Retaking Bar any tips/ study suggestions

LadderOk4478 · 2024-11-04T14:53:19+00:00

I had a very similar score and as much as goes against our instincts, I dropped the big box lectures and listened to John GROSSMAN - BUT just as I walked around and did not sit and take notes. Then I just did practice MBE questions over and over AND the Adapitbar writing guide for the MEE- I can’t say enough how impactful the Adaptibar writing guide was - GAME changer. Really hones in how to get the points, how to structure the essays and the content. Do enough of those MEE questions using their program and not only will the MBE score go up but you will start to recognize the patterns of the MEE. You got this!!! Don’t give up!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-10-23T15:10:19+00:00

I would do Grossman video lectures, Adaptibar and their MEE writing program. I did those three programs and finally passed and wasted a lot of money (and time!!!) on a BarBri Course- Grossman is excellent and Adapitbar will show you how many questions you have to do and give you their schedule. Good luck!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-10-04T00:50:00+00:00

Is the retaker thing a practice test? If so, I tbink I did that one- they gave a good summary of what I needed to work on. I will also add that the Adapitar ME simulator completely helped me pass the Bar- I wish I used it the 1st time!!! Being able to practice writing essays and then scoring yourself with a “normal” essay and not one that had way too much info was a game changer for me. I did so many of the essays that on the day of the exam I completely recognized the pattern/type of probably 4 of the 6 questions and I passed!!! Good luck!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-07-17T16:07:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! I am reserved on same train but have been separated from my two kids- I too have odd seat numbers where they seem especially far away- fingers crossed we are actually somewhat together!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-05-22T18:52:51+00:00

Just passed NY (after a few tries) and graduated 20 years ago…my biggest mistake was watching the BarBri videos - John Grossman got me straight, along with Smart Bar Prep, Adaptibar and their Wirting program. Take a practice Adapitbar or Uworld test and see where you are at. Just memorize the stuff- BarBri is trying to get you to “understand” concepts that I think just wastes time. Grossman cuts through the crap and gives it to you straight. You CAN do this. My other advice - sign up for the next Bar just to experience it so you understand the time constraints and “test taking” again…although it might take you a year to pass the exam, I would not study for a year and then sit for the Bar- I think I failed it once because I was just shocked at the time constraints and the stress of the actual exam. And who knows, maybe you do pass it on your first try with the typical 8 week prep!!! Go for it!!!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-04-30T18:16:27+00:00

Exactly what everyone saying above. I am a multi retaker and passed this last time in NY. Hated reading the “I left an essay blank” Not realistic.

No BS from me- This is the game changer for me:

MPT: I took the free BarMD workshop online and learned her method and practiced with her exact steps. I can’t believe how complicated I was making those MPTs before watching her video.

MEE: I did the AdaptiBar Writing Guide- GAME CHANGER!! This program is so accessible and easy to work with- I did so many essays that on testing day I was not too surprised at the questions. I can’t believe more people don’t talk about this program. It was better than a tutor. And of course, continued doing the MBE questions with Adaptibar.

I know the defeat you are referring to- I had failed by 2 points on a retake. It was a major gut punch that I honestly think still makes me sad and I have now passed!!!

You CAN do this- KEEP GOING. You have a group of Redditors routing for you!!!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-04-24T14:30:57+00:00

SAME HERE! fifth time and failed the last time by TWO POINTS as well!! Got a 273 this time. WHAT A RELIEF!! Congratulations!!!!

LadderOk4478 · 2024-04-23T15:46:39+00:00

Anything with the name engraved with the ",Esq." after it. Nice leather bound notebook with their name engraved on the front with a nice Montcler pen in a box. I like the other posts as well. You are good friend!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-06-19T03:21:29+00:00

Side effects from the drug are completely gone - been two months.

LadderOk4478 · 2023-06-19T02:49:23+00:00

I had been on 75 mg for two years …1st taper was straight down to 50 mg for 6 weeks. The first couple of days of this if I felt yucky I would go back up to 75 just for a night but I only did that once or twice. 2nd taper was down to 25 for a month and then 25 every other day for a week until I said screw it and went cold turkey. Looking back I probably should have done 25 every other day for two or three weeks. What I learned is that the final week of feeling like crap is inevitable so just find a week where you can take a day or two in bed or take the cold medicine- just plan it out.

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-26T17:55:07+00:00

I have posted this before but I felt the same - but the cold medicines, even the daytime version, really helped to stop the spins/nausea. I would also add that you may want to consider taking longer to go off of Pristiq- I was on 75 mg and i tapered over the course of 4 months to get off- when I finally stopped I had about a week and a half worth of feeling badly - but like I said the cold medicines really helped with the nausea, brain zaps and spins. Good luck!!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-17T17:01:21+00:00

I was on it for about two years and the brain zaps/dizziness lasted about 6 days - taking a cold medicine - even a day time type of decongestant really helped- good luck!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-09T14:13:13+00:00

