Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss the essentials of leaseholds in landlord/tenant law. We cover the different types of leasehold estates, as well as the obligations of tenants and landlords, and we analyze a sample question. In Part 2, we'll focus on assignment and subletting.  In this episode, we discuss: The four types of leasehold estates that can be created with a lease Duties of landlords and tenants Implied warranty of habitability Actual vs....

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're continuing our overview of key Real Property topics from our "Listen and Learn" series. In this episode, we're focusing on property regulation and transfer. In this episode, we discuss: Zoning ordinances and variances The three types of recording statutes Overview of adverse possession Constructive eviction in landlord/tenant law Examples illustrating the above concepts How the Real Property topics interrelate on an exam ...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're taking a bird's eye view of some key Real Property topics we've covered in our "Listen and Learn" series. Specifically, we're focusing on property ownership and interests. Next week, we'll discuss property regulation and transfer. In this episode, we discuss: Concurrent estates Present and future estates Defeasible fees Non-possessory interests (easements and covenants) Examples illustrating the above concepts Resources: ...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series, we're discussing a topic from Civil Procedure – specifically, when is a pleading conclusory under the Twombly/Iqbal standard for assessing Rule 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss. In this episode, we discuss: Overview of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) Legal conclusions vs. factual allegations Analysis of a hypothetical case involving motions to dismiss Resources: "Listen and Learn" series...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're sharing Part 2 of our conversation with Jennifer Barry -- a tutor on the Bar Exam Toolbox team who's a former California bar exam grader. This time, we're focusing on avoiding common mistakes that examinees make. In this episode, we discuss: Common mistakes that bar examinees make Handwriting vs. typing your exam answers Following directions and avoiding pitfalls How has the bar exam changed over the years? Can a grader tell if...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a California bar exam grader? Today we have Jennifer Barry -- a member of the Bar Exam Toolbox team and a  former California bar grader -- to shed some light on the bar exam evaluation process and what graders are looking for in essay answers.  In this episode, we discuss: Jennifer's background and how she became a bar grader Insights on how the bar grading process works in California How to make...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode of our "Quick Tips" series, we have a bar exam survival kit, consisting of five important things to think about while preparing to sit for an exam administration. In this episode, we discuss: Deciding when and where to sit for the bar exam Knowing your jurisdiction Doing thorough research Taking note of all the deadlines The MPRE and character and fitness requirement Resources: Private Bar Exam Tutoring...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with guest Ryan Gurson -- attorney and Southeast Regional Director for Themis Bar Review. We're discussing preparation strategies for the bar exam, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive course completion, effective practice, and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to failing the exam. Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Get any 2025 Themis Bar Review course...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! What are the most common reasons people fail the bar exam? Today, two more of our Bar Exam Toolbox tutors (Nicola and Tina) join us to share their perspectives on this topic. In this episode, we discuss: The most common reasons for failing the bar exam What is the most important thing someone should consider when re-taking the bar? What is the one thing our tutors find themselves saying over and over again to students? Coping mechanisms and...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we are sharing some updates that have recently come from the California Bar, as we're watching how the new bar exam will be launched in February 2025, in partnership with Kaplan.  In this episode, we discuss: What is the "California Bar Exam Experiment"? How can you participate in the experiment? Timeline of the new California bar exam Upcoming changes in the exam format Resources: California Bar Exam Courses and Tools...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! What are the most common reasons people fail the bar exam? Today, two of our Bar Exam Toolbox tutors (Hoang and Adam) join us to share their perspectives on this topic. In this episode, we discuss: The most common reasons for failing the bar exam What is the most important thing someone should consider when re-taking the bar? What is the one thing our tutors find themselves saying over and over again to students? Coping mechanisms and mental...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing how to approach preparing to retake the bar after failing the first time, or even multiple times. We talk about some common reasons why people fail the bar exam, and share tips on how to avoid study habits that generally do not serve students well. In this episode, we discuss: Using past exam results for feedback Evaluating and improving study habits Common mistakes during bar prep and how to avoid them When to start...