Author: Brian

Posted on - No Comments on How Richard Passed the UBE by Adding 28 Points to His Score (and Finding the Courage to Stray from The Plan)

How Richard Passed the UBE by Adding 28 Points to His Score (and Finding the Courage to Stray from The Plan)

Richard passed the February 2025 Illinois Bar Exam (UBE) with a score of 283 on his second attempt.

Now he can practice in 41 jurisdictions in the U.S.

💬 “I’m excited to say I passed the Illinois bar with a 283, and I truly believe your materials were a big part of that. I’d previously scored a 255, and this time around I made a huge jump.”

💬 “By the time the exam rolled around, I felt more grounded, more in control, and honestly, more optimistic. And sure enough, I went from a 255 to a 283.”

Let’s see how Richard added 28 points to his score, going from ineligible to practice anywhere to eligible in any UBE state.

Continue reading “How Richard Passed the UBE by Adding 28 Points to His Score (and Finding the Courage to Stray from The Plan)”
Posted on - No Comments on Lessons from Passing the UBE (Utah Bar Exam) with a 314

Lessons from Passing the UBE (Utah Bar Exam) with a 314

“N” passed the February 2025 Utah Bar Exam (UBE), scoring a whopping 314 on her first attempt.

💬 “Just got my results yesterday! I passed the UBE with a score of 314!!!”

Epic!

For context, most UBE jurisdictions require a score 266 or 270 to pass, and scores over 300 are rare. So N really outdid herself.

Of course, I had to ask how she pulled it off so I can share it with you.

Continue reading “Lessons from Passing the UBE (Utah Bar Exam) with a 314”
Posted on - No Comments on What does the email from the California State Bar mean (Feb 2025 scoring recommendation)?

What does the email from the California State Bar mean (Feb 2025 scoring recommendation)?

You may have gotten this email if you took the 2025 February California Bar Exam:

(You know the one where the exam software wasn’t working and some people even had to retake it in March?)

What does it mean for the raw passing score of 560 to be dropped to 534?

Continue reading “What does the email from the California State Bar mean (Feb 2025 scoring recommendation)?”
Posted on - No Comments on Manfred’s Classic Approach to Bar Prep (and Moving Past Plateaus)

Manfred’s Classic Approach to Bar Prep (and Moving Past Plateaus)

Manfred passed the 2024 July California Bar Exam on his first try.

💬 “I passed as a first-time taker thanks to you!”

The story he sent in about his study process was a complete story arc, a great reminder of how to pair memorization and practice, and how to navigate the plateau that you’re sure to experience.

He started with a typical approach, starting right after graduation and using Barbri.

💬 “I am a K-JD who graduated from UCLA Law this past May. Due to my circumstances (like having plenty of time to study), I did fairly well in law school. I knew what the Bar would be like structurally due to prior exposure, and I knew that I would expect to be studying around 8 hours a day, every day, for at least two months. I started studying for the California Bar basically the week right after commencement.”

Let’s see how he did it.

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Posted on - No Comments on Repeating (and Passing) the Bar Exam by Choosing Resilience

Repeating (and Passing) the Bar Exam by Choosing Resilience

The bar exam can be an emotionally intense experience.

We all need a witness to our struggles. Don’t keep it locked up inside you. Sharing the ups and downs can be cathartic.

Jonathan took the time to send me a raw, heartfelt story of what it was like to fail…and then PASS the 2024 July CA Bar Exam.

💬 “When I found out I did not pass the bar, I was devastated; I let down myself and seemingly my family, my girlfriend, mentors, and everyone who had invested in me — how would I recover from this professionally and personally?”

Repeaters will know about the devastation and the identity crisis that comes with failing the bar exam.

Am I being dramatic?

Maybe. Regardless, if you don’t pass, there’s suddenly a ton of uncertainty and volatility about your future.

Choose resilience, or give up. It’s up to you.

💬 “Over my time re-studying for the exam, two thoughts persisted:

‘No…no, this is not how my story ends! I am not a failure or a quitter… I’ve never quit and why would I do it now? No…I have more in the tank’; and

the other was, ‘what if this repeats again…is it better to just take the foot off the gas? There are many people who understand how difficult this exam is…maybe I should use my degree for something adjacent.’ And then it hit me . . .”

How did he finally overcome the past that haunted him so?

Continue reading “Repeating (and Passing) the Bar Exam by Choosing Resilience”