Law school closed book exams

Reintroducing closed book exams at law school by cathy sherry. We explained that the approach to both open and closed book exams are generally the same. Hed been suspected of doing it for years, and finally got caught. They test your ability to find and apply information. How to learn how to do well on a law school exam top law. Closed book exams have been associated with cramming, rote learning and superficial understanding. Part two of lees series explores how to prepare for an openbook exam and argues that your approach should be surprisingly similar to preparing for a closedbook exam. Examinations may be open or closed book, essay or objective, or a combination thereof. I had a very similar experience at my t30 during 1l. For example, when i was a firstyear law student, all of my exams were closed book.

That means you need to set aside ample time for outlining, memorizing, and. If the exam is open book, you may take into the exam room those materials approved by the professor. May 20, 2012 i go over some tips and tricks for closed book exams. Law school exam tutor extraordinaire lee faller burgess of amicus tutoring is back with advice on preparing for an open book law school exam. If your exam is restricted or closed book, you will be asked to move your backpacks and other items to either the front or side of the room.

You only need to be connected to the internet to upload the exam answers. Basically, when you study for and take a law school exam, you are entering gladiatorial combat with 100 orread more. Go to class and take notes on the professors key phrases, terms, and analysis. Law school memorization tips closed book exams j wong. You should find out ahead of time whether your exams are open, closed, or restricted open book and what materials you can bring, if the latter.

Make sure you know enough to spot issues well and memorize the. Know your exam format and adjust your preparation accordingly. Tips for studying for a closed book law school exam. Open book exams post by areasonableman sun jan 25, 2015 4. Nov 12, 20 i had all closed book exams in law school until i was a 2l and i loved them. Students taking exams online must bring their computer with the examplify software previously installed on it, a power adapter, and a pen andor pencil.

Oct 26, 2018 it seems that whether or not a law school has closed book exams makes little difference for a students employability. When you finish the exam, make certain that your exam number is written on the exam question booklet and any other materials you used i. The eight secrets of top exam performance in law school career guides. Reintroducing closed book exams at law school by cathy sherry over the past three decades, law schools, along with others, have consistently moved away from closed book exams. Make sure to keep all of your law school exams in mind, and budget your time accordingly. While this might have been true a few years ago, australian law students are no longer guaranteed to have open book exams. Do not speak with any person other than the faculty member who is administering this exam until you have turned in your exam.

Go study law they said every exam is open book they said. Return all examination materials including permitted scratch paper or note sheets in closed book exams and your room assignment card to the records office. Final examinations are given for most school of law courses. A chart, with a list of assigned rooms for exams, will be posted each exam day by room 3. Apr 26, 2018 one of the most frequently debated issues concerning law school exams is open book or closed book. Closed book exam everything is from memory so the focus is the bll. Find out if open book examination is better than closed book examination. Law school exam tutor extraordinaire lee faller burgess of amicus tutoring returns with advice on preparing for a closed book law school exam. The effort a law student puts into studying should be identical regardless of whether the exam is open book or closed book. Feb 19, 2020 getting good grades in law school therefore depends on just a handful of tests at the end of each semester. Although the mechanics of outlining for closed book exams are not drastically different than those for open book exams, a few additional comments are warranted. One of the most frequently debated issues concerning law school exams is open book or closed book.

Closed book exams stimulate deep learning more than open book exams. Outlining is an effective way to study, as it forces you to consider how cases, statutes, and hypotheticals fit together. Oct 29, 2019 links to uw law and other law school exam archives and articles, books, and resources to help you prepare for exams. I had all closed book exams in law school until i was a 2l and i loved them. If you have a closed book exam, you want to make sure you create a study plan that reflects the type of exam you will be taking. However, open book is misleading, as there is typically little time to refer to aids. Learn how this may impact the future of board exams.

