Did You Get What You Wanted for Christmas (or the Bar Exam)?
The day after Christmas is a day of reflection for many. As the glow of holiday celebrations fades, we often hear the inevitable question: Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?
Whether it’s a perfect new gadget, LEGO set, or book that you’ve had your eyes on, or just spending time with family, the answer is rarely a simple “yes” or “no.” Sometimes, what we unwrap surprises us, challenges us, or even disappoints us—but ultimately, it’s part of the experience.
In fact, it's not unlike the bar exam. What? Let me explain.
When you open your essay packet on exam day, you might be asking: Did I get the essays I wanted?
The parallel between holiday wish lists and bar exam essay topics is striking. Just as Christmas gifts can range from the expected to the utterly surprising, bar exam essays can present us with topics we were hoping for—or ones we wish had stayed buried in the hypothetical North Pole.
But here’s the key: just like those unexpected gifts, hard or unfamiliar essay questions aren’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, they can be an opportunity to shine.
Hard Questions Aren’t Lump Coal
If you’ve read my earlier post, "Hard Essay Questions Aren’t Such a Bad Thing," you’ll remember my hot take: when it comes to bar exam essays, you actually want hard questions. Here’s why.
On a harder question, like one involving the Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP), the scoring process can work in your favor. For instance, if most examinees perform poorly on a RAP essay, a response that earns 50% of the rubric points may still result in a high raw score, as scores are distributed evenly across the range of responses. In contrast, an easier question on a familiar topic like Agency might result in higher percentage scores across the board, but the competition for top raw scores becomes steeper, making it harder to stand out.
Difficult essay topics test how well you understand fundamental principles and apply them under pressure. If a question feels tough to you, it’s likely tough for others, too. Stay calm, apply the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) method, and demonstrate your ability to think critically. Challenging questions, much like unexpected Christmas gifts, are opportunities to shine when you rise to meet them.
Embrace the Unexpected
The connection between holiday surprises and bar exam essays boils down to this: Your mindset matters.
For Christmas: When you don’t get exactly what you wanted, can you still appreciate the thought behind the gift? Can you find a way to use or enjoy it?
For the Bar Exam: When you don’t get your dream essay topics, can you pivot and tackle the question with confidence? Can you adapt your knowledge to the facts presented?
Both scenarios require flexibility, creativity, and a positive outlook. In the end, what you do with what you’re given matters more than the initial reaction.
A Practical Approach for Bar Exam “Gifts”
Here are a few strategies to handle those less-than-ideal essay questions on exam day:
Pause and Assess: Take a deep breath and read the question carefully. Don’t rush to judgment about how difficult or unfair it seems. Look for clues in the fact pattern that tie back to rules or principles you’ve studied.
Break It Down: Even if the topic feels unfamiliar, stick to the fundamentals. Identify the issues, state the relevant rules, analyze how the facts apply, and draw a conclusion. The IRAC method is your trusty roadmap.
Leverage the Basics: Most hard questions are built on foundational principles. Think back to the core doctrines and apply them step by step. You’ll be surprised how much ground you can cover with solid basics.
Stay Calm and Carry On: Confidence is key. Bar examiners aren’t looking for perfection; they’re looking for competence. Show them you can think on your feet, even when faced with a curveball.
Whether you’re reflecting on holiday gifts or essay questions, the same principle applies: It’s not about what you get, but how you respond. The unexpected—be it a weird pair of socks or an obscure essay topic—can teach us resilience, adaptability, and even gratitude.
Happy Holidays—and happy studying!
