FE1 Exam Thread (Read 1st post!) NOTICE: YOU MAY SWAP EXAM GRIDS

KoukiKeith

KoukiKeith wrote: »

In last week's melee, it seems I left my EU & Criminal papers in my room in the Red Cow :mad: Could I ask a favour and perhaps ask someone to scan me a copy of their own if they have time.

I don't feel confident that I've seen the back of those exams

Thanks in advance.

In fairness to the Law Society, they sent the papers down to me. Was full sure that they would've tried to screw more money out of me.

Success!

ShamblesB

C2012 wrote: »

Hello,

I am new to this thread and I am hoping to sit between 4 and 6 of the exams in October. Realistically, when should i start studying and how many hours a day should i be spending. I am thinking of doing the griffith course or at least using there manuals.

I have been reading the posts about the actual exams, a bit scary:( but i would be grateful if people could reply to give me an idea of different study patterns, I am aware that everyone is different at studying but it would be interesting to know.

Also does anyone know where you can get second hand manuals because they are so expensive to buy new.

Thanks a mill in advance guys

I'm not sure where to get manuals or what course to recommend as I didn't do one. Do you have a law degree? I just sat 4 exams in March and I was very unsure about a study technique too, but I got a lot of advice on this thread. I would recommend sitting 5 exams, it's not too many but allows for error in 2, if any of the exams should happen to not go too well for you... as I'm sure you know you have to pass a minimum of 3 exams on your first sitting. I would say it's never too early to start studying. Get exam papers and the examiners reports, they are very important, obviously you will get an idea of what topics are popular and repeatedly come up but don't place too much faith on predictions either, as we saw in the recent EU exam there is no guarantee a pattern will be followed. Be well prepared, and try to cover as many topics as is possible even if some aren't in great detail. Exam technique is very important, studying is only half the battle. Practice past papers and make sure you can time the exam so that you can answer 5 questions, then check your answers off the examiners reports to see if you mentioned what they were looking for. I would say you could start studying for 3 or 4 hours per day now, prepare notes on each topic until you have the subjects covered. Then a month or two before the exams you should start trying to memorize your notes, I had a lot of difficulty with that part because there is literally hundreds of case names, the best advice I got was to read a topic and then try to jot down notes on it, then check did you get it all, do it again, recheck etc until you remember everything. Obviously you don't have to take up too much time by trying to rewrite everything, just the case names or brief facts or whatever... Also I would recommend choosing exams where you have at least a day break between them. I sat 4 in March, 3 of which were a day after each other so it didn't leave much time for studying in between! Anyway hope that helps you some bit, good luck with your studies!

donners87

would anyone have a copy of the Contract paper?

JCJCJC

C2012 wrote: »

Hello,

I am thinking of doing the griffith course or at least using there manuals.

Manuals can be bought on adverts.ie. The colleges don't like it, because the materials are licensed, but there's a healthy trade there. Your login ID from this board can be used on adverts.

dinemo6

Recently had an interview for some work experience at a firm which pretty much specialise in one area of law and no other....

They said if things went well a traineeship may be on the cards later down the line - just wondering how this works??

Do you not have to train in a variety / broad areas of law??

Would I have to do secondments to other firms to get experience?


(Not sure what's the best thread to post this in)

frustratedTC

What area of law is it?

Ive heard of people training in IP firms, which also have other departments like litigation and property and they haven't needed to go on secondment.

JCJCJC

It's all on the Law Society's website.

conmo

Would 2012 prep manuals suffice for the 2013 october exams? Just pick out some new cases and throw them in? Cheers

frustratedTC

They probably would. For Constitution, there were a good few changes last year, so just keep up to date with those, namely the Fleming case and right to life, fair procedures cases, findings of unconstitutionality, family, abortion and journalistic privilege. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the manuals hadn't even included those, because often they say 'updated' but then you find they haven't been. As you go through the topics though, it will become clear if there has been updates just from a google search!

Anyone else getting nervous? They are probably marking the papers now eeekkk!

MissM89

Hi everybody!

I hope you all passed your exams with flying colours. I am thinking of taking 4 in October and would really love some advice from people who have previously done the exams in a similar position to myself.

I am currently working in a law firm as a legal secretary. I just want to know if there is enough time to study all of the topics given that I will just have evenings and weekends. Its a few years since I did my degree so none of this will be fresh in my mind! I want to do the four and hopefully pass at least 3 and then do the other 4 next March. I would just love to hear from anyone who has previously done the exams and worked full time. I know there is no chance of me getting time off to do them so wont have weeks off to spend studying.

I would really really appreciate if anyone with similar experiences could get back to me. In two minds about what to do and would love to hear from anyone who has successfully achieved the exams this way!

