What is a Bar Review Course?
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A bar review course is a class designed for law students who are concerned about passing the bar exam. In order to practice law in the United States, an attorney must pass the bar exam for the state he or she is practicing in, or a multi-state bar exam for attorneys who intend to venture outside their own states. The bar exam is notoriously challenging, and most attorneys do not pass it on the first try. A prospective lawyer can greatly increase his or her chances of passing the bar by taking a bar review course.
The curricular material used for a bar review course varies, but it usually includes lectures, practice bar exams, and home study materials. Lectures are often audio or video taped so that students can review them, and some bar review courses are based almost entirely on video lectures, allowing students to proceed at their own pace. Home study materials include practice questions, and a compendium of material which commonly comes up on the bar exam.
In some cases, a bar review course offers tutoring or classroom time. Small workshops of students can be tutored by a single instructor, and also help each other grasp the material under discussion. Students in a classroom bar review course are often encouraged to form study groups so that they can help each other succeed outside of class as well. Students who can afford individualized tutoring may choose to take that route so that they can get customized attention, with an instructor who can focus on the student's strengths and weaknesses.
One of the most important elements of a bar review course is practice bar exams. In many cases, the exam environment may be simulated, so that students know what it will feel like. Students are given a complete paper test which closely resembles the bar, along with essay questions. After the practice exam, the tests are looked over and scored, usually by qualified attorneys who also make comments on the exam papers so that students know which areas they need to focus on in order to do well.
Taking a bar review course before taking the bar exam is recommended, but not required, for law students. Students who are currently in law school may be able to take advantage of bar review resources at school, or ask their instructors about bar review courses they recommend. Other individuals who are getting ready to sit the bar exam may want to consider using Internet resources such as forums to ask for help choosing a bar review course.
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11
The bar results just came out and I didn't pass. I never bothered to check his credentials because my aunt heard about him on some radio station. I should have. I sure did get individual attention but he didn't have a good understanding about the law. He didn't know a thing about MBE's. I would use Micromash for that. He doesn't have his own materials and I just checked his website and its old and outdated. - anon32093
10
I failed the bar 3 times and was feeling very frustrated and depressed until I took this course. I loved the extra attention I got with this course. I felt like I had a coach that was heavily invested in my success. Throughout my time here I steadily saw my MBE scores increase and I greatly improved on my essays. This course catered to my individual needs and after all the one on one sessions I finally understood the bar and passed! - anon32069
9
I passed because of Bobby! The studying environment was great because you are never alone and others are there to share in the studying hardships along the way. I would have gone insane studying for this exam if I didn't have this course. - anon31621
8
I loved this course and it didn't cost more than $7,000. I think I got more for my money than I would have with any other course (check out Barbri's one on one pricing). I passed the bar on my second try because of this course. The instructor helped me realize what I was doing wrong and worked with me diligently to correct it. - anon31619
7
This was a great course that helped me every step of the way. All I had to do was put in hard work and follow the instructor's methods to get the results I wanted. He even worked with me for an extra two months and didn't charge me extra!Thanks to this course I passed the bar. - anon31618
6
I am taking his course now for the February, 2009 bar. What a mistake... - anon26719
5
PLEASE, do not waste your hard earn money on this bar review course without first doing your research. If you are repeater like I was you want a dependable, reliable and knowledgeable tutor. He didn't provide anything other than a desk! He passed out his old mini outlines that he wrote out when he took the BarBri class for the February, 2007. Therefore, he is not familiar with the new areas being tested and will expect you to get the information on your own. Do your research before signing up and ask to see the materials and references from previous past takers if you do decide meet him. His bar review course is overly expensive (5000 plus!) and you will not get what you paid for! - anon23058
4
"Bar with Bobby" is owned by Bobby Doustkam.
- anon23010
3
If only bar review courses were held accountable. I took Bar with Bobby for the February 2008 bar. This course is a one –to-one tutorial program where the instructor is sort of your private tutor, provided he was there. I, too, used my Barbri materials and his mini outlines that were full of incorrect law. Unfortunately, I paid in full and by the time I realized that this instructor had no experience, the bar was less than 4 weeks away. I decided to stick with it because I had no other choice. I could report him to the bar but he would most likely fight it (who wouldn’t he is making tons of money per each bar and baby bar!). Second, even if I were to bring him to Small Claims court, I would have a pending litigation on my moral character determination form. I don’t want to explain to the Bar Committee that this tutor failed to provide the services promised (that must be why he doesn’t have a contract). It just wasn’t worth the time and energy. I didn’t pass the February 2008 bar. My essay scores all dropped by 5 points. I am a repeater and never have I ever received less than 60 until after his course. I decided to take the bar again in July and studied on my own. I passed but it was because of my hard work, effort and perseverance. I wish I had written this sooner to ward off other hopeful students; I didn’t and regret that. Bar with Bobby is not worth the price he charges nor does he have any experience. Be aware, do your research and get a contract!
- BeccaLaw
2
I wish I saw your website too. I took this course for the February, 2008 bar. When I received my scores, my essay scores all dropped! I have never received a 50 and I have taken the bar 3 times. My scores essay scores always hovered around 65-75. It was my MBE scores that hurt me. The course was absolutely lousy and he demanded payment immediately, so my the time I realize that I had been defrauded, I had no recourse. I would never bring a cause of action against him because at the time I had not filed my moral character determination and a pending litigation would be a red flag for delay. Also, he seems like a vindictive person and probably would counter all sorts of allegations. This is most likely why he doesn't have a contract.There are no materials because he uses his own one page outline derived from Barbri's course. He has no business teaching a bar review course when he doesn't know the law well, and has no experience grading. He insisted that I use Barbri's exam answers as a guidance, which didn't help. I only know of one other person that passed. This person passed because he finally dedicated the time necessary. He also took Karney, Barbri, Barpassers and LECC. I passed the bar this July because I studied on my own. My advice, take a bar review course after doing your research and just don't take this one. - anon22959
1
I wished I read your website before taking "Bar with Bobby." This review course cost me over $7000! The tutor used Barbri materials based from his old mini outlines and used their exam booklet. The tutor didn't know the law and never was in from 9 am to 7 p.m. as promised. I should have known when the tutor could not produce one single person who passed the bar. Do your research and take a course you can trust. - anon22055
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