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

Bar Exam Toolbox
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!

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Summary of Real Property Topics (Part 1)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're taking a bird's eye view of some key Real Property topics we've covered in our "Listen and Learn" series. Specifically, we're focusing on property ownership and interests. Next week, we'll discuss property regulation and transfer. In this episode, we discuss: Concurrent estates Present and future estates Defeasible fees Non-possessory interests (easements and covenants) Examples illustrating the above concepts Resources: Podcast Episode 122: Listen and Learn – Easements (Real Property) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-epiusode-122-listen-and-learn-easements-real-property/) Podcast Episode 133: Listen and Learn – Covenants (Real Property) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-133-listen-and-learn-covenants-real-property/) Podcast Episode 250: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 1) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-250-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-1/) Podcast Episode 251: Listen and Learn – Present and Future Estates (Part 2) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-251-listen-and-learn-present-and-future-estates-part-2/) Podcast Episode 264: Listen and Learn – Concurrent Estates (Property) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-264-listen-and-learn-concurrent-estates-property/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-287-summary-of-real-property-topics-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

    8 min
  2. 28 OCT

    Listen and Learn -- Conclusory Pleadings Under Rule 12(b)(6) (Civ Pro)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing a topic from Civil Procedure – specifically, when is a pleading conclusory under the Twombly/Iqbal standard for assessing Rule 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss. In this episode, we discuss: Overview of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) Legal conclusions vs. factual allegations Analysis of a hypothetical case involving motions to dismiss 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 208: Listen and Learn – Motions to Dismiss a Case (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-208-listen-and-learn-motions-to-dismiss-a-case/) Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007) (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/550/544/) Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009) (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/556/662/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-286-listen-and-learn-conclusory-pleadings-under-rule-12b6-civ-pro/) 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

    13 min
  3. 21 OCT

    Reflections from a California Bar Exam Grader – Part 2 (w/Jennifer Barry)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're sharing Part 2 of our conversation with Jennifer Barry -- a tutor on the Bar Exam Toolbox team who's a former California bar exam grader. This time, we're focusing on avoiding common mistakes that examinees make. In this episode, we discuss: Common mistakes that bar examinees make Handwriting vs. typing your exam answers Following directions and avoiding pitfalls How has the bar exam changed over the years? Can a grader tell if you've used accommodations on the exam? Resources: Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Podcast Episode 265: Quick Tips – What If You Run Out of Time While Writing a Bar Essay Answer? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-265-quick-tips-what-if-you-run-out-of-time-while-writing-a-bar-essay-answer/) Podcast Episode 268: How to Avoid Common Bar Essay Writing Mistakes (w/Kelsey Lee) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-268-how-to-avoid-common-bar-essay-writing-mistakes-w-kelsey-lee/) Podcast Episode 284: Reflections from a California Bar Grader – Part 1 (w/Jennifer Barry) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-284-reflections-from-a-california-bar-grader-part-1-w-jennifer-barry/)   Bar Exam Tips and Tricks – What To Do When You Blank on Test Day (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-tips-and-tricks-what-to-do-when-you-blank-on-test-day/) What Are Bar Exam Graders Really Looking For? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/what-are-bar-exam-graders-really-looking-for/) Making the Bar Exam Grader's Life Easy and Showing Them You Deserve to Pass (https://barexamtoolbox.com/making-the-bar-exam-graders-life-easy-and-showing-them-you-deserve-to-pass/) Why Using IRAC Will Help You Pass the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/using-irac-will-help-pass-bar/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-285-reflections-from-a-california-bar-exam-grader-part-2-w-jennifer-barry/) 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

    21 min
  4. 14 OCT

    Reflections from a California Bar Grader – Part 1 (w/Jennifer Barry)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a California bar exam grader? Today we have Jennifer Barry -- a member of the Bar Exam Toolbox team and a  former California bar grader -- to shed some light on the bar exam evaluation process and what graders are looking for in essay answers.  In this episode, we discuss: Jennifer's background and how she became a bar grader Insights on how the bar grading process works in California How to make the grader's job easier and get the most points possible What to do if you draw a blank on the exam Common misconceptions people have about bar graders and the grading process How bar graders ensure consistency and fairness Resources: Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Podcast Episode 265: Quick Tips – What If You Run Out of Time While Writing a Bar Essay Answer? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-265-quick-tips-what-if-you-run-out-of-time-while-writing-a-bar-essay-answer/) Podcast Episode 268: How to Avoid Common Bar Essay Writing Mistakes (w/Kelsey Lee) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-268-how-to-avoid-common-bar-essay-writing-mistakes-w-kelsey-lee/) Bar Exam Tips and Tricks – What To Do When You Blank on Test Day (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-tips-and-tricks-what-to-do-when-you-blank-on-test-day/) What Are Bar Exam Graders Really Looking For? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/what-are-bar-exam-graders-really-looking-for/) Making the Bar Exam Grader's Life Easy and Showing Them You Deserve to Pass (https://barexamtoolbox.com/making-the-bar-exam-graders-life-easy-and-showing-them-you-deserve-to-pass/) Why Using IRAC Will Help You Pass the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/using-irac-will-help-pass-bar/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-284-reflections-from-a-california-bar-grader-part-1-w-jennifer-barry/) 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

