Tips

•  Give your mind a break. Never study for more than three hours at a time. Make sure to break up the time you study within each day.
• Type. It is much easier for the grader to read and for you to properly organize your answer.
• Do Quality studying. It's not quantity that counts but the Quality of the work you do to prepare.
• Get some exercise. It is just as important to keep your body fresh as that will help your mind function better.
• It is very important to limit distractions and stay focused. The better you can concentrate the more productive your studies will become.
• Get comfortable. You will perform better and study more effectively if you find a convenient and comfortable place to assume your studies for the bar.
• Do not study while watching television, listening to music or in the presence of others who will distract you.
• Make sure your loved ones understand the magnitude of what you are going through and try to make them understand this is your time and you must be selfish during your studies. Promise to make it up to them when the bar is over.
• Stay organized.
• Turn off your phone. If you wish to speak to someone or text your friends it will just lead to unwelcome distractions and ineffective study time.
• Do active studying not passive studying. Listening to tapes and reading outlines is not as productive as actually doing essays and MBE’s.
• Register for the California Bar exam and make your hotel reservations and accommodations as far in advance as you can.
• Preparation is the key to success.

This is a rough but fair guideline of the grades you may receive on a California essay.

45 - Extremely poor answer, almost missed what subject it was. The applicant did not demonstrate even close understanding of the essay

50 - Very poor

55 - Needs much improvement but hit some issues

60 - Not quite passing, but not too bad

65 - Showed enough understanding in the subject to feel comfortable that the applicant comprehended the subject with competence. A passing answer

70 - Really good answer, well organized and discussed

75 - Close to flawless answer with creative arguments, hit the main issues hard and discussed almost everything very well

80 - While reading it the grader is in awe, it was that good.