SAY HELLO TO THE THE FALL 2020 BAR EXAM

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Conference of Bar Examiners announced that there will be an additional bar exam held sometime in Fall 2020. Update: NCBE announced that they will make bar exam materials available for two fall administrations in 2020: September 9-10 and September 30-October 1.

Whether they hold the July 2020 exam as anticipated is a state by state decision. However, the New York Court of Appeals has determined that New York Bar Examination will not be administered in July, and will be rescheduled for dates in the fall, to be determined.

Continue to monitor the state bar’s website in the jurisdiction you plan to take for the most up-to-date information.

Will the Bar Exam be Postponed as a Result of Covid-19?

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many students have been contacting me concerned about whether the July 2020 bar examination will be postponed.

The National Conference of Bar Examiners has posted the following guidance:

The bar exam is administered by individual jurisdictions, not by NCBE. We are in close contact with jurisdiction bar admission agencies as they consider possible options for the July exam in the event that shutdowns and prohibitions against large gatherings remain in effect.

As of March 23, 2020, the bar examiners in both New York and California have indicated that they are monitoring this situation closely, and that the current status of the July 2020 bar examination remains unknown. As the situation continues to evolve, more information will be posted on the state bar’s website. Be sure to check the website of the jurisdiction in which you plan to sit, for the most up-to-date guidance.

So what does all of this mean for you?

• My advice to students is to proceed and prepare as if the July 2020 examination will be administered. At this point, the examination is four months away, and it is very likely that the examination will go forward as planned. This means that you should:
  • Register for the July 2020 Bar Examination in a timely manner.
  • Register for any bar review courses that you plan to take.
  • If you plan to use a personalized tutor, like The High Bar, reserve your spot early.
• Additionally, during this time of “social distancing” you may find yourself with extra time on your hands. Consider using some of this time to get a jump start on bar review; e.g.; use the next two months to begin refreshing your recollection of the MBE subjects.
  • Contact The High Bar for guidance on setting up an Early Start Schedule.
• Lastly, and most importantly, stay healthy. We are all in this together.

UPDATE; March 24, 2020: As of the posting of the article, the National Conference has updated its guidance stating:

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, and there is still a great deal of uncertainty about what will happen with it in the months ahead. It is important that decisions about the July bar examination are made thoughtfully and with appropriate due diligence. While each jurisdiction ultimately makes its own decisions about licensing new lawyers, we believe a coordinated response among jurisdictions, to the extent that’s possible, will help minimize misinformation and confusion among candidates and the public.

NCBE and jurisdiction bar admission offices are working together closely to find flexible solutions that will protect the safety of candidates and employees while continuing to ensure competent legal services for the public during this time of crisis. NCBE is prepared to support jurisdictions in their decisions to offer a July exam, reschedule the July exam, or explore other options. While it would be inappropriate to go into more detail about these options before jurisdictions have had a chance to finalize their decisions, we hope to be able to share more details soon.

BAR PREP BOOT CAMP

You’ll start your bar prep off on the right foot by attending this complimentary Bar Prep Boot Camp on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 6-8 PM at 100 Crosby Street 5th Floor, Suite 502, New York, NY 10012.

At this workshop, we will cover:

• How to effectively study and memorize the law;
• Techniques and strategies to help you maximize points on the essays and MBE; and
• How to apply these newly learned techniques to two interactive examples.

You will leave confident with new skills in hand to help you Hit The High Bar!

Register at https://barprepbootcamp.eventbrite.com.

100 Days Until the Bar Exam

In fitness and in business, the 100-Day Challenge is sweeping the nation. Transform your life, crush your goals, achieve what you want in record time!

What if we applied the 100-Day Challenge to the bar exam? Author, Bill Murphy, Jr., set forth manageable steps (paraphrased below) to achieve any goal.

Step 1: Determine the Goal. Well for us that’s easy: Taking the bar exam.

Step 2: Challenge the Goal. This will help set the requisite motivation and desire that you need to see the goal through.

Step 3: Set Milestones on a Calendar. Murphy recommends 30-day incremental goals and some final goal 10 days before the challenge concludes.

Step 4: Schedule Micro Goals. Smaller steps make accomplishing a larger challenge manageable. Identify specific steps for each day that you need to complete to achieve the milestone.

Step 5: Track Your Progress. Did you accomplish your daily task? Stay accountable.

Take the Bar Exam 100-Day Challenge, and let The High Bar help you on your way! As your tutor, I will create a personalized and adjustable calendar for you, will help you track your progress and stay accountable. Use your valuable study time in an efficient and effective manner to maximize the points you receive when you Hit The High Bar.

Taking the February Bar Exam? Three Tips to Keep in Mind.

