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I think you'll find GTM much more helpful. I'd start now, but for a quick and dirty study session, just read the GTM section on actually taking exams.

I read GTM during the summer and it isn't too hard to understand, but everyone says it makes MORE sense when you are in law school, and thus you should read it again. Maybe do a quick run through now, if you have the time, and then go through it more thoroughly during Thanksgiving break.

I attribute several of my best grades to GTM. Read early on in the semester and reread several times before exams. The authors hand you some excellent policy angles which can often separate an A/A- answer from a B+.

LSC, however, is a waste of time.

I read GTM and found it useful, but I started it too late in the semester. Nowish or in the next few weeks would be a good time to read it.

Read both, didn't find either that helpful. The exams are pretty straightforward- using your outline, touch on every topic covered in class and state why it either applies or doesn't. You'll notice from your outline that there will only be a handful of "major" topics covered throughout the semester.

Once you're writing your exam, you'll see that the questions are tailored to lead you in to each major topic. If you just open your mind up and let it all flow out, it'll all be over in 4 hours and you'll have an A.

is GTM helpful if your test is IRAC based?

which books would be helpful if ur test as IRAC based?

drwho97 wrote:is GTM helpful if your test is IRAC based?

Wouldn't it be your answer that is IRAC based, rather than your test?

yes, thank you for the correction. any books that would help with that?

drwho97 wrote:which books would be helpful if ur test as IRAC based?

For the love of Christ, I wish people would type out the words "you" and "your." Your legal writing class should probably teach you IRAC format. GTM is useful for pointing you away from some cognitive pitfalls and orienting your issue-spotting.

Read GTM now, and again later in the semester, once or more.

If you're already in law school, I wouldn't read LSC. It's not a horrible book and it offers some good advice, but I think it's best for people who know very very little about law school.

drwho97 wrote:is GTM helpful if your test is IRAC based?

GTM mainly criticizes IRAC answers because the authors argue it limits your ability to explore all the issues if you're stuck to the rigid IRAC convention which takes one issue at a time. You run the risk of reaching a conclusion on one issue before reaching your first fork in the law or facts which would have given you an opportunity to do a synthesized analysis of more than one issue.

so at this point in the semester...I should put LSC aside and focus mainly on GTM? And then read GTM a 2nd time in November?

Yeah, I'd say so.

Your time would be better spent reading a supplement in a course that you aren't understanding as well as you'd like. If you know the material, you won't need some author's gimmick on how to please a professor. Every prof is different and is looking for something different, but if you know the material you'll be fine.