DivinaLaw's Bar Exams Success Tips Episode 10 Part 1

Summary

The speaker discusses their strategy for structuring answers in bar examinations, emphasizing the importance of a clear and concise approach. They mention the 'C.L.E.A.R.' method, which stands for Conclusion, Legal Basis, Exception, Analysis, and Repetition of Conclusion. Additionally, they share tips on writing quickly to fully express thoughts and adapting the answer length based on the question's point value, advocating for brevity in essay questions to save time.

Takeaways

• 📝 The speaker structured their bar exam answers by first providing a clear response ('yes', 'no', or 'it depends') followed by an explanation.
• 🎓 They were taught the CLEAR method during law school, which stands for Conclusion, Legal Basis, Exception, Analysis, and Repetition of the conclusion.
• 🔑 The speaker emphasizes the importance of writing quickly to fully express their thoughts in the answer.
• 📚 They followed a 'four-paragraph rule' for higher-point questions, which includes a conclusion, law, application, and reiteration of the conclusion.
• 🚀 For lower-point questions, the speaker would condense their answer into one to two sentences to save time.
• 📖 The speaker suggests that the method of answering essay questions should be brief and concise, similar to journalistic writing.
• 💡 The importance of understanding and applying the mnemonics for structuring answers, although the specific mnemonics are not remembered.
• 📝 The speaker mentions the significance of starting with a straight answer and then explaining the issue and the reasoning behind it.
• 📈 They highlight the strategy of adjusting the length of the answer based on the points allocated to the question.
• 📑 The script implies that practice and consistency in applying these methods are key to effective bar exam preparation.
• 📝 The speaker's approach to answering bar exam questions is influenced by their law school education and personal adaptation to the exam format.

Q & A

What is the recommended approach to structuring answers in bar examinations?

The recommended approach is to start with a clear answer (yes, no, or it depends) followed by an explanation. This method is often referred to as the CLEAR method: C for Conclusion, L for Legal basis, E for Exceptions, A for Analysis, and R for Reiteration of the conclusion.

How did the speaker apply the CLEAR method during their bar exam?

The speaker applied the CLEAR method by first stating a clear answer, then explaining the legal basis, citing exceptions if any, analyzing the application of the law, and finally reiterating the conclusion.

What is the significance of providing a straight answer at the beginning of the response?

Providing a straight answer at the beginning is significant as it immediately communicates the stance to the examiner, allowing them to understand the direction of the argument without having to read through the entire response.

What is the 'crack rule' mentioned in the script and how does it apply to answering exam questions?

The 'crack rule' is a four-paragraph rule that involves a conclusion, law, application, and reiteration of the conclusion. It is applied to questions that carry higher points, helping to structure the response in a clear and concise manner.

How does the speaker suggest writing the answers to save time during the exam?

The speaker suggests writing as fast as possible to save time, focusing on being brief and concise, especially for questions that carry only one to two points.

What is the importance of writing quickly in the context of bar examinations?

Writing quickly is important to ensure that all questions can be answered within the allotted time, allowing the candidate to fully express their knowledge and understanding of the law.

How does the speaker's approach to answering essay questions differ for questions with different point values?

For questions with higher point values, the speaker uses the four-paragraph rule (crack rule) to provide a detailed answer. For questions with lower point values, a brief one to two-sentence response is sufficient.

What role does journalistic writing play in the speaker's approach to answering bar exam questions?

Journalistic writing, with its emphasis on privacy and conciseness, influences the speaker's approach to be brief and to the point, which is particularly useful for essay questions in bar examinations.

Can you provide an example of how to apply the CLEAR method to a bar exam question?

For example, if asked whether a contract is valid, one might answer 'Yes' (C), explain that a valid contract requires an offer, acceptance, and consideration (L), mention any exceptions like duress or misrepresentation (E), analyze how these elements apply to the given scenario (A), and reiterate that the contract is valid based on the analysis (R).

What mnemonics does the speaker mention forgetting but still applying in their exam answers?

The speaker mentions forgetting the mnemonics for the CLEAR method but still consistently applying the method's principles in their exam answers.