Each professor will tell you before classes end whether or not you may use your texts, notes and outlines during the examination. What do the terms openbook, closedbook, secure, and non. Part two of lees series explores how to prepare for an open book exam and argues that your approach should be surprisingly similar to preparing for a closed book exam. Law school exam tutor extraordinaire lee faller burgess of amicus tutoring. I know, i am strange, but i thought it seemed more fair that everyone. I go over some tips and tricks for closed book exams.

This series of posts is a deliberate approach to final exams, from study strategy to open and closed book exams, takehome exams, and final papers. And also the children cannot know about exams when they grow up. Students who remove articles of clothing like sweaters or jackets during the examination must. Mar 15, 2020 will faculty need to adapt exams to be delivered online or through means that rely on an honor system to guard against cheating. It is a pretty terrifying prospect if youre used to open book exams, but there are some good arguments for closed book exams in law. Given the large body of knowledge physicians need to have, testing entities are revisiting the advantages of open book exams vs.

You do not need to be connected to the internet while you are writing your exam. Stay tuned for her upcoming posts on preparing for open book and closed book exams. The most important thing to do to prepare as a 1l is study past exams and learn how to write a law school exam. Prepping for and taking your first law school exams. The eight secrets of top exam performance in law school. If youve already been through a semester or more of law school exams, one of the best ways to improve your. All you ever wanted to know about law school exams above. After you complete the exam and turn in your blue books. However, unless a faculty member specifically announces an open book exam, you should assume the exam is closed book.

The typical first semester 1l exam lasts between two. Studying for law school exams study guides for law student. How to prepare for a closedbook exam personally, i find closedbook law school exams rather uncivilized. This is a guest post by anonymous law professor alp, who may be writing occasionally for these pages. Do not remove any exam materials, questions, or blue books from the room during the exam. Studying as most are familiar with it is just one piece. Depending on your law school, you may have many or few closed book exams. I transferred to a ysh school and had mostly classes without midterms one class did have a midterm. Many law school exams are open book and opennotes, while others only allow pagelimited outlines or are closed book. Reintroducing closed book exams at law school by cathy sherry over the past three decades, law schools, along with others, have. The most common way to study for law school exams is to create an outline for each subject, synthesizing everything from the course case briefs, class notes, etc. What training will be needed for students and faculty if a new online platform is used, such as a locked down browserbased exam system like respondus.

All the other exams i have had before were open book, so this will be my first time taking a closed book law exam. You can debate all day about whether anything else in academia is harder, but im here to tell you that law school exams are just plain tough. Apr 10, 2008 what i didnt expect, however, was the variety of options available for receiving a grade in my courses at law school. Here is a look at the differences between and benefits of open and closed book law school exams. An external mouse and keyboard are permitted provided they do not interfere with the persons. Law school multiple choice exams usually allow students space to explain or justify their answer, and professors will often give credit for well argued answers. A closedbook exam is seen as old school and more rigorous.

Oct 22, 2014 like most law students, i tend to panic when i heard the words closed book exam, but here are some tips for making the process easier timing. Nonsecure is examsofts term for openbook law school exams. Examination policies and procedures antonin scalia law school. Secure is examsofts term for closedbook law school exams.

Law school honor code violation is a basis for denying bar. The law faculty adopted the policy in april 2007 that all law school exams other than takehome exams be taken in designated rooms under procedures established by the deans and academic services. Assessment in a time of coronavirus and closed campuses law. If it is a closed book exam, you may bring only pens and pencils most faculty require that you write your exams in blue or black ink.

In reality, the basic approach to both an open book law school exam and a closed book exams is quite similar. Like virtually every other law school in the country, yales required firstsemester classes procedure, torts, contracts and constitutional law conclude with exams. If you can write an abbreviated outline from memory, you will do great. The preferred method of writing inclass exams is on computer. Examinations school of law university of san diego.

