I’m not going to say I didn’t try, didn’t study hard, didn’t work my butt off to earn a passing result, but, I was lucky. If the examiners had decided to test, instead, on certain areas of property law, civ pro, contracts, or remedies, these results could have been different. I know some people said they kind of brushed off community property because it had already been tested on July and so many times before. Others neglected torts because it was tested in July. And then there was me, who didn’t have a great approach to some of the more complicated subjects, and felt like community property and wills/trusts was the shortest outline and the easiest to memorize, and I lucked out on Day 3.
When I left the testing area that last day of February, I felt like God had done everything possible to put me in a position to pass. Which, is one of the reasons why – if I had failed again – I couldn’t bear the thought of going for a third round. I felt that, if I couldn’t pass this time, with these questions being dropped in my lap, how could I *ever* pass??? I was lucky.
I am so disheartened to see that many of my fellow bloggers weren’t so lucky. I looked at the cal bar site today and saw that only 39% of the Feb takers passed. THIRTY-NINE PERCENT. What is wrong with these examiners?!?!?! I hate it because I know that the majority of the remaining 61% would be competent, fantastic lawyers if only for this f*ing exam. My own joy is somewhat tempered by knowing that this moment – of all moments – is one that we cannot share. We have built a little online community that has provided support, encouragement, and a sense of camaraderie through some very dark days. We struggled together to come to terms with our initial failures, and rallied on through those three exhausting days again. And now – when we all should be celebrating, lines have been drawn. I cannot now say that “I know how you feel.” To not pass once is one thing, but to go through that again is a completely different monster. I am glad to see that some of you have already signed up for July – that takes a strength and perseverance that I’m not sure I would have. I hope so much that, next time, the cards fall *your* way and that, come November, we can celebrate your success.
I just graduated from law school and am getting ready for the July Bar exam…I came across your blog last week as I was searching for “Bar exam study tips” and have been crossing my fingers for you all week as you awaited your results! I am not looking forward to Bar/Bri this summer, but I am looking forward to that moment of pure joy when I *HOPEFULLY* find that I have passed. Your experience has shown me that even if I don’t have that moment the first time I take the bar (or the 2nd or 3rd…) I will just keep trying. Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment, and thanks so much for posting your thoughts and experiences. Best of luck to you!
By: A on May 18, 2008
at 1:03 pm
To an extent, the Bar exam is simply another barrier of entry and a way to limit the number of practicing attorneys in any given state. For example, Florida has too many attorneys so they continue to increase the score you need to pass the Bar. If everyone passed the exam, there would just be even more attorneys, and more people to compete with. If you look at states with fewer attorneys, you usually find the exams for admission to be much simpler – for example, graduate from a law school in our state.
By: J on May 19, 2008
at 7:51 am
I’m really glad you passed. I’m also glad that you are honest enough to say that you no longer know what it is like to have to keep going. Many people don’t understand that. All I can say is that by reading here, I can tell you’ve done all that was necessary for you to pass, you’ve worked very hard, you were lucky, and you got it. Now I imagine you’ll be moving on like most people do after they’ve passed – move on and try to forget they every had to go through this nonsense! One day I hope to be there myself. When I pass, I’ll happily write about it in my blog, and put the blog to rest for the final time.
By: legis on June 4, 2008
at 9:58 am