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

lsheehaneire · 06-10-2020 04:25PM

Can you confirm the exams will not take place in the first two weeks of November so we can have some breathing space ?

hullaballoo · 06-10-2020 04:26PM

Pengo11 wrote: »

I had no idea you watch this thread. Please pay no attention to me calling you a bollox.

In other news, we have decided to change all user nicknames to real names retrospectively.

FE1Pleb · 06-10-2020 04:26PM

This is madness

CoconutHeadMia · 06-10-2020 04:26PM

LawSocIreland wrote: »

Hello,

Unfortunately we cannot confirm the schedule for the sitting at this time . However, we will do so next week.

Does this mean that a sitting is guaranteed? That an online provider has been found?

FE1new · 06-10-2020 04:36PM

LawSocIreland wrote: »

Hello,

Unfortunately we cannot confirm the schedule for the sitting at this time . However, we will do so next week.

Any indication of even the weeks, my job is now putting a lot of pressure on to confirm the dates as annual leave is almost full for November and December. I have to give at least 4 weeks notice for any time off.

sarahlawless · 06-10-2020 04:38PM

"Eh ye we'll let ya know sometime next week...ttyl" - is just so next planet unacceptable.

They've had 7 months to organise an online contingency plan. If that's not possible given the numbers, absolutely fair enough. If it is possible, brilliant. If they need more time to scale up, that's totally cool. Either way, this whole "maybe we have someone, maaaybe we don't" needs to stop. We deserve a definitive answer in the coming days, not next week, to organise study leave, study plans, new laptops etc.

I've always thought of myself as quite emotionally strong, but this is genuinely having a profound impact on my mental health. I can't wait until next week.

shaunamarie · 06-10-2020 04:38PM

LawSocIreland wrote: »

Hello,

Unfortunately we cannot confirm the schedule for the sitting at this time . However, we will do so next week.

Is it possible to give an indication of the likelihood of online exams going ahead? It was stated that it was not possible to hold online exams when the first postponement occurred. Has something changed in this regard? Thanks

LS3 · 06-10-2020 04:42PM

LawSocIreland wrote: »

Hello,

Unfortunately we cannot confirm the schedule for the sitting at this time . However, we will do so next week.

Can we ask what exactly is taking a week? can we not just be told a simple yes or no with more details to follow.

It is like you asking your mam for something and she says "maybe". just not good enough.

rebuke · 06-10-2020 04:42PM

This is quite frankly beyond a joke. The virus has been a part of society for over 6 months now and the Law Society should have been putting the necessary work in to facilitate online exams behind the scenes since the postponement of the exams in the March sitting.

These are unprecedented times and alternative arrangements have to be made, as was the case with the Leaving Cert. It is beyond me as to why the Law Society cannot allow students who have already passed these subjects during their Undergraduate LL.B. to pass due to the circumstances.

The last six months have been tough mentally on society as a whole, and the Law Societies lack of transparency, up to them saying a little over two weeks ago that exams categorically would not be facilitated online to a complete reversal today, is beyond unfair. The Law Society have kept students in the dark since the beginning - be it through not responding to emails, calls etc. which is not only completely unfair, but also completely unprofessional.

It is quite ironic to see the Law Societies press release today in relation to mental health week considering the amount of unwarranted stress they have subjected FE1 students to over the last number of months

maggie95 · 06-10-2020 04:44PM

LawSocIreland wrote: »

Good afternoon,

We are able to share some information on plans regarding the November 2020 sitting.

Given the announcement by the Government on 5 October that the country is to move to Level 3 of its Plan for Living with Covid-19 for the next three weeks, the Law Society of Ireland has decided that it will not be possible to hold a physical sitting of the Final Examination First Part ('FE-1') in November.

A decision to hold a physical examination was dependent on the country remaining at or below Level 2 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19.

The Law Society is continuing work on the provision of an online examination and further information will provided early next week.

As always, the Society is very grateful for the continuing patience of current FE-1 students while we seek to provide the FE-1 safely.

I have a solution for the majority of us. How about you just automatically pass those of us who have passed the same subjects at college level.. it would reduce the organisational stress for you and the study stress for us.

You can even keep my money 🙃

dobby896 · 06-10-2020 04:45PM

sarahlawless wrote: »

I've always thought of myself as quite emotionally strong, but this is genuinely is having a profound impact on my mental health. I can't wait until next week.

Same as that myself. At this stage, I hope that the online sitting will be pushed out by a few weeks, the extra stress and anxiety has been so counterproductive.

SKLaw · 06-10-2020 04:47PM

dobby896 wrote: »

Same as that myself. At this stage, I hope that the online sitting will be pushed out by a few weeks, the extra stress and anxiety has been so counterproductive.

I open my books and feel like crying to be honest. Like I want to pass my last exam so I know I need to study and I do want to study for it but honestly it’s so much stress right now and uncertainty over these exams that I can’t bring myself to be calm and focused enough. Let’s hope for more clarity soon

Fe1student1234 · 06-10-2020 04:48PM

dobby896 wrote: »

Same as that myself. At this stage, I hope that the online sitting will be pushed out by a few weeks, the extra stress and anxiety has been so counterproductive.