More and more law schools are offering the open book exam. Law school exam tutor extraordinaire lee faller burgess of amicus tutoring is back with more advice from the trenches. I know, i am strange, but i thought it seemed more fair that everyone had to memorize the material for the exam. Closed book exams are better because they test our memory. Aug 05, 2019 resources to help prepare for law school classes, exams, and the bar exam. Depending on your law school, you may have many or few closedbook exams. Students seem to be partial to open book exams, perhaps because they seem less overwhelming. Just remember that all of your exams up until law school were probably closed book, and you did fine on those. Open computer and closed computer refers to whether you will have access to your hard drive during the exam.

If you read our previous post on open book law school exams, youll see they share a lot in common. Writing exams law school academic support, exam study, and. All tricampus uw libraries are closed until further notice. As requested from previous videos i have decided to share some of my memorization techniques for law school exams. This is true for all types of law school exams, but especially true on open book exams. Individual faculty may choose to give open book exams. Wondering how to study for closedbook law school exams. Jun 22, 2017 reintroducing closed book exams at law school by cathy sherry over the past three decades, law schools, along with others, have consistently moved away from closed book exams. It depends on the size of the exam, but generally you will need two to six weeks. An upperclassman explained to me how to do well on law school exams at the beginning of my 1l year and its worked for me very well ever since.

Open laptop is exam4s term for openbook law school exams with no internet access. Midterm examinations which may or may not count toward the semester grade are given during the fall semester in firstyear courses and may also be given in other courses throughout the school year. When it comes to studying for a closed book exam, the most important thing is to give yourself plenty of time. An open book exam is a test that allows you to bring the text or material you have been studying. Closed book exams require more memorization, but open book exams may demand more information from the student. I think thats the only way to go for a closed book ks exam. A closedbook exam generally means that the only source of information you may rely on is your brain. If youve read my other post on exam scripts then this will seem familiar its literally the same preparation strategy you would go through for open book exams. Law school spring 2000 general instructions this is a closed book exam. How to succeed on an open book law school exam the unfortunate trap that many law students fall into is underpreparing for open book law school exams. How to succeed on a closed book law school exam jd advising.

You cannot bring in an englishforeign law dictionary unless the exam is a restricted open book exam and the professor has allowed for this, or unless the exam is a completely open book exam. In closed mode, students will only be able to access the exam software. The use of computers on exams is governed by policy. Are closed book exams practical or warranted in this situation. Time is of the essence, so the more prepared a student is the better they will do. Students are strongly encouraged not to bring any non examination materials other than personal items into the examination room for a closed booklimited open book examination. Myths about law school exams, from a tutor who knows. All you ever wanted to know about law school exams ed. Lee has been adjunct faculty at two bay area law schools teaching classes on law school and bar exam preparation. The law librarys primary mission is to serve the students, faculty, and staff of the ggu school of law specifically, and the ggu community generally.

Examination policies and procedures scalia law school. No materials beyond your exam, room assignment card, laptop or bluebook, and examsoft account access page with your exam number are permitted to be on the desk during a closed book exam, and all other student belongings books, backpacks, etc. And yes, this is true whether or not this is a closed or open book exam. What should you be doing right now to prepare and ensure the best possible law school grades. How to succeed on an open book law school exam jd advising, llc. Dec 09, 2004 law school multiple choice exams often offer students one best answer, one or more correct but not best answers, and several wrong answers.

So in a way, you want to study the material as if you were taking a closed book exam. Now in an expanded second edition, the book explains in a clear and easygoing, conversational manner what law professors expect from their students both in classes. In fact, more and more law schools are swapping to closed book exams every year, and i think most universities will start making the change. Ive only had open book exams, but talking to people at lower ranked schools that had all closed book exams, it seemed like so much of what they were studying was word for word memorization. What do the terms openbook, closedbook, secure, and nonsecure exam mean.

Feller 1994 further suggested that the open book exam is superior to closed book exams as it is more realisticsimilar to problemsolving situations students are likely to face outside of academia. These books must not contain any handwritten notes if you bring them into a closed book exam. Scratch paper and exam books will be provided by the law school. Unfortunately, that doesnt stop professors from giving them. Tips for studying for a closedbook law school exam if you have a closedbook exam, you want to make sure you create a study plan that reflects the type of exam you will be taking. If your exam is closed book, you will want to prepare an outline that will assist you in studying until the day of the exam. You wont get a lot of feedback or practice before the first set of exams, and what youre tested on bears little resemblance to whats discussed in class.