The winter is the ideal time to study for the bar exam. With cooler temperatures and lots of snowy days, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, it is the perfect excuse to stay cozy indoors and study!!

You may be wondering why I am mentioning exam day or February’s forecast now. I know, it is a few weeks away! Unless, of course, you are in sunny and always seventy Southern California, this time of year does bring some unpredictable weather that should be taken into consideration for test day.

We will discuss exam day logistics at a time closer to the test. Our focus at the moment will be travel tips. For the sake of being totally prepared, here are some valuable idea on travel logistics:

(1) If you are traveling any distance to the exam (for example, NYC to Albany) give yourself a bit of leeway to get there. Perhaps, plan to arrive over the weekend (rather than on Monday). This way you know you are where you need to be for the start of the exam bright and early Tuesday morning.

(2)  If you are taking a train or plane to get to the exam, book in advance and avoid taking one of the last scheduled departures on Monday night. You just never know if your mode of transportation gets delayed or grounded. Also, be aware of any change / cancellation policies.

(3)   If you are staying in a hotel, try to find one that is relatively close to the testing site. The convenience of location will make test day so much easier. Again, book in advance and be aware of the change / cancellation policies.

We are busy preparing for all of the known aspects of the test: learning the substantive law; practicing essays and performance tests; and tackling tricky multiple choice questions. Let’s prepare for the unknown too, and take any unpredictability out of the equation. You’ll be thankful you did on exam day!!

Hello 2019!

For me, the new year is a time to reflect, have gratitude, and also look forward to goals and dreams for the coming year. During 2018, at The High Bar we accomplished so much! Here are some highlights:

1. Most importantly, we proudly helped over 30 students across the United States get an Esquire after their name!
2. “The High Bar” was registered as a trademark!

   

3. We had a fun educational video shoot where five informative videos were created.

   Sneak a peek at one about personalized tutoring here.

4. We hosted two successful Mini Practical Test events. The next one will be held on February 9 and 10, 2019. For more information or to participate, contact us.

   

5. We hosted a successful and informative “Bar Prep Boot Camp” learning series with the More Than Esquires Network. Looking forward to many more collaborations in the future.

At The High Bar we are grateful for such a wonderfully successful and productive 2018. Cheers to 2019 — It’s a new year with 365 blank pages to fill. May your journey through 2019 be an amazing one!

The High Bar’s Founder Featured on The Integrated Hustle

The High Bar’s founder, Alisa Geller, was featured as a part of The Integrated Hustle’s True Life Series.

The Integrated Hustle is on a mission to to give women the tools, support and inspiration they need to live an integrated life. This includes striving to achieve and then maintain the elusive work-life balance, or even taking a bold step to pursue the career of your dreams. The True Life Series showcases women who are striving to do just that. For Alisa, it was an honor to be featured and share her transition from practicing attorney to her passion–tutoring full-time for the bar exam.

Here is a snippet of this conversation:

“If you could go back in time, what 3 pieces of advice would you give to yourself when you first began?

(1) Before formally launching The High Bar, I always thought about having my own business but fear and some normal self-doubt was in my way. Maybe you are familiar with this sort of self-talk?: “what if I fail?” Then after lots of contemplation and conversations with my family, I asked myself “what if I never try?” This is where my first piece of advice comes from: “Believe in Yourself! Jump! The Net will Appear.” Once I did that, within two days of launching my business, I had a student and I have not looked back.

(2) Next, I would note that hard work and dedication are key. While my business has steadily grown, I have also worked very hard to make this happen. I consider my students’ success (passing the bar exam) to be my success. I do everything in my power to help get them there, and I think my passion, ability to work hard, and be dedicated to the cause really empowers my students to do the same.

(3) Lastly, I would tell myself, work can be fun! I think many people feel that work is a drag, but it does not have to be this way. Yes, there will be challenges along the way. Perhaps, even different ones than you expect, but turning tutoring from a side hustle to my full-time profession has been not only rewarding but also fun. My only regret is not doing it sooner, but again, I am not looking back!”

Follow this link to read the full-length feature. 

BAR PREP: TIPS TO PERSONALIZE THE PROCESS

Whether you are a recent J.D. or a bar exam re-taker, this article is for you! For many preparing for the bar exam is an overwhelming and daunting experience, but it does not have to be that way. Let’s discuss how you can make preparing for the bar a manageable experience by personalizing the process.

1. YOUR PREPARATION BEGAN DAY ONE OF LAW SCHOOL

Your final hurdle to get that Esq. after your name is a rigorous and challenging test. This is as it should be. It is a great distinction. However, it is important to remember that since Day One of law school you have garnered important skills preparing you for this challenge.

