1 of 22

PREPARING FOR SUMMATIVES

Academic officers: Kunal Dhirani, Bhoomi Shelke

First Year Representatives: Adela Dokoupilova, Hasanain Yaqub

2 of 22

MEET YOUR FREPS!

3 of 22

HASS

​

  • I am Hasanain Yaqub, mostly called Hass
  • From Northern Ireland, hence the funny accent
  • Feel free to ask for any help with anything law related, whether academic related or general enquires
  • Where to find me: (Probably at TP or Fever) My email and Instagram DMs are always open for any queries
  • Contact Info: Email: hy403@exeter.ac.uk, Law Instagram: @hass4lawrep, General: @hass__10000
  • Events that are planned: Christmas Pub Quiz, Legal Foundations made fun (hopefully with a Kahoot quiz at the end) and TP social after January exams
  • Most events will be in Term 2 as it's hard to get events booked now due to such little time before term ends
  • Any other ideas for events please reach out and let me know! (Events will need approval from the law presidents so don't ask for anything too crazy please)

4 of 22

ADELA

  • International student (Czech born)
  • First year studying the LLB Law course
  • Aspiring to be a solicitor in the corporate law field but also interested in human rights, politics and intellectual property.
  • Events in the works: Christmas Pub Quiz, Legal Foundations, Post exam party, A new scheme, TP socials, Speaker events (more events in Term 2)  
  • Feel free to reach out for more ideas!

​

​

​

Message me if you have any queries: ​

*Instagram = adela4lawrep & adela.dok ​

*Email = ad1106@exeter.ac.uk

5 of 22

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE RECENT FORMATIVE

  • Our Tips:

1.Make sure you set enough time for each step of the process i.e. planning, reading, writing

2.Make sure you think about your argument before you start writing

3.Make sure everything is always supported by material – primary and secondary sources

4.Try and do the formatives as it is good preparation for Year 2 as there is a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2

5.Don't stress too much about your formative mark if you are unhappy as it is your first one and it is only up from here!

6.Take advantage of the feedback and use it to improve for next time

  • Our Experience

​

​

​

​

​

6 of 22

PREPARING FOR EXAMS

7 of 22

8 of 22

STARTING POINT

  • Understand your feedback from formatives
  • Book Office Hours with your lecturers and seminar tutors
  • Ask questions to your seminar tutors
  • Meeting with Personal Tutors
  • Book RLF Support - Chris Wakling (Session with him next week)
  • Attend Online/In-person Q&A Sessions

​

9 of 22

COMMONLY RECEIVED FEEDBACK

​

  • Too descriptive!

SOLUTION: follow a set structure – IRAC & PEEL/ In PQs, you do not have to give a background of the case, just the principle.

  • Referencing

SOLUTION: BOOK a Session with the librarian/refer to the quick OSCOLA Guide/Zotero

  • Inaccurate case law

SOLUTION: Create a case table to review during the exam. Refer to the seminar materials and lecture slides relevant to the topic covered in the exam question.

  • Wider Material

SOLUTION: Refer to journal articles and judgments of particular judges.

  • Analysis

SOLUTION: Have a strong thesis statement. Give your reasoning on whether you agree/disagree with the sources you have used.

  • Structure and Grammar:

SOLUTION: Have a thesis statement and strong conclusion. You can write your thesis statement in the end – if you’re unsure on the stance you want to take. Do not use personal pronouns (I or me). Run it through Grammarly.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

10 of 22

UNDERSTANDING THE MARKING SCHEME

  • Remember what criterions you are being marked on

​

  • Understand what differentiates a good essay from an excellent one.

​

  • Mark yourself against the making scheme every time you practice.

​

  • Peer Review!

11 of 22

ORGANISATION AND READING SKILLS

  • Prepare citations for each reading
  • Try to read as many sources as possible
  • Learn how to skim and scan – recognise keywords
  • Don’t hesitate to read more than once
  • Use AI to break down concepts
  • Try to engage with the optional reading

​

​

12 of 22

PRACTICE

  • ELE Exams Archive:�https://library.exeter.ac.uk/exampapers/�(There may be changes in the format/content for some years)�
  • Seminar Materials for Practice Problem Questions and MCQS

13 of 22

INCORPORATING SOURCES AND CASE LAW

Where to find Sources?

  • Readings lists assigned by module convenors.
  • Articles and cases discussed in Seminars.
  • Peer-Reviewed Journals (Exeter Law Review)
  • WestLaw and LexisNexis – “Commentary Reference” for Articles discussing cases.

