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  • A Few Thoughts for Those Retaking in February 2022
  • ABA Releases Data on Racial Disparity in Bar Pass
  • You’ve Got This!
  • Best Practices for Online Bar Examination Administration
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The Activist Guide to Passing the Bar Exam

Smash the Bar!

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A Few Thoughts for Those Retaking in February 2022

Allie Robbins November 14, 2021
frozen wave against sunlight
Photo by Hernan Pauccara on Pexels.com

I have recently speaking with people who will retake the bar exam in February, and here are a few thoughts it might be helpful to share more widely.

First, I am sorry you didn’t pass this time. I know it is painful. It’s a grieving process. You can be sad, angry, disappointed, etc. It can come and go like waves. The pain may continue to wash over you at various times, including particularly inconvenient ones like when you are about to sit down to do some practice. It’s ok to feel. It can be particularly frustrating to experience these feelings if you believe (as I do) that the bar exam is a terrible measure of whether one should be an attorney, and should be abolished. The disconnect between what you know in your head and what you feel in your heart can be jarring. But it’s ok to let yourself feel. You are human and an upsetting thing happened. But also work to let it go – take deep breaths through those tough moments. Really – take a deep breath in, hold it for two seconds, and take a deep breath out for even longer than you breathed in. Try it right now.

Write up your negative feelings on a piece of paper and then tear it up, throw it out, or even set it on fire (only if you have a safe, contained environment in which to do so). This can help you with the letting go process. You can even do this right before the exam on scrap paper – write out your negative feelings and then crumble up the paper.

In addition to the typical struggles involved with retaking the bar which I’ve written about here, here, and here, those of you taking the bar again this time likely have to deal with a format change. If you have taken the bar exam in the past year, you most likely took it entirely remotely, and will have to shift to taking it in-person in February. That means a few changes.

First, you will be given a packet of questions for each section. If you selected to use your laptop, you will be typing out your answers for the essays and MPTs. But, you will still be given a paper packet of essays and a paper packet of MPTs. On MBE day, you will be given a packet of MBEs and a sheet to fill in the bubbles. You have likely done all of your practice thus far on the computer because you were taking an online exam. Now, it’s best to shift to doing practice on paper so you are replicating the conditions under which you will take the exam. Taking the exam on paper can have its advantages – it will allow you to more easily circle, underline, and write notes on the page. People may read more in-depth on paper, which may mean you need to re-read fact patterns fewer times. It is certainly helpful not to have to scroll back and forth so much during the MPT.

But, having the exam on paper is likely to change your timing, as many people read more quickly on the screen because we are used to scrolling, as opposed to critically reading texts online. So, practice on paper from the beginning so that you can get your timing to where it needs to be. You can even find free printable bubble sheets to use while you are doing your multiple choice practice, to simulate what you will be doing on exam day.

The second difference, of course, is that you will be in person surrounded by other people. There will be noise, distractions, and probably masks. Practice wearing a mask while concentrating (and being nervous) for about 4 hours. Figure out which masks are the most comfortable (and bring backups). You will need to wear a mask, not only for the three-hour block of testing, but also as you go through security, sit in your seat and listen to instructions, and get on the line to return your materials and leave. If you haven’t been regularly wearing masks for long periods of time, it can take some getting used to.

Practice being in an environment where there are other people. You may not have taken exams around other people for a long time, and it’s better to remember what that is like before exam day. Do some practice questions in a coffee shop, library, co-working space, or somewhere else where there are people you don’t know. Review your jurisdiction’s security policy, and if you can bring in earplugs, try different kinds to see what you like best. Try them with your mask. Also review your jurisdiction’s security policy to see whether you can bring in hihglighters, colored pens, etc., so you know what you should be practicing with.

Third, find out where your jurisdiction gives the exam and figure out what you will need to do to get there. Book your travel and hotel accommodations early if you will have to travel.

Retaking the bar is stressful, but you can do it. Think about how far you have come over the past few years. Think back to your first week in law school and how much you have learned since then. You have accomplished so much. And you have done it all under unprecedented conditions in an incredibly stressful time. You can do this. But don’t just take it from me. Keep telling it to yourself. Build in a practice of positive mantras for yourself.

And remember your why – remember why you came to law school in the first place. Remember why you want to be a lawyer. Remember what is waiting for you on the other side of this exam. Keep that why close to you so that you can hold on to it when you’re struggling through difficult doctrine or a tough MBE set. The legal profession needs you.

  • For Bar Studiers

ABA Releases Data on Racial Disparity in Bar Pass

Allie Robbins June 23, 2021

Yesterday, the ABA released data on bar pass by race, ethnicity, and gender.

You can see the Law Journal article about it here.

The ABA also released its data to law school deans. You can find the raw data here.

Although nothing in the data is particularly surprising, it is helpful to have the actual numbers.

For their part, NCBE wished us all a happy pride month this week, so it seems like they’re really getting it.

  • For Bar Studiers

You’ve Got This!

