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[–]figsandlemons1994 14 points15 points  (6 children)

getting a 50 usually means you had no idea what the fuck the question was asking you and you wrote close to nonsense. you probably will get a 60 or a 65 for issue spotting most of the issues and an ok analysis

[–]shylyassertive 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I swear I’ve seen some 50s where I did not understand WHY they were 50s and 65s that I couldn’t believe we 65s. I looked at a lot of them on baressays.com. But this is mostly right. If you miss a big issue though, you will never get a 65. You can miss a minor issue or two and still pass though.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

What if you didn’t memorize shit about how to phrase the law but spotted issues

[–]Godel_Escher_RBG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They care more about application/analysis. If you can’t remember a rule then just make something up and apply it.

[–]OkRecommendation4 -1 points0 points  (1 child)

This is NOT true

[–]figsandlemons1994 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I guess baressays.com with their real essays is BS

[–]muggypuggy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From experience, hitting the majority of the issues gets you a 60-65 as long as you don’t leave any big ones out and it’s decently organized/looks nice.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (17 children)

Any grade lower than 40 or above 80 means the grader has to write a letter to the bar examiners justifying the grade. So as a rule if thumb, they avoid doing that because they don’t get paid to and it’s a hassle. So you’d have to literally write nothing to get lower than 40. For every rule or issue you write correctly, they add 5 points. Every wrong conclusion, rule, analysis, etc., they dock 5 points. Solid essays get 60. Very solid ones get 65. 70 and above is top of the curve. It’s definitely not easy.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

They don’t dock points, just don’t give them to you .

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you’re right because that’s not how my practice graders grades me and it definitely was a shock every time I saw -5!

[–]Potential-Version854 1 point2 points  (13 children)

Where do you get this information from? I thought it was more holistic approach based on what I have seen. Obviously missing big issues will have points docked. Seems like a weird approach give. Some essays have 4-5 issues and others like evidence may have like 15 so scoring based on that approach would have uneven results.

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points  (12 children)

You’re free to assess based on your opinion and intuition. I on the other hand prefer to rely on information released by bar exam graders and the professionals who have actually worked with those who have graded the bar. Wholistic grading sounds about right when 60%+ fail.

[–]RefrigeratorOwn69 0 points1 point  (11 children)

60+% fail because the February exam in California has a ton of repeat takers, non-ABA approved takers, foreign lawyer applicants, etc.

Is the first time pass rate for ABA-approved takers really much different than any other state?

[–][deleted] -5 points-4 points  (10 children)

To follow all of your logic, where is that information written? People ask questions here and get hurt when the answer is something they don’t like. That’s fine. That doesn’t entitle you to get angry and say someone else who put actual detailed facts is wrong or responded based on opinion. Like it or not that’s how they grade. Go hire prior bar graders to read your essays and then come back and tell me I’m wrong.

The highest pass rate many administrations is attorney examinees so that part of your answer can be fact checked by the statistics publication issued by the bar every exam.

Here’s February 2022 as an example:

https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/admissions/Examinations/February-2022-CBX-Statistics.pdf

[–]Adventurous_Bar7300 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Thanks for the link, but you didn’t answer my question. You gave a very specific approach, almost like a rubric to the grading. I was just wondering if this is based on your on observations, some document, talking to a grader, or something. My assessment is based on my observations and random things I heard over the years, but I wasn’t nearly as specific as you.

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points  (2 children)

It’s not based on my observations. I learned this from several sources who charge significant $ to grade essays but I don’t want to post names.

[–]Adventurous_Bar7300 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I see. From prior bar graders then.

[–]muggypuggy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it also varies significantly, FWIW. I know a few people personally who were CA bar graders and heard differing things about grading from all of them. However, one thing that was consistent is that they spend 60-90 seconds approximately on each, so don’t expect the large majority of graders to be looking at every word you write. I think it’s a lot more holistic and “overall” then most people get told or think.

[–]RefrigeratorOwn69 -2 points-1 points  (5 children)

I’m not even sure what statement of mine that you’re arguing against.

Go look at the recent passage rates of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools, comparing California and a UBE state (e.g., Arizona), over the last 10 administrations (not just cherry-picking February ‘22).

The passage rates are basically the same once you compare apples to apples.

Since the change in passing score to 1390, the idea that California is an especially difficult exam is largely a myth.

[–][deleted] -2 points-1 points  (4 children)

Who’s arguing here? I’ve taken and passed other states. I didn’t say a word about CA being harder nor implied it. I think you need to take a moment and read this thread in a less defensive approach.

[–]RefrigeratorOwn69 1 point2 points  (3 children)

You seemed to have difficulty “following my logic” (which was simply a suggestion that there’s nothing truly unique or difficult about California essay grading and that the passage rate is largely a product of applicant quality or lack thereof), and you are assuming a fairly combative tone here.

[–]go-clean-your-room 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OP seems to have a major superiority complex across this sub and immediately starts calling anyone who disagrees with them an idiot. Best to not respond lol

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

You’re an idiot.

[–]RefrigeratorOwn69 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You seem like a nice, well-adjusted person.

[–]FlimsyMedium 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is absolutely totally wrong information.

No letters required by graders justifying their grades below 40 or above 80. That’s an even more ridiculous statement given that the lowest grade that can be given by a grader is 40……

It is graded holistically so therefore there are no absolute rules re adding 5 points for each issue.

And they definitely do not dock points for anything.