I have written the california bar exam three times and failed. I have realized over time what the examiners look for: 1. Raise ALL legal arguments. If a question has 6 legal issues you need to talk about all six. Missing one can cost you serious marks. 2. Create headings. When writing your essays always have headings and sub headings. As a bar examiner told me, examiners only have 5 minutes to correct your examination essay papers. So make it extra easy for them to read and follow. 3. Use IRAC. Issues, rule, analysis and conclusion . Any other format would cause you major points. 4. Be very precise in your analysis part of the question .If the facts confirms that a person or situation falls within an aspect of the law you need to say it clearly. For example. John and Brandy were fighting John pulled out a gun and killed Brady saying that he always wanted him. In your analysis you the legal issue should be phrased as a question or statement don’t ever put just one word headings like “Murder” as the legal issue. Here is an example of how the essay should be formatted: The issue is whether John murdered Brandy and whether John’s statements while doing so constitutes first degree murder. Did John murder Brandy? The answer is yes. This is evident by John’s action of taking out a gun and killing Brandy. ( explain why the answer is yes using the facts and law). Then you subdivide the answer into two headings: Murder and First degree murder. Murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being. Here John’s action was not legal therefore it was unlawful. Since John’s actions caused Brandy’s death he unlawfully killed another human being. First degree murder First degree murder is murder done with premeditation. The issue here is whether John premeditated Brandy’s death. As stated above John has murdered Brandy. John’s statement that he always wanted to kill Brandy is not sufficient to prove premeditation as it requires a period of reflection to the murder. If additional evidence is introduced that proves that John had seriously thought about killing Brandy The he would be charged with first degree murder. However, the facts indicate that no such evidence exists. A simple statement that John always wanted Brandy dead does not sufficiently prove that John has prior plans to kill Brandy. It does mean he had a lifelong intent. In lack of such planning John would not be charged with first degree murder based off his statements. Additional evidence would be needed. John is guilty of murder. First degree murder is inapplicable since there is no evidence is pre mediation. The problem with the analytical part many people don’t actually answer the question clearly they just focus on examining the law and write a conclusion. This costs you points. 5. Your answers should be between 2-3 pages long. Practice writing 2-3 pages in an hour. 6. Know the substantive law.
marie rajbally CA- when I said I passed the exam, I meant the CA bar exam. I host a program and tutor students. Email me at oliverrodriguez3@gmail.com for more info
The bar calculator is really good. What I noticed is that you can get 50s and 55s on the essays and performance portion of the exam and still pass the exam if your mbe score is 144 or higher. If you can score high on the mbe portion, you are good shape.
damien Smith it really is! And that is a good strategy. I would definitely recommend nailing your professional responsibility material down cold, because that is an easy 65 on the essays. That will take a bit of pressure off your MBE portion 👍
thank you so much for the tips. I plan to take 2020 Sep cal bar, and watched your video, and very impressed. So, i followed your advice, I am going to but the Critical pass but the code doesn't work. Can you please check it one more time? Thanks in advance.
There are 14 subjects covering the whole California Bar. I want to know how many text books total? Like Constitutional Law Subject, how many books under Constitutional Law?
I'm barred in dc and md, but that's irrelevant to this. Are the critical pass flash cards applicable specifically to the California MBE? I'm guessing they only apply to Cali?
I am a criminal lawyer, I studied in Mexico, now I live in California and I am studying English as the first requirement to take the exam, it is confusing and difficult for me as a foreigner to know what is the right path to take to be able to practice in this country, opinions are divided and in the face of misinformation the road becomes slow and complicated
I think a good score is whatever gets you to a 144 passing (the curve changes year to year). Using One Timers (one-timers.com/one-timers-bar-exam-calculator/) is a good way to help you see what score you need in light of everything else.
Hi Kevin, thanks for this. When you said you just need to worry about the exam, that means that I cannot mix studying / working and spend time with my family. I am planning to study 3-4 hours a day during 10 months. Don’t you think that would be enough?
I would personally not do that. The bar requires a memorization of a ton of material and the ability to quickly apply that material. It’s best if you just immerse fully for three months. That material all needs to be super top of mind.
Hi Kevin...I m a foreign attorney giving California bar exam in July 2020 have enrolled in Kaplan. I m so nervous to see the materials and how to begin studying for exam. Can you share some tips. Thanks
Hey first off, congrats. Having the nerve to take the bar is worth feeling proud of. Secondly, I highly recommend watching my other bar videos, especially my video on bar essays. Get Critical Pass flash cards and study them religiously. Take as many real bar tests as possible in the four weeks before you exam after you’ve learned a lot of the materials. And most of all, relax and do your best!
