Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are sharing some updates that have recently come from the California Bar, as we're watching how the new bar exam will be launched in February 2025, in partnership with Kaplan. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is the "California Bar Exam Experiment"?
• How can you participate in the experiment?
• Timeline of the new California bar exam
• Upcoming changes in the exam format

Resources:

• California Bar Exam Courses and Tools (https://barexamtoolbox.com/california-bar-exam-courses-tools/)
• California Bar Exam Experiment (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Exam-Experiment)
• Frequently Asked Questions: California Bar Exam Experiment Phase One (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/California-Bar-Exam-Experiment-Phase-One-FAQ.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 277: California Is Outsourcing the Bar Exam to Kaplan?!? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-277-california-is-outsourcing-the-bar-exam-to-kaplan/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/the-california-bar-exam-experiment/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! What are the most common reasons people fail the bar exam? Today, two of our Bar Exam Toolbox tutors (Hoang and Adam) join us to share their perspectives on this topic.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The most common reasons for failing the bar exam
• What is the most important thing someone should consider when re-taking the bar?
• What is the one thing our tutors find themselves saying over and over again to students?
• Coping mechanisms and mental preparation

Resources:

• Practice of the Week (POW) MBE Workshop (https://barexamtoolbox.com/practice-of-the-week-pow-mbe-workshop/)
• Bar Exam Writing Help (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-writing-help/)
• I Failed! (https://barexamtoolbox.com/i-failed-the-bar-exam/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-280-why-do-people-fail-the-bar-exam-bet-tutors-weigh-in-part-1/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing how to approach preparing to retake the bar after failing the first time, or even multiple times. We talk about some common reasons why people fail the bar exam, and share tips on how to avoid study habits that generally do not serve students well.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Using past exam results for feedback
• Evaluating and improving study habits
• Common mistakes during bar prep and how to avoid them
• When to start doing practice questions
• Writing strong legal analysis

Resources:

• Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)
• I Failed! (https://barexamtoolbox.com/i-failed-the-bar-exam/)
• Podcast Episode 152: Practical Aspects of Retaking the Bar Exam After a Failure (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-152-practical-aspects-of-retaking-the-bar-exam-after-a-failure/)
• Podcast Episode 236: Quick Tips – Framing Failure as Feedback (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-236-quick-tips-framing-failure-as-feedback/)
• Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered; Failing and Retaking the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/your-frequently-asked-questions-answered-failing-and-retaking-the-bar-exam/)
• Taking the Bar Exam Again? Tips for the Second Time Around (https://barexamtoolbox.com/taking-the-bar-exam-again-tips-for-the-second-time-around/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-279-quick-tips-retaking-the-bar-exam-after-failing/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is the second installment of our episodes on partnerships. In part one, we covered the creation of the three main types of partnerships – general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. Today we will focus on the power and liability of partners in a partnership. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Authority of partners in a partnership
• Liability of partners in different partnership types:
  • General partnership
  • Limited partnership (LP)
  • Limited liability partnership (LLP)
• Applying the rules to two hypos from previous California bar exams

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2023 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/July-2023-CBX-Questions-and-Selected-Answers.pdf)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2014 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2014CBX_SelectedAnswersEssays1-6_R.pdf)
• Podcast Episode 84: Tackling an MEE Partnerships Essay (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-84-tackling-an-mee-partnerships-essay/)
• Podcast Episode 269: Listen and Learn – Creation of Partnerships (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-269-listen-and-learn-creation-of-partnerships/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-278-listen-and-learn-partnership-liability/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about California's surprising recent decision to outsource the development of part of the next bar exam to Kaplan.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Recap of the changes to the California bar exam starting in February 2025 
• How is a completely remote bar exam going to work?
• When to expect prep materials to be released?
• Potential legal issues due to copyrighted questions
• Focusing on what you have control over

Resources:

• Practice of the Week (POW) MBE Workshop (https://barexamtoolbox.com/practice-of-the-week-pow-mbe-workshop/)
• UWorld (https://www.uworld.com/)
• AdaptiBar (https://www.adaptibar.com/)
• BARBRI (https://www.barbri.com/)
• Kaplan (https://kaplan.com/)
• Board of Trustees Authorizes Pursuit of a California Bar Exam Development Contract with Kaplan (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/board-of-trustees-authorizes-pursuit-of-a-california-bar-exam-development-contract-with-kaplan)
• State Bar, Kaplan, Sign Five-Year California Bar Exam Development Contract (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/state-bar-kaplan-sign-five-year-california-bar-exam-development-contract)
• California signs deal with Kaplan for bar exam with plan for potential copyright issues (https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/california-signs-deal-with-kaplan-for-bar-exam-with-plan-for-potential-copyright-issues)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-277-california-is-outsourcing-the-bar-to-kaplan/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing general, special, and quitclaim deeds, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series. We explain the role of these deeds in property transfer, focusing on the protections they offer to grantees, and go through sample questions to see how these topics can show up on the bar exam.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Present and future covenants contained in general warranty deeds
• Special warranty deeds overview and examples
• Quitclaim deeds overview and examples

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
• California Bar Examination – Essay Questions and Selected Answers, July 2016 (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/gbx/July2016_CBXSelectedAnswers_EssayQuestions1-6_R.pdf)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-276-listen-and-learn-general-special-and-quitclaim-deeds-property/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss how foreign-trained students can overcome the hurdles they face when it comes to the bar exam, including language barriers, differences in laws and legal systems, and adapting to American testing formats.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Challenges faced by foreign-trained attorneys taking the bar exam
• Understanding U.S. laws and legal systems
• Preparing for the bar exam testing format
• Bar prep timeline and resources
• Which bar classes are the most critical for LLMs?

