one more day

I'm in Tampa. I'm in my hotel. I got a ride up here with a friend. I decided to fly home. That will be nice. I'm grumpy. I did some practice problems and scored poorly. I know it was a tough test though and scaled score I probably passed. I should have brought the big Bar Bri Mpq book to do some intro questions just to boost my confidence.

If I fail it won't be because I don't know the material; it will be because the wording of the questions and answer choices trips me up. Whatever. I know the stuff. I have done about 2,000 questions. I will recognize the situation that is taking place in the fact pattern because those stupid PMBR questions always make it slightly more complicated than it needs to be. I will pass the bar exam, be admited to the bar and become a lawyer. So there.

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Any thoughts, recommendations, suggestions on how early to get there, how much time to leave or other non-obvious tips for bar takers? I don't want to be first in the room and be forced to sit there and stare at my hands for an hour when the doors open at 8. (apparently you're not allowed to talk in the room - that's what the instructions say). I also don't want to be rushed getting in there and worrying that I won't be in my seat until 8:59 a.m. I think if I got in the room at 8:30 or so, those 30 minutes would be the longest 30 minutes of my life. I can't really think of any valid reason to get there early other than the fact that you won't have to worry about being late. But I also don't want to be late. Eh. I don't know.

I read one of the old letters I got from the bar and it said there is video surveillance to make sure you comply with the rules. I can kind of understand why they need to be so strict but I guess there goes the idea that the PMBR teacher suggested about bringing in some snacks or candy or whatever. Can you imagine being escorted out of there by armed bar examiners because you took a bit of a granola bar you'd surreptitiously stashed in your pocket?

One piece of advice I got: if you're typing on Tuesday, don't bring your laptop case because it takes too long to check it. Someone told me about their friend who got into the room right at 9 after waiting forever to check their laptop case. So carry it in your hands or a shopping bag, I guess. I guarantee it will rain and my laptop will get soaked on the 8-minute walk from my hotel to the CC. But I brought some plastic bags, so I'm prepared!