Am here to recommend you all to mr Clark who helped me with tutoring during my CA bar exams.He has good tips and questions which he can use to guarantee you success in your exams
Yeah I frankly don’t even know if that discount works any longer. But the cards are terrific. I plan on making a dedicated channel just for the bar exam, FYI, but it won’t be for a few weeks
I have written the california bar exam three times and failed. I have realized over time what the examiners look for:
1. Raise ALL legal arguments. If a question has 6 legal issues you need to talk about all six. Missing one can cost you serious marks.
2. Create headings. When writing your essays always have headings and sub headings. As a bar examiner told me, examiners only have 5 minutes to correct your examination essay papers. So make it extra easy for them to read and follow.
3. Use IRAC. Issues, rule, analysis and conclusion . Any other format would cause you major points.
4. Be very precise in your analysis part of the question .If the facts confirms that a person or situation falls within an aspect of the law you need to say it clearly. For example. John and Brandy were fighting John pulled out a gun and killed Brady saying that he always wanted him. In your analysis you the legal issue should be phrased as a question or statement don’t ever put just one word headings like “Murder” as the legal issue. Here is an example of how the essay should be formatted:
The issue is whether John murdered Brandy and whether John’s statements while doing so constitutes first degree murder.
Did John murder Brandy? The answer is yes. This is evident by John’s action of taking out a gun and killing Brandy. ( explain why the answer is yes using the facts and law). Then you subdivide the answer into two headings: Murder and First degree murder.
Murder.
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being. Here John’s action was not legal therefore it was unlawful. Since John’s actions caused Brandy’s death he unlawfully killed another human being.
First degree murder
First degree murder is murder done with premeditation. The issue here is whether John premeditated Brandy’s death. As stated above John has murdered Brandy. John’s statement that he always wanted to kill Brandy is not sufficient to prove premeditation as it requires a period of reflection to the murder. If additional evidence is introduced that proves that John had seriously thought about killing Brandy The he would be charged with first degree murder. However, the facts indicate that no such evidence exists. A simple statement that John always wanted Brandy dead does not sufficiently prove that John has prior plans to kill Brandy. It does mean he had a lifelong intent. In lack of such planning John would not be charged with first degree murder based off his statements. Additional evidence would be needed.
John is guilty of murder. First degree murder is inapplicable since there is no evidence is pre mediation.
The problem with the analytical part many people don’t actually answer the question clearly they just focus on examining the law and write a conclusion. This costs you points.
5. Your answers should be between 2-3 pages long. Practice writing 2-3 pages in an hour.
6. Know the substantive law.
As someone who has passed the exam and prepares other for it, your number 4 tip is fundamentally flawed. This is why you are having trouble.
Oliver Rodriguez which state are you barred . And yes that is the area I have the most trouble with. I would welcome any tips.
marie rajbally CA- when I said I passed the exam, I meant the CA bar exam. I host a program and tutor students. Email me at oliverrodriguez3@gmail.com for more info
Oliver Rodriguez I will be in contact. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to help us. God bless u. 🙌💖
Thank you for your tips! Super useful and motivational :)
Great tips! Thank you!
Thank you. I appreciate your video.
franker12121 awesome. Thank you! More to come soon. 👍
The bar calculator is really good. What I noticed is that you can get 50s and 55s on the essays and performance portion of the exam and still pass the exam if your mbe score is 144 or higher. If you can score high on the mbe portion, you are good shape.
damien Smith it really is! And that is a good strategy. I would definitely recommend nailing your professional responsibility material down cold, because that is an easy 65 on the essays. That will take a bit of pressure off your MBE portion 👍
Thank you!
Anytime!
Good video, thank you
Anytime! Let me know any questions you have.
Thanks a lot. very helpful.
You’re welcome!
This video is so helpful. Do you think 4 months is enough time to study and pass the CA bar?
Thank you brother.
You got it 👍😎
thank you so much for the tips. I plan to take 2020 Sep cal bar, and watched your video, and very impressed. So, i followed your advice, I am going to but the Critical pass but the code doesn't work. Can you please check it one more time? Thanks in advance.
Whould please tell what’s the additional materials that you mentioned, what should I get from them
There are 14 subjects covering the whole California Bar. I want to know how many text books total? Like Constitutional Law Subject, how many books under Constitutional Law?
