Bar Graders Have No Sense of Humor—And That's a Good Thing
Let’s be clear: the people grading your bar exam essays are not looking to be entertained. They’re not flipping pages hoping for a...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
May 33 min read
"Not Bad" Isn't Good Enough: Write in the Affirmative
If you’ve ever met a Minnesotan—or been one yourself—you might be familiar with a certain type of conversation: "How are you?" "Not bad."...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Apr 292 min read
You Can’t Find What You’re Not Looking For: The Munchos Rule of Bar Exam Fact-Spotting
The other day, I had a craving for a nostalgic snack I hadn’t thought about in years: Munchos potato chip s. Light, airy, salty, and...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Apr 252 min read
There Are No Easter Eggs in Bar Exam Essays
It’s almost Easter Sunday, and maybe you’re thinking about Easter egg hunts, candy-filled baskets, or hidden surprises. In pop culture,...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Apr 182 min read
Don’t Leave Easy Points on the Table
Some points on the bar exam are hard-earned. Others are just … forgotten. Left behind. Never even given a chance. And the worst part?...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Apr 182 min read
Frustration, Clarity, and the Art of the Simple Answer: March Madness Edition
March is here, and with it comes the madness of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Today, Yale, my alma mater, secured its spot in the...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Mar 164 min read
Say What It Is, Not What It Isn’t
Legal writing is about clarity. Precision. Getting to the point. But too often, law students and bar examinees hedge their statements or...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Mar 62 min read
Order Matters: Examining Standards of Review on Essays
When analyzing strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, or rational basis in a Constitutional Law essay, it’s critical to examine the...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Mar 12 min read
National Essay Day: A Bar Exam Tradition Under Threat? Not Necessarily
Every February 28, we celebrate National Essay Day , a day dedicated to recognizing the power of essays in shaping critical thinking,...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Feb 285 min read
Tug of War and Tough Bar Exam Essay Questions: The Battle of Close Calls
Happy International Tug of War Day (not to be confused with National Tug of War Da y , which is August 27)! You might not have played an...
Tommy Sangchompuphen
Feb 193 min read