July 2009 Student Comments
This page contains comments from students of all of AmeriBar's offerings, including home study courses and the tutoring program. The page will be updated regularly. New comments continue to pour in.
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"I liked all of the outlines. The outlines on the . . . essay subjects were more useful because I had not learned the material in law school. You'll learn more than you will with Barbri and it's half the price. The online lectures are great because you can listen to them as many times as you need to, and I thought the question bank was an easier way to quiz myself on the material, especially since most of the quizzes gave you an explanation right after the question. . . .
I was one of the few students in my graduating class who didn't take a face-to-face bar preparation course. I passed, and based on my informal count, about half of them failed. I also saved a lot of money, which I appreciated. I was worried that a "cheaper" bar review course was going to be detrimental, but I think I got a better understanding of the material listening at home and making outlines. . . . This is a great program, and I would highly recommend it. Luckily, I don't have to take it again because I passed!"
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I enjoyed the mini pinpoint style lectures in areas
that had a lot of information that may not be critical to the exam. . . . I
enjoyed the online question bank because they were written in a way
that helped to test knowledge of material. . . . I was able pass the bar on my
first attempt, and Ameribar was a major reason why. Ameribar was my only
structured bar prep."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"The sample MBE questions and answers really helped. . . . I read the books and paid close attention to the sample tests and answers. The bar exam was so close to the samples that I didn't have any real problems taking the test."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I thought the lectures were extremely helpful and thorough. . . . It was definitely worth every penny. I felt like i got my money's worth and I could not have passed without it. . . . I loved it from start to finish."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I was matched with a great tutor . . . who really helped me to look at the questions differently. Thanks for everything and I am glad I found out about AmeriBar when I did."
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"After passing the New York Bar Exam this year using the online Ameribar course, I remain thrilled with my results! I graduated in May 2009 from Tulane Law School in New Orleans. At Tulane, the only on-campus bar course representatives were from [competitors]. Knowing I would not join a large firm after law school, I needed an affordable alternative. I did my own research and found Ameribar. I'm so glad I did!
I want to make sure more law students know about Ameribar. . . . I am so glad I chose the course I did, and I want as many students as possible to learn about Ameribar as an excellent alternative to more expensive courses."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Thanks for all your help for the Missouri Bar and the
MPRE. After being out of law
school for 25 years, it was really quite instrumental in helping me to achieve a
passing grade."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I just wanted to personally thank you for your unbelievably effective bar review course and to let you know I passed the July 2009 District of Columbia Bar Exam! My story is a bit different than most though, so I wanted to share it with you. You see, I graduated from law school in 1983; yes, 26 years ago. During that period, for reasons I won't go into as it's kind of a long story, I had never taken the bar exam in any jurisdiction. Also, I had never worked in any law-related field at any time during those 26 years. However, I decided that after all these years, it was time to change that and challenge the exam. I enrolled in your complete District of Columbia course including the essay writing and feedback portion (not the tutoring), as well as the MPRE review. I followed your instructions, listened to the online lectures, and completed the practice essays. Now, after 26 years of not being involved with the law at all, and only using your course to prepare, I can say I'm a lawyer! Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude to the folks at Ameribar who have made this long-delayed dream come true for me. . . . Thank you again for your fantastic course. It's simply amazing."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I purchased your study materials for the Texas Bar
Exam this past April. The Texas pass list was released today, and I was on it.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for answering my numerous questions
during the months of June and July. Also, your study materials obviously
provided me with what I needed.
I used Barbri study books last year to take - and fail - the California bar.
Although I cannot say Barbri is the reason I failed the California bar, I can
say that I found your study materials far superior to Barbri's.
So, I thank you again. I realize I was a pest during the bar study period, and
you patiently and effectively helped me during that time of turmoil.
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I am writing to inform you all after two long years of struggle and hard work, I've passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam. . . . Thank you again for all your support and dedication to helping me achieve my personal goals."
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I wanted to let you know that I passed the MD bar exam. I couldn't have done it without God's help and of course your guidance, pointers, and seasoned tutoring. You Rock!!!"