It’s interesting 🧑⚖️👩⚖️📚
I'm barred in dc and md, but that's irrelevant to this. Are the critical pass flash cards applicable specifically to the California MBE? I'm guessing they only apply to Cali?
I am a criminal lawyer, I studied in Mexico, now I live in California and I am studying English as the first requirement to take the exam, it is confusing and difficult for me as a foreigner to know what is the right path to take to be able to practice in this country, opinions are divided and in the face of misinformation the road becomes slow and complicated
What would you say is a good score on the mbes in CA? thanks
I think a good score is whatever gets you to a 144 passing (the curve changes year to year). Using One Timers (one-timers.com/one-timers-bar-exam-calculator/) is a good way to help you see what score you need in light of everything else.
This is really interesting. I am a university law lecturer in the UK. I am interested in taking the exam.
I had no idea this all could be done online I've thought you would half to proceed in a class good video I'm doing the best I can to prepare I'm 27
Thank you. I am thinking about starting a second channel dedicated just to bar prep. Would that be useful?
@@KevinConwayChannel yeah if you had time thanks again
What advice do you have regarding essays?
Yup! czcams.com/video/R-uvnooQpsc/video.html
Hi Kevin, thanks for this. When you said you just need to worry about the exam, that means that I cannot mix studying / working and spend time with my family. I am planning to study 3-4 hours a day during 10 months. Don’t you think that would be enough?
I would personally not do that. The bar requires a memorization of a ton of material and the ability to quickly apply that material. It’s best if you just immerse fully for three months. That material all needs to be super top of mind.
Great video! Keep up this content! Hopefully I’ll pass and be able to pay off my mountain of student loans!
Yeah, at most law schools, a law school education cost anywhere between $250,000 to $300,000. This is way much to spend for a law school degree.
@@AntiMasonic93 I agree! That is what can make the bar especially difficult for so many people. But the key is to compartmentalize. :)
Join the military, no student loan debt plus they pay you to attend school.
Whats the grading system like for the California state bar exam?
Whats the minimum grade?
1400 minimum scaled score to pass. This website has a great tool you can check out: one-timers.com/one-timers-bar-exam-calculator/
Kevin Conway Thank you very much
Anytime
I thought the minimum scaled score was 1440.
as international student should I use same strategy?
Absolutely
Is it two days now?
L.A. Rivas, Esq. yes. They moved it to two days in summer 2017. I couldn’t imagine going back to a third day! 😮
Hi Kevin...I m a foreign attorney giving California bar exam in July 2020 have enrolled in Kaplan. I m so nervous to see the materials and how to begin studying for exam. Can you share some tips.
Thanks
Hey first off, congrats. Having the nerve to take the bar is worth feeling proud of.
Secondly, I highly recommend watching my other bar videos, especially my video on bar essays.
Get Critical Pass flash cards and study them religiously.
Take as many real bar tests as possible in the four weeks before you exam after you’ve learned a lot of the materials.
And most of all, relax and do your best!
I am a foreign attorney too. I am studying for the California bar exam as well. I got Adaptibar and Themis materials. Thank you for your advice.
Ana Indira Mariño Arquiñigo do you want to study together so we can help each other...if it suits you..😊
Kevin Conway thank you so much..will definitely do the things you have mentioned...and will get back to you if have any doubts.thanks once again
Sure. Can you give me your email? Or you can write me at anafyb@yahoo.es.
How many hours you study for your bar exam
70 for thee months straight. No days off. I’m not joking.
@@KevinConwayChannel on an average how many hours you study in a day
Am here to recommend you all to mr Clark who helped me with tutoring during my CA bar exams.He has good tips and questions which he can use to guarantee you success in your exams
All those who need help from him should kindly join him on the number below
+/1/9/1/6/7/7/8/6/6/6/5
It's hard for me to know whether those flashcards actually helped you or not given the video seems sponsored by that company.
Lol. The video is not sponsored. Those flash cards are 100% honest recommendation.
@@KevinConwayChannel oh thank goodness lol! The discount in the description made me question.
Yeah I frankly don’t even know if that discount works any longer. But the cards are terrific. I plan on making a dedicated channel just for the bar exam, FYI, but it won’t be for a few weeks
@@KevinConwayChannel awesome. I'll be on the lookout.
What are some of the key topics you would like me to do?
idk why i watched this. Im not even gonna take the bar, I'm an engineer I just have adhd
Lol