Tbh if they really cared they would be emailing candidates

LS3 · 06-10-2020 04:49PM

SKLaw wrote: »

I open my books and feel like crying to be honest. Like I want to pass my last exam so I know I need to study and I do want to study for it but honestly it’s so much stress right now and uncertainty over these exams that I can’t bring myself to be calm and focused enough. Let’s hope for more clarity soon

I am the exact same. I work full time and cannot deal with the stress that the lack of certainty has caused me. Ive actually engaged with professional help due to the amount of stress caused by these exams and the added stress from lack of communication.

lsheehaneire · 06-10-2020 04:50PM

Its either
(a). We are trying to agree on the exact terms and conditions with a potential servive provider in order to facilitate the exams going online on the proposed dates given for November.
Or
(b) we are trying to see if it is feasible to sit the exam online and we are looking into any potential service provider willing to engage.

It really is that simple a or b.

Lawlaw12 · 06-10-2020 04:52PM

maggie95 wrote: »

I have a solution for the majority of us. How about you just automatically pass those of us who have passed the same subjects at college level.. it would reduce the organisational stress for you and the study stress for us.

You can even keep my money 🙃

Honestly at this stage that solution actually makes sense
I have one exam left and I have already passed an exam set by the same examiner in college. This past year of sitting these fe1's has taken a serious toll on my mental health and the fact that we are now facing more uncertainty just causes unbearable stress

ruby1998 · 06-10-2020 04:52PM

They couldn’t care less. Imagine posting vague updates on a public forum instead actually of emailing candidates with a somewhat certain update. Ridiculous my head is all over the place.

SKLaw · 06-10-2020 04:53PM

LS3 wrote: »

I am the exact same. I work full time and cannot deal with the stress that the lack of uncertainty has caused me. Ive actually engaged with professional help due to the amount of stress caused by these exams and the lack of communication.

god knows where we’ll be next week with yet another announcement for supposed further info. We need all the help we can get...and all the info on these exams that I feel like we’re begging for at this stage

LawStudent999 · 06-10-2020 04:56PM

Completely agree with what’s being said here. Seems as though at every other level within the education sector a number of contingencies have been put in place and the benefit, given the changing times, has fallen in favour of the student and their overall well-being.

If you take the leaving certificate as mentioned above , the students were judged on previous merits which in our case would be the passing of each of the “FE1” subjects in our undergraduate degree. Likewise for college students, any subjects which required exams to go ahead were held as open book and students in many cases were given up to 24 hours to complete them. Again the benefit falling to the student.

It’s clear that despite all the challenges facing current FE1 Candidates, not a single provision has fallen in our favour and the uncertainty seems to continuously roll over. I’m certainly not asking for anything to be handed to me or anyone else but some consideration needs to be given to the fact that in circumstances such as these, traditional methods and adhering to rules put in place in a different time, is not a viable option anymore.

FE1new · 06-10-2020 04:57PM

Sure the President of the Law Society was just on RTE radio 1 explaining how they have dropped the "Sir" from letters as its archaic and gendered language. Glad they were able to do that I will definitely sleep better at night....never mind the FE1s

Law20213 · 06-10-2020 04:59PM

Fe1student1234 wrote: »

Tbh if they really cared they would be emailing candidates

Checking boards.ie is the only way to get any up to date info on these exams...

SKLaw · 06-10-2020 05:02PM

LawStudent999 wrote: »

Completely agree with what’s being said here. Seems as though at every other level within the education sector a number of contingencies have been put in place and the benefit, given the changing times, has fallen in favour of the student and their overall well-being.

If you take the leaving certificate as mentioned above , the students were judged on previous merits which in our case would be the passing of each of the “FE1” subjects in our undergraduate degree. Likewise for college students, any subjects which required exams to go ahead were held as open book and students in many cases were given up to 24 hours to complete them. Again the benefit falling to the student.

It’s clear that despite all the challenges facing current FE1 Candidates, not a single provision has fallen in our favour and the uncertainty seems to continuously roll over. I’m certainly not asking for anything to be handed to me or anyone else but some consideration needs to be given to the fact that in circumstances such as these, traditional methods and adhering to rules put in place in a different time, is not a viable option anymore.

“Proud of tradition, prepared for the future” apparently is what the Law Society is. I completely agree with you. I’m all for being proud of tradition but where things aren’t working anymore for the current circumstances affecting its current and future members, I think a break away from the old ways is very much needed

sh_owens · 06-10-2020 05:04PM

Maybe we should all take collective action as a student body and pen a letter to the President of the Law Society mentioning our concerns. A lot of the concerns noted by users above are undoubtedly valid and should be communicated to the Law Society for them to consider it.
Would anyone be interested in getting involved to draft a letter we could send this week? Or does anyone have any contacts in the Law Society we could send this letter to?
I have sent numerous emails over the last few weeks and I'm aware most candidates have too which have just been ignored.

Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like collective action as a group might be the only option to communicate our concerns and highlight the unfair treatment us as candidates have received during these unprecedented times.

rebuke · 06-10-2020 05:05PM

FE1new wrote: »

Sure the President of the Law Society was just on RTE radio 1 explaining how they have dropped the "Sir" from letters as its archaic and gendered language. Glad they were able to do that I will definitely sleep better at night....never mind the FE1s

Not to mention the fact that the FE1's are regarded by the majority of the legal profession in Ireland as being completely outdated and draconian...

Fe1student1234 · 06-10-2020 05:05PM

sh_owens wrote: »

Maybe we should all take collective action as a student body and pen a letter to the President of the Law Society mentioning our concerns. A lot of the concerns noted by users above are undoubtedly valid and should be communicated to the Law Society for them to consider it.
Would anyone be interested in getting involved to draft a letter we could send this week? Or does anyone have any contacts in the Law Society we could send this letter to?
I have sent numerous emails over the last few weeks and I'm aware most candidates have too which have just been ignored.

Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like collective action as a group might be the only option to communicate our concerns and highlight the unfair treatment us as candidates have received during these unprecedented times.

Tbh I doubt it will work - they ignored everything tic do with the petition

Law20213 · 06-10-2020 05:07PM

LawStudent999 wrote: »

Completely agree with what’s being said here. Seems as though at every other level within the education sector a number of contingencies have been put in place and the benefit, given the changing times, has fallen in favour of the student and their overall well-being.

If you take the leaving certificate as mentioned above , the students were judged on previous merits which in our case would be the passing of each of the “FE1” subjects in our undergraduate degree. Likewise for college students, any subjects which required exams to go ahead were held as open book and students in many cases were given up to 24 hours to complete them. Again the benefit falling to the student.

It’s clear that despite all the challenges facing current FE1 Candidates, not a single provision has fallen in our favour and the uncertainty seems to continuously roll over. I’m certainly not asking for anything to be handed to me or anyone else but some consideration needs to be given to the fact that in circumstances such as these, traditional methods and adhering to rules put in place in a different time, is not a viable option anymore.

Couldn’t agree more but another problem is they opened the Fe1 exams up to college students why....I don’t get either, they should be studied separately for one....and perhaps if they didn’t do that and the number students sitting these exams hadn’t increased as result in the change to the Rules, we would be sitting online exams right now and no Previous cancelled sittings

SKLaw · 06-10-2020 05:08PM

sh_owens wrote: »

Maybe we should all take collective action as a student body and pen a letter to the President of the Law Society mentioning our concerns. A lot of the concerns noted by users above are undoubtedly valid and should be communicated to the Law Society for them to consider it.
Would anyone be interested in getting involved to draft a letter we could send this week? Or does anyone have any contacts in the Law Society we could send this letter to?
I have sent numerous emails over the last few weeks and I'm aware most candidates have too which have just been ignored.

Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like collective action as a group might be the only option to communicate our concerns and highlight the unfair treatment us as candidates have received during these unprecedented times.

No harm in trying but I’m slightly doubtful it’ll work

Hazel774 · 06-10-2020 05:08PM

If people have only one or two exams left and have training contracts lined up why can they not be given an exemption for the final exam where they have passed all of the other FE1 subjects and they have passed exams in these subjects in college?
Seems bizarre that we are at risk of losing training contracts over one final exam due to circumstances we have absolutely no control over

maggie95 · 06-10-2020 05:11PM

sh_owens wrote: »

Maybe we should all take collective action as a student body and pen a letter to the President of the Law Society mentioning our concerns. A lot of the concerns noted by users above are undoubtedly valid and should be communicated to the Law Society for them to consider it.
Would anyone be interested in getting involved to draft a letter we could send this week? Or does anyone have any contacts in the Law Society we could send this letter to?
I have sent numerous emails over the last few weeks and I'm aware most candidates have too which have just been ignored.

Does anyone have any other ideas? It seems like collective action as a group might be the only option to communicate our concerns and highlight the unfair treatment us as candidates have received during these unprecedented times.

Michele O'Boyle is President at the moment but her term conveniently ends on 13th November. Her email is michele[at]oboylesolicitors.com

I'm uncertain a collective letter would work but there's not much else we can do otherwise

[Edit: this information is publicly available so I'm not disclosing anything personal hahaha]

Fe1student1234 · 06-10-2020 05:12PM

Hazel774 wrote: »

If people have only one or two exams left and have training contracts lined up why can they not be given an exemption for the final exam where they have passed all of the other FE1 subjects and they have passed exams in these subjects in college?
Seems bizarre that we are at risk of losing training contracts over one final exam due to circumstances we have absolutely no control over

Not sure if that would work - what about people with only two left and no training contract

They’d either have to give everyone an exception for the exams they have registered to this sitting (and passed at college ) or no one

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

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