Crash Course: Crushing 1L Finals Exams

Finals are fast approaching, and the pressure is on. Graduate school is fundamentally different from undergrad in many ways, including the ways you need to prepare for exams. You cannot cram in sixteen weeks of contractual nuances in the night before an expect to pass. Law School final exams are a marathon, and the key to passing is proper preparation. Fortunately, several bodies have published tips, tricks, and guides to help you prepare for your first law school finals. This article summarizes a four of those best practices.

1. START SIX WEEKS OUT

Your exam preparation should start no less than six weeks in advance of your first final. The first—

and the most important thing—is to create a schedule. Block out your days into 1-hour blocks. Schedule everything and stick to it. See the sample schedule below.

2. OUTLINING

Beyond keeping up with your regular coursework, you have two additional objectives during this time. First, ensure your outlines are complete and up to date. At a minimum, your outline should contain the black letter law for each issue covered in your classes. I also suggest adding brief hypos to help you remember how the rule was applied. If you’re struggling to outline, it may help to find a commercial outline to supplement (not replace) your outline. Generally, commercial outlines are well organized but be sure you’re not studying extraneous details and material you didn’t cover. Second, once your outline is complete, don’t just ignore it until exam day. You should dedicate at least one hour a day—per class— to reviewing the material and memorizing it. Spending the time firmly cementing the law in your mind will only help you later (both on the class final and Bar Exam).

3. PRACTICE EXAMS, PRACTICE MCQS, & COMMERCIAL RESOURCES

Knowing the law is only half the battle; it’s just as important to practice applying it. If your professors have released practice exams, familiarize yourself with them, so you know what to expect. Pay attention to how the past exam is constructed and formatted. How did your professor address the call of the question(s)? How is their answer organized? How do their rule statements match up to yours? Additionally, don’t forget to check out commercial resources like Quimbee or Emanuel for sample MCQ and practice essays. Even if you don’t take sit down and take the practice essay under time restrictions seeing how practice essays are answered will help you construct your argument later.

4. ASK QUESTIONS & SEEK CLARITY

Sometimes professors are particular about how they want questions answered. If you run into that situation, follow that professor’s instructions explicitly. Additionally, once—you have a completed outline—if a concept is still unclear, reach out to your professor for clarity.

-Zachery A. Grigg, MPA, Juris Doctor Candidate, 2024