Strategies | Page 2 of 15 | Make This Your Last Time

January 4, 2025January 22, 2025 - 11 Comments

Predictions for the Bar Exam (What to Focus On for Efficient Study)

Before every exam, a handful of people come out of the woodwork and shamelessly ask about subject predictions for the bar exam.

“Does anyone know the essay predictions?”
“What do you think will be tested?”
“I don’t think ____ will appear on the exam.”
“Anyone think ____ will be tested?”
“I know we’re not supposed to listen to predictions, but…”
“What are ____’s predictions?”
“Here are my MEE predictions!”

Whose speculations are you going to listen to?

If you’re like many bar takers, or if you’re a repeater, you say: “Haha of course I’m not going to rely on the predictions. I shall adequately study all the subjects. You should too!”

And then you panic and look at the predictions anyway.

Did you want me to tell you, “Aww poor baby, don’t worry. It’s normal and happens to the best of us 🥺”?

You SHOULD worry if you’re secretly tempted to rely on predictions… because this kind of thinking is entirely predictable and avoidable. Sweating about predictions is NOT a good place to be and requires intervention.

Also, remember when subjects actually leaked for the California exam in 2019 and people got mad over it? Do you want to know the subjects ahead of time or not? Make up your minds!

Maybe you’re too young to remember ancient history. I’ve been dealing with you people for too long.

Here’s why you should look toward essay/MEE predictions for entertainment value and morbid curiosity only:

(and 3 things you can focus on instead to take control over your studies)

January 3, 2025January 5, 2025 - 1 Comment

Passive Learning = Anxiety

Joe passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam on his first attempt. I got on a call with him to talk about how he pulled it off.

Like most people, he started off with a big bar review course.

Then he saw that the thing that was supposed to hold his hand through the process was actually giving him anxiety.

I think it’s important to recognize the ups and downs that come with this process. So I made sure to ask about the emotions involved in studying for this exam.

Of course, as always, I’ll pull out practical bar prep advice based on his success story.

Here’s a breakdown of my 33-minute interview with Joe. We talk about how he passed the bar exam by tailoring his bar review course, shifting to active learning, and maximizing his understanding of key areas.

January 2, 2025January 3, 2025 - No Comments

I got a little sassy at a Redditor at 3:30 AM

It’s time for “good cop, bad cop.”

I try to be a balanced and insightful voice in bar prep. I try to be understanding of what you’re going through… Here’s warm milk and cookies…

But some of us are still spacing out like the SLOW ASS drivers I screech past in LA Koreatown.

It’s clear that good cop isn’t getting the job done. I fear I’m turning too vanilla like every other bar blog (though vanilla is a goated flavor).

And so today, I’m the bad cop.

Worse, I’m your surrogate Asian dad who will draw out 125% of what you thought was your max power.

Yes, I already get saucy sometimes, but people are crying out to be told the truth. Sometimes you need a cold fucking shower to slap some sense into those neurons and remind them that they are alive.

December 28, 2024December 31, 2024 - No Comments

Pitfalls of Passive Learning in Bar Prep: What Will You Wish You Had Been Learning Today?

If there’s one thing I’d like you to not compromise in preparing for the bar exam, it’s practice and feedback.

“Yeah I know, DAD. That’s so obvious. DUH!” You whip your hair smugly. “It’s simple. Tell me something new.”

Yes, smartass, it is “simple.”

Yet why do some people end up cramming 2 weeks before the exam?

Is it because Barbri gave them lectures for 7 weeks (with a few exercise questions sprinkled in) to beat them into mind-numbing torpor… And then all of a sudden, it’s time to push them into the deep end of the pool?

“That’s all folks! Do some self-studying! PTs are easy! Good luck!!!!”

They did everything they were “supposed to.” What happened?

December 6, 2024January 14, 2025 - 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.