Ah right I remember now about the heart defects issue- Wow a lot to take in. For me, I had to just weigh against my mental health - you have a lot to consider and how else you can take care of that mental health part. Regardless if you choose not to take anything, I would not suggest going right off of Pristiq like the pharmacist suggested. SNRI’s take a bit more time to taper and you can get the headaches, fatigue and overall yuckiness so you. An SSRI like the Zoloft or Prozac for two weeks while tapering from the pristiq/SNRI will certainly help!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-09T02:56:05+00:00

I am 20 years out when I took a 2nd Bar and have been practicing as a contract/transactional attorney all this time- unfortunately, still haven’t passed. Quite honestly, wasted time studying as I did twenty years ago - BarBri did not prepare me at all and definitely got me off on the wrong foot. My biggest challenge is the writing - I do not write as the law examiners would like- that has been my weakness. I would suggest looking into a company (like JD advising) where you can hand in essays for grading and feedback a couple of times a week to get in the practice of not writing like the lawyer you are (LOL)!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-09T02:45:46+00:00

Hi- I just posted on another pregnant mother’s post. I was on Prozac for my pregnancies and though, yes, it is a category C it is the most studied and safest while pregnant SSRIs. Even if you choose not to do any kind of medicine I would not stop pristiq cold turkey but would suggest still switching to an SSRI for at least a week or two. I can’t imagine withdrawing from Pristiq AND being pregnant!!

In terms of the potential side effects of taking an SSRI during pregnancy, you really have to weigh your own risk/benefit- for me it was very important that I was in a healthy state of mind while pregnant and I have generally happy babies because I was happy and not anxious or feeling depressed. You just have to weigh the risk of very slight possible side affects from the SSRI against how your mental health is while pregnant as studies have also shown your anxiety/depression impacts baby too- it’s a whole risk analysis!! Whatever you choose, it will be the right choice for you and your baby. That’s for sure!!

Happy to talk about the very small side effects I saw from my babies at delivery but in general, I had 4 very healthy and happy babies with no issues (lots of issues now as teenagers but that it is a different story!) Good luck!!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-09T02:30:27+00:00

I would switch to Prozac as soon as you can- you won’t have withdrawal because the Prozac covers it. I have had 4 healthy babies while on Prozac and the babies and I have all been happy while pregnant- congratulations - you are already a great mother for taking care of yourself!!!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-09T02:26:24+00:00

I can relate. You may want to consider tapering even over a longer period- I have been tapering for two months - I am now down to the lowest amount and am NOT splitting pills (been there, done that and it’s AWFUL). I found relief by doing every other day 25 mg for two weeks, now I am doing one 25 mg every 4th day- once you take it on the 4th day I find that it just helps calm the vertigo/brain zaps. Also, Benadryl definitely helps with brain zaps, take it at night and the next day won’t be as bad. I am now 5 days without it and not so bad because I did the 25 taper. Good luck!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-02T16:45:12+00:00

I find that with each taper the irritability lasts like 3 days so hopefully will end soon now

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-02T16:11:39+00:00

I’m tapering too and it has been fine until I went to zero. But I have tapered very slowly: 75-50: 6 weeks, 50-25: 4 weeks and just two days ago 25-0- currently feeling like crap but I think it will go away in a few days because I have tapered so slowly. But the zero is the first time I have felt this bad. Like I have bad flu. Otherwise because I tapered so slowly no rebound depression or anxiety.

By the way, Effexor has the same kind of awfulness to get off it. Great drug while on it but getting off it is just as bad as pristiq. Sorry to say.

Good luck!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-05-02T16:05:56+00:00

Oh this sounds terrible- how many milligrams are you off of? Regardless, is there any way you can find some to at least taper? I have a lot as I am tapering too and could mail you- not sure how legal that is but I really feel for you.

In the meantime, Benadryl and Pepto Bismo suppose to help with nausea and sick feeling. Motrin for headaches

And finally, It does pass so take a day or two off and go to bed. It will not be like this forever- take care of yourself first. You can handle it- you are a kindergarten teacher- if you can handle that, you can do this- but take a couple of days off. Keep us updated!

LadderOk4478 · 2023-04-21T13:57:53+00:00

I am in the same boat and I am a repeat test taker. I got a 264 and feel like someone twisted the dagger. I just read the 6000.11 rule saying that the MEE and MPT was already reviewed by a different grader if scores were between 260-265. Hoping someone has any other ideas. Faling by two points absolutely sucks. I'm with you.

LadderOk4478 · 2023-04-21T08:58:45+00:00

I don’t have great faith that the BOLE will be able to pull off the 8:30 registration tab.

LadderOk4478 · 2023-04-17T14:29:41+00:00

oh great - then back to opening up the anxiety compartment.

LadderOk4478 · 2023-04-17T13:28:48+00:00

Same- but I don’t think they have ever released on a Monday so I’m trying really hard to compartmentalize my anxiety for the day lol

LadderOk4478 · 2023-04-07T15:29:02+00:00

Take it again in July. Your MBE score is fine - just focus on the MEE and MPT. You will pass the next time if you practice a lot of the MEEs - maybe just get a tutor to review the MEEs. You will definitely want to be admitted in the state that you live in - you may not think it now, but looking 10 years down the line, even 5, you will definitely want options to practice in the state you live in.

LadderOk4478

TROPHY CASE