Alright bar takers, I know you're out there and I know you're nervous. The Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners generally does a lousy job communicating information about the exam, and without a current director I can't imagine things will be better this year than they were in the past.* A lot of you have been landing here with questions about the exam and I am always happy to answer them.
To the people Googling "pass wi bar essays" or some variation thereof: I think they are pretty generous graders on the essays. While the essays are definitely important, I think you need to worry more about the MBE. When I took the July 2008 exam all the essays were Multistate Essays and I believe they were in February as well, so if you can get your hands on some sample MEEs, you should be sitting pretty.
To the people wondering about MPTs, when I took the exam last summer there was 1 MPT. The February 2009 exam had 2 MPTs. I don't know if there will be 2 MPTs again but I hope for your sake you are. If you were smart enough to graduate from law school and did any sort of internship or clerkship, you should be able to nail the MPTs. That's where you gain points!
Hotels: I'd stay at the hotel where the exam was at because there's simply less stress that way. This year, that appears to be the Madison Marriot West. I'd try and get a fridge in your room just to have cold water/soda/beverage of choice. I ordered room service for lunch both days of the exam and would recommend that you do the same simply so you don't have to stress about running out to try and grab food.
Failing the bar exam/WI bar impossible to fail: The Wisconsin bar is not impossible to fail. I had a friend from law school do it and some readers did too. If you do, dust yourself off and try again. The odds are good that you won't, but I assure you it is possible. I'm not saying this to scare you anymore, but so that if for some awful reason you do fail, you'll know you weren't the first or last to do so.
Diploma privilege sucks: Yes it does.
Keep the questions and searches coming and good luck studying!
*I'm fascinated by the line that says "A law degree from an accredited law school and eligibility for admission without examination to practice law in Wisconsin." What do they mean by this? An attorney who is already licensed? Or an attorney who is eligible under diploma privilege? If it's the latter, are you kidding me Supreme Court? I think the director of the BAR EXAMINERS should probably be familiar with the bar exam, but hey, what do I know? I also thought special interest money shouldn't buy Supreme Court seats.
Happy Independence Day!!!
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