Two Vital Bar Review Tips

I have 2 tips for you today.  The first might seem “generic” at first – even cliché, but it is invaluable advice.  Here’s the first tip:

Bar Review doesn’t rule your life.  Sure, it may be a six-figure investment…but wait a minute.  Even if you have loans in the hundreds of thousands of dollars-range, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are allowed to take the stinking test multiple times.  Eventually, your education will pay off, and you will be an attorney.  So relax.  Don’t feel entitled to be a jerk/b*tch just because “you’re taking the bar exam.” Your friends and family who aren’t taking the bar or who never have just don’t understand, and they’ll view your selfishness as a reflection upon yourself, which it isn’t. 

Tip 2:

Practice essays over and over and over.  Not just the practice essays you might have assigned from the course you spent thousands of dollars to enroll in, but also essay questions from previous Bar Exams.  I suggest that you take a look at all of the law school websites in your state to find a possible list.  For example, I found this Virginia treasure trove of past exams.  The Bar Examiners in many states are lazy, which in my opinion is demonstrated by the fact that it isn’t uncommon to see the same question (with minor alterations, maybe) over the course of a period of years.   

"Using common sense can sometimes cover lost ground"

When it comes to Evidence, I’ve found that using common sense can sometimes cover the ground lost due to a forgotten rule.  My guess is that this is due to the fact that most of the Federal Rules of Evidence are based on rules that are in place for a reason.  It makes sense.  This is America – there aren’t any “extreme” rules or lack thereof.  If you forget a hearsay exception or other rule, just apply your common sense and a bit of logic.  Try not to think like a lawyer just yet.  Unless, of course, you do remember the rule.