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Law Assessments and Exams

Law Assessments and Exams. Felicity Fox. Introduction to law assessments. How will I be assessed in law school? Research assignments Issue based assignments/problem based assignments Class tests Tutorials Exams. Research assignments. Often (but not always) optional

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Law Assessments and Exams

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  1. Law Assessments and Exams Felicity Fox

  2. Introduction to law assessments • How will I be assessed in law school? • Research assignments • Issue based assignments/problem based assignments • Class tests • Tutorials • Exams

  3. Research assignments • Often (but not always) optional • Are worth generally 30% - 40% of the mark if you decide to do it • Shorter/less weighted exam • Often based on one particular area of the course – in depth analysis of particular area

  4. But how do I research? • Research • Plan • Write • Edit • Proof

  5. Where do I get my research from? • Textbook • Statutes • Cases • Casebase • First Point • Articles • AGIS • Online databases • ALL of these resources are available in the library/online – the librarians are always happy to help 

  6. Don’t forget to reference your work • Plagiarism • AGLC • Australian Guide to Legal Citation • The MOST valuable research tool you will have during law school • Available online in PDF format – super easy to control+s to find what you’re looking for

  7. Issue spotting/problem based assignments • Kind of like a law exam, but with referencing • Because you have so much time to do it, you will need to do a MUCH MORE in depth analysis than you would in an exam • Use headings and subheadings • Reference cases and commentary • Commentary is the contribution that various academics have made to a particular area of law • If the current law is controversial, make sure you let the examiner know what other people have said about it, and then conclude on where you stand on the issue • Textbooks, cases and your notes are going to be very helpful for these types of assignments • DO NOT reference your lecture notes!

  8. SO if an assignment is optional, why should I do it? • Takes a lot of pressure off the exam (ie 60%/70% vs 100% exam) • Shorter exam or no policy • If you know you get stressed during exams/aren’t fast at writing – try the assignment • If you aren’t going to put 100% effort into the assignment – don’t do it

  9. Class tests • A GREAT way to pick up marks if you study hard • Very time constrained – just put your pen down and don’t stop writing! • Sometimes optional

  10. Tutorials • The most easy marks you will pick up in law school • Attend, prepare and SPEAK UP • Can also be used by examiners to help bump you up a grade

  11. EXAMS

  12. So what do I do in a law exam? • Two types: • ‘Open book’ • ‘Closed book’ • Two types of questions: • ‘Problem’ questions • ‘Policy’ questions

  13. How do I prepare for an exam? • Make exam notes • By the time you get to an exam, you may have 5+ versions of your notes – this is a GOOD THING! • Do practice exams • Get in study groups • Do practice exams • Re-do tutorial problems • Do practice exams • Make exam ‘scripts’ • Do practice exams

  14. What happens in an exam? • Generally 2 – 3 hours writing time • Law exams also have ‘30 minutes reading and noting time’ • DO NOT take it easy during these 30 minutes • Time to plan out your answers, highlight questions, structure essays etc. • There is generally about 5 hours worth of content in every 3 hour exam – so make sure you use your time carefully! • Headings and subheadings • Shorten names • Shorten case names • ONLY if you run out of time – dot points • No matter where you are in a problem/essay, if you only have 1 minute left – WRITE A CONCLUSION!

  15. What do I take into the exam? • Closed book: • NOTHING! • Except: • Pens • Highlighters • Soundless snacks • Water • ID card • Open book • All of the above, plus: • Notes • Books • Sticky Tabs • Spare notebook for reading and noting time

  16. How do I answer an exam question? • IRAC • Issue • Rule • Application • Conclusion

  17. A few more exam tips • Always make sure you tell the examiner how you are going to answer the question • Always argue in the alternative as well • DO NOT recall the facts of the case, instead do something like: • Here, similarly to Boots Cash Chemist, the display of goods in B’s store would likely be treated as an invitation to treat, rather than an offer. • You will show the examiner you understand the case by being able to analogize it! • Don’t. Stop. Writing.

  18. Summary • Law school assessments are hard, but if you are organised and plan well you will be fine! • Don’t forget to do the things you love while doing assessments – go running, watch tv, play netball! • There are SO many resources out there for you – use your lecturers, the library, the LSS, friends! • Don’t freak out – law school is super fun!

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