cglaw

Of course you are not an idiot. The bar exam is difficult everywhere. I believe CA is thought of as the “hardest” because it’s 3 days, but truthfully, the bar exam is a grueling experience for all it’s “victims.” Give yourself some time to mourn, review where you went wrong (was it MBE? Essays? Did you not study enough? Did you not practice enough? Did you not write the way the bar examiners wanted?). These questions are important to know, b/c you have to address them the second time. Also, realize that the bar exam is as much a mental test as it is an academic one. It’s really important to realize that this just DELAYS your career, it does not destroy it. Really, you will become an attorney 6 month after your friends. In the grand scheme of things, this is a very short period of time. But it’s important to deal with this now, b/c it will be emotionally harder to take it a 3rd or 4th time (although I know people who took it that many or more times before they passed). I would start studying around mid December or early (as in the first week of) January for the February exam if that’s the one you are going to take! PM me if you want materials (I didn’t sit for Ohio, but these are study tips that can be applied anywhere). Also, I am attaching links to the National Conference of Bar Examiners website. This breaks down for the MBE how many questions will come from different topics within each subject (ex: 60% of Torts MBE questions will be negligence, 20% will be Intentional Torts, 10% Strict Liability, 10% Nuisance, etc). This will help you have what I call “concentrated study.”