You have spent countless hours as a student: reading and interpreting case law to sharpen your analytical mind; memorizing black letter law; synthesizing case briefs and lectures to carefully crafted outlines or flashcards. You have used the IRAC or CIRAC format to organize your written exams, and you are now a pro at legal research and writing.

Most importantly, in law school you learned how you study and retain information best. Let this knowledge about yourself be of service to you as you begin to prepare.

2. PERSONALIZE YOUR BAR PREP PROCESS

Since you know what works best for you in terms of studying and retention, employ those same strategies in your bar preparation.

Often students enrolled in a traditional bar review course try to follow the program to a “T.” Definitely use the course as a guide, but empower yourself to tailor the learning process to you. For example, if you are told to outline, but outlining is not how you synthesize and retain material best, then do what works for you. Maybe you prefer using flashcards, making mind maps, re-writing concepts? You get the gist. Whatever it is, do not be afraid to do what helps you learn most effectively and efficiently.

To that point, in addition to knowing how you learn best, you also know your test-taking history. Do you ace multiple choice exams or are they a struggle? Do you feel most comfortable writing or not so much? Take this into consideration as you begin to apply the law to practice problems. Practice skills to improve your weaknesses, but do not discount the power of building upon your strengths . Remember, the results are most often a combined and scaled score so that you can pass by striking a balance between the various parts of the test.

3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

The first phase of your bar prep will largely consist of learning the law. You might read outlines, watch videos, and synthesize the material. Of course, legal rules and theories are important for success on the exam.

However, application and practice are also vital components for success. In fact, there are many great resources that the National Conference of Bar Examiners have made available such as actual past bar exam questions including ones given on the MBE, MEE and MPT. When you practice, be sure to thoroughly review the provided answer explanation. This will deepen your understanding of the law as it is applied to the questions, and also help you learn and even become a master of the test.

Lastly, should you need guidance on the exam, do not hesitate to ask. You are not the first person and will not be the last to take the bar exam. Seek out a friend, mentor, professor or a tutor — remember, you don’t need to go it alone. I wish you much success as your bar prep journey begins!

The High Bar™ Featured on The More Than Esquires Network™

This week The High Bar™ and its founder, Alisa Geller, were featured on The More Than Esquires Network™.

The More Than Esquires Network (MTEN) is on a mission to empower, educate and create meaningful connections within the legal community. MTEN is a national community that provides guidance, insight, inspiration, motivation to its members by featuring and sharing stories of exciting careers and roles within and outside the practice of law.

This feature was a great honor, since The High Bar aligns with many of the same principles as the MTEN — providing guidance, insight, inspiration, motivation and support, but within the context of preparing for the bar exam. The High Bar has a strong network of former students around the country who now have thriving careers within and outside of a traditional legal role.

Here is what the MTEN had to say:

“Alisa Geller’s aptitude for teaching was apparent, whether working as a law firm associate, a litigation project manager, or fittingly at a national bar prep company. Alisa turned her passion for helping individuals prepare for the bar exam into a full-time profession by launching The High Bar™ @hitthehighbar. By offering highly personalized lessons with specific study and test taking strategies, she focuses on reinforcement of an individual’s strengths and a targeted plan to address areas of difficulty. These techniques allow Alisa to ensure that each student studies smarter, more effectively, and feels confident when they Hit The High Bar. Learn more at www.HitTheHighBar.com.”

TAKING THE MPRE?

ACE IT: Here’s how!

The MPRE typically focuses on where attorneys should draw the line in terms of ethical questions and focuses on the applicability of the rules to the questions fact pattern, as opposed to Professional Responsibilities classes which are more discussion based about what we as attorneys should ethically do.

Tip 1: When you take practice questions, always start by reading the prompt and the answer choices. This will often give you a clearer idea of what the question is about before you dive into the facts.

Tip 2: Read the provided fact pattern carefully.

Tip 3: You may see the question or answer choices contain certain modifiers. Here is a helpful way to understand what they typically mean in practice:

• “Because” or “Since” or “As”: Reasoning must address and resolve a central issue; facts completely satisfy the reasoning; result is consistent with reasoning
• “If” or “As long as”: Reasoning need only be plausible under the facts
• “Unless”: Reasoning must be the only circumstance under which result cannot occur

Tip 4: Pay careful attention to key words in the question. For example, is the attorney subject to criminal or civil sanctions or discipline? Paying attention to this could impact the correct answer.

Tip 5: Further, pay attention to the tiny nuances in the ways the rules are applied to various fact patterns.

Tip 6: Study by practicing and learning from questions. See how the rules are applied in a practical way and understand why you got questions right or wrong. This will make a difference when you get to the test.

Need that extra edge, contact me, to see how The High Bar can help!