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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". . . Essay feedback was immensely helpful. I am greatful for AmeriBar's "plan of attack" and I believe following your program put my score over the top. If you struggle with the essay portion of the Bar Exam, I would highly recommend signing up with AmeriBar. Through AmeriBar, I was able to focus on the Texas Essay portion of the Texas Bar Exam. No other program offered as intense study as AmeriBar."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Ameribar is a great option that provides all the necessary information and preparation at a significantly reduced cost when compared with traditional bar prep courses."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Sign up for it. It will save you tons of money"
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Guess what? I passed!!! Thanks so much for your coaching! I couldn't have done it with out you!"
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"The concise lectures of AmeriBar were great and got straight to the point. Also, the outline books were similarly concise. It gave the necessary information without the fluff and I was able to read through the complete outlines. . . . with [a competitor's course materials] I honestly didn't read through all of the outlines because they were just so long. It was like taking the law school class all over again. . . .I have told several friends about the program"
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"The outlines were generally very good. The use of stars to denote the likelihood the issue will be tested is a good idea. . . . . I used BarBri to pass my first bar exam after law school. I had an even higher MBE score this time with AmeriBar.
The online question bank was terrific. . . . . Very well done. . . .
On the whole, I thank you for providing an affordable, comprehensive program that was wholly adequate for self study while working full time."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to let you know that I passed the July 09 Bar Exam. I know I started late in the program for tutoring but I appreciate the time you spent with me. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks."
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I just wanted to give you an update on how everything went. I was not very confident after the exam as it was very hard and I felt very unsure of myself afterwards. However, the results came out earlier this week and I just wanted to let you know that I passed the exam and improved a great amount. Increasing my score about 170 points and wanted to say thank you for everything. I could not have passed without your help, and I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I . . . just wanted to convey to you a very heartfelt thank you for everything."
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I just wanted to thank you and your staff for your help in my passing of the Texas Bar Exam. You not only helped me to overcome the challenge of the bar exam but you helped me pass with flying colors!! Your techniques and tutors helped me to drastically improve my score which only proved to me that failing the bar exam had nothing to do with how intelligent I am but rather on my test taking skills and methods of studying. I finally feel confident again, and that is priceless. After every tutoring session . . . I felt more equipped with techniques and knowledge to conquer the bar exam. I really liked and got a lot out of the resources available on Ameribar's website like the audio lectures. [AmeriBar's] MPT lectures are absolutely incredible. In addition, the sample essay answer book was extremely helpful. I am so thankful to Ameribar and I am highly recommending it to anyone struggling with the Bar Exam. Ameribar's methods work!"
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I want to thank you for helping me study for the July Texas Bar Exam. I found out yesterday that I passed, and I am very happy about that. The work we did on essay writing and especially formatting helped me a great deal. Again, thank you!"
July 2009 Tutoring Student
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"Don't get sucked in to the prevailing thought that Barbri is the only option. . . . Just because Ameribar is lesser-known doesn't mean that it is poorer quality. And you'll probably save some money.
I LOVE that it is cheaper than [a competing course]. [The competing course] has this reputation that it's the only option for bar prep, but it is way too expensive. . . . With your program, I got to study at home, and I saved over $1,000. . . .
Have confidence in [AmeriBar's] study course. The bar exam is tough, but it is tough for everyone. It doesn't matter what course you used to prepare, the bar exam is going to be much harder than you imagined. Don't let doubt creep in about your preparation, simply because you chose a lesser-known bar prep course. This is especially true about the MBE. It is impossibly hard, and everyone has doubts about how they did. Ameribar will prepare you just as well as the other options would."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I thought the outlines focused very accurately on the issues tested. I scored in the top 5% on the MBE, and used only AmeriBar outline materials to prep for the exam.
I strongly recommend [AmeriBar] . . . . . The outlines are stronger than the BarBri I took several years ago for another jurisdiction."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I loved all of the outlines. They were a wonderful study aid. The lecturers are all outstanding as well.
[A competing course] values quantity over quality. AmeriBar actually focuses your attention on the most important topics and explores those topics in detail."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Ameribar's customer service is excellent!"
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Really, [AmeriBar's course] was kind of my savior, because there was no way I could afford [a competing course]!"
