Thread: When the study materials conflict, which one should I use - barbri vs bar secrets

Barbri vs Bar Secrets I am using materials by Barbri and Bar Secrets for my coming up CA Bar, and sometimes they disagree. Which one should listen to?

Doesn't matter, just stick with one!!!

This is one of the things that used to drive me absolutely bonkers. My advice is to pick one source and stick with it. Remember, the bar graders care less about the accuracy of the rule than they do your ability to apply whatever version of the rule you wrote down to the given facts. If one version of the rule is already in your head (i.e., you understand the rule and could rephrase it in your own language if asked to), then stick with that one. If no versions of the rule are already in your head, then pick the version that makes the most sense to you and go with that one, because it is much easier to apply the given facts to a rule you understand.

Source: westlahere

Issue: To Barbri Or Not To BarBri, That Is The Question?

[Assumed] Facts: Around 95% of CA applicants use BarBri [BB]. Also, BB is correct at least 95% of the time.

Therefore, if BarBri is CORRECT on a conflicting issue, and you do not go with BarBri, you are dead meat (i.e., you look really dum-dum compared to 95% of the papers the grader is reading).

Likewise, if BarBri is INCORRECT on a conflicting issue, and you do not go with BarBri, you will look no less knowledgeable than 95% of your colleagues. In fact, by the time the grader gets to read your
paper, s/he will have read so many with the BarBri-based analysis that s/he will probably already be convinced (unconsciously if not consciously) that it is the CORRECT answer.

Also, since BarBri is almost always correct, not only are you are safest going with BB, but also it is a VERY poor use of your study time to go tracking down mini-mini-mini- sub-sub-factoids where BB and not-BB disagree (see supra).

Conclusion: Forget other rule-books. Stick with BB

Source:Ina Bendis and Barbri