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 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

BUT HOW DO I RESEARCH? 1.Research 2.Plan 3.Write 4.Edit 5.Proof

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

DONT 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 youre looking for

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!

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/arent fast at writing – try the assignment If you arent going to put 100% effort into the assignment – dont do it

CLASS TESTS A GREAT way to pick up marks if you study hard Very time constrained – just put your pen down and dont stop writing! Sometimes optional

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

EXAMS

SO WHAT DO I DO IN A LAW EXAM? Two types: Open book Closed book Two types of questions: Problem questions Policy questions

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

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!

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

HOW DO I ANSWER AN EXAM QUESTION? IRAC Issue Rule Application Conclusion

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 Bs 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! Dont. Stop. Writing.

SUMMARY Law school assessments are hard, but if you are organised and plan well you will be fine! Dont 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! Dont freak out – law school is super fun!