 years. I learned the law, which wasn't enough the essay writing method is the key. Onwards to February with a lot of essay practice! and to be honest anyone feeling superior on a first time pass is a tool,be proud but far more intelligent people than most of us have failed the California Bar!
Hey GP - I started reading your blog during my first and (fortunately) only attempt at the Cal State Bar. I have frequently checked in hoping for that glorious moment when I would see that you passed. I'm really sorry it hasn't happened yet; best of luck on the next attempt and may you have no need afterward to ever take it again!
GP: sometimes it's not worth trying to persist. The pursuit of life is to be happy my friend. Living each day to it's fullest. You cramming yourself away for hours at a time , month after month, year after year is a waste IMO at this point. For what? You will never get that time back. Its been going on for years. I took the bar 4 times. I never passed. Failed the last time by 9pts. Thereafter, I started my own business, struggled the first year and now have more clients, happiness, and money than most attorneys will ever see in their lifetime. Most attorneys I know either are worried about their job or have no job. Anyway--I wish you the best.
I got $100 for you...You have a used set of Law in a Flash for me?
Must Include:
Law in a Flash: Torts
Law in a Flash: Contracts
Law in a Flash: UCC Sales
Law in a Flash: Real Property
Law in a Flash: Criminal Law
Law in a Flash: Criminal Procedure
Law in a Flash: Constitutional Law I
Law in a Flash: Constitutional Law II
Law in a Flash: Evidence
Law in a Flash: Wills & Trusts
Law in a Flash: Corporations
Law in a Flash: Civil Procedure I
Law in a Flash: Civil Procedure II
Law in a Flash: Professional Responsibility (2-part set)
Thanks
My goal for when I take the exam (5th time) this coming July 2012:
Are you waiting for results and wondering what your final score will be and whether you will pass the California Bar Exam?
Based on your assessment of how you did, this calculator will gauge an approximate score from your bar exam and determine whether you pass. Remember, this is not completely accurate as the State Bar will not release the actual formula until after results are officially announced. So give it a try and best of luck.
Essay 1 /100
Essay 2 /100
Essay 3 /100
Essay 4 /100
Essay 5 /100
Essay 6 /100
PT A /100
PT B /100
MBE raw /190
1474
Congratulations you are an attorney. You should be very proud of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for letting One-Timers be part of your success.
Written Component: 939
MBE Component: 535
GP, 137+ on the MBE is excellent, by anyone's standards, what materials got you there and how did you prepare. Thank you. Good luck ahead.
Anon 8:30: I've used Emanuel's exclusively for the past couple of years, and it's very good. But I'm doing something different this time. I'll blog about it after the exam.
Your missing issues, that why your essay scores are low. Plain and simple.
There are 2 sets of facts in a bar essay.
1. Set up facts
2. Facts to use in your analysis.
Best advice is to have someone look over your exams so that person can identify what's lacking in your writing. It's not style, it's technique!
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