20 TIPS: WHY REPEAT BAR EXAM TAKERS DON’T GET PASSING BAR EXAM RESULTS AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THESE MISTAKES — PART 2 of 2
20 Tips: Why Repeat Bar Exam Takers Don’t Get Passing Bar Exam Results and How You To Avoid These Mistakes — Part 2 of 2
Mistake 11: Negative Self Talk
You are capable, intelligent, and successful!
There are too many people on this Earth ready to talk crap about you. So...why would you talk crap about yourself? Then, after you talk your own self-crap, you have to wade through it, convince yourself that you’re awesome so that you can throw yourself into bar prep? That’s a lot of work. Bright idea: What if there were no crap to wade through?
The Fix: Develop a positive self-talk habit. Repeat affirmations like "I am capable, intelligent, and successful,” “I believe in myself,” “Every day, I am becoming more prepared for the bar exam,” “My discipline and hard work are paying off.”
Mistake 12: Time Management Meltdown on Exam Day
Time really is of the essence at the bar! Develop a winning strategy to finish on time.
The Fix: During practice exams, rigorously track your time. Develop a plan to allocate your time efficiently. Should you do shorter questions first? Stronger subjects first? Maybe all con law related questions together? Or, just take ‘em as they come? You won’t know if you don’t practice.
Mistake 13: Panic Button Freeze
Feeling overwhelmed is normal but letting it paralyze you is a problem.
The Fix: Develop coping mechanisms to implement so you can prevent paralysis. Practice calming techniques and deep breathing exercises and calming techniques to manage exam day jitters. What will your pre-exam routine be? How will you promote focus and reduce anxiety? Have you considered working with a therapist?
Mistake 14: Weak Typing Skills
Your typing sucks and you know it. Listen: Typing is learned. Even digital natives were not birthed knowing how to type!
The Fix: If your typing could be stronger, fix it. If you make a lot of typos and can’t just ignore them at the bar exam, fix it. Find an online typing program. There are plenty of free ones. Reach out if you want to know my fave.
Mistake 15: Legalese Overload
As a former legal writing professor, I’m here to tell you: Legalese impresses exactly NO ONE. USDC Judge Debra M. Brown opined that a document was “riddled with legalese but lack[ed] any semblance of coherent argument.” Learn this lesson. Clear arguments rule on the bar exam.
The Fix: You want clear, concise, and professional writing in your essays. Avoid overly complex legalese and focus on effectively communicating legal concepts efficiently.
Mistake 16: Fact Pattern Faux Pas
Getting passing bar exam results requires a firm grip on the fact pattern. Don't invent facts that don't exist! You can make reasonable inferences that are supported by the fact pattern, but you cannot make up facts.
The Fix: Carefully analyze the fact pattern provided and the call of the question. Base your analysis on the information given and avoid introducing extraneous facts.
Mistake 17: Not Seeking Professional Help
You don't have to do this alone. A bar exam coach can be your secret weapon!
The Fix: Consider getting help from a bar exam coach or tutor. An experienced bar exam coach can teach you the necessary law, provide personalized feedback, develop a customized study plan, and offer invaluable support throughout your journey.
Mistake 18: Giving Up After Failing Again
Discouraged? It happens to the best of us. But remember, perseverance is key!
The Fix: Failing the bar exam is a setback, not a dead end. Take some time to regroup, re-evaluate your strategy, and reach out to your support system. Remember, many successful attorneys have passed the bar exam after multiple attempts.
Mistake 19: Losing Sight of Your Dream
Remember why you started! Stay focused on your ultimate goal of becoming a lawyer!
The Fix: Visualize yourself getting your license. Let that vision drive and keep you motivated throughout bar prep and the bar exam.
Mistake 20: Ignoring Proven Study Methods
If you’re highlighting, re-reading, watching lectures, outlining outlines, or listening to audio as your main bar prep methods, you are missing out. Studies show that these methods are inefficient and ineffective.
The Fix: Embrace Active Recall. Ditch passive memorization. Use QLists, flashcards, practice questions, and self-explanation techniques to actively retrieve information from memory.
❤️ Michele
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