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This is the second installment of our episodes on partnerships. In part one, we covered the creation of the three main types of partnerships – general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. Today we will focus on the power and liability of partners in a partnership.  In this episode, we discuss: Authority of partners in a partnership Liability of partners in different partnership types: General partnership...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about California's surprising recent decision to outsource the development of part of the next bar exam to Kaplan. In this episode, we discuss: Recap of the changes to the California bar exam starting in February 2025  How is a completely remote bar exam going to work? When to expect prep materials to be released? Potential legal issues due to copyrighted questions Focusing on what you have control over Resources: ...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing general, special, and quitclaim deeds, as part of our "Listen and Learn" series. We explain the role of these deeds in property transfer, focusing on the protections they offer to grantees, and go through sample questions to see how these topics can show up on the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Present and future covenants contained in general warranty deeds Special warranty deeds overview and examples Quitclaim...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we discuss how foreign-trained students can overcome the hurdles they face when it comes to the bar exam, including language barriers, differences in laws and legal systems, and adapting to American testing formats. In this episode, we discuss: Challenges faced by foreign-trained attorneys taking the bar exam Understanding U.S. laws and legal systems Preparing for the bar exam testing format Bar prep timeline and resources...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we're talking about the expectation damages of sellers and buyers of goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In this episode, we discuss: Sellers' expectation damages Buyers' expectation damages Hypothetical scenarios dealing with remedies for breaches of contract Resources: "Listen and Learn" series...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we highlights the unique challenges that ESL and foreign-trained attorneys face while studying for the bar exam, and we provide tips to address and overcome these issues. In this episode, we discuss: Main challenges for ESL and foreign-trained bar takers When to start studying for the exam How to practice for the different exam components Learning to prioritize your study efforts Working on memorizing rule statements Improving...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're speaking with therapist Angela Corbett from TrueCandor Behavioral Health about handling anxiety when studying for the bar exam and on test day. In this episode, we discuss: Understanding anxiety and its manifestations Tips for coping with anxiety during the bar prep period Managing anxiety on test day Determining whether you should postpone taking the exam Bar exam accommodations for people struggling with anxiety Resources: ...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we talk through how to diagnose your MBE study difficulties, how to resolve them using tried and true methods, and the ways in which platforms like AdaptiBar and UWorld can help with your bar prep.  In this episode, we discuss: Common issues bar exam studiers tend to have How platforms like AdaptiBar and UWorld can enhance your bar prep routine How to approach answering MBE questions Understanding the law through open-book practice and...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're talking about the multiple-choice portion of the bar exam, and we're doing a walkthrough of three real MBE questions. In this episode, we discuss: The structure of the Multistate Bar Examination Strategies for effective MBE preparation Real MBE questions walkthrough: Contract Law Property Law Constitutional Law Resources: Practice of the Week (POW) MBE Workshop...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode from our "Listen and Learn" series, we cover the formation and characteristics of three types of partnerships – general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability partnership. To illustrate these concepts, we also analyze two questions from previous California bar exams. In this episode, we discuss: Formation and characteristics of: General partnerships Limited partnerships Limited liability partnerships ...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today, we're excited to have Kelsey Lee with us -- one of our expert tutors from the Bar Exam Toolbox team. Join us as we discuss the most common pitfalls in bar essay writing, and share our top tips for mastering this portion of the exam. In this episode, we discuss: Kelsey's background and work in the legal space Five common mistakes that students make when studying for or executing the writing portion of the bar exam Five tips for mastering...

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this week's episode, we're talking about using past bar exam essay questions as part of your study process. In particular, we talk about when to start practicing, how to practice, how much of your study time to spend practicing, and how to self-evaluate your answers. In this episode, we discuss: When to start practicing essay questions and how to practice effectively Allocating study time for essay practice Self-evaluating your answers...