Your past experiences with him would be appreciated. Since PT grade is being doubled, isn't it a good idea to practice them as much as possible?

Why do you say PT grade is being doubled? It is official news?

I do not have experience with him ... but I heard his system is a bit over-complicated.

Outstanding! Do John's 3 days seminar, if at all possible. His one day is like drinking from a fire hose, and the 3 day is even fast paced.

John is a super guy, wonderfully compassionate, very insightful, has great insight, and taught me all I know about PT's.

I took his course a couple of times before I passed the CA bar exam, but it eventually did the trick.

I do NOT recommend Fleming's (taught by Mrs. Flemings, aka Sue Sneidmiller). Don't waste more money on that one than Holtz, yet delivers an inferior product.

I absolutely owe my success on the CA bar to John Holtz and my writing tutor, John Crossfield, www.cabargrader.com.

John Holtz's website is www.performancetest.net. It's not always up to date with class dates, so don't hesitate to call for up to date information. However, note that John will keep you on the phone long enough to learn about you, care about you, and impart some wisdom upon you. What more could a bar candidate ask?

He's a super guy and first time bar takers qualify for his $99 up-front charge without further payment if you don't pass. I wish I'd have taken his 3 day class before my first bar as that would likely have been my last. (I was only 4 raw points away from a passing score!)

I count John as my PT savior. I have complete and total faith in his methods and owe my success on the PT's to him and him alone.

(The preceding was an UNpaid announcement by a very satisfied passing bar exam candidate, July '09 bar exam.) ;-)

John once spent two hours with me going over my prior bar exam failing PT's, explaining what I did wrong, and how I could have done it differently... and then drove 8 hours home during the middle of the night to care for his special needs children. It wasn't just two hours, but it was John's only chance to get some sleep. Instead, he stayed behind for an extra two hours, missed dinner, and drove through the night because he wanted to be there for me when I needed it.

You think I'm a strong supporter of Mr. Holtz? You damned right I am!

Here's to John. :-)

Each PT counts for two essays, the way it always has been.

Jeff, I got his name from your previous posts and will likely take that course.

Holtz is great!I highly recommend taking his course! He is a very nice man, very insightful and is very cheap! He isnt one of those money hungry bar prep instructors - this guy really cares about your performance and gives you a strategy to attack the PTs (along with some nice little "tricks" on the PT)

I was repeater, and my handicap was the PT - Holtz made me a better bar exam taker and his approach works for the most part! Very nice guy!

Actually, the PT counts for four essays. They take your score, then double it.

I know you guys are discussing PT's. But does anyone have any recommendations for the essays. I reallllly need someone to help me improve my scores on the essays. Although I know the material I keep blowing most of the exams.

Posted By on 22 Nov 2009 04:06 AM
Outstanding! Do John's 3 days seminar, if at all possible. His one day is like drinking from a fire hose, and the 3 day is even fast paced.

John is a super guy, wonderfully compassionate, very insightful, has great insight, and taught me all I know about PT's.

I took his course a couple of times before I passed the CA bar exam, but it eventually did the trick.

I do NOT recommend Fleming's (taught by Mrs. Flemings, aka Sue Sneidmiller). Don't waste more money on that one than Holtz, yet delivers an inferior product.

I absolutely owe my success on the CA bar to John Holtz and my writing tutor, John Crossfield, www.cabargrader.com.

John Holtz's website is www.performancetest.net. It's not always up to date with class dates, so don't hesitate to call for up to date information. However, note that John will keep you on the phone long enough to learn about you, care about you, and impart some wisdom upon you. What more could a bar candidate ask?

He's a super guy and first time bar takers qualify for his $99 up-front charge without further payment if you don't pass. I wish I'd have taken his 3 day class before my first bar as that would likely have been my last. (I was only 4 raw points away from a passing score!)

I count John as my PT savior. I have complete and total faith in his methods and owe my success on the PT's to him and him alone.

(The preceding was an UNpaid announcement by a very satisfied passing bar exam candidate, July '09 bar exam.) ;-)

John once spent two hours with me going over my prior bar exam failing PT's, explaining what I did wrong, and how I could have done it differently... and then drove 8 hours home during the middle of the night to care for his special needs children. It wasn't just two hours, but it was John's only chance to get some sleep. Instead, he stayed behind for an extra two hours, missed dinner, and drove through the night because he wanted to be there for me when I needed it.

You think I'm a strong supporter of Mr. Holtz? You damned right I am!

Here's to John. :-)

From one first time bar passer to hopefully another, take Flemings Fundamentals of Law for Performance Test Review. Performance test taking is about thinking and writing like a lawyer. The above post talks about drinking from a fire hose and being "damned right." That does not sound like a lawyer to me.

