Correlation between graded LRW and Final Exams? Forum

[always206]

Do you believe a connection exists between a graded LRW course and final exams?

I have taken numerous practice exams and "feel" prepared for my tests. One of my teachers, after reviewing my ungraded midterm, asked me to apply for a RA position because she thought I have been performing great on all of the practice exams... (thank you LEEWS) HOWEVER, I keep stressing about LRW. LRW is graded and the teacher doesn't tell us how we are doing. Rather, she tells us if we are emerging, competent, and masters... WTF? Anyways, I have fallen in the competent category twice now.

Does success in LRW mirror success on law school exams?

Thanks!

[Grizz]

Dude just chill you should be fine.

I know people with crap LRW and crap grades, great LRW and great grades, and everywhere in between.

[always206]

Dude just chill you should be fine.

I know people with crap LRW and crap grades, great LRW and great grades, and everywhere in between.

I am chill, but just curious.

[NeighborGuy]

Do you believe a connection exists between a graded LRW course and final exams?

I have taken numerous practice exams and "feel" prepared for my tests. One of my teachers, after reviewing my ungraded midterm, asked me to apply for a RA position because she thought I have been performing great on all of the practice exams... (thank you LEEWS) HOWEVER, I keep stressing about LRW. LRW is graded and the teacher doesn't tell us how we are doing. Rather, she tells us if we are emerging, competent, and masters... WTF? Anyways, I have fallen in the competent category twice now.

Does success in LRW mirror success on law school exams?

Thanks!

Probably.

I imagine that the biggest reason for any correlation would be that the folks who put in the effort to do well in LRW will likely also put in the effort to do well in substantive classes. I feel like I'll be just fine in LRW as long as I jump through the specific hoops that the Prof wants me to, same as in the substantive courses.

Of course the same logic and analytical skills are used in both, so if there is a correlation, that's the other big factor.

[c3pO4]

To be fair, my LRW grade 100% correlated with my other exam grades. The reason was due to similar effort.

[kahechsof]

I was doing below median-median on LRW, and then totally cleaned out the house on exams. If anything, from talking to classmates I observed a negative correlation.

[quiver]

LRW was my lowest grade (although only by a little). One of the partners I interviewed with recently commented that, in his experience, people usually do better in LRW than in substantive courses. I think this is TCR:

I know people with crap LRW and crap grades, great LRW and great grades, and everywhere in between.

[random5483]

Like all substantive classes, LRW tests you on your ability to provide an answer that your professor wants to see. In your substantive classes you look at model answers, and try to determine what your professor wants (pure BLL/analysis, or policy arguments, or tons of case citations, etc). Similarly, in LRW you have to write a memo that targets your specific professor. Disparity between substantive grades and LRW grades often result from students failing to target their writing to what their professor wants. An A paper to my professor might be a B- paper to another professor (works the same way in many substantive classes).


Another reason for discrepancies in LRW grading can result when schools have strict curves and small LRW sections. In a school where only 20% of students can get an A, in a 100 student section, 20 people can get an A. In a 10 student section, only 2 can. Thus, if you have a disproportionately competive LRW section, you might get a grade that does not reflect your overall performance.


Every class is a test of our ability to compete with our classmates. In each class we try to figure out what the professor wants and we work towards writing an exam that meets those requirements. In LRW, unfortunately, we rarely have the ability to review past model answers. Often, we are forced to guess what the professor is looking for. A few things that helped me book both semesters of my LRW class are listed below:

1. Write like your professor (review their academic writings in legal journals/law reviews/etc). This does not take a lot of effort. In fact I spent less than 30 hours total (research and writing) on my only graded memo each semester.
2. Talk to your professor. Office hours are a great way to find out what your professor likes. I even had my professor go over my closed ungraded memos with me.
3. Edit your papers. Avoid silly errors in bluebooking and grammar as those can cost you some easy points. Also, make sure you follow any technical requirements (e.g. CREAC) to the letter.

[kahechsof]

One of the partners I interviewed with recently commented that, in his experience, people usually do better in LRW than in substantive courses. I think this is TCR:

Well, usually LRW is not on a curve, so that is possible. But it is mostly impossible to be true in any more significant way. It has to even out.

[quiver]

One of the partners I interviewed with recently commented that, in his experience, people usually do better in LRW than in substantive courses. I think this is TCR:

Well, usually LRW is not on a curve, so that is possible. But it is mostly impossible to be true in any more significant way. It has to even out.

Yeah I agree. Just thought it was interesting.

[Always Credited]

My LRW grade was my lowest both semesters of 1L, and I didn't have a problem doing well on exams.

LRW mainly tests how anal retentive you can be about nitpicking pointless local/bluebook rules, law exams test efficiency and organization, with a frosting of intelligence.

[lawschoolftw]

My LRW grade was my lowest both semesters of 1L, and I didn't have a problem doing well on exams.

LRW mainly tests how anal retentive you can be about nitpicking pointless local/bluebook rules, law exams test efficiency and organization, with a frosting of intelligence.

Two B's in LRW.... nothing less than an A- is any substantive class