Transcript Law Assessments and Exams
LAW ASSESSMENTS AND EXAMS
FELICITY FOX
INTRODUCTION TO LAW ASSESSMENTS
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How will I be assessed in law school?
Research assignments Issue based assignments/problem based assignments Class tests Tutorials Exams
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS
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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?
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Research Plan Write Edit Proof
WHERE DO I GET MY RESEARCH FROM?
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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
DON’T FORGET TO REFERENCE YOUR WORK
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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
ISSUE SPOTTING/PROBLEM BASED ASSIGNMENTS
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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?
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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
CLASS TESTS
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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
TUTORIALS
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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?
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Two types:
• • ‘Open book’ ‘Closed book’
Two types of questions:
• • ‘Problem’ questions ‘Policy’ questions
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR AN EXAM?
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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’
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Do practice exams
WHAT HAPPENS IN AN EXAM?
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Generally 2 – 3 hours writing time
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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?
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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?
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IRAC
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Issue Rule Application Conclusion
A FEW MORE EXAM TIPS
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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:
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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.
SUMMARY
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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!