Flemings Fundamentals of law is not a quick fix for Performance Test taking. It is a thorough step by step review on how to think and write like a lawyer so you don't have to worry about taking the test more than once.

I do not know how John Holtz conducts his review courses, but I can vouch 100% for Flemings Fundamentals of Law.

Has Flemings course changed over the years, will I be ok if I buy the cds and books over ebay or craigslist of year 2003?

While I haven't got the first clue about those that you used, I used Flemings, and the results were outstanding. We had a specific approach, graded practice exams, and a 2 weekend seminar on the performance exam. I passed first try (I notice it took you a couple tries with the non-Flemings course).

It's cool, not everyone likes the structured, tried, and proven methods of Flemings, and there will always be a minority of those who don't like a particular course, even if they are vocal and offer no support to back up an opinion.

I am glad you finally did well enough on the bar and wish you the best of luck practicing!!

Posted By on 22 Nov 2009 04:06 AM
Outstanding! Do John's 3 days seminar, if at all possible. His one day is like drinking from a fire hose, and the 3 day is even fast paced.

John is a super guy, wonderfully compassionate, very insightful, has great insight, and taught me all I know about PT's.

I took his course a couple of times before I passed the CA bar exam, but it eventually did the trick.

I do NOT recommend Fleming's (taught by Mrs. Flemings, aka Sue Sneidmiller). Don't waste more money on that one than Holtz, yet delivers an inferior product.

I absolutely owe my success on the CA bar to John Holtz and my writing tutor, John Crossfield, www.cabargrader.com.

John Holtz's website is www.performancetest.net. It's not always up to date with class dates, so don't hesitate to call for up to date information. However, note that John will keep you on the phone long enough to learn about you, care about you, and impart some wisdom upon you. What more could a bar candidate ask?

He's a super guy and first time bar takers qualify for his $99 up-front charge without further payment if you don't pass. I wish I'd have taken his 3 day class before my first bar as that would likely have been my last. (I was only 4 raw points away from a passing score!)

I count John as my PT savior. I have complete and total faith in his methods and owe my success on the PT's to him and him alone.

(The preceding was an UNpaid announcement by a very satisfied passing bar exam candidate, July '09 bar exam.) ;-)

John once spent two hours with me going over my prior bar exam failing PT's, explaining what I did wrong, and how I could have done it differently... and then drove 8 hours home during the middle of the night to care for his special needs children. It wasn't just two hours, but it was John's only chance to get some sleep. Instead, he stayed behind for an extra two hours, missed dinner, and drove through the night because he wanted to be there for me when I needed it.

You think I'm a strong supporter of Mr. Holtz? You damned right I am!

Here's to John. :-)

This response is by Sue Sneidmiller, posted after reading the above critique of my Performance Workshop by a student named Jeff J. I remember this student very well. He called attention to himself during my class because he spent the majority of his time texting and fooling around in class instead of paying attention and making the effort to learn. Further, he did none of the work assigned and failed to turn in any of the four test assignments wherein he would have received a personal audio critique of his work had he done so. When he failed the Bar, he sent me his test exams to evaluate. His failing exams demonstrated none of the techniques that I had taught in class. I advised him of this fact and counseled him on what to do to improve. That was the last I heard from him until I read his negative review. This is why every student who reads negative reviews such as the one Mr. J posted should question such reviews and understand that the reviews may not be reporting the essential facts that give context to their veracity or lack thereof. It is easy to post things like Mr. J did because he does not have to identify himself or be accountable for what he says. I find such actions dishonorable and unworthy of any respect. I ask that any student who truly wants the facts concerning the quality of my class to contact me directly and evaluate my materials and seminar techniques on that basis. Over the last 27 years during which I have taught Performance exam techniques, thousands of students have passed the Performance exam using my techniques. This fact speaks for itself.

I took Holtz 1 day class and I recommend his class.

Prior to taking his class I was getting 65s on my PTs, but I wanted to see if his class would be helpful to increase my PT scores (to make up for my crappy essays), and I guess it did since I got a 70 on the next PT (only the first PT because my comp crashed for the second PT).

What I did was incorporate some of his knowledge and approach to what was working for me already. I thought it was well worth the price for his 1-day class.

However, if you're struggling with PTs I would recommend his 3 day class. This is because his approach to PTs are complicated, its difficult to digest it all in a 1 day class.

IMO take his class, but don't stress on following his procedure with precision...instead use his knowledge on the approach and formulate your own approach to the PTs. Take good notes.