Words by Law City Intern, Sabyia Ahmed
Preparing for A-Level Law exams can be a challenging experience, but with a clear strategy and a systematic approach, you can face your examinations with confidence and clarity. We have picked our three top tips which you can implement into your study routine with exams coming up to help achieve those top grades.
Know Your Exam Layout
Many schools concentrate on teaching the subject content rather than exam technique. As a result, the practice questions you encounter in class do not always represent what you will face in the actual examination. So, it is important to familiarise yourself with the exam structure.
Understanding the Format:
Begin by exploring the online resources provided by your exam board. These typically include past papers and mark schemes which serve as great guides. You want to understand what the format of each paper is, and the topics that will come up.
For example, in AQA A-level Law, the exam is generally structured as follows:
● Questions 1 to 5 consist of multiple choice questions.
● Questions 6 and 7 are 5-mark questions.
● Question 8 is a 10-mark question.
● Question 9 is a 15-mark question that focuses on theory.
● Questions 10 and 11 are 30-mark questions.
By understanding this layout, you can identify the areas that require extra attention. For instance, if you are good at memorising content but find it difficult to pinpoint key issues in the more complex 30-mark questions where you have a lot more facts, you can focus your revision on looking over more fact patterns and trying to identify the issues! In addition, if you come across questions on the paper that you would not know how to answer, you can spend some time breaking it down and understanding what the examiners would want in that type of question. This makes your revision more productive, ensuring you are not going to the same three topics, and instead improving on specific areas you are weak in.
Make Bare Bones Notes
If you find it difficult to remember essay structures and key information, consider creating a simplified version of your notes. This approach involves reducing your notes to the essential points, which can make revision more manageable and effective.
Developing a Simplified Revision Guide:
Start by focusing on the fundamental elements of each topic. For example, when revising the offence of theft, concentrate first on memorising the core requirements of the offence. It is important to be aware of the relevant sections of the Theft Act 1968, such as Section 3(1), which defines appropriation. Once you have mastered the basic requirements, you can then progress to incorporating key cases into your revision.
Consider the case of Morris as an illustration. Rather than attempting to memorise every single detail, you can use a simple cue such as “switching price tags” to remind you of both the critical facts and the main legal principle established by the case. In this instance, the principle is that switching price tags on items constitutes appropriation, an act that only the shop owner is authorised to perform.
Another example would be ensuring you know the parts of offences/defences which are repetitive, for instance the approach and relevant cases to causation. These (for the most part) do not change according to the offence, and have the exact same cases. If you do not know where to start memorising content, and feel overwhelmed, make sure you know these smaller parts first and then expand your revision.
By reducing your notes to these essential points, you create a useful reference that can be quickly reviewed and recalled during the examination. The A-Level Law syllabus often makes you memorise a lot of content, so this technique will significantly reduce what it is you need to memorise.
Write as Many Practice Questions as Possible
It is common for classroom practice questions to differ from the questions found on the actual exam. Therefore, it is crucial to complete a variety of exam-style questions under timed conditions. This practice not only familiarises you with the exam format but also helps to build the necessary stamina and time-management skills.
Incorporating Timed Practice into Your Study Routine:
Schedule regular sessions where you answer exam-style questions within the allocated time limits. Prior to each session, review the relevant material to help refresh your memory and reinforce your understanding. If possible, request that your teacher marks your practice answers. A polite request at the beginning of the lesson may allow your teacher to provide quick feedback if they have a few spare minutes.
If they are unable to, do not worry, pick exam questions from the past papers online and utilise the mark scheme to mark your answer yourself. When reviewing your answers, concentrate on the indicative content provided in the mark schemes rather than relying solely on the sometimes vague band descriptors. The indicative content will tell you specifically what the examiner expects you to pick up on, you will be able to get an understanding of how well you did according to this. This will offer a clearer insight into the expectations of the examiners.
Additionally, experiment with different time allocations during your practice sessions. You may find that your performance varies significantly between shorter and longer periods; understanding your own pace is key to managing your time effectively on exam day. For myself, I know that in longer exams even though in theory I feel like I do not have a lot of time, in the actual exam time seems to go slower and I work best by taking regular short breaks which are a minute or two. I always keep a water bottle with me to remind me to drink water, take a break then get back to writing!
Conclusion
Achieving success in A-Level Law examinations is not solely about a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, but also about demonstrating the knowledge effectively under exam conditions. By familiarising yourself with the exam structure, distilling your notes into the essential points, and practising regularly under timed conditions, you will not only build your confidence but also improve your overall performance.
Best of luck with your preparations.
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