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

Rainbow25 · 30-07-2020 06:49PM

Did anyone ever hear back from the Law Society about what would happen if the exams can't go ahead because of Covid? Are people due to start Blackhall in September still going to be able to? 85 new cases today has me so worried and it doesn't seem like they have any back up plan in terms of an online exam or anything

iamanengine · 30-07-2020 06:54PM

Rainbow25 wrote: »

Did anyone ever hear back from the Law Society about what would happen if the exams can't go ahead because of Covid? Are people due to start Blackhall in September still going to be able to? 85 new cases today has me so worried and it doesn't seem like they have any back up plan in terms of an online exam or anything

I reckon they will push on with the exams no matter what at this stage

nmurphy1441 · 30-07-2020 06:59PM

Rainbow25 wrote: »

Did anyone ever hear back from the Law Society about what would happen if the exams can't go ahead because of Covid? Are people due to start Blackhall in September still going to be able to? 85 new cases today has me so worried and it doesn't seem like they have any back up plan in terms of an online exam or anything

Got an email from them Tuesday. Had to fill out a Covid form for August exams. Definitely going ahead at this moment in time. If they can’t go ahead or can’t sit due to COVID personally, you’ll be given a full refund... If you had any contact with COVID in the last 14 days, you’re not allowed sit in August!

iamanengine · 30-07-2020 10:47PM

Do ye reckon it's safe enough to leave out the State Aid section of Competition? Considering it came up last sitting and it doesn't tend to come up that often with this examiner. It's such a massive topic it's difficult to learn all of it off

31-07-2020 10:51AM

Has anyone had any correspondence re the October timetable? I was going to plan my subjects around that, but I’m getting very anxious now about starting!

MrAlex123 · 31-07-2020 11:34AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Has anyone had any correspondence re the October timetable? I was going to plan my subjects around that, but I’m getting very anxious now about starting!

I rang them. They told me (1) its 100% going ahead (2) provisional dates are 6th-15th October and (3) the precise timetable will be released after the August sitting.

Aoibhin511 · 31-07-2020 12:04PM

MrAlex123 wrote: »

I rang them. They told me (1) its 100% going ahead (2) provisional dates are 6th-15th October and (3) the precise timetable will be released after the August sitting.

Oof thats a very tight turn around

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lawgrad49 · 01-08-2020 11:32AM

Hi, around 10 days out here so just got thinking about exam technique...Pretty subjective question this, but do people generally start with their best questions first, or what they 'feel' will rack up the marks early? I know this will all depend on how much you've covered and what comes up on the day etc but I'd like to at least try and plan my approach.

Curious to note what kind of strategies successful FE1 candidates go with. Been a few years since I've sat written exams and I know timing is crucial in the FE1 as well. From all of the advice I'm getting if you don't answer 5 q.s you'll make it difficult to pass.

I remember messing up the timing on my last Uni exam (law of Evidence) because I went all out on one question and only had 15 mins to write a full essay on the last and just did bullet points...but I Still got a 68! I don't feel I would be as lucky this time round lol

Is there any merit in tackling your difficult questions first and then finishing strong? Would that make any difference to an examiner? Any thoughts/tips would be great!

lawgrad15 · 01-08-2020 11:46AM

lawgrad49 wrote: »

Hi, around 10 days out here so just got thinking about exam technique...Pretty subjective question this, but do people generally start with their best questions first, or what they 'feel' will rack up the marks early? I know this will all depend on how much you've covered and what comes up on the day etc but I'd like to at least try and plan my approach.

Curious to note what kind of strategies successful FE1 candidates go with. Been a few years since I've sat written exams and I know timing is crucial in the FE1 as well. From all of the advice I'm getting if you don't answer 5 q.s you'll make it difficult to pass.

