When former IndyLawNet contributor Lawren Mills graduated last year she posted on her experiences with bar review classes. After one day I can already tell she was correct in everything she posted. For those unfamiliar with PMBR classes, they review the MBE section of the bar exams. The MBE is a multiple choice section used by most states to cover the topics of Criminal Law, Torts, Contracts, Property, Constitutional Law, and Evidence.

Not everyone decides to take PMBR classes or they decide to not take all the classes. The purpose of the PMBR classes is not to take your money or scare a student with the practice exams, although based on conversations from today it does both tasks very well. The real purpose of the classes are to provide a baseline to students to see what they remember after 3 or 4 years of school. The answer to that question is not very much initially. The topic for today was Criminal Law with a pinch of Criminal Procedure thrown in. Most of us liked these classes and felt fairly comfortable with these subjects. You would think the practice exam would go fairly well for everyone. You're wrong.

The instructor informed us that a score 40% is average the first time, and most of the class proved average. Many didn't look forward to the class today, but I found it refreshing. We're in the same boat trying to figure out how to study for the bar exam. The other purpose of the class is to provide black letter law and test taking techniques. These classes, BarBri, Indianapolis Bar Association and others condense the entire law school career into 2 months. You learn that for test taking purposes the law has yes and no answers and why. On a multiple choice exam there is no 'it depends.'

No rest for the weary. Time to start studying again for the biggest professional exam of our lives.