Obviously, it makes sense to put your best efforts into these exams. However, in order to do well on a closed book law school exam, you must have the law memorized. I never studied for a test until it was the next test on my schedule, with the exception of making sure i had proper study materials. Individual faculty may choose to give openbook exams. Law school honor code violation is a basis for denying bar admission impermissible collaboration on a takehome exam, and subsequent lying about it, kept one law graduate from admission to. How to prepare for a closed book exam top law schools. Students often have wrong ideas about these exams, such as. What do the terms closed, open laptop, and open network mean. Open book exams tend to be more difficult and time consuming than closed book exams. Openbook proponents point out that in law practice, the exams are all.

If your exam is closed book, try to write your answer without looking at any materials, but its okay to cheat a couple times if the exam is still several. Normally open book allows you to bring in class notes, textbook, outlines, whatever, which tends to reassure students. The biggest issue facing law graduates is the oversupply of lawyers and record high levels of unemployment. I didnt have an openbook exam until i was in an upperdivision class. Nov 07, 20 so in a way, you want to study the material as if you were taking a closed book exam. A chart, with a list of assigned rooms for exams, will be posted each exam. How to prepare for a closed book exam personally, i find closed book law school exams rather uncivilized. Study tips for closed book con law exam as the title says, does anyone have any study tips on how to best approach a closed book con law exam. Exams were a mix of open book for anything, open book for only class. If there are open book tests, what do we get to know about the subject. Closedbook exam generally means that the only source of information you may rely on is your brain. This is true for all types of law school exams, but especially true on open book exams because all of the students have all of the rules in front of them.

Heres how to prepare for a closed book law school exam. You should devote the same amount of time and energy in studying for an open book law school exam, as you would a closed book exam. In open book exams, students are allowed to bring notes, texts, andor other resources into the exam room. This may sound at first that all you will need to do is look up the answer the day of the test. We assist with expert legal research, publication, and with educational and curricular needs. Students may generally take proctored examinations on a laptop computer students load an approved program into their own laptop or write in an examination booklet a blue book. How to study for an open book testexam in law school quora. If it is an open book exam, your professor will give you specific instructions as to what you may bring to the exam.

Closed is exam4s term for closedbook law school exams. Acing open book exams acing closed book exams what to do two tips on writing law school. And of course, students prefer open book to closed book exams. Reintroducing closed book exams at law school by cathy. It seems that whether or not a law school has closed book exams makes little difference for a students employability. If you missed her post on preparing for a closed book exam, check it out, too the open book test. Like most law students, i tend to panic when i heard the words closed book exam, but here are some tips for making the process easier timing. Exams from other law schools law school exams library. For a closed book exam, you may need to spend more time drilling the rules so you can write them down quickly and accurately. However, unless a faculty member specifically announces an openbook exam, you should assume the exam is closedbook. Do openbook tests work better than closedbook tests. We recently wrote a post on how to succeed on open book law school exams. Law school is a skills test, and the key to achieving success is to learn what the skill of taking a law school exam is and then learn how to properly prepare that skill. Open or closed book, the law you need to know should be in your head.

Open book is going to rely a lot less on actually knowing things perfectly and a lot more on analysis. Students using a laptop will be given scratch paper. Same on midterms, one full closed book final, and one partial closed book final half closed book, half open book. In fact, more and more law schools are swapping to closed book exams every year, and i think most universities will start making the change within the next few years. Law school s odd in that most, if not all, of your final grade will be based on a single exam at the end of the semester. Links to uw law and other law school exam archives and articles, books, and resources to help you prepare for exams. The eight secrets of top exam performance in law school career guides whitebread, charles h.