​

Key Tips:

  • Analyse and evaluate a few sources on key topics before your exam in your notes.
  • Learn how to use WestLaw and LexisNexis
  • Evaluate the authenticity of the source (No Wikipedia or ChatGPT)

14 of 22

  • Use Journal Articles to support your arguments by critically engaging with the authors' viewpoints, assessing their relevance to your thesis, and highlighting any gaps or alternative interpretations that may strengthen your analysis.
  • Critical Engagement: Analyse the arguments presented in sources by identifying key claims and assessing their validity. Consider whether you agree or disagree with the authors, providing evidence from your research to support your stance and enhance the depth of your analysis.
  • Contextual Consideration: Evaluate the context in which sources were written, including the authors' backgrounds and potential biases. This understanding will help you articulate a well-rounded perspective, acknowledging differing viewpoints while reinforcing your own argument effectively.
  • Do not use AI to summarise information or find cases – misses key points.
  • Before using the source, evaluate its credibility. Look at the website and year published

​

​

Incorporating Sources

15 of 22

EXERCISE: SCAN THE QR CODE AND READ THE ARTICLE

Reference: Ebrahimpour A, ‘What Is the Importance of the Rule of Law within the UK Constitution?’ (2023) 88 Exeter Law Review 40 <https://law.exeter.ac.uk/v8media/facultysites/hass/law/imeges/EXETER_LAW_REVIEW_48th_VOLUME_2023_[final]_PDF.pdf>

​

Read from the Introduction on Page1to the end of Page 44.

Try and notice the thesis statement, arguments and incorporation of cases and academic commentary.

​

​

16 of 22

REVISION TECHNIQUES

UNDERSTAND YOUR LEARNING STYLE

REVISION BOOKLETS

ACTIVE RECALL:

FLASHCARDS

SPACED REPETITION

17 of 22

TIME MANAGEMENT

  • Create a schedule to revise over the break.
  • Make good notes and revision flashcards that you can refer to �during the exam.
  • Look at the exam type - Coursework? MCQ?
  • The exam has an intended duration in a 24-hour period. This �may be difficult to adhere to but do it use as a general �guideline.
  • Spend the first thirty to read, and under the question properly.
  • Next, research relevant information – this shouldn’t take more �then one hour.
  • Spend the next few hours to draft your exam.
  • Take a break and have your normal routine.
  • Do the question that you find easier first.
  • Proof-read before you submit.

18 of 22

RESOURCES

  • Assessment criteria:

Law-School-Assessment-Criteria-November-2015.pdf (exeter.ac.uk)

  • OSCOLA guidelines for referencing:

oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012.pdf (ox.ac.uk)

  • OSCOLA quick referencing guide:

oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012quickreferenceguide.pdf (ox.ac.uk)

  • Details and definitions of academic misconduct:

12 - Academic conduct and practice - Teaching Quality Assurance Manual - University of Exeter

  • P. Samuelson, ‘Good Legal Writing: of Orwell and Window Panes’ 1984) 46 U. Pitt. L. Rev. 149.

​

19 of 22

DURING EXAMS

20 of 22

TIPS FOR EXAM

1.Familiarise yourself with the assessment criteria.

2.Answer the question.

3.Develop a clear argument (and structure your essay around it).

4.Plan before you write.

5.Direct your reader(s) – introductions, conclusions, subheadings and links/signposts to your argument.

6.Avoid excessive description.

7. Avoid excessive quotation.

8. Avoid problematic sources

9. Reference carefully.

10. Avoid academic misconduct.

11. Proof-read.

12. Manage your time.

21 of 22

REMEMBER!

1.Everyone starts from 0.

2.Your first attempt won’t be your best, but it won’t be your last either.

3.Remember, good things take time – friendships, academic success, personal success.

4.Take a break – don’t get to burnout point.

5.Do what you can, but not everything.

6.Be honest – talk, vent, communicate, cry! No matter how you feel, I can promise you others will be feeling a similar way

7. The Law School has an exam helpline so use it if you run into technical difficulties. examshelp@exeter.ac.uk ��+44 (0) 1392 72 6800

8. If you’re feeling burnt out, contact our welfare officer and the university welfare services for further assistance.

​

22 of 22

Thank You!

kddd201@exeter.ac.uk

bs621@exeter.ac.uk

​