Thanks a mill.

JCJCJC

MIssM89 - press on, it can be done and has been done. Choose your first four wisely. Obviously you'll know which subjects you like and will find easiest - that's different for us all. Some subjects complement each other, for example constitutional and criminal, contract and equity etc. Look at old exam papers and gauge how near you are to the standard. GCD's one-day intensive revision courses are good, particularly since you've been away from the books for a while. FE1 examiners tend to prefer very fresh and recent case-law, to a somewhat greater extent than college exams, with less value being placed on old authorities and academic commentary etc. If you come under pressure with your study plan, drop the effort on the fourth one and concentrate on getting the initial three at all costs. Getting two at the first sitting is a total pita, and remember you must SIT four, ie turn up on the day and sign on. Get your small details in order, eg an up-to-date EU treaties book, a constitution, Sale of Goods Act etc. Be aware of the rules on tabbing and highlighting those materials, a useful amount is permissible.
Good luck.

jc

sorchauna

MissM89 wrote: »

Hi everybody!

I hope you all passed your exams with flying colours. I am thinking of taking 4 in October and would really love some advice from people who have previously done the exams in a similar position to myself.

I am currently working in a law firm as a legal secretary. I just want to know if there is enough time to study all of the topics given that I will just have evenings and weekends. Its a few years since I did my degree so none of this will be fresh in my mind! I want to do the four and hopefully pass at least 3 and then do the other 4 next March. I would just love to hear from anyone who has previously done the exams and worked full time. I know there is no chance of me getting time off to do them so wont have weeks off to spend studying.

I would really really appreciate if anyone with similar experiences could get back to me. In two minds about what to do and would love to hear from anyone who has successfully achieved the exams this way!

Thanks a mill.

As a fellow secretary I know what your concerns, I will say pick your first four wisely. I did property, company, criminal and contract first sitting and passed them. I'd recommend dropping company for equity. Your first sitting is the most important so pick the shorter subjects (altho you will need to cover the course). I did not do any courses for them but they can be helpful to keep you in track. I did classes fort wo in the Oct sitting where I sat my final four.

Main thing is the time coming up to the exams. This depends on the firm you work with. The final 2-3 weeks is crucial so you would need them off. I know its hard to get more than a week off in a firm so will depend on the flexbility. I actually did move from one legal secretary job to another to give me more flexbility on study and ended in a firm that was so supportive of me taking the exams so that does help.

Its hard but is doable. Time planning is crucial

RandolphEsq

frustratedTC

Have the Law Soc confirmed its 11 days? everyone seems so sure! Id say they are having their academic meetings this week to determine whose passed the exam, probably papers are all corrected at this stage eeekk!

RandolphEsq

I just logged in and saw my results! But then I logged in again two mins later and they were gone! Both passed!

In my dreams.

Tea-a-Maria

Where are you supposed to look anyway?I've logged into my Law Society profile,but I've no idea where to click to even try and see results!

When the time comes.
<<
>>

RandolphEsq

It claims to be under the Fe-1 section but it clearly isn't. I just search for 'fe-1 results' and the page shows up.

tinyurl.com/fe1results

frustratedTC

How do you find out your password! Well done on passing

frustratedTC

Got my password, but no results coming up i typed fe-1 results in the search box, and i get a list of options, but no results!

chops018

frustratedTC wrote: »

How do you find out your password! Well done on passing

He's only being sarcastic. The results won't be up till May 3rd.

RandolphEsq

It better be May 3rd, and not the 10th, or even 17th! The correctors may have taken it easy over Easter.

Darren07

FE1 Results out 3rd May 2013 - Received email today from Law Society

frustratedTC

Thanks for heads up, no email on this end

RandolphEsq

No email here either.

KoukiKeith

Got none either! Although given my performance, it wouldn't surprise me if they decided to de-register & ban me ......

Amre17

Could someone please tell me what topics came up in constitutional in the last sitting?

Thanks

Darren07

I emailed the Law School enquiring about the results date and I got a reply confirming results will be released on the 3rd May next. Best of luck guys!

frustratedTC

Amre17 wrote: »

Could someone please tell me what topics came up in constitutional in the last sitting?

Thanks

Just from memory:
Fair procedures
case note
due process, delay, unconstitutionally obtained evidence
privacy
separation of powers
constitutional interpretation
equality
I think religion came up too, not totally sure on that though!

frustratedTC

law soc say they havent sent out emails, odd!

sorchauna

It seems that the law society don't send out emails everyone. Last time I never got emails along with some others, while other people got emails. I suppose just log in Friday the 3rd May and see if the results pop up!