Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on constitutional law. This is part of our series of podcasts talking about how to approach questions on the California bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: A quick review of the First Amendment and its application to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment Issues related to the freedom of religion The Establishment Clause, the Free Exercise Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause How to d...
May 06, 2019•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're chatting with special guest Maggy Mahalick, Corporate Counsel and Content Manager for AdaptiBar, about how this tool can help you prepare for the MBE. In this episode, we discuss: An introduction to the MBE prep tool AdaptiBar Why it's a good idea to study using authentic MBE questions developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners How AdaptiBar makes NCBE-licensed content more user-friendly for the student How students can custom...
Apr 29, 2019•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about effective memorization methods to help you optimize your time and retain more information while studying for the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: How to prepare your own study materials in an easy-to-memorize format by starting with SmartBarPrep or Lean Sheets Implementing spaced repetition, or going through the material multiple times, so it is committed to your long-term memory The importance of focusing on remember...
Apr 22, 2019•34 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. Today, we're walking through a UBE family law and conflicts of law essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In This Episode We Discuss: How to approach a real MEE family law and conflicts of law question Why an incorrect conclusion is better than no conclusion at all How to outline an MEE answer Why you should determine your conclusion to each question first How to spot an irrele...
Apr 15, 2019•21 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back! Today, we are talking with Alexandra Muskat about her experiences finding success after a bar exam failure. In this episode, we discuss: How to accept that you’ve failed the bar and how to move forward Why you have to fully commit to taking the exam before you start studying How to gain control over your bar prep and why it’s important How acknowledging your anxiety and sitting in it can actually help it lessen Learning differences and why they should be embraced Why it’s important...
Apr 08, 2019•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast. Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode we discuss: How to draft conclusions that support your analysis and why they are important Why drawing the “wrong” conclusion isn’t as problematic as not drawing a conclusion at all Why you have to commit to an outcome in your conclusion How to round out your analysis And why ...
Apr 01, 2019•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back! Today we're talking about setting up your daily study schedule while studying for the bar exam, so you can get the most out of your study time, without burning out. In this episode, we discuss: What makes a successful study day for those working with a commercial course, and those studying on their own The differences between studying with a commercial course and solo studying Why it’s important to prioritize deliberate practice over passive listening Why you should personalize you...
Mar 25, 2019•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are walking through a UBE secured transactions essay question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach Multistate Essay Examination questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why you should be spending the majority of your essay-writing time on analysis The power of the word “because” in a bar exam essay What the bar examiners are looking for, and why memorizing the law is not enough Why solid analytical skills can save your a...
Mar 18, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about dealing with panic on the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: How to handle feelings of anxiety that arise on exam day Tools for mitigating panicked feelings and regaining focus Why you need to have a plan, and practice your plan, for approaching questions on the bar Why taking time to outline is one key to avoiding panicked mistakes in your writing How to cope when you don’t know the law How to manage your time so you do...
Mar 11, 2019•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on corporations. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why memorizing concise, effective rule statements and attack plans is key to writing passing essays What should (and should not) be included in rule statements in a California bar essay How to use overarching rules to frame your answer, and how to incorporate ...
Mar 04, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to support your significant other or loved ones during the bar exam. If your partner is studying for the bar exam, tune in (or feel free to pass this one along to loved ones, if you're the bar studier). In this episode, we discuss: How to prepare your loved ones for the reality of bar exam studying What you can do to manage expectations and maintain your relationships Why you need to carve out time off for your loved on...
Feb 25, 2019•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're walking through a Civil Procedure MEE question. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE. In this episode, we discuss: Why crafting effective rule statements is one of the keys to a successful bar exam essay How to identify the relevant rules using the facts in the question How to handle complex essays in a short time frame Strategies for organizing your essay efficiently What to do if you can’t rem...
Feb 18, 2019•26 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are walking through a California bar exam question on wills and community property. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach California bar exam questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why it is so important that California bar studiers develop excellent issue spotting skills Why you need to become an expert at reading the facts and figuring out what the bar examiners are telling you How to use the call of the question to hel...
Feb 11, 2019•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to pass the bar exam in 10 days (and why this plan is probably a bad idea). In this episode, we discuss: Why this is definitely a bad plan, but that it’s not impossible to pass with limited study time How to give yourself the best shot at passing What resources to use to take advantage of the time you do have Why you can’t afford to skip practicing all areas of the exam Why now is the time to memorize attack plans, not ...
Feb 04, 2019•36 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're talking about goal-setting and changing bad bar exam study habits. In this episode, we discuss: What ‘shrinking change’ is and why you should consider it Why small, attainable goals are the key to lasting change Why relying on willpower alone to get through your bar studying is a mistake (and what to do instead) Why being realistic and paring down your goals is sometimes what you need to do to succeed The Circle method – how something as ...
Jan 28, 2019•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how the bar exam poses unique challenges to foreign-trained attorneys. In this episode, we discuss: When and how you should start learning substantive law Why it’s important to only take the bar exam when you are ready Why traditional bar exam preparation courses may not be enough for foreign-trained attorneys What resources you can use to supplement traditional bar exam preparation and simplify your approach The extra chal...
