I failed the CA july bar and I am looking to get into a review course for the February bar. After some research I narrowed it down to two courses: JAY CHAVKIN's course: Personal Bar Prep and BAr None Review, (Lisa Duncanson).
I would appreciate any input. Has anyone taken Bar None? Any other helpful suggestions?
Thank you.
Category: CA - California Bar Exam
I've had a good experience with Jay Chavkin in his Personal Bar Prep course. The best part of the course is the small group meetings where you go over essays, get tons of feedback, Jay answers questions about the law--he really knows his stuff. I passed, I believe, because of all the practice...I just knew what I was doing when I went in. During the course, I did so many practice essays, multiple choice and we also did practice performance tests. Lectures were great, too. Short, but really on point. One of my group mates that I got to know had taken the exam three times and she passed.
i am taking bar none review right now. we are taking a simulated bar exam tomorrow - the start of three days of testing. so far it has been great. i have written over 40 essays and received tons of feedback. i took barbri in july and it was a total waste. With Bar None Review I upload my essays up to their website and I get them back graded - with full explanations of what i am doing wrong, how to fix it etc, sometimes as quickly as in an hour of my submitting it. I can not say enough good things about their program. After Barbri I didn't think I would want to take another class. But, now after Bar None REview, I realize i never actually had a class before. THIS is a bar review class. We have had 7 or 8 instructors so far and all have been really great. More importantly, they have all taken an interest in my progress and have given me personal advice as to how to make improvement. But, the exam grading by far is one of the most impressive aspects of the program when I compare it to my horrid barbri experience. And, the essay templates and one sheets are my bible for the bar exam. I feel so good about this bar experience. I have met with several instructors individually. We get to have time with them essentially whenever we want, at least that has been my experience. i am nervous about the simulated test tomorrow, but excited to be taking it and really excited that I am preparing so well this time. I know that i will have Bar None Review to thank for my passing the California bar exam!
I took CA bar Style, small course setting, focuses on essays and writing styles for the writing portion of the CA Bar exam. Tons of feedback, wrote and did tons of multiple choice and felt extremely prepared when I actually sat for the exam. Shana Karpeles is the head tutor and is really an expert on the exam. She knows the essays in and out, even years and issues that were tested those years. Highly recommended!!!!
Can i speak to anyone who has taken Calbarstyle? I am a repeat taker- NY Atty- and must decide which course/tutor is best suited for me
Yes, I took CA Bar Style for the Feb 2011 exam and passed after 4 other attempts. Shana Karpeles is the head tutor and really prepared me for the writing portions of the exam, the essays and performance test. I had taken bar passers, bar winners, barbri and another private tutor and no one was able to explain to me and show me what was wrong with my writing. Her course is in an intimate setting and she goes through each subject thoroughly pointing out areas per subject the examiners test and how to write for those areas. She is also very fairly priced and was always there for me when I needed her. When I sat for the exam I felt so prepared, and similar essays we went over in class even came up on the exam. I really recommend her and wish I could have found her sooner. Good luck!
OK. hate to rain on the party but did these repeat test takers pass because they took the exam so many times or can they actually creidit the bar review course. BUT, thanks for the advice. I was about to sign up for barbri but will do a bit more research. Some poeple like it some people comlain it did nothing for them.
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