I remember messing up the timing on my last Uni exam (law of Evidence) because I went all out on one question and only had 15 mins to write a full essay on the last and just did bullet points...but I Still got a 68! I don't feel I would be as lucky this time round lol

Is there any merit in tackling your difficult questions first and then finishing strong? Would that make any difference to an examiner? Any thoughts/tips would be great!

I generally do my best question as the third/fourth question. Leave the easiest question until the end (as I might run out of time). I like essay questions (as there generally is no trick aspect to them - more so a case of adapting what I have to fit the question) so it's generally an essay for me that I leave until the end. So generally I would start with a question which is neither best nor worst, but one that I can actually show the examiner that I understand what's being asked and confident enough about. From the 7 FE1's that I've done, I have found that I have got fairly consistent results across the papers using that format. It means as well that you can actually 'look forward' to something nicer near the end rather than a downhill slope as you go through the paper. Again, it's a very subjective question. I know some people will disagree with what I have said but then again I've passed 7/7 so far without repeating so it must have worked somehow. Good luck!

iamanengine · 01-08-2020 11:50AM

lawgrad49 wrote: »

Hi, around 10 days out here so just got thinking about exam technique...Pretty subjective question this, but do people generally start with their best questions first, or what they 'feel' will rack up the marks early? I know this will all depend on how much you've covered and what comes up on the day etc but I'd like to at least try and plan my approach.

Curious to note what kind of strategies successful FE1 candidates go with. Been a few years since I've sat written exams and I know timing is crucial in the FE1 as well. From all of the advice I'm getting if you don't answer 5 q.s you'll make it difficult to pass.

I remember messing up the timing on my last Uni exam (law of Evidence) because I went all out on one question and only had 15 mins to write a full essay on the last and just did bullet points...but I Still got a 68! I don't feel I would be as lucky this time round lol

Is there any merit in tackling your difficult questions first and then finishing strong? Would that make any difference to an examiner? Any thoughts/tips would be great!

I think you absolutely should start with your strongest questions first. I always do my preferred questions and leave any difficult ones until the end. The idea being that you don't want to waste time struggling through a difficult question at the start which could leave you short on time later. Also it just helps with the mental aspect, if you start on a strong question you start to feel good about the exam and get confident you can pass it.

It's a matter of preference though really.

In terms of timing I believe the timing is 10mins at the start to read the paper and pick your questions and then 35(?) mins per question. Once you hit that 35mins just stop answering that Q and move on to the next no matter what. At the end you can come back to questions to finish them off or just add in bullet points. It's far more efficient in picking up marks to answer 3/4 of a question and move on instead of wasting time on one Q and letting your other questions suffer

Supermax1988 · 01-08-2020 11:56AM

lawgrad49 wrote: »

Hi, around 10 days out here so just got thinking about exam technique...Pretty subjective question this, but do people generally start with their best questions first, or what they 'feel' will rack up the marks early? I know this will all depend on how much you've covered and what comes up on the day etc but I'd like to at least try and plan my approach.

Curious to note what kind of strategies successful FE1 candidates go with. Been a few years since I've sat written exams and I know timing is crucial in the FE1 as well. From all of the advice I'm getting if you don't answer 5 q.s you'll make it difficult to pass.

I remember messing up the timing on my last Uni exam (law of Evidence) because I went all out on one question and only had 15 mins to write a full essay on the last and just did bullet points...but I Still got a 68! I don't feel I would be as lucky this time round lol

Is there any merit in tackling your difficult questions first and then finishing strong? Would that make any difference to an examiner? Any thoughts/tips would be great!

I’ve always been a believer in doing your best question first as it gives you that little boost of confidence early on and helps calm the nerves. Everyone’s different though. The most important thing is getting five answers down and being disciplined with your time. Best of luck!

JCormac · 01-08-2020 02:55PM

Saw there was a full problem question on Freedom to provide* Movement Services on the October 2018 paper.

Haven't studied Services up to this point b/c honestly just thought it rarely came up.

