Thread: California bar exam self-study for repeaters-- thoughts?

Hi folks!

I wanted to get some thoughts on whether self-study is a good route for second time takers.

I took BarBri the first time around and still have all of my materials. Unfortunately, the time I committed to attending the lectures seriously hindered my ability to actually learn the substantive law (I'm originally from WV, graduated in 2006, and my LL.M studies didn't cover bar subjects).

I have a hard time learning anything in lectures and I am more than capable of making a study plan and sticking to it. I also learn best when I have the chance to read, process, and interpret the law at my own pace. I'm concerned, however, that I may not get adequate feedback as far as practice essays and practice MBE. I didn't practice very much of either my first time around, so most of my practice BarBri materials are untouched.

I plan on studying with my best friend, who is also taking the bar and invested $12,000 in a personal tutor. I have a mentor and former bar grader who has made it a personal goal to make sure I pass the next time around. I have an excellent support system, I've retained my self-respect and confidence, and I was close enough that I believe that I will pass next time so long as I practice and get a stronger grip on the law.

Is it practical to self-study? Is it really worth throwing more money at tutors and gurus who can offer little more than the materials and feedback I've already received? I don't really want to invest even more money in this, and after BarBri I'm concerned that the time I would commit to additional bar review courses and/or tutors wouldn't be as well spent as reviewing the materials I have, getting a better grip on the substantive law, and using the time to actually practice.

Category: CA - California Bar Exam

wow, that sounds like a great idea actually!! I think Barbri wouldn't give out the lecture notes unless you attend the whole $4000 class on purpose because that's all you need to pass the bar! I had a friend who just used outlines and passed his first try without ever attending any Barbri class.

In that case, you are so much better off because you have already tried the Barbri lectures, and now all you need is to practice, and you have a bar grader to help you??? That's awesome!!! You will be just fine!!

Good luck!!

Not sure if you already sat for the exam in July, but if not here is some more advice.

I suggest that you do a practice exam from your Bar Bri essays book every day. Just do one, but do it EVERY day. Write it out, don't outline. Time it and act like it is the day of the exam. I did this, and by the time I got to the exam it felt like just another day of studying. As for MBE's, my best practice was to do 10-20 per day and then grade them. When I graded them I wrote the rule of law next to each question, and then if I got one wrong, I wrote a little something next to it as to WHY I got it wrong. Then once a week I reviewed all of those old "one-liners" that I had written. By the time I got to the exam site, I had done over 300 questions, and reviewed the answers. I looked back at the high-lighted themes I saw and committed them to memory. Hope that helps!

Hi lawlCat
How did it go this time? I am a repeater would like to hear your comments.,
I am also thinking of paying a tutor.
Got all the Barbri, Micromash, Bar breaker books and PMBR Mbe books
Appreciate your thoughts on that
GOOD LUCK!
Tatiana

I was a seven time taker before taking CA Bar Style's course. If you don't get personal guidance on your writing you will never know what the bar examiners are looking for. Shana Karpeles really teaches repeaters in an intimate course setting what the CA Bar exam is looking for in terms of your writing and organization. You can use all those materials, but they are overwhelming and you need someone to focus your studying.

Can you help help out a repeater for CA Bar with a copy of the Pace schedule for FEB ca bar?
email it to
ckuchac1@att.net. I would appreaciate it.

Thank you in advance!