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Top tips for doing well in exams

Marking exams is one of the most challenging tasks that academic have to do. The time constraint is a significant issue, as we typically have just a few days (maximum of one week) to mark 60 – 100 exam papers in order for the results to be processed, reviewed, and submitted on time.


Second, no matter how much we like our topics (and we do) – it is always hard reading so many answers over and over again and staying fresh and excited for the next paper.


Finally – and this was the hardest part for me – there are always students who know the law really well but don't not get the marks they deserved because they don't answer the questions well. This is really hard to see, as (more often than not) it is technique that is holding these students back, not their understanding of the law.


So below are my tips for writing great exam answers to problem-style questions. The most important thing to remember is that your goal is to show the marker you understand the material in the course and can apply it to the facts. Not that you have great notes!





As assessors, it is our responsibility to identify whether a student has a genuine grasp of the content and the subject matter. We all know that IRAC recommends following these steps

  • identify the correct legal issues raised on the facts

  • state the correct law;

  • analyse and apply that law well to the facts;

  • reach a conclusion.

but the problem is that many students don't allocate enough time and discussion to the analysis part of their answers.


For example, if a question raises the issue of Directors’ Duties – some students might spend a lot of time

  • setting out the elements of the particular duty (including those that don’t apply/are not relevant on the facts);

  • writing out the relevant legislation or case law; or

  • restating the facts from the problem.


In a good/great answer, all of these issues should be dealt with quickly. This is because every student should be able do these things. They do not require you to really understand the content – just to have good notes.



In contrast, the parts of your answer that should take up most of your time and effort include

  • focusing on and discussing the most complicated legal issues on the facts;

  • identifying the most relevant cases or sections that apply to the facts;

  • applying/discussing what arguments can be made to resolve the issues;

  • identifying arguments for and against the application of the relevant law where the outcome is not clear;

  • discussing remedies/penalties and coming to a clear conclusion on what you think is the likely outcome on the facts.


These parts of your answer require legal analysis and show that you understand how the relevant legal principles operate. They require you to demonstrate your understanding of the law, instead of writing out a lot of detail on what the law is. It makes it clear to the marker that you really understand the material. The more effort you put into this part of your answer, the better your marks are likely to be.


In addition, focusing on how the law applies to the facts indicates that you are prepared and have studied for the exam. Legal analysis is not something you can do well if you have not reviewed your lecture notes, gone over (or redone) tutorials and practiced past questions before the exam. It is definitely not something you should do for the first time in an exam.



In conclusion, remember that your over-riding goal is to show the marker that you understand the material in the course. This means spending most of your time/words on applying the relevant law to the facts and always coming to a clear and well-argued conclusion on the key issues.


Also, be sure to plan your answer (including how long you will send answering each part of the paper) before you start. Make sure your answer is easy to read by adopting a clear structure and incorporating headings, clear handwriting, limited abbreviations and accurate case/section references. And if you have any questions - reach out and let me know.




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