Resources:

• The Brainy Bar Bank: Streamlining Bar Study (https://barexamtoolbox.com/brainy-bar-bank/)
• SmartBarPrep (https://smartbarprep.com/)
• AdaptiBar (https://www.adaptibar.com/)
• UWorld (https://www.uworld.com/)
• BarEssays.com (https://www.baressays.com/)
• Podcast Episode 29: Taking the Bar Exam as a Foreign-Trained Attorney (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-29-taking-the-bar-exam-as-a-foreign-trained-attorney/)
• Podcast Episode 242: Quick Tips – How to Avoid Running Out of Time on the Performance Test (PT) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-242-quick-tips-how-to-avoid-running-out-of-time-on-the-performance-test-pt/)
• Preparing for the Bar Exam as a Foreign Lawyer (https://barexamtoolbox.com/preparing-for-the-bar-as-a-foreign-lawyer/)
• Five Special Techniques for English as a Second Language (ESL) Bar Takers (https://barexamtoolbox.com/five-special-techniques-for-english-as-a-second-language-esl-bar-takers/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-275-bar-exam-challenges-and-strategies-for-international-attorneys/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the expectation damages of sellers and buyers of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sellers' expectation damages
• Buyers' expectation damages
• Hypothetical scenarios dealing with remedies for breaches of contract

Resources:

• "Listen and Learn" series (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-archive-by-topic/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-explaining-individual-mee-and-california-bar-essay-questions/#listen-learn)
• Podcast Episode 119: Listen and Learn – Anticipatory Repudiation (Contracts) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-119-listen-and-learn-anticipatory-repudiation-contracts/)
• Podcast Episode 164: Listen and Learn – Contract Defenses (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-164-listen-and-learn-contract-defenses/)
• Podcast Episode 171: Listen and Learn – Expectation and Consequential Damages (Contracts) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-171-listen-and-learn-expectation-and-consequential-damages-contracts/)
• Podcast Episode 213: Listen and Learn – Material Breach vs. Minor Breach (Contracts) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-213-listen-and-learn-material-breach-vs-minor-breach-contracts/)
• Podcast Episode 226: Listen and Learn – More Contract Defenses (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-226-listen-and-learn-more-contract-defenses/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-274-listen-and-learn-ucc-expectation-damages-contracts/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we highlight the unique challenges that ESL and foreign-trained attorneys face while studying for the bar exam, and we provide tips to address and overcome these issues.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Main challenges for ESL and foreign-trained bar takers
• When to start studying for the exam
• How to practice for the different exam components
• Learning to prioritize your study efforts
• Working on memorizing rule statements
• Improving clarity in writing

Resources:

• Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/)
• SmartBarPrep (https://smartbarprep.com/)
• Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/)
• Podcast Episode 29: Taking the Bar Exam as a Foreign-Trained Attorney (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-29-taking-the-bar-exam-as-a-foreign-trained-attorney/)
• Five Concerns Foreign Bar Takers Have and How to Combat Them (https://barexamtoolbox.com/five-concerns-foreign-bar-takers-have-and-how-to-combat-them/)
• Five Special Techniques for English as a Second Language (ESL) Bar Takers (https://barexamtoolbox.com/five-special-techniques-for-english-as-a-second-language-esl-bar-takers/)
• Preparing for the Bar as an ESL Student (https://barexamtoolbox.com/preparing-for-the-bar-as-an-esl-student/)
• Preparing for the Bar Exam as a Foreign Lawyer (https://barexamtoolbox.com/preparing-for-the-bar-as-a-foreign-lawyer/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-273-quick-tips-mastering-the-bar-exam-as-an-esl-or-foreign-trained-student/)

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

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with therapist Angela Corbett from TrueCandor Behavioral Health about handling anxiety when studying for the bar exam and on test day.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Understanding anxiety and its manifestations
• Tips for coping with anxiety during the bar prep period
• Managing anxiety on test day
• Determining whether you should postpone taking the exam
• Bar exam accommodations for people struggling with anxiety

Resources:

• TrueCandor Behavioral Health (https://truecandor.com/)
• Podcast Episode 39: Batting Test Anxiety in Law School and on the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-39-battling-test-anxiety-law-school-bar-exam/)
• Podcast Episode 219: Quick Tips – Breathing Exercises for Test-Day Anxiety (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-219-quick-tips-breathing-exercises-for-test-day-anxiety/)
• How to Manage Your Anxiety in the Days Before the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-manage-your-anxiety-in-the-days-before-the-bar-exam/)
• Test Anxiety and the Bar Exam: How Should You Handle It? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/test-anxiety-bar-exam-will-effect/)
• Seeking Accommodations on the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/seeking-accommodations-on-the-bar-exam/)

Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-272-coping-with-anxiety-during-bar-prep-and-on-exam-day-w-angela-corbett/)

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