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I would recommend it."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Since I am an audio learner I found the lectures the most useful...I liked the ability to listen to them multiple times . . . . "
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I liked most of the lectures and found the outlines useful. They seemed targeted at explaining things I needed to know. . . . The program is a good, complete program. It allowed me to study at my own pace, relax, create my own program."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I worked full time the entire time I prepared for the bar exam and still passed. I am the only person from my law school class that worked 40 hours a week and took the bar exam. I believe that says something about the Ameribar course and about myself."
July 2009 Home Study Course Student
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February 2009 Student Comments
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"I thought the bar preparation materials for the DC bar were excellent. The outlines were generally excellent. I took Barbri and your course was more accessible and academic. I liked Ameribar better. Particularly, the online lectures. . . .
Your program explains the rules of law better (and the background and history as to how the law developed) rather then quick black letter statements of the law, which I saw in Barbri outlines. By narrowing in on the basic principles, and giving a better historical foundation, I felt that I was able to remember and understand areas of the law that I did not take in law school.
Your program was a success for me. I was working fulltime clerking for a judge while I studied for the bar and I was able to do it with your program. I failed the bar when I had all the time in the world taking Barbri. I felt that your program was more focused and accessible."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I felt the essay lectures were superb. . . . . I was
focused on every word he said and
took scrupulous notes. I would tell [a friend considering AmeriBar] that they'd
be a darn fool to not go w/ Ameribar! Ameribar (to my knowledge) is the only bar
review course that offers actual RELEASED MBE QUESTIONS from the NCBE AND STATE
SPECIFIC ESSAY questions and answers! What better way to get into the minds of
the examiners?!?
I passed CT on my first try after many failed attempts at NY. I tried [MBE specialist course competitor] (3 times!), [national seminar based course competitor] (twice!), [essay writing specialist competitor] (a Harvard Essay "expert"), [online bar review competitor] (horrendous waste of money and time), and I can go on and on and on... As stated before, the fact that the questions offered by Ameribar are RELEASED coupled with the process . . . really helped me to learn the law. Also, the lecturer insisted that the candidate not focus on quantity when doing MBE questions (unlike [competitor]), but to focus on the quality of learning the nuances.
Alex was always available to answer my many questions. I know we're in a recession, but the man deserves a bonus! I called him MANY times, and he was always readily available to answer my questions, coach me and share his bar exam war stories. After the actual MBE, I called him. I ran out of time, scribbled B's for the last five answers and wanted to cry. I'll never forget his words of advice. He told me to stay focused and to tackle the essay portion the next day. I ordered in dinner and read and reread my self-made "cheat sheet" until I couldn't anymore. If Alex weren't around for that pep talk, I'm afraid I may have thrown in the towel. THANK YOU, ALEX!"
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I liked being able to listen to the lectures on an
ipod and then having the ability to review the material. . . . I am an proof
that you can pass, work a full day, and be a parent. Thank
you."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"If you are a repeat taker or you have not taken the
test in some time, i.e. 5-7 year, I highly recommend [tutoring]. The tutoring
program allows for one-on-one interaction and is absolutely essential if you are
not a self-motivator. Being responsible for assignments and clear meeting
times was crucial to my success. I am just grateful that I finally found a
service that was focused on my
success and not just turning out a product that is produced for the masses. . .
. I learned much more of the law using Ameribar then I ever did with BarBri and
that helped immensely."
February 2009 Home Study Course and Tutoring Student
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"I liked the star rankings indicating likelihood of
testing. That was helpful in
being able to step back and look at what is most important. You covered
what was tested, I don't recall seeing anything as a surprise. I liked
that you had so many past bar questions included. They are very helpful. The
material access technology worked fine and I was able to connect and login
with no problems. . . . I think that it is an excellent value . . . , especially
for someone who can't study full time and doesn't have the time to go to live
lectures. . . . "
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I worked one on one with an excellent tutor- that is what really made the difference for me. I learned step by step how to write an essay and do MBE questions topic by topic. It was also useful to have real MBE questions and NY bar exam essays to work on.
My tutor . . . was terrific. She really broke the NY bar examination down for me. She also helped me to stay on focus. . . . as the tutoring is concerned- perfect.
