| The California Bar Exam is considered by many to | | | | bar exam know just as much law, or even more |
| be the toughest bar exam in the nation. Although | | | | than the people who pass. The difference lies in |
| this may seem obvious, the California Bar Exam is | | | | the execution and how they structure their essay |
| administered to all bar examinees in all the | | | | answers. With regards to the substantive portion, |
| locations in which the exam is administered. So | | | | make sure you work on essay structure. Really |
| the examinees in Los Angeles will be given the | | | | focus in on the "A" of the IRAC. Avoid conclusory |
| same exact exam as those in Sacramento. One | | | | answers. You might have been given a pass in |
| of the reasons is that it is a three day exam, | | | | law school, but they will not tolerate conclusory |
| whereas many other states have only two day | | | | answers on the bar exam. Too many people |
| exams. And historically, the pass rate hovers | | | | place too much stock into issue spotting. |
| around 50% in July and dips down to around 40% | | | | However, issue spotting is only half the battle. |
| in February. (February is usually when the repeat | | | | The MBE is given on the sandwich day, the |
| examinees take the exam, although many | | | | second day. Three hours in the morning and in the |
| evening students take their first exam in | | | | afternoon of nothing more than multiple choice |
| February). | | | | questions. These questions are extremely tricky. |
| The toughest part of the exam is the substantive | | | | So try to go for volume when you are preparing. |
| section. This is the morning part on days one and | | | | However, just as important as doing the practice |
| three. This is where you will make most of your | | | | questions is reviewing the answers. |
| money. There are 17 subjects (depending on how | | | | The performance essays are the easiest part of |
| you define subject), and three of which will be | | | | the bar exam. However, this is no picnic either. It's |
| tested on three separate essays. Note, however | | | | kind of hard to do a whole lot of preparation for |
| that there are some cross-over essays. One of | | | | this part. The main thing you need to do is follow |
| the more popular cross-over is professional | | | | instructions. If they tell you to write a memo to |
| responsibility. This issue is often conflated with | | | | the senior partner, then write a memo to the |
| some other issues. | | | | senior partner and structure your answer |
| The substantive section is going to be the | | | | accordingly. If they tell you to write a memo to a |
| toughest. There is a lot of law to cover. | | | | high school drop out who's a dishwasher, they are |
| However, be advised that knowing the law is not | | | | giving you a strong hint that you should avoid |
| nearly enough. In fact, most people who fail the | | | | using big lawyer words like "collateral estoppel". |