Thread: California Bar materials: questions- barbri, adachi, baroutlines?

Any advice? I have been over the posts here, maybe I am just writing to confirm what I already know but any new suggestions would be appreciated.

This is my plan for the July 2009 Bar in California.

Materials: California Barbri conviser, Adachi barbreakers, PMBR & Flemmings MBE, and Baroutlines online program (only $49 bucks)

1)I recently bought the 2008 green barbri books used for $500. After researching I think the only book I will use is the California conviser. I am either going to sell the whole set now and find a used conviser, or keep the set using the conviser and sell the set after the bar.

What about and old California Conviser? Any problems?


2) Performance tests: I have downloaded all of the past california tests. How about any suggestions on a book with an attack plan? Does adachi cover peformance tests?



I think I am set for essays and the MBE:

3) Essays: I am also going to get Adachi's bar breakers and I downloaded all the California past essays. Do i need the bar exam surivial kit? What is the difference?

4) MBE: I have at least 3,000 from used books- PMBR, Flemmings, old Barbri- I think this is sufficient

1) I think you should use brand new books for MBE questions, so you don't end up inadvertently being influenced by others' answers.
2) I really liked the Bar Exam Survival Kit
3) If you can, making your own mini outlines is a very effective learning tool (5-10 pages per subject). But it has to be accurate! You can use the Bar Exam Survival Kit as a guide for outline making (from my experience, it is missing some things).
4) The Convisor is great, read each outline once to warm up for each subject, and if you're making your own mini outlines, you can use it for that.
5) Do not underestimate the Performance Tests. The Bar-Bri performance test workbook is not bad, but if I were you, I would dish out some cash to do the Tina Post 3-day PT workshop. It's sooo worth the money and you will come out feeling confident and great about the PT.

Thanks a lot for responding, it is really nice to get some feedback.

1) The PMBR and Flemmings MBE books are completely clean, no marks whatsoever. They are from 2006 and 2007. I have 2007 barbri MBE too with no marks so I am good here. I was considering, but don't think I am going to buy Jeff Adachi's MBE survival guide.

2) I will definitely check out the Bar exam survival kit, sounds like it is worth it. Its only 30 bucks too.

3) Flash cards....? Have you tried Adachi's flashcards? They look nice and simple, I really like flashcards but don't enjoy making them- my writing is terrible and I make them too long. Suggestions?


4) 2007 California conviser ok? I know 2007 is the year the bar changed regarding evidence, civ pro etc, so I am considering using an a 2007 California conviser, any thoughts? I don't mind spending the money on the new one but if there is no real difference I will just use the 2007.

5) I will look into the Tina Post 3-day PT workshop. Thanks for the advice. Do you know what books are used in that workshop?

1) Agree. I've looked through it and not worth it.
2) Cool
3) I didn't use the Adachi bar cards, but I've seen them and they look good. I've also heard great things about them, except for typo's. I didn't make flashcards. For each MBE that I got wrong, I wrote down the rule of law into a document, separated by subject, and reviewed them every week. For state subjects, I just memorized my mini outlines (which broke down the law into elements). But that's just me, if flashcards really help you, go with the bar cards.
4) If the 2007 Convisor has CA evidence and CA civ. pro. and Agency and Partnerships, it should be fine.
5) Tina doesn't really use books, she just uses hand-outs, and a small booklet as an example that outlines her rules for doing a PT.

Thanks again.

1)Barbri Drills and questions? Did anybody find this book really useful? What books are not really useful from the barbri set?


2)Because I am studying using the books only without the use of going to the lectures, do I have any use for the workbook? Can I just go through my outlines and fill in the workbook on my own? or is that a waste of time. Any suggestions about what to do in lieu of the lectures. I plan on following a modified version of the barbri paced program so I am looking for suggestions on what to do during the lectures.