The Bar Exam is a test that all lawyers must take to become a licensed attorney. Although Seniors cannot become licensed attorneys straight out of high school, the Georgia High School Mock Trial Law Academy in Atlanta offered a student version of the exam to give students a look at what the exam would look and feel like. Addie Hines from Heritage High School was nominated to go, making her the first to do so here at Heritage, and she definitely left her mark.
The exam is two parts in one day, a small difference from the actual exam which is two parts in two days. One part of the exam is the physical portion, including some multiple choice questions and a few short answer responses, and the other portion is a written and oral closing argument. In this closing argument, students had to write their argument the night before the exam and present it to a group of peers and those who are grading them, where they’d be graded based upon not only their voice, but also their writing and grammar. “Walking into the first room of the oral argument was very scary,” Hines said. “I had been practicing saying my argument for about 20 minutes before I gave it to the judges, which made me more comfortable, yet still nervous.”
The physical part of the exam is scored out of 86 points, while the oral part of the exam is scored out of 30. Overall, Hines’ raw score was 95/116, giving her an 82% grade. She scored 69/86 on the physical part and 26/30 on her closing argument. The minimum she needed was an 80% to be admitted to the Student Bar of Georgia, which formally recognizes students and gives them a certificate during the State Finals Competition on Saturday, March 14th in Lawrenceville. “Honestly, I was not that confident when I first took the test. Everything besides the rules felt good, though,” Hines commented. “I enjoy logic puzzles, so those were easier for me to do.”
In the future, Hines either wants to be a family law attorney or a personal injury attorney. She wants to attend either Auburn University or Berry College, as they both have great pre-law programs and support systems. This exam allowed her to practice for the future Bar Exam, so that she’s more prepared on the format and the stuff she will have to know. She describes herself as determined, kind, and optimistic, and these attributes definitely shine through her charming personality. Heritage is so proud of Hines for taking the exam and passing. If you see her in the hallways, make sure to congratulate her!
