tls below median Forum

YYC · Post by **YYC** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 4:38 pm

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to study when the profs don't post any past exam answers (there are about 5 past essay exams, none with sample answers).

Something I noted from last semester was that I learn well by taking apart sample answers from past years. I did approx. 50% of all readings for CivPro, didn't outline, no supplements, mainly relied on past exams and answers and got A. By contrast, I did 90% of all readings in Torts, took great notes, outlined, skimmed past exams and answers, got low B.

What good are the past exams without sample answers?
Please help! Thanks!

RaceJudicata · Post by **RaceJudicata** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:25 pm

YYC wrote:Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to study when the profs don't post any past exam answers (there are about 5 past essay exams, none with sample answers).

Something I noted from last semester was that I learn well by taking apart sample answers from past years. I did approx. 50% of all readings for CivPro, didn't outline, no supplements, mainly relied on past exams and answers and got A. By contrast, I did 90% of all readings in Torts, took great notes, outlined, skimmed past exams and answers, got low B.

What good are the past exams without sample answers?
Please help! Thanks!

Almost none of my classes post the exam answers.. Generally, my approach has been to write out the answers in a timed setting, then walk through my answer line by line / argument by argument with class mates. This should be enough to realize what you do/don't understand and adjust appropriately.

totesTheGoat · Post by **totesTheGoat** » Mon Jan 25, 2016 5:09 pm

YYC wrote:Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to study when the profs don't post any past exam answers (there are about 5 past essay exams, none with sample answers).

When you're looking at an exam without answers, it's like the professor screaming "I want to see you in office hours, hard working student!" Write up an answer in an exam-like environment (timed, etc), check it with classmates if you want, and make an appointment to go through it in detail with your prof. I can't stress how much info you can get from walking through an exam with the prof. Especially in 1L, you'll get tons of hints about how to write a good exam, not just whether you've spotted all of the issues.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:00 pm

actually I was pretty disheartened

I will let others handle the studying tips questions here but I want to speak to this as a law school grad now a practicing V10 midlevel who was medianish as a 1L at CLS and never really figured out law school exams (never got an A on a law school exam even though I had been PBK summa at HYP, etc...grades improved 2L/3L due to taking classes with papers). I have not seen much correlation between high law school grades and one's ability to practice as a lawyer in big law...also haven't seen a correlation between law school attended and practice ability although my firm only hires top grads from lower ranked schools who prob could have transferred to T14. Anyway the point is to take heart that your 3.1 at NYU does not mean you aren't suited to practice law.

Not a shocker but the skills involved at least in corporate practice differ from law school exams (although there are some similarities...applying rules to facts, making connections/recognizing patterns). my 3.2x as a 1L at CLS hasn't held me back and conversely I have known multiple highly successful law students who struggled a lot in big law....that is not to suggest that excellent law students are destined to fail in big law, just that IME there hasn't been much more than a very general correlation between grades and big law ability. Of course I don't know everyone's grades and this is just my anecdotal observations.

And that's what we are all doing in law school right - trying to become a practicing lawyer - not trying to become a professional law student! There are lots of caveats here...first if you're not at a top school, you shouldn't be disheartened about median grades but IMHO you should strongly consider dropping out unless you have a guaranteed job or really low debt. If you're below a 3.0 at a top school you will struggle more to get a job IME...there is a psychological barrier at 3.0 in a lot of interviewers' minds. If you can't get your foot inthe door, then it doesnt matter if you have the potehtial to excel in practice. (Fair or not as an interviewer i am hesitant about people at top schools below 3.0.) Of course some firms have firm grade cutoffs and that is that. ..luckily mine did not. Point is my personal experience and observations aren't applicable to everyone but don't be disheartened!

Happy to speak further with any law students who reply and ask me to PM them

03152016 · Post by **03152016** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:32 pm

03152016 · Post by **03152016** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:40 pm

03152016 · Post by **03152016** » Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:58 pm

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:51 pm

Brut,
How did you usually frame your responses?
How indepth of an analysis did you do when it wasn't an issue spotter and no time limit?

Thank you for doing this.

03152016 · Post by **03152016** » Wed Feb 03, 2016 10:23 pm

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Feb 03, 2016 11:51 pm

Meant to say no word count limit, my bad!
Going back to what you were saying, if you know everyone will give the elements of let's say, battery, do you even write it out or do u go straight into analyzing he facts to fit into the elements?

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