After 20 tries…I finally passed the California State Bar on the 21st time. I graduated Cum Laude from American College July 1991, second in my class, have Am Jured four of my classes. I was also SBA President two years running. I, as did many of my classmates, "assumed" that I would pass the bar "first time around." I continuously missed a passing score by only a few points. I have suffered through and a number of rereads and once missed by only one point. I have taken about every bar prep course offered. I have invested in private tutorials. No success. These “almost passing scores” and having clerked with high accolades from my supervising attorney, assured me I was capable of passing the exam, so I stuck with it.
At time #18, I was pretty frustrated, not knowing why I was not passing. No one could tell me why. I was told repeatedly that I was very knowledgeable about the law and that I was a good writer. Great! Then why am I not passing? In searching for yet another Bar Prep Course, I came across the Celebration Bar Exam Review course and decided to give it a try.
Jackson Mumey explained his method to me, which was to say the least, foreign and unlike anything I had been taught and promised that if I followed his instructions, I would pass. I failed twice after engaging Jackson. But I must tell you that I did not master his principles (Jackson accused me of not even using his principles). Need I tell you that Old habits are hard to break? Jackson was adamant about the procedure… "If you do what I tell you and don't listen to anyone else, you will pass." Well, that was easier said than done. I had years of IRAC, spotting issues; buzz words, and underlining ingrained in my little brain.
I understood the concept he was trying to teach, but putting it to practice was a different matter. It was like a right-handed person trying to write with the left. The first time I tried to use the method, I failed horribly in the exam (I ditched the process and reverted back to my old habits…I didn’t pass again). I just couldn't seem to take the leap of faith into his method.
Jackson reminded me that that was not a smart idea since I had proven, many times over, that my method was not working...why not try his. Duhhh! Finally, I decided (committed) to learning the process ...what did I have to lose? So I began my discipline to change my behavior patterns. Jackson forbade me to study the law books this time, but to practice, practice, practice. Not study my books…real scary for me! When I sat down to write that first practice exam, I froze...I wanted to review the law books (like always) before preparing for the next exam. Discipline...I refused to look at the books. I was blocked. I counseled with Jackson about it...he said just write, anything, makeup what you don't know, then go back and look it up..."trust me”, he said, “you know enough law to pass the exam."
Finally, my pen started to move (now there was a scary thing...it read awful and it felt even worse…awkward. I was taking 1-1/2 to 1 hour 45 minutes to write. Discipline...just keep writing. I had really deep-rooted habits to break. I committed to writing 3 exams a day to break the mold...this was not easy. My goal, however, was to conquer the approach. Four weeks prior to the exam, I am still taking too much time…down to 1-15 minutes, but I continued to follow Jackson's instructions. I focused on the process (despite my anxiety) over and over; counseled with Jackson (over and over) and little by little I began to “methodically” follow the process.
About three weeks before the exam, it clicked, I could see how it worked and I could do it within the allotted time...15 to 20 minutes to prepare (outline and all) and 35-40 minutes to write. I felt more confident about leaving out non-issues for fear I would lose a point somewhere. I spent those final weeks fine-tuning the process. This was not easy…but Jackson’s daily Internet motivators started my day (after prayer of course) and got me going. The Sunday before the exam…I stopped practicing.
The first morning of the Bar exam, I opened the book and my heart flipped…it was a monster… I was told there were “audible groans all through the room (I had my ear plugs in). I recognized that those exams were more difficult than any I had been accustomed to seeing during the 20 tries. My heart raced as I began, but I remembered to "just work the process...no matter what and to trust Jackson…”I know enough to pass". I put my pen to the paper, mapped out the process, and completed each exam with 2-3 minutes left on each. I noted that the last word I wrote was as legible as the first word. One exam took 20 minutes to prepare...I started to panic but remembered “Jackson said some required more outlining, but by so doing, you spend less time writing…so work the process." In the past, I panicked and forgot about my outline...this time I wrote from my outline...DUHHH! The process kept me focused, precise and saved me from writing superfluous garbage. When I finished the third exam, that first morning, I put my pen down, looked over the books, before the proctor called "Time". Tears involuntarily streamed down my face...the girl in front of me turned to comment on how hard the exam was and saw my tears. She consoled me and said, don’t worry you probably did better than you think…everyone thought the exam was really tough, look around you”. I was not crying because I thought I had failed...I was relieved with joy that I got through it so controlled. It just felt right and I never reverted to my old habits.
Going into the Performance Test, which I had not practiced on Jackson’s instruction, I had some harsh feelings for Jackson (why did I listen to him?). But then, I remembered he said, “Just follow the instructions.” So, I used the same process...what did the instructions ask me to do...what is the conflict? Bingo...I was able to cruise through the assignment with a certain amount of confidence and enough time. Again, it just felt right. I held fast to this principle all three days.
When I returned home, I e-mailed Jackson and simply said... “I thank God for you Jackson Mumey.”
When the exams were posted, the Internet said I was not among those who passed…but something inside me said wait for the results. The envelope was not different than any other times so I thought I had not passed. But when I read the letter…I completely lost control. I am Tina Hoover, Attorney-at-Law, sole practitioner. Halleluiah! Thank you, Jackson for putting up with me. I was not always a good student, but I am committed to being a good lawyer!