Published on March 27, 2020 by lauraduckett

Students taking LPC exams

Now that you have completed your first semester’s exams, you probably wonder why you have done well in some modules and not so well in the others. Well, it isn’t a surprise that not everyone grasps the gist of the LPC in the first instance. So, if you’re looking to improve your LPC grades, here are seven ways how.

1. Understand Where You Have Failed

If the LLB (or GDL) is on one end of the spectrum, the LPC would be on the other end because there is a massive difference between the courses.

As the name suggests, the LPC is very much practical and many students fail to realise how much that is. Unlike the LLB, the LPC doesn’t require you to dig into the philosophy of law, you only need to give appropriate legal advice on the problem scenario presented to you.

Typically, the transactional exam paper contains around 6 to 13 questions, with specific marks attached to each question, which range from a few to 30 marks. However, it wouldn’t get you very far if you attempt to provide reasons as you did in the LLB. Instead, try to note down all the possible problems arising out of the advance disclosures – this will give you time to prepare your answers better beforehand.

Similarly, many students underestimate the importance of the MCQ exam. Even though this closed book exam is only worth 20% of every module, it can help to increase your overall LPC grades significantly. So, make sure to revise each topic thoroughly, including the ones you find difficult to learn.

2. Understand What Works Best for You

Are you someone who likes to read extensively? Or, perhaps, a visual learner? Do you study better in the public library, café or in your own bedroom? Where and how you study matters.

Before studying, try to minimise the distractions around you and create a positive learning environment. This will help ease your learning process, which would improve your performance in the LPC exams.

You might also consider studying in groups online using platforms like Zoom, where you and your friends can learn by sharing ideas!

3. Time Planning

Life requires lots of planning, so does studying. This means planning what day to read which chapter and when to have a KitKat! Having a year planner can help but if you are not much of a planning person, simply do a brief schedule for the week ahead.

You can do this on a piece of paper or using the calendar on your mobile phone and set alerts for the events. You don’t have to be overly organised but remember to leave enough time for revision!

4. Get your notes together

This applies to transactional exams that are open book, where you are permitted to take your notes and textbooks into the exam hall. Although you are normally given three hours to complete each exam, it doesn’t mean that you can rely on your notes from start to end. Therefore, effective notes are important. Consider making mind maps and bulleted lists so that you can quickly find the answers you are looking for.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

It goes without saying that hard work pays off. So, make use of the opportunity to do formative assessments before the final assessments. This will give you the time to get feedback from your lecturers and identify the areas you need more work on.

While you’re at it, make sure you understand the mark scheme. As mentioned above, in order to get the right mark, you have to be specific in your answer. Knowledge of how the exams are marked will be reflected in your LPC grades.

6. Improve Your Mental and Physical Well-Being

We all understand that preparing for the LPC exams is a long-winded process and time may not always be on our side. However, if you want to perform well, you will need to keep up with your mental and physical well-being.

Interestingly, the busier we are, the better we tend to do. Hence, while scheduling for the week, find time to go to the gym if you are not already a sport club member. This can even be a ten-minute workout at home to get yourself going. It will keep you motivated and productive too!

7. Stay Optimistic

How you think matters. Therefore, the more positive you are, the easier your revision process and the better your LPC grades.

Remember, it is not a race. Just because your colleague is reading a chapter ahead of you doesn’t mean that you are not doing just as well. Keep going, and we will all get there in the end.

Words: Wing Shuen

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