Allie Robbins February 22, 2021

To everyone taking the bar exam tomorrow,

I know it’s cliche, but you’ve got this! Whether this is the first time you’ve taken the bar or not, take the exam with confidence. You have put in the work. You have the skills.

Talk to yourself throughout the exam. Be encouraging and calming.

Breathe deeply before each session, and try to breathe deeply throughout the exam.

Rest today. You have done enough. You will prevail.

  • For Bar Studiers

Best Practices for Online Bar Examination Administration

Allie Robbins February 21, 2021

The Association of Academic Support Educators‘ Bar Advocacy Committee released its best practices guide for online exam administration. It is definitely worth a read for anyone who cares about the integrity of the legal profession.

2020-AASE-Best-Practices-FINAL-signedDownload

  • For The Legal Academy

Congratulations and Thank You ASP!

Allie Robbins October 7, 2020
thank you heart text
Photo by Řaj Vaishnaw on Pexels.com

To my fellow academic and bar support teachers,

Congratulations and thank you! Congratulations on getting through the longest bar season ever! We’re used to long hard summers that lead into tough fall semesters. But, having to continue to support all of our bar studiers while welcoming 1Ls and teaching our other courses took things to a whole new level this year. We also had to respond to the increased emotional, physical, and financial needs of our bar takers while trying to figure out how to navigate our own lives in a COVID-19 world. It hasn’t been easy.

Yet, despite all that we were dealing with, the kindness and support that the academic support community showed one another was unparalleled. Thank you to all ASPers for the work that you do, and your unwavering support of your colleagues across the country. I feel extremely grateful to by part of this community. I have learned so much from so many of you, and have grown as a teacher because of every interaction I have with one of you.

I know the the bar ending has come just in time to help students prep for midterms, and February feels like it’s just around the corner. But, take a moment – or even a whole weekend! – to recognize how much you have done over the past several months and to celebrate you. The legal profession and the legal academy are so much better because of you.

  • For Bar Studiers

Congratulations Bar Takers!

Allie Robbins October 6, 2020

Congratulations to everyone who took the bar this week. You did it! You got through the most grueling and horrendous bar season in history. You pushed through and you took the exam. You should be very proud of yourself!

Give yourself a chance to rest and to celebrate. You are amazing!

  • For Bar Studiers

Regulate Your Sleep

Allie Robbins October 1, 2020

You may not be sleeping very well at this point. The bar exam is only a few days away and you may not have the healthiest routine. That’s ok, but now is the time to try to get yourself ready for exam day.

Style: "SheetMusic"

If you’ve been staying up late studying and sleeping late, try to get yourself on your bar exam day schedule. Gradually begin to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier so that your body gets used to it.

You will probably not sleep well the night before the bar exam. That’s ok, but it can be disastrous if you also haven’t slept for several days before. Sleep is not only important for focus, it actually aides in memory retention as well.

Now is not the time to burn the midnight oil. Now is the time to move yourself into a regular sleep pattern so you can be fresh for exam day.

  • For Bar Studiers

My MBE Scores Are Going Down!

Allie Robbins September 24, 2020

I’ve heard from a lot of people in the past day or so who are very concerned because their practice MBE scores are going down. Unfortunately, this is very common. It does not mean that you are forgetting everything, or that you are going to fail the bar. It happens to plenty of people, and they go on to pass.

There are a number of potential reasons for this decline, but the important things to remember are 1) you’re in good company, and 2) you’re still going to pass the bar.

Keep pushing forward. Try switching the source of your MBE questions. Try focusing on essays. You want to see as many fact patterns as possible, so read through several essays every day, issue spot, and read the model answer. You can even copy down the model answer if that helps you learn.

Be active. Don’t just read and re-read your outlines. Talk, write, test yourself.

Keep going. You’re so close to the finish line!

pexels-photo-262218
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
  • For Bar Studiers

Space Out Memorization and Practice

Allie Robbins September 21, 2020

You’ve only got two weeks left. Don’t try to master everything in a subject before moving on. You’re better off seeing everything more times, than spending 3 days on contracts/sales and never getting to wills and family law. Move through the subjects quickly, practicing to break up the memorization throughout the day. Follow the method of spaced retrieval. Here’s an article about it.

Most importantly, just keep going. You don’t have to know everything, and indeed it’s impossible to know everything. You will know most of it, and that will be enough.

blackboard business chalkboard concept

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

  • For Bar Studiers

RBG Would Want You To Keep Going

Allie Robbins September 18, 2020

To my bar studiers and students,

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died tonight. The country lost a shero. There is real fear about the days, months, and years ahead. But we can look to her life as an example of what we should do now.

She would want you to keep going. Justice Ginsberg fought and led for you to be where you are. I know it may feel absurd to pursue a law degree or license right now when it feels like everything is being dismantled. But that is exactly why we need you right where you are right now.

I know everyone needs to cry tonight. She deserves to be mourned. But tomorrow, pick up those books again. She made it possible for you to be in this space in this moment. She believed in the power of education and legal advocacy. She changed the world. Your presence in the legal profession matters just as much as hers did. We need you too.

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