NY bar exam, february 2014.
Basically trying to decide which review to go in for. goal - knowing what needs to be known for passing the damn thing. which one of them does the job better, i wonder.

LLM bar review offers introductory sessions starting in September till December, which is good. anyone tried these guys or know anything about them?

thanks so much for info sharing.

I took both Kaplan Bar Review and LL.M. Bar Exam Review for California. To me, LL.M. Review is worth it because it helped me understand the laws better since it was taught in simpler language. However, if English is your native language, maybe you don't need it. Bar review should be enough for you. Good luck!

Common! How could you have taken both? Please share. Simpler language? Really?

There should really be a full disclosure requirement on this blog.

I totally agree with the simpler language of LLM Bar Exam. The materials are much more concise and focused. I don't know anyone who took Kaplan for the NY Bar, so I couldn't compare (though I heard Kaplan's specialty is actually the MPRE and only entered the bar exam market later on). However, the difference is very obvious when compared to Barbri. I took LLM Bar Exam to prepare for the July 2013 exam and managed to cover all the materials at least once, whereas people who did Barbri couldn't cover all the subjects because they give you too many unnecessary details (I know it's unnecessary because LLM Bar Exam students have higher pass rates than the overall pass rate of foreign-educated candidates). I've seen Barbri's materials before and their language really is much more confusing. As a native English speaker, I am glad I chose LLM Bar Exam. If there is an easier, lower-stress version, why not?

Lawbuscuit, First of all, I took Kaplan and the do have a foreign lawyer program that gives you more time and breaks down the most heavily tested areas of the exam, so I can provide that perspective. Second, pls where do you get your pass rate statistics from? The Board of Law Examiners certainly does not release pass rates based on courses taken. Third, it is interesting that you joined LLM Guide just a couple of days ago, just in time to make these points.

Anyway, a good product needs no hard sale. The Bar is tough and there is no silver bullet out there. I just think we should be careful about making students think that there is.