| Wednesday, March 29, 2006 |
| Round 3: February 2006 |
By the time December rolled around I was feeling much better, centered and ready to start studying again. I found the most wonderful place, "Go West Young (Wo) Man" and the most wonderful people to study with while I was facing this last test.
I dropped some bucks for a personalized study program this test, one-on-one mentoring for writing since it looked like that was my problem. I went with The Study Group. And even though I failed, I would recommend those guys 1000 times over. They kick ass. They are completely available.
I studied like a machine. 6 days a week, 8 hours, 2 hour break, 3-4 hours in the evening for three months. I memorized NC blackletter for two solid weeks before the exam. I don't have my scores yet, so I don't know where I came up short. I'm still a little mystified......I thought I had covered all the bases this time, confronted all my scary monsters, studied every last goddamned thing that scared me even a little bit...... I did well over 150 essay questions and wrote them out.
And yeah, I am a little bitter. I have been drafting custody orders, deeds, legal descriptions and leases for well over a year now, I am competent for the love of god!!!! The actual practice of law is nothing like this test....but it doesn't seem to matter....
I thought when I first got my letter, I'm done with this. I'm not doing it again. But I've thought better of it. I will do this until I pass. Even if I never practice. No one is going to tell me I am "unsuccessful".......... |
posted by Bar Bitch @ 9:29 PM   |
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| 19 Comments: |
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I know that there is not alot I can say to make you feel better about Round 3 so I won't try to. All I can say after reading your Blog is that I have the highest respect for you and what you have been able to accomplish, yes accomplish, in the last two years despite the adversity you have faced. You will pass the bar exam if you keep trying and, when you pass, you will make an excellent lawyer. So much of this profession is picking yourself up when you are knocked down, whether by a judge, client or boss, and getting back into the fight, and having true empathy for the problems of your clients. You have these qualities and, if I lived in NC, would hire you as my lawyer in a New York minute.
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Hello! Just wanted to say that I admire your tenacity...after just skimming your blog, I can see that you have a lot on your plate. I can't imagine studying for the bar while working full time, much less having a three year old child to raise! Hats off to you - and best of luck next time.
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i saw on cali/roonie's blog the news regarding the latest bar exam. this is what i have to say: you are a star!!!! you WILL pass that bitch of a bar. you're going to do it in July 2006!!! i totally respect you for your motivation and determination to take it until you pass. with that kind of mindset, you're bound to make it happen. i mean, you won't ever pass if you don't take the test, so as long as you keep at it, you are gonna be an attorney. i am so proud of you for keepin' on with it. seriously. i failed the bar exam in july 2005 and just re-took it this feb. i don't have good feelings about the feb. test. alot of things went wrong the second time (my bubble sheet got screwed up, but i got the chance to fix it, but it still freaked me out), i thought 1 of the essays was crim law when it was civ pro and i made alot of the same mistakes in the essays the second time as i did in the first...so that means if there is bad news come may, i will have to get back on the horse (even though i really don't want to and it will be a damn struggle and for awhile i will act like i'm not taking it again by bitching and moaning and crying and being in denial and then i'll come aroung and take it again). having to take the exam the second time took everything out of me, but you have taken it 3 times and are committed to taking it as many times as necessary to pass. you're my hero!!! thanks for sharing your story and starting this blog. i think that having a bar community is the best thing about taking the bar (besides passing it and being an esq.).
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hello bar bitch,
sorry to hear about this latest one. i'm waiting for the CA bar out this may.. as i sit in my office room, looking out the window at the spectacular view, drafting a consolidated opposition to a demurrer and motion to strike. i totally feel you, "I am competent for the love of god!!!! The actual practice of law is nothing like this test....but it doesn't seem to matter...."
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I can't explain it, either. You studied hard...what the hell does it take to pass these things? Ugh! And moreover, why can some people do it once when some of us have to repeat, repeat, repeat? I don't get it.
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Hey, I think you are quite the person for standing up and trying it again instead of deciding that the test was unfair, or the environment of the room wasn't right, or whatever. All I've heard from the many, many people I know of who've failed the bar is what was wrong with the exam. Not one of them stood up and took it again to my knowledge. Way to go.
Shoot. Even Kennedy had to take it thrice. You are so not alone.
I'm rootin for you now. Don't quit until you pass. And when it's my turn, I'll do the same.
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Howdy! Just popped over from Cali's blog to say "hi" and "hang in there!"
Love the attitude - keep it up and go at it until you get it.
