Libsyn Directory

338: Studying for the Bar During the Holiday Season

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Release Date: 12/15/2025

345: Early Bar Prep with Themis Bar Review

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're speaking with Themis Bar Review experts Zach Lindesmith and Michele Cooley. The conversation centers around the importance of realistic study planning for the groups of students who need to start their bar prep early. Note: This episode is sponsored by – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. With this special promotion, you can save $700 on any July 2026 Themis Bar Review course using the code BAREXAMTB700 at checkout. (This offer is valid until April 3rd, 2026.) In this episode, we discuss: ...

344: 11 Things You Need to Know About the NextGen UBE

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! If you're planning to take the bar exam in July 2026 or February 2027, your exam will look quite different from the current one. The Uniform Bar Exam overhaul includes changes in the structure, the question types, the timing, the grading – basically everything except the stakes. Today we're walking you through 11 things that every bar taker needs to know about the NextGen UBE. Some of these are structural and some are strategic, and at least a couple might genuinely surprise you. In this episode, we discuss: Exam structure changes and new...

343: Listen and Learn -- Duties to the Tribunal (Professional Responsibility)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing ABA's Model Rule of Professional Conduct 3.3, which governs truth telling to the tribunal (a court, arbitrator, administrative agency, or any other body acting in an adjudicative capacity). We break down all of the rule's nuances and parts, and analyze a few hypothetical scenarios. In this episode, we discuss: An overview of ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct The elements of Rule 3.3 "Candor Toward the Tribunal" A few hypothetical scenarios that show how this topic appears on the bar exam Resources: If...

342: Listen and Learn -- Warranties and Disclaimers Under the UCC (Contracts)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! Today we're discussing contract law – specifically, warranties and the disclaimer of warranties under the UCC. We explain both express and implied warranties and how they can be disclaimed. We also go through several examples to illustrate these rules in practice. In this episode, we discuss: Express and implied warranties under the UCC Disclaimer of warranties A hypothetical scenario from a previous California bar exam Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app....

341: Listen and Learn -- Marriage Formation and Requirements (Family Law)

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the legal requirements for marriage formation in the United States. We also cover common law marriage as an exception to the procedural requirements and use hypothetical scenarios to illustrate how these rules apply in practice. In this episode, we discuss: Defining marriage and legal precedents Procedural and substantive requirements for getting married Common law marriage Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating...

340: Listen and Learn -- Trust Formation and Administration

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! This episode of our "Listen and Learn" series explains the fundamentals of trust formation and administration, covering the requirements for creating both private and charitable trusts. In this episode, we discuss: The different types of trusts Requirements for creating an express private trust Charitable trusts Duties owed by the trustee Two hypotheticals illustrating how trusts are created and administered Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening...

339: Top 10 Time-Wasters When Studying for the Bar Exam

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we're going through the most common ways students waste time while studying for the bar, including relying on passive learning, overfocusing on one section, using too many resources, and neglecting feedback. We emphasize the importance of active study methods, balanced preparation, and honest self-reflection to maximize your chances of passing the bar exam. In this episode, we discuss: Passive vs. active learning Overfocusing on one portion of the exam Ways to get helpful feedback Effective MBE studying and essay writing ...

338: Studying for the Bar During the Holiday Season

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! We've made it to another holiday season, which means joy, good food, family, and friends. However, for those studying for the bar exam, it can also bring a lot of stress as you try to manage bar prep and family commitments. Today, we're sharing some ways to think about bar study during the holiday season. In this episode, we discuss: Creating a study schedule Setting boundaries with family and friends, and handling tough questions Allowing yourself to take real time off How to ask for help if you need to Avoiding social media and comparisons...

337: Listen and Learn -- Will Revocation

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the ways in which a validly executed will can be revoked (by a subsequent document, by a physical act, and by operation of law), and analyze examples illustrating these concepts. In this episode, we discuss: The requirements for a valid will Revocation by a subsequent document Revocation by a physical act Revocation by operation of law Doctrine of dependent relative revocation A few hypotheticals and examples Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or...

336: Listen and Learn -- Will Formation and Execution

The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress

Welcome back to the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast! In this episode, we explain the five requirements for a valid will, and analyze two hypotheticals to illustrate how courts determine validity. In this episode, we discuss: The basics of will formation The five elements of a valid will What is a holographic will? The "harmless error" rule Two hypotheticals from previous California bar exams Resources: If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on () or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via...

More Episodes

In this episode, we discuss:

Creating a study schedule
Setting boundaries with family and friends, and handling tough questions
Allowing yourself to take real time off
How to ask for help if you need to
Avoiding social media and comparisons to others

Resources:

Download the Transcript
(https://barexamtoolbox.com/episode-338-studying-for-the-bar-during-the-holiday-season/)

If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love a nice review and/or rating on Apple Podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-pass-bar-exam-less-stress/id1370651486) or your favorite listening app. And feel free to reach out to us directly. You can always reach us via the contact form on the Bar Exam Toolbox website (https://barexamtoolbox.com/contact-us/). Finally, if you don't want to miss anything, you can sign up for podcast updates (https://barexamtoolbox.com/get-bar-exam-toolbox-podcast-updates/)!

Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee

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