Sample Answers
I’m studying for both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar exams, which provides lots of opportunity for comparing the procedures in the two states (and generally leads to griping about New Jersey). Today’s rant: released essay questions and answers. When PA releases old essay questions, they release a detailed statement of the examiner (listing all the law that’s relevant complete with citations), a grading checklist (listing items that examinees are expected to discuss and the points allotted for each issue), and a sample passing student answer. I couldn’t ask for more. In New Jersey, by contrast, they release only a student answer. These answers are, of course, frequently incorrect about minor (and in some cases, major) points. So they’re pretty much useless for grading yourself (beyond making sure you spotted all the major issues). The only upside is realizing that the authors of all these answers passed the exam.