    24 min
  5. 7 OCT

    Quick Tips -- Bar Exam Pre-Logistics

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode of our "Quick Tips" series, we have a bar exam survival kit, consisting of five important things to think about while preparing to sit for an exam administration. In this episode, we discuss: Deciding when and where to sit for the bar exam Knowing your jurisdiction Doing thorough research Taking note of all the deadlines The MPRE and character and fitness requirement Resources: Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) NCBE: National Conference of Bar Examiners (https://www.ncbex.org/) Podcast Episode 53: What to Do If Your Jurisdiction Is Adopting the UBE (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-53-what-to-do-if-your-jurisdiction-is-adopting-the-ube/) Podcast Episode 194: Quick Tips – The MPRE (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-194-quick-tips-the-mpre/) Podcast Episode 198: The NextGen Bar Exam (w/Doretta McGinnis) (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-198-the-nextgen-bar-exam-w-doretta-mcginnis/) 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/) Bar Exam 101: Have You Met Your Deadlines? (https://barexamtoolbox.com/bar-exam-101-have-you-met-your-deadlines/) How to Handle the Character and Fitness Portion of the Bar Application Process (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-handle-the-character-and-fitness-portion-of-the-bar-application-process/) Biggest Mistakes Applicants Make on Character and Fitness (https://barexamtoolbox.com/biggest-mistakes-applicants-make-on-character-and-fitness/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-283-quick-tips-bar-exam-pre-logistics/) 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

    9 min
  6. 30 SEPT

    The Most Common Reasons People Fail the Bar Exam (w/Ryan Gurson from Themis)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with guest Ryan Gurson -- attorney and Southeast Regional Director for Themis Bar Review. We're discussing preparation strategies for the bar exam, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive course completion, effective practice, and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to failing the exam. Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Get any 2025 Themis Bar Review course for just $1,695 – the year's lowest price – using the code BAREXAMTB1200 at checkout. (This offer is valid until October 31st, 2024.) In this episode, we discuss: What are the three most common reasons students fail the bar exam? Misconceptions about studying for the bar that might lead to failure What role does time management play in bar exam success or failure? Avoiding stress, anxiety, and burnout during bar prep How your study routine changes if you're using accommodations on the exam How to use the Themis Bar Review program in the most effective way Resources: Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/) I Failed! (https://barexamtoolbox.com/i-failed-the-bar-exam/) Private Bar Exam Tutoring (https://barexamtoolbox.com/private-bar-exam-tutoring/) Podcast Episode 52: Avoiding Burnout While Studying for the Bar Exam (https://barexamtoolbox.com/podcast-episode-52-avoiding-burnout-while-studying-for-the-bar-exam/) How to Pass the Bar By Doing What Makes You the Most Uncomfortable (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-pass-the-bar-by-doing-what-makes-you-the-most-uncomfortable/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-282-the-most-common-reasons-people-fail-the-bar-exam-w-ryan-gurson-from-themis/) 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

    48 min
  7. 23 SEPT

    Why Do People Fail the Bar Exam? BET Tutors Weigh In (Part 2)

    Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! What are the most common reasons people fail the bar exam? Today, two more of our Bar Exam Toolbox tutors (Nicola and Tina) 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/) How to Pass the Bar By Doing What Makes You the Most Uncomfortable (https://barexamtoolbox.com/how-to-pass-the-bar-by-doing-what-makes-you-the-most-uncomfortable/) Download the Transcript (https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-281-why-do-people-fail-the-bar-exam-bet-tutors-weigh-in-part-2/) 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

    20 min
  8. 21 SEPT

    Update 1: The "California Bar Exam Experiment"

    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

    17 min

About

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!

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