Thread: What to do if you failed

As a bar tutor, and professor, I constantly get people asking me what they should do after they failed the bar exam. First, DEFINITELY take it again. Don't be discouraged, as so many people are. Yes, it's a discouraging thing - to fail the bar, but it's not the end of the road, there IS hope.
The main thing to remember is that you should do something you haven’t done before. Don’t just repeat your old study habits. Most students that I see failed the bar, not because they didn’t know the law, not because they weren’t smart, not because they didn’t study enough – but because they didn’t study the RIGHT things, or they didn’t study effectively.
How do you know what you did wrong? I strongly suggest finding an alternative study method. The best thing to do, honestly, is to find a tutor you click with. That tutor can help determine not only what you did wrong, but how to fix it.
The key is to find someone you can work with. You need to be able to work closely with this person, and while that doesn’t mean they have to be your best friend, you should be able to trust them and open up to them about your study habits. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable with them.
Just remember, there IS hope. I have seen countless people pass and go on to successful legal careers after not passing the first time. It’s not all t

My first time, i took barbri, and did the lectures, but didn't spend much time on practice problems. I studied the outlines, and the materials, but didn't burn down the pages of the practice questions. I did a few, but didn't do anywhere near them all.

I failed. By 5 points on both MBE, and MPE.

Second time, I listened to the lectures, took notes (as I had done before) but then spent about 80% of my "study" time (ie time not spent listening to lectures), answering practice questions. I burned through 2 MBE 500 question books, twice.

I crushed it second time. Passed by 5 points on the MPE, and 15 points on the MBE. Changing the focus from simply studying the outlines/lectures to doing more problems, was the key for me. I found if you do enough of those MBE questions, you begin to start seeing the patterns in the questions. Once you start to recognize that, it's pretty much all over.

But yes, don't panic if you fail. IMO, taking it once and failing, allowed me to get a better understanding of how it was designed. And more importantly, allowed me to adjust my studying 2nd time around for better results.

Practice is key, both for the MBE, and the written portions (essay and performance tests), though I think it is more effective to practice one's method for the performance test rather than writing out a bunch of answers.

Recently found out that I failed the WA state bar (all essay exam) by 9 measly pts. I decided not to let it get to me. Instead, I pat myself on the back for having come so close considering: 1) I studied informally on my own instead of paying thousands of $$ on a formal review class, 2) I have been out of law school/legal world for more than 10 years, and 3) I came within 1 pt or less on passing many of the Qs.

I agree with the other comments that spending more time on practice tests is a smart strategy. I also can see that my organizational skills and handwriting need improvement.

And in case anyone is wondering, yes, I plan to return to WA in July 2009 to kick butt. This time around, I will be much calmer and better prepared, now that I know what to expect.

Good luck to all.

Also, if you are a repeater, I would recommend consulting with a tutor to read over your essay answers and pinpoint your mistakes and help you fix them so that you know what you need to focus on the second time around.
__________________
CA Bar Exam Tutor: BarExamCoach@gmail.com
Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley
UCLA Law Grad., 2008
Former Teaching Assistant & Academic Counselor

how much do tutors cost? I am scrapped for money, so I have to be wise about how I use it. I really do think my problem areas are applying the law, and in all places its Torts-weird I know, and wills/trusts. I was also told by someone who evaluated my scores, that what I needed to do was pick up a point here and there on my essays to go up 50 point mark, which you need to pass.

thank you for all the advise.

I'm not sure how much tutors cost in your area, so you'd have to look into that. But at the very least, you need to have someone read your essay answers and tell you what your mistakes are. Passing the Bar Exam as a repeater is not about picking up a point here and there. You must have your problems diagnosed and work hard to correct them. If you'd like, you can scan/e-mail me your essay answers (and the questions) and I can take a quick look for free.

It depends on your scores. If you aced the MBE and blew it on the essays or MPT, increase the time you spend practicing essays/MPTs and ask recently barred attys to review your essays/MPTs and provide feedback/tips. If you aced essays but blew the MBE, spend more time taking practice MBE tests. If you did well on MBE and essay/MPT practice tests but still failed the bar, the problem may be related largely to test anxiety, not a lack of knowledge.

If you can afford it, enroll in Barbri or another reputable, established prep class.

Personally, I avoid "tutors"--way too expensive. I guess some are good; but most of them appear to be vultures, unqualified people with limited tutor experience who promise the moon and just prey on test-takers' anxiety.

Good luck to you.

Some tutors are very qualified, genuinely care about students and want them to pass, and not all of them are extremely expensive.