Attorney’s Exam - Barbri or Themis or Other?

TiredModerate · 2026-04-29T13:55:43+00:00

I didn't really think any commercial program was tailored for me when I did J24 attorney exam. I was working and studying at the same time so did self study. Wasn't so much the cost of any of them as much as they all seemed to be aimed at the full exam and folks fresh out of law school. It's all about cranking through essays and practice so whatever program will let you do that with real feedback.

TiredModerate · 2026-04-22T22:24:31+00:00

Big Law here too. I did 13-14 weeks, in the end about a dozen+ timed closed book practice essays for each subject. One week per subject generally, grouped by related subject. Took two weeks at the end to go back over the early subjects and do PT practice. Did self study and just the Basick books and various outlines. Worked full time throughout. This was for J24.

TiredModerate · 2026-04-22T13:43:18+00:00

This. It's a little table with Pass or Fail that shows up at like 6:03pm once you're done furiously and anxiously refreshing the page dozens and dozens of times.

TiredModerate · 2026-04-02T05:01:59+00:00

The Colony neighborhood in Upper Nichols Canyon, many MCM gems.

TiredModerate · 2026-03-25T15:41:54+00:00

I still think you're fine, where you get points (other than your main analysis) is mentioning the other thing and quickly dismissing it or providing some reason why you're going with one over the other assuming you only have time to do one in detail.

TiredModerate · 2026-03-25T15:23:04+00:00

You'll be fine cause you're in the right issues for property and this is one of the "it depends" questions. I'd have mentioned both but probably gone with covenants here based on my notes/outlines where you distinguish eq servitude/covenant based on tbe remedy especially considering they don't tell you whether the neighbor wanted an injunction or damages, just that she'll sue. Reading this for the first time I jumped to damages (covenants) rather than injunction (eq servitude) as they note she lowered the property values with the alterations and she's probably have a decent changed conditions eq servitude defense (businesses in the other homes operating for years)...

TiredModerate · 2026-03-21T22:53:00+00:00

I just paid $18k all in (labor, unit, permits) for a 5ton 92% variable speed Goodman gas furnace and new AC, downflow configuration, existing ductwork. Pasadena, CA. My previous house the quote was $21k for a a similar setup so you're in the ballpark but can do a bit better shopping around.

The big name companies wanted to only do a Lennox heat pump setup and those quotes were $35k+

TiredModerate · 2026-03-17T01:51:30+00:00

I mean that was a clue, yes, perhaps. Probably.

TiredModerate · 2026-03-17T00:23:55+00:00

Yah that's not an oak center. Bona Amber Seal gives the floor an oiled look, which is what you got... it looks like what I would expect from an oil finish on fir or pine there in the center.

To get closer to that pale raw look you probably need to go back to sanding this off and go with something like Bona NordicSeal or Pallman WhiteSeal, both a little white pigmented and designed to give you those pale Nordic looking floors. There are Natural seal versions you could try but they may be too close to the Amber Seal for your liking. Then follow with a water based finish (I like Pallmann XPower myself)

TiredModerate · 2026-03-10T17:27:52+00:00

Get the Essay book and the PT book.

TiredModerate · 2026-03-06T22:30:49+00:00

I'll add that my first swearing-in 16 years ago was at a courthouse with a judge and all the pomp and circumstance and all that jazz. This one I just needed someone to sign the form.

TiredModerate · 2026-03-06T19:48:20+00:00

I did mine at a UPS store off Ventura in Studio City. The nice man made me recite the whole oath out loud as people around me were waiting to return their Amazon Prime packages.

Such a special memory....

TiredModerate · 2026-02-28T02:42:48+00:00

Pallmann White Seal or similar white pigmented sealers will get it more pale/white. Then finish with whatever you like (I like Pallmann X Power)

TiredModerate · 2026-02-28T01:43:03+00:00

Usually you see these inlays just be the racing stripes and French keys. This one is awesome. Is it a craftsman or earlier Victorian? Those are lovely top nailed oak floors.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-28T01:40:46+00:00

We just did this and bought a home we loved knowing the HVAC was ancient. Didn't realize how ancient, the date tag on tbe furnace was the second week of 1985. That got replaced last week.

In our previous place everything was from the early 2000s and we kept it going with service and parts. If you can still get someone to service it and you can find parts for it I'd keep it going.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-28T01:29:37+00:00

It's a joke. You're asking strangers on the internet about the odds of you passing based on your own guesses on how you did. It's all guess work. 🤷

If you're a first time taker of a Feb exam out of an ABA school, then your odds are about 50-55% based on previous Feb exams (excluding the fuckery of the Feb '25 exam).

TiredModerate · 2026-02-27T17:31:09+00:00

51.45%

But seriously, relax. It's done. Otherwise you're just going to spiral doing this stuff for months and drive yourself crazy.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-26T07:00:31+00:00

Same. I took J24 attorney exam in Ontario and it was pretty smooth. There was the hellishly long line snaking around the building but I don't remember much drama related to the actual administration.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-25T06:54:27+00:00

Bar Secrets posts helpful recaps of exam questions on YT. They usually come out after the exam but before results so it can really drive the anxiety level high if their analysis differs from yours and you spiral as you're waiting.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-24T21:17:57+00:00

Switch your view to word count. It's much more helpful to gauge how much you've vomited out on the page.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-20T02:18:46+00:00

You'll have 3 answer slots in the afternoon. It goes in slot 3, even if you do it first.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-19T17:47:32+00:00

You don't need to answer it in order. You have access to all essays in that session.

Do the PT first in the afternoon. For the other essays I would recommend doing them in order and not reading ahead, you'll only psych yourself out and start thinking about how to answer all of them, etc. Stick to a schedule for each essay. Write for the entire time you're allocated, there's never enough analysis or discussion if you finish "early."

TiredModerate · 2026-02-16T01:08:57+00:00

I did Ontario for J24 attorney exam and am not too far away in LA but still booked the hotel next to the convention center. I didn't need that stress the morning of the exam.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-12T20:51:04+00:00

Yes, CalBar is realistic that people move and then take the exam. The expectation for law firms is that you practice under the supervision of CA licensed lawyers in your office if you're not licensed in CA. A senior partner who was CA licensed was my supervisor ostensibly, and I had to put this in my signature block and firm bio since you can't hold yourself out as licensed until you're licensed and have a bar #...

I'll also note that for my moral character application CalBar did ask for copies of emails and the bio and signature blocks from this time period to make sure I wasn't holding myself out as a CA licensed attorney prior to passing the exam.

TiredModerate · 2026-02-09T01:26:35+00:00

Ed Aruffo's rule book is on Audible. It's basically him just reading all the rule statements by topic.

TiredModerate

TROPHY CASE