. . . It is easy to feel lost in a program, but with one on one tutoring, there is greater accountability. I really felt prepared this time as I took the bar exam."
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"Your program focuses on the important and
frequently-tested subjects, and is realistic, whereas other programs are overly
and unnecessarily comprehensive. Your program worked really well for me.
It emphasized the right subjects and strategies, and I think it works really
well for repeat takers such as myself. I enrolled in the Connecticut essay
program and used what I learned there for the
Vermont essays and passed both states. Thank you for helping me pass this time."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"The best part was the different recommended study schedules based on how much time you had. I started in November so I had a lot of time, but it was helpful having the basic roadmap and adjusting accordingly. I also really appreciated that the program stressed the importance of the state law portion of the exam, which [competitor] and [other competitor] kind of blow off.
The balance of multistate and state law is the
critical difference. The state law is half the test and should be treated with
that level of importance. . . . I felt that I KNEW the state law more
comprehensively with Ameribar because I learned it early and often. Rather than
cramming it in in
two weeks at the end, I studied it for two or three months - essays a couple of
times a week.
Its an excellent program for someone that is working while studying. It takes discipline to set aside time to study, but the lectures are good and the approach is solid. First, the aforementioned focus on state law instead of just hundreds of questions. Second, the flexibility. And third, the [interactive study technique] was great. I bought in completely . . . trucked my outlines with me everywhere lunch at work, to the beach, on airplanes and they stood up to the abuse and I learned a lot.
. . . I think you have the program pretty well figured out. . . . One thing I would tell other students is that the preliminary strategy lectures are essential to the program. I listened to each one at least twice. There are no short cuts. You just have to trust and follow each facet of the program, from the outlines to the practice essays. Just trust the program."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I thought that the materials and the lectures were
mostly excellent. . . . The materials on how to take the exams were
very good. . . . I appreciate the receptiveness of folks in your office when I
called a couple times with questions. The people I spoke with were
friendly and very
responsive. Good customer relations!"
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I just wanted to let you know that I passed the NY Bar Exam. Our phone sessions made this possible. I really want to thank you as well."
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"All lectures and outlines covered the material in sufficient detail and were easily read. . . . It was a great program for my needs as an attorney preparing to take an exam in another jurisdiction. For my situation, any other bar review I would have over paid and not received what I needed in my particular circumstances. . . ."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I found the introductory lectures helpful in helping me understand why Ameribar is different from other courses. . . . Ameribar is the program to choose for a personalized study program that helps identify each student's specific needs, weaknesses, and strengths. The tutors are knowledgeable, experienced, and provide helpful feedback. Neither of these aspects is offered by some of the other major "name brand" courses.
Additionally, I had been told repeatedly by other courses and professors that home-study courses are not recommended and that that's probably why I had failed previously. I refused to accept this answer. I lived an hour and a half from either of the courses offered here in CO and found that the commute was an incredible waste of time - not to mention that I would have to put my child in daycare just for the Bar exam course. Ameribar is used to working with student by long distance and made the home study course work for me - THANK YOU!
. . . . I wish that I purchased more sessions to cover more topics, but even with the 6 sessions I purchased, the tutor and I were able to identify which topics I really needed help with and then I was able to apply the strategies I learned to the topics we didn't cover in the session. The requirement of self application is not diminished simply because a tutor is hired, there is still a lot of work to be done on your time, but the guidance and direction provided by my tutor was incredibly helpful to me. I learned so much about my test-taking style and mistakes that were particular to certain subjects - and I would never have learned any of that by continuing to study on my own (or by retaking Barbri).
. . . I had shared with my tutor my circumstances (that I was pregnant with my second child, that my study schedule was centered around care of my first child, and that I was married) I truly appreciated that she did not pass judgment of any kind on my situation. As I told her, I believed these circumstances make passing the bar more challenging, but not impossible. She helped me design a study schedule to a certain extent, and then helped me determine whether I was spending adequate amounts of time studying each topic as we progressed through the weeks. I found this really helpful in managing my schedule and in knowing in the end what to really spend my time on. We worked through each session quickly and efficiently and I believe the result was very productive sessions."