I'm so glad you know that this exam has absolutely NOTHING to do with intelligence, competence or anything really! It is just a test, a hurdle upon which an entire industry of examiners, bar prep lecturers, publishers and other folk depend for their daily bread.
I hope you gather a great community here to support one another through the next few months!
You will do it - you have the courage and determination to get it done. Good luck!
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Hey girl! Thanks for starting this blog. Keep up the good work.
I also took NC and failed....
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I applaud your courage and persistence. What a model for the rest of us!
Please let us know as soon as you have your scores. I'm dying to know how someone so extraordinarily prepared could still fail. Do you have any guesses?
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I am sorry, as I know how totally it sucks to fail the bar exam. I actually, miraculously passed it this time.
The thing I did differently was to sort of start from square one: I used the BarBri outlines, mostly, just read through them slowly. After reading through a subject area outline, I would do all of the BarBri questions, beginning even with the really easy ones. When I would start to miss too many, I would go back the outlines for awhile. After doing 200 or so, I could kind of see the areas that I was missing consistently, and would then go back to the outline on those areas. Also, as I did each question, I immediately read all of answer choices and explanations, while it was fresh in my mind. This method really worked for me. For the first time, I was getting 75-80 percent of the MBE questions correct leading up to the exam. All of hte lectures, CDs, etc. did nothing for me.
After all of the studying, my passing score wasn't that hot, but it was passing. Like you, I felt so miserable and actually hopeless, and kind of embarrassed by my situation. I lost a job over it, and basically worked as a paralegal until I passed. The most ironic thing is, I got a great job offer days before I knew my Feb. results -- they didn't care if I passed or failed.
Don't give up on things. I am also a single parent. I though my life couldn't get any suckier, and then things just kind of flipped drastically for the better. I, too, told myself I was finished with all of it, but was just taking it this one last time . . . and I passed.
Good luck to you!!!! Don't let this define who you are as a person, it's just a stupid fucking test.
Lula
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Hey Bar...
Though it may come completely unsolicited, I just wanted to offer a little bit of support and a few words of encouragement. I passed the bar on my third try. I hope the same is true for you. Similar to your experience, I foolishly relied on micromash materials to prepare for the exam. I am convinced that aside from the complete absence of study, there is no worse preparation than micromash. The last time I passed by simply writing and re-writing barbri mini-review outlines that a friend had given me and by taking PMBR. I strongly recommend this approach for those of us who cannot devote a solid six week block to study exclusively. Good luck, I look forward to reading of your good news here.
--Gregg
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I am sorry about your exam results. Have you used PMBR?
Can you tell me a little more about your experience with The Study Group? How were their audio lectures? Were they very helpful? Do you know anyone who used Study Group for NY?
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Hi! Thanks for starting a new site! I am going into round 2 this July and haven't quite figured out my plan of attack yet. For any 2nd, 3rd or 4th time passers, what was your retake strategy?
I pulled out my materials for about an hour this weekend and was frustrated to realize that I cannot remember much at all, even the basics.
Let the fun begin...
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Dear Friend -
I know you can pass your bar exam. Your MBE scores rocked. The bar exam is a bitch and if I ever had to take one again I would be very upset too, but determined to kick that bitch's ass! You can do it!
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Thanks for this site. I too failed the NC bar exam Feb 2006. Ironically, I passed the VA bar exam the first time 8 yrs ago. I failed by 1 point, and NC has not appeal process. Im still in denial, and I need to get my act together so I can start studying for the July exam. Good Luck
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I am retaking for the third time too. It is awesome to find a place where other people are taking this test.
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Love to everyone for the generous comments....and god knows don't we all need some love while we get ready for this test? again...?
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Your strength and resilience are amazing. I thought I had it hard when my exbf and I broke up 2 days after my Bar program began (my first time around) with no break b/w graduation and studying. You've overcome overwhelming odds, and you're a testament to the fighter within all of us. When you've passed and become an official attorney, you will continue to rock on! Keep the faith~ A fellow compatriot
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I know that there is not alot I can say to make you feel better about Round 3 so I won't try to. All I can say after reading your Blog is that I have the highest respect for you and what you have been able to accomplish, yes accomplish, in the last two years despite the adversity you have faced. You will pass the bar exam if you keep trying and, when you pass, you will make an excellent lawyer. So much of this profession is picking yourself up when you are knocked down, whether by a judge, client or boss, and getting back into the fight, and having true empathy for the problems of your clients. You have these qualities and, if I lived in NC, would hire you as my lawyer in a New York minute.