Posts
Law school exams test students in a subject area by creating scenarios that the student must address in a logical and comprehensive fashion. The student is tested on whether she knows the law and recognizes the legal issues presented in the hypothetical. Knowing the law and recognizing the issues is half the battle. Writing a coherent answer that speaks to each issue is the other half of the battle. For those who are nervous when taking exams the Menu approach will be helpful.
The Menu approach is simply creating a list of issues, or menu items that may possibly arise on the exam. This list can be created from your outline and class notes. If you cannot bring your outline or notes into the exam, you should memorize the list of issues. Before even reading the exam you should write out your menu. Then when you read the exam you can jot down notes next to each issue that you find in the exam. You are graded on whether you spot the issues and on how you address each issue and sub-part. If you have a list or menu of possible issues it is easier to organize your answer and spot all the issues under pressure.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Even if you do not want to use the menu strategy going into an exam it is important to have a strategy. Your fellow students will. Take practice exams to figure out what works and what doesn't. Consider what you are doing now as a workout for the bar exam. Getting good grades will not matter much if you have not laid the foundation for passing the bar exam.
Ah, Law Librarian, where were you six years ago when I was a struggling 1L?
I was a newby lawyer freezing my keester off in Chicago.
Post a Comment