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"It worked for me and I was anything but a sure thing."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I passed the bar!!! Thanks so much for everything!"
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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". . . I PASSED!
Thank both of you SO MUCH-I couldn't have done it without your help. Ameribar is quite simply the best.
I especially appreciated the flexibility of both of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I want to thank you and Ameribar for helping me pass the CT Bar Exam on my first try. The audio lectures, materials and most importantly, Ameribar's strategy on learning the law were all very practical and extremely helpful.
Ameribar's MBE released questions really helped me get into the Bar Examiner's way of structuring and analyzing a question. (Far better than [competitor]!) I feel that what really drove home my pass score was Ameribar's approach . . . . This was a very comprehensive approach. Ameribar focused it's lectures and reading materials on what a candidate needed to know, which was imperative in getting a pass score. Another critical thing I did, aside from answer a multitude of essay questions, was that at the very end of my bar study (approximately 2 1/2 weeks before the administration) I went to my law library and spent a whole week drafting the various rules of law from each essay question in the essay book. This process helped CEMENT recurring issues, analysis and the rules of law. The essay book for CT rocked and Ameribar published only released CT essay questions and answers. I was ready for anything that came before me on exam day! Furthermore, as a mom of two very young children, Ameribar offered me the flexibility to study at home. I never had the stress of having to drive to a lecture.
Thank you [AmeriBar] for always being there to answer
my questions and for helping me calm my nerves before and DURING the bar! You
were so very helpful and kind. Thank you so much!
Much continued success with your wonderful bar review course!"
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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I passed. Thanks for your help.
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"I passed. I still can't believe it. I have to take the MPRE in August so I will be taking the Ameribar review for that one. I don't really know what to say other than a sincere, "Thank You", for all of your patience and help. I truly believe I couldn't have done it without your guidance, support and sage advice."
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"If you want to study efficiently, be flexible as to when you study, juggle family and/or work commitments, and solidly pass the exam, this program works, especially if you're disciplined about staying on schedule. . . .
I appreciated being given strategies to both pass the test and maintain my perspective and sanity in doing so. During the lectures, it was critical to be advised where exam questions were most likely to fall. There were only a handful of question on the MBE that tested concepts not in the outlines or lectures, and I achieved a well-above-average score on the MBE.
I studied as much as I could while juggling other responsibilities: about 3-4 hours per day, most every day in the two months before the exam, and about 6-8 hours a day in the two weeks before the exam. That was the time available to me, and although I wished I had more time per day, I had to make the best use of what I had. I didn't sit around writing my own outlines or making piles of flash cards. I trusted the materials that were provided to me, including the preparation and test-taking strategies, and used my time as efficiently as possible. If I fell behind on the study schedule due to life complications, I would put in longer hours to get caught up. The last two weeks before the exam, I reviewed outlines, memorized key elements and concepts, and did practice MBE and essay questions.
I passed the Colorado exam on my first try in 1995 and practiced law since then. Arizona did not offer reciprocity upon my relocation here, so I was nervous about taking the exam in 2009 - 14 years after graduating from law school. I sat for the exam with new, younger graduates all around me, and I thought for sure they would have the edge over me. 2 of the 4 of us at my table passed. I passed the exam with substantial breathing room, so I am pleased to say this program worked for me as someone who has been out of law school for a long time."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"I PASSED THE CO BAREXAM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a HUGE relief (especially as I’ve heard the CO bar exam is changing in
July)! I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all your help
and guidance in our tutoring sessions. Each day of the bar exam I tried to
mentally focus on the strategies you taught me for the MBE and the Essays and
tried to map out my mental plan for each day and how I would handle each
question – in addition to the vast amount of time spent reviewing the material
so I would know it by memory. I’m SO glad I chose Ameribar over taking Barbri
again!"
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"Good course for a practicing attorney who simply needs a 'refresher' prior to taking a bar exam."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Thank you so much for all of
your help. This time I passed the Maryland bar and I wanted to write you and
thank you for all of your help. I couldn't have done it without you."
February 2009 Tutoring Student
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"Very good program--complete and accurate"
February 2009 Home Study Course Student
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"Very-well organized outlines and explanations of answers."
February 2009 Home Study Course Student