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The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress — Education
The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

The Bar Exam Toolbox podcast helps bar takers pass with less stress and anxiety. Hosted by bar exam experts Lee Burgess and Alison Monahan, the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from how to learn and memorize all the law you need to know for the bar exam, to how to write a passing essay, to how to get bar exam accommodations. If you’re struggling with the bar exam, or work with students who are, tune in for practical strategies for bar exam success!

Copyright: © Copyright Law School Toolbox, LLC

Latest Episodes:

059: The California Performance Test – Outlining and Drafting Your Answer Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this second part of a two-part episode, we are going through drafting an answer for the July 2018 California Performance Test. We recommend listening to last week's episode first, where we focused on reviewing the task memo, file, and library.

In this episode, we discuss:

The timing aspect of the performance test
A quick review of the IRAC, CRAC, and CREAC methods for legal analysis
Tips for drafting a structured outline
Highlighting the specific rules you'll use and which case the rule comes from
Writing your analysis in a way that argues a position
Drawing a strong conclusion which tells the reader why an issue should be resolved in a certain manner

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-59-the-california-performance-test-outlining-and-drafting-your-answer/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

058: The California Performance Test – Reviewing the Task Memo, File, and Library Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're walking through a Performance Test from the California Bar Exam. In this first part of a two-part episode, we are focusing on reviewing the task memo, file, and library for the Brief on the July 2018 California Performance Test. In the next episode, we'll talk about outlining and drafting your answer.

In this episode, we discuss:

The timing aspect of the performance test
Dissecting the task memo
How to use the file on the performance test
What to look for in the library
How making notes on the key facts you read will make your analysis more efficient
The black letter law on moral turpitude and what constitutes an excuse

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-58-the-california-performance-test-reviewing-the-task-memo-file-and-library/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

057: Using Mindfulness Techniques in Your Bar Exam Preparation Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Mindfulness is a common buzz word these days, but the reason it's so popular is that, for a lot of people, it really works. Today, we're discussing various mindfulness techniques to help you stay calm and collected while preparing for the bar exam, and beyond.

In this episode, we discuss:

How Alison and Lee got introduced to mindfulness
Why should you give mindfulness a try?
Common exercises that can help with forgiveness, procrastination, worry, anxiety, and sleep
Different apps and courses to guide you in getting started with mindfulness
How long does it take to create a new habit?

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-57-using-mindfulness-techniques-in-your-bar-exam-preparation/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

056: What Are the Bar Graders Looking For? Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing the specific things bar graders are looking for as they are going through stacks of student answers in a limited amount of time.

In this episode, we discuss:

Making each important issue stand out so it's easy to spot since the bar grader is reading your answer quickly
Using the facts given in the question precisely
Not focusing on extra law that you know, since it won't bring you more points
The pitfall of circular reasoning
Using IRAC and CRAC where appropriate, as well as headers and clear paragraphs to give structure to your writing
How bar graders can tell if you were panicking, running out of time, or planning as you wrote
Practicing and getting feedback so you can get used to how the exam is graded

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-56-what-are-the-bar-graders-looking-for/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

055: Using the Final Weekend of Bar Prep Effectively Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Studying for the bar exam is like a marathon -- you need to taper off your training in the final days so you can rest and restore energy. Today we are going through things to do during your final weekend of bar prep.

In this episode, we discuss:

Setting up your routine to match that of exam day, so your body can adjust
The importance of studying in the 3 or 3.5-hour blocks you will be doing the testing in
Going to the exam site to figure out how long the commute will take you
Spending some time on your weak areas of heavily-tested law
Making sure you have all your registration materials and other stuff you're going to take into the exam room ready
Finding a way to distract yourself and clear your head the Monday before the exam

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-55-using-the-final-weekend-of-bar-prep-effectively/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

054: Last-Minute Tips for the Performance Test Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we are sharing some last-minute tips to help you squeeze out as many points as you can from the performance test portion of the bar exam.

In this episode, we discuss:

The four different types of PT tasks, and their characteristics
How to think about the audience, tone, and organization for each of the task types
The difference between the IRAC and CREAC writing approaches
Tips for reading and interpreting the materials provided in the PT packet
A reminder to carefully read and follow the directions given on the performance test, so you are not losing easy points

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-54-last-minute-tips-for-the-performance-test/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

053: What to Do if Your Jurisdiction is Adopting the UBE Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! As we are seeing more and more jurisdictions switch to the UBE instead of a state-specific bar exam, many bar takers are being put in the position of taking a new bar exam, even if they are repeat takers. So, what does this mean for folks taking the UBE for the first time?

In this episode, we discuss:

Is it a good thing if your jurisdiction is switching to the Uniform Bar Examination?
Resources where you can learn more about the UBE
The importance of finding out what is the same and what is different in the UBE and state-specific exams, and building on the knowledge you already have
How to do focused practice and get feedback on your writing style
Should you forum shop?

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-53-what-to-do-if-your-jurisdiction-is-adopting-the-ube/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

052: Avoiding Burnout While Studying for the Bar Exam Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about how to avoid burnout while studying for the bar exam, and what to do if you feel that you're already burned out.

In this episode, we discuss:

What are the signs and symptoms of burnout?
The negative effects burnout can have on your bar prep, and sometimes your health
Why are so many bar studiers burned out?
Tips for avoiding mental exhaustion
How to get back on track if you are burned out

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-52-avoiding-burnout-while-studying-for-the-bar-exam/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

051: Making the Most of Your Bar Exam Practice Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Effective practice is not easy, but it's the best active learning you can do. Today, we're going through our top tips to get the most out of your bar exam practice and set yourself up for success on exam day.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why just doing lots of practice questions is not enough
How writing out your answers instead of outlining them is going to help you recall the specific language you will need on the test
The value of practicing under real exam conditions
Why it's important to spend time evaluating your work and rewriting questions
Where to find real graded essays and model answers for the California bar exam and the UBE
How by practicing with a lot of questions you will probably go through every rule that could be tested

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-51-making-the-most-of-your-bar-exam-practice/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

050: What We Discovered about the MBE from Explaining Lots of Questions Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're talking about what we learned about the MBE while creating the Practice of the Week (POW) MBE Workshop, and spending lots of time with the questions.

In this episode, we discuss:

The fact that none of the MBE questions are actually impossible, although they require very detailed knowledge of the law
The best approach to figuring out the right answer to each question
How by practicing with a lot of questions you will go through every nuance that could be tested
Why you should keep a Missed Multiple Choice document of the rules you didn't get right
How to know what's most likely to show up, and focusing the majority of your efforts on those areas
A few tips to help you push through and answer every question on the exam

Resources:

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-50-what-we-discovered-about-the-mbe-from-explaining-lots-of-questions/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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