All the bar reviewers - BarBri, PMBR, etc. - talk a lot about the mechanics of the test taking, emphasizing the number of questions, the frequency of topics tested, etc. The message that comes across, I think by design, is that one should not belabor actually trying to learn the material as much as maximize memorization resources. I guess given the sheer volume of material that tack may be necessary, but it does seem unfortunate that this massive educational opportunity isn't really supposed to be an educational opportunity...
On the other hand, an interesting possibility was raised when they were explaining how the exam score gets curved (like on the MBE). Apparently if too many people get a question wrong, they won't count the question and so everyone will end up with credit for that question in their scaled score. Theoretically, then, BarBri can game the system. In fact, it probably does game the system - even if not purposefully. Since so many people take the review course, if it doesn't cover a certain topic then lots of people may resultingly get that question wrong, perhaps in great enough numbers to void the question. So in a sense, BarBri by its very existence may well determine what you'll need to know for the bar.
Comments (1)
I guess you haven't seen the property tapes yet... at one point in the video the prof says, "if you get to a really hard rule againt perpetuities problem, and you don't think you'll get it.. don't dispair, the answer is A, we're telling everyone to mark A, and the computer will throw out the question."
Posted by Christy | June 18, 2006 8:39 PM
Posted on June 18, 2006 20:39