Does anybody know off the top of their head if there's a lot in it / if it's worth investing study hours into?

lsheehaneire · 01-08-2020 04:45PM

It's probably worth tabbing articles 56 and 57 TFEU and have a few cases for it. I think the health service angle came up last time so maybe the patient cross border directive may be relevant also... Humbel and Geraets smits cases.

Louis Litt · 01-08-2020 05:35PM

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

iamanengine · 01-08-2020 07:34PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

Yep, every other subject makes sense to me, like the topics have good logic to them and they have easily applied tests and case law etc. EU comes across as gibberish half the time

I've heard the examiner is one of the nicer markers however

Coopie · 01-08-2020 10:38PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

Me too - not really getting to grips with it.

JCormac · 02-08-2020 09:57AM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

It feels like even the requirements have requirements

Aoibhin511 · 02-08-2020 12:11PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

EU has a really high pass rate, I wouldn't stress about the nitty-gritty of it too much

DFMCD190384 · 02-08-2020 02:19PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Anyone struggling to get to grips with EU? Just a different kettle of fish to the other exams.

Can I ask what you're covering for EU pls?

I'm also finding it extremely tough to grasp. Regretting applying for the August sitting at this moment in time.

Louis Litt · 02-08-2020 02:47PM

DFMCD190384 wrote: »

Can I ask what you're covering for EU pls?

I'm also finding it extremely tough to grasp. Regretting applying for the August sitting at this moment in time.

Institutions
General Principles
DE & MS liability
JR
Citizenship & FM Workers
FM Goods
FM Service
Equality

Left out Competition but going on previous papers I would have 5 from the above.

DFMCD190384 · 02-08-2020 02:49PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

Institutions
General Principles
DE & MS liability
JR
Citizenship & FM Workers
FM Goods
FM Service
Equality

Left out Competition but going on previous papers I would have 5 from the above.

Thank you. While I have notes made on your above topics I am far away from knowing them yet and that frightens me. Any advice?

Louis Litt · 02-08-2020 03:13PM

DFMCD190384 wrote: »

Thank you. While I have notes made on your above topics I am far away from knowing them yet and that frightens me. Any advice?

I'm the same and i'm the same for every exam, it only comes together the day before. I would fail the exam miserably if it was tomorrow. Read over notes pleanty of time and then try wittle notes down to just a heading within the topic and case names with a couple of words to hint. That's just my method anyways, everyone has their own preferences.

DFMCD190384 · 02-08-2020 03:28PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

I'm the same and i'm the same for every exam, it only comes together the day before. I would fail the exam miserably if it was tomorrow. Read over notes pleanty of time and then try wittle notes down to just a heading within the topic and case names with a couple of words to hint. That's just my method anyways, everyone has their own preferences.

Lol, me too. Good luck!!

iamanengine · 02-08-2020 04:25PM

DFMCD190384 wrote: »

Thank you. While I have notes made on your above topics I am far away from knowing them yet and that frightens me. Any advice?

Best advice I can give is read your notes over and over until it's seared into your brain. It's the only way I can learn that much information, excessive repetition

Twinings2016 · 02-08-2020 04:54PM

Hi!

How would people of went about answering the Products Liability on the October paper??

LawStudent96 · 02-08-2020 05:22PM

Would anyone have sample answers to some of the more recent Tort past papers? I can swap EU sample answers.

Louis Litt · 02-08-2020 07:02PM

iamanengine wrote: »

Best advice I can give is read your notes over and over until it's seared into your brain. It's the only way I can learn that much information, excessive repetition

@iamanengine Do you have any predictions for Tort and EU? You've not been far off in the past.

iamanengine · 02-08-2020 09:57PM

Louis Litt wrote: »

@iamanengine Do you have any predictions for Tort and EU? You've not been far off in the past.

I'll give it a go, I do love to procrastinate.

