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The Bar Exam Is Coming: How Are You Studying?

T

he bar exam is quickly approaching, and every hint that will help you faster memorize all the material can only benefit you come test day.

Here’s a mnemonic for you: can you name the five crimes associated with Felony Murder?

Think BARRK…like an angry dog barking at you to memorize this by the bar!

B: Burglary
A: Arson
R: Rape
R: Robbery
K: Kidnapping

By now, you are delving into your studies at full steam and have realized that yes, studying for the bar exam is both time consuming and stressful. But it is doable, and the time and energy you put into studying for the exam now will pay off enormously when you pass the bar and become the licensed attorney you set out to become when you began law school just a few years ago.

I spent my summer shifting between the 24 hour Starbucks, my law school’s library and my apartment to cram over 20 subjects worth of material into my brain for a two day test that was tantamount to 50% of my becoming a lawyer – the other half being the three years of my life spent in law school. I spent my days memorizing, memorizing, and memorizing more material than I had at any point previously in my life, and every mnemonic, tip or other helpful hint to help me along the way was most appreciated.

So how are you going about studying for the exam? What mnemonics have you found most helpful? Have you passed the bar exam already? What tips would you give to students studying for this July? Tell us in the comments below!

  • Bts67

    BAFFLEPACK is the mneumonic for the specific intent crimes, I believe.
    Burglary / Housebreaking
    Arson,
    Forgery,
    False Pretenses crimes,
    Larceny,
    Embezzlement
    Pre-meditated Murder (1st Degree)
    Attempt crimes
    Conspiracy crimes
    Kidnapping

    Rape is often thought to be a specific intent crime, but it is a general intent crime.

    • BRPTexas

      Now you’ve just gotta think up one for the general intent crimes!

    • Kmv

      This list is wrong. Arson is a general intent crime. You’re missing Solicitation as all inchoate crimes are specific intent, plus intent to commit battery assault. As to kidnapping, I don’t think it’s a specific crime either. Try:

      BAM ACTS

      Burglary
      Assault
      Murder (Intent to Kill)

      Attempt
      Conspiracy
      Theft Crimes
      -Larceny
      -Robbery
      -Embezzlement
      -Forgery
      -False Pretenses
      Solicitation

  • Today

    I think the best way to remember the SI crimes is to keep them together in categories: Crimes against property, inchoate crimes and 1st degree murder

  • Paul

    GRIP

    This is how you create (get a grip on) an easement:

    Grant (express)
    Reservation (also express)
    Implication (based on previous use apparent, continuous and reasonably necessary or right of access rule)
    Prescription (like adverse possession)

  • BarStudent

    General Intent Crimes: “Big Fat Fat Kid”
    Battery
    Forcible Rape
    False Imprisonment
    Kidnapping

    Malice: “ma” (easy think of your mom)
    Murder
    Arson

    Specific Intent: This is very weird but it worked for me
    “A1 REFF-BL ASC”
    I think of it as A1 sauce
    Reff-big loss
    “ASC”ing a question

    Assault
    1st Degree Premeditated Murder

    Robbery
    Embezzlement
    Forgery
    False Pretenses
    Burglary
    Larceny

    Attempt
    Solicitation
    Conspiracy

  • Jonathan Bell

    These are really great guys, thanks for sharing!