Brian, Author at Make This Your Last Time

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024 - No Comments

Third-time Passer Reveals How to MASTER the Law

Saurabh attempted the California Bar Exam three times since 2019. Then he passed the 2024 July exam.

💬 “This was my third attempt.

2019 was first. Which I had combined with another trip I had to take to US.

Then covid happened and there was a gap and I was not confident about exam prep.

Plus full time job. I gave again in July 2023, where I scored pretty close to passing.”

How did he manage to pass this time?

There are clear themes that you’ll find useful whether you’re a first timer or especially if you’re a repeater.

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 - No Comments

Online Law School Graduate Passes CA Bar Exam on First Try (by Personalizing Prep)

Lalo graduated from an online law school graduate.

💬 “I went to a fully online law school . . . and though it was a 4 year program I completed it in 5 years, all while working a full time job.”

This shows it’s not about pedigree or how you did in school. Consider the bar exam a separate skill from law school. You start from a clean slate and develop the right strategies for you.

That’s how I made it out with a law school GPA of 2.833, though it took me two tries to figure it out.

This is how Lalo made it out in one attempt.

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 - No Comments

How a Full-time Working Father Passed the CA Bar Exam (by Streamlining Resources)

Michael was a part-time law student, an older test taker, and a full-time working father who had dreams of becoming an attorney.

💬 “I delayed my dream of becoming an attorney for decades for my family, my career, and just the thought of four years of part-time law school, plus this exam (and the financial and opportunity costs, because I would have to take less responsible or less demanding roles in my career to make this work).

I’m an older test taker, looking for a second career. I’m a full-time working father, with a family. I hate my current career and what it’s become, and need to become an attorney for my own sanity (although this choice for sanity may be questionable).“

Michael, 2024 July California Bar Exam passer

Busy guy! But the message here isn’t that anyone can pass simply by desiring it.

Yes, you are capable, but this ain’t some story about rolling down a rainbow that came out of a unicorn’s ass. You get what you fight for, not what you wish for.

💬 “Studying for this exam takes up so much time. It becomes all-life-consuming.”

Fortunately, I’m used to making dreams come true.

And dreams did come true for this family man when he passed the California Bar Exam on his second attempt in July 2024. The star today is Michael, and I’m pleased to debrief how he pulled it off.

December 4, 2024December 10, 2024 - 2 Comments

Doing What “Works for You” in Bar Prep

How bar takers view the prep process has shifted over the last 10 years:

Standard advice 10 years ago: Follow the program. Trust the system.
Past few years: Movement toward independent self-study and people advising others to “do what works for you” or “do what’s best for you.”

But what does that mean?

“Do what works for you” can be vague and circular because knowing what works for you may be a product of hindsight.

If you already knew what was best for you, you’d be doing it already.

November 30, 2024November 30, 2024 - 4 Comments

Two Biggest Fears of a Bar Exam Taker

“I need to know all the law first!”

What were those three years of law school for? Never mind.

There’s this strange concern in the atmosphere floating around.

A concern that if you don’t know it all, then you won’t be prepared to solve the problems… The thought that all you need to do well on the bar exam is to “have the information”…

So you sit there, fold your arms, and wait for osmosis. You wait. Maybe your soulmate will one day knock on your door, too.

And then when you finally flip open that essay after weeks of “studying”…

You stare at the blank page.

In front of you, a blank canvas ready to be filled but only reflecting a harsh stillness.

The cursor blinks at you, urging you to fill the awkward silence.

Cold sweat squeezes out of pores you didn’t even realize you had on your body. 😓

“…”

You decide to hit the books and videos again. Maybe you just need to study a little more…

You’re mostly grasping the material, but then when you take a practice exam it’s like everything you know is out the window.

WTF? Why didn’t it work?