I think EU is definitely one of the more straight forward papers since this examiner took over. Not sure what the exact sitting that was but think it was around the 2015 papers. If he follows the pattern expect -

Competition - State Aid came up last time so I'm hoping we will get a straight up Competition Q, Art 101 /102
General Principles - Would love a fundamental rights Q
DE/MS Liability - Had it's break in Oct 2019 so expect it up
FMOG - Customs duty/internal tax
Judicial Review - Would love a Q on criticism surrounding individual concern
Citizenship
Institutions - Maybe due a break?
FMOW - Had a break Oct 2019
Then you have your case law Q - avoiding that 100%

If you have these I think you are guaranteed 5 Q's, the paper is almost as predictable as Property. The same topics come up time and again.

Tort however, is a whole other kettle of fish. I reckon it is the least predictable of all the exams, even more so than constitutional. That said, I'll take a stab at it.

Negligence - I think a Q on negligence in some form is a certainty, either DOC or Causation, possibly both.
Vicarious Liability - Comes up a tonne and hasn't come up in 2 sittings. Also there was the Barclays Bank case since it last came up. Hoping for a Q
Limitations - Comes up every so often, hasn't come up in 3 sittings and there was two 2019 SC cases, again really hoping for a Q here I've learnt it well.
Nervous Shock - Hasn't come up in 3 sittings, I think it would be a lovely Q to get
Negligent Misstatement - Has come up often enough and hasn't come up in 7 sittings.
Animals - Used to come up a lot, hasn't come up in 12 sittings, short topic, worth a punt
Damages
Passing Off - Throwing it in cos it would be a lovely Q

There ye go, ye can buy me a pint if I'm anyways correct :pac:

Actually, can't write off defamation either at this stage tbh, he loves it. You could look at it and say it's come up last 5 sittings, surely due a break, or on the other hand you could look at it and say defamation is approaching a guaranteed Q now...who knows!

Louis Litt · 02-08-2020 10:08PM

iamanengine wrote: »

I'll give it a go, I do love to procrastinate.

I think EU is definitely one of the more straight forward papers since this examiner took over. Not sure what the exact sitting that was but think it was around the 2015 papers. If he follows the pattern expect -

Competition - State Aid came up last time so I'm hoping we will get a straight up Competition Q, Art 101 /102
General Principles - Would love a fundamental rights Q
DE/MS Liability - Had it's break in Oct 2019 so expect it up
FMOG - Customs duty/internal tax
Judicial Review - Would love a Q on criticism surrounding individual concern
Citizenship
Institutions - Maybe due a break?
FMOW - Had a break Oct 2019
Then you have your case law Q - avoiding that 100%

If you have these I think you are guaranteed 5 Q's, the paper is almost as predictable as Property. The same topics come up time and again.

Tort however, is a whole other kettle of fish. I reckon it is the least predictable of all the exams, even more so than constitutional. That said, I'll take a stab at it.

Negligence - I think a Q on negligence in some form is a certainty, either DOC or Causation, possibly both.
Vicarious Liability - Comes up a tonne and hasn't come up in 2 sittings. Also there was the Barclays Bank case since it last came up. Hoping for a Q
Limitations - Comes up every so often, hasn't come up in 3 sittings and there was two 2019 SC cases, again really hoping for a Q here I've learnt it well.
Nervous Shock - Hasn't come up in 3 sittings, I think it would be a lovely Q to get
Negligent Misstatement - Has come up often enough and hasn't come up in 7 sittings.
Animals - Used to come up a lot, hasn't come up in 12 sittings, short topic, worth a punt
Damages
Passing Off - Throwing it in cos it would be a lovely Q

There ye go, ye can buy me a pint if I'm anyways correct :pac:

Actually, can't write off defamation either at this stage tbh, he loves it. You could look at it and say it's come up last 5 sittings, surely due a break, or on the other hand you could look at it and say defamation is approaching a guaranteed Q now...who knows!

Haha fair play, thanks. Agree with Tort, no real pattern you can follow, looking to cut some topics as i dont think i have the capacity to hold 16 decent topics in my head.

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

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