Jan 14, 2019•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing how to balance the law and your analysis on a bar exam essay, and why the ratio of law to analysis may be very different than you think! In this episode, we discuss: Why memorizing the law is important, but not enough to pass the bar exam How much law you really need to know for the bar exam How to balance law and analysis, and what the ideal ratio is for a good essay What you do need to memorize, and how to use it effectively...
Jan 07, 2019•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are discussing a Wills and Trusts MEE question. This is part of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE. In this episode, we discuss: Why practice is the best way to improve your issue-spotting How to issue spot a bar exam essay question Why issue spotting is key to organizing your essay How spotting legal ambiguities will help you prioritize your time and organize your answer Resources: Wills and Trusts Question (...
Dec 17, 2018•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're sharing our top 10 tips to handle working and studying for the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: How to fit studying into your life when you’re also working Why you should try to study full-time for at least a few weeks Why being realistic is the key to being successful Studying smart: what it is and how to do it Why you need to practice, practice, practice Why building a support network at work and at home is crucial Resources: Priv...
Dec 10, 2018•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing what you can learn from your score report if you failed the bar exam. Don't just put it in a drawer! In this episode, we discuss: Why you can’t afford to bury your head in the sand about your bar exam scores Where to look to figure out what went wrong, and how to get access to your essays (even if you’d prefer not to!) How to make sense of the numbers in your scores and tailor your next round of studying to what actually happe...
Dec 03, 2018•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're walking through a California bar exam question on professional responsibility and evidence. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach bar exam essay questions. In this episode, we discuss: Why it is so important that California bar studiers practice planning essay answers Why you need to make sure your bar study materials are up to date on the law The importance of knowing professional responsibility backwards and forwards ...
Nov 26, 2018•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, Lee discusses a corporations MEE question and walks you through how to plan an answer. This is one of our series of podcasts on how to approach each section of the UBE. In this episode, we discuss: Why it is so important that bar studiers practice planning their essay answers How identifying major and minor issues is critical to maximize your score How planning will help you ensure a clean, professional essay Practical ways to incorporate plan...
Nov 19, 2018•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today is the second episode in our two-part series analyzing real MBE questions. Lee and guest Sean Silverman, an MBE expert, walk through several MBE questions and give their take on how best to approach them. In this episode, we discuss: Why you really do need to memorize the law in addition to using strategy to succeed on the MBE How to use your common sense and understanding of policy to find answers when you don’t remember the law How reading th...
Nov 12, 2018•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, Lee walks through some past MBE questions with guest Sean Silverman, an MBE expert. In this episode, we discuss: Different approaches for reading MBE questions, and how to figure out what works for you Tricks for discerning the incorrect answers that often trip up test-takers on the MBE How to read the clues that MBE questions often contain to help you spot the issues and the correct answer How we would approach three real MBE questions Resour...
Nov 05, 2018•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today, we’re here with Mihal Ansik, one of our expert California bar exam tutors, walking step-by-step through a real California bar question and discussing how to effectively read the facts. This one is extra long, but worth it! In this episode, we: Discuss how to effectively and efficiently read a bar question with an eye for the facts. Provide paths to avoid common mistakes in reading fact patterns, including some unconventional tricks for overeag...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today, we’re here with Ariel Salzar, one of our most experienced bar exam tutors, discussing the top 5 mistakes students consistently make when studying for the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: The biggest mistake – failing to practice enough under exam conditions – and what "exam conditions" actually means Why “minimum competency” does NOT mean you don’t have to know the law that well The danger of not identifying and working on your problem a...
Oct 15, 2018•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're discussing our top tips for mastering the MBE portion of the bar exam. If you’re taking the exam in nearly any jurisdiction you'll have to take the MBE so don’t miss this episode! In this episode, we discuss: What exactly is the MBE and why is it so difficult? Why typical multiple choice tricks aren’t effective on the MBE How to put the fact reading and legal analysis skills you’re learning in legal essay writing practice to use on MBE q...
Oct 01, 2018•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today we're talking about smart ways to study for the bar exam if you are a kinesthetic learner. While this may be the least likely learning style for law students and lawyers, this episode is chock full of great tips that anyone can use to mix things up! In this episode, we discuss: What is a kinesthetic learner and how do you know if you are one? Why the typical bar study routine will likely not work for you – or be of very limited help – and why y...
Sep 17, 2018•40 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking about how best to study for the bar exam if you're a visual learner. We have lots of fun techniques to discuss (which all types of learners can use), so tune in! In this episode, we discuss: What is a visual learner and how do you know if you are one? Why it's so important to evaluate what your most effective study techniques were in law school and focus on those (instead of obsession over how everyone else thinks you should be s...
Sep 03, 2018•41 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast. Today, we're talking about studying for the bar as an auditory learner, along with some techniques anyone can use, even if this is not your preferred learning style. In this episode, we discuss: What is an auditory learner and how do you know if you are one? Specific study techniques for auditory learners like recording yourself reading your outline – really, it helps! Why even auditory learners should combine techniques from other learning styles to...
Aug 20, 2018•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
