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

rightytighty wrote: »

Wondering if anyone in the judicial assistant competition asked when we’ll hear from them?

Hey, see above couldnt be bothered to copy and paste three times on my phone

Wonderstruck wrote: »

Hey, see above couldnt be bothered to copy and paste three times on my phone

Thank you and congrats!

KMPT wrote: »

Law Society says it wants to maintain the integrity of the exams. Well, at the moment many of us do not study all of the topics or all of the cases. But if it was switched to multiple choice we would be forced to. The exams would be harder since you have to cover everything single thing but at least the real focus would be on knowing the law. Rather than the current format which really focuses on knowing some law and writing style. Many of us just learn off enough and pass with our writing style. A multiple choice paper focuses on knowledge, is easier to use online and removes the unfairness of who types or writes faster.

Then there is also the senseless idea that Law grads should sit the same exams over again. This only makes sense to me if the exams are as described above. Multiple choice with a huge focus on case law and legislation.

Just my two cents.

Are you suggesting changing exam format to MCQ and making it harder? Not entirely sure why you would want to change from being able to leave topics out to having to cover everything.

The current format is a waste of time for law grads. If the Law Society is really serious about "integrity" it should be multiple choice. Law grads leave out most of the topics and non law grads also follow suit. This is why many of us fail. It's not because we are not smart, but mainly because we didn't cover the syllabus. So where does that leave "integrity of the exams" that the Law Society speaks of? A money making scheme that has students forking out a lot of money for prep classes and for some essentially "resitting" their college law exams.

I think many people would prefer multiple choice, as most people feel comfortable with the idea of it. Although it's not easier in terms of preparation at least what you remember will be somewhere on the paper. "My topic didn't come up" would no longer be an issue. According to the Law Society the FE1s exist because they won't be teaching you law. You're expected to know it before you get there. Yet they are fully aware we skip topics a lot. Where is the "integrity of the exams" they speak of when most candidates didn't cover the law they are supposed to know?

No need to be snarky. MCQs are not necessarily A, B, or C. It can be to choose two answers. Neither do they all have one correct answer. Many MCQs at third level requires the best possible answer. So for let's say the constitution of a will. The choices could be quite similar with one incorrect element or it could list a series of correct answers with the best possible answer focusing on the most important tenets.

Don't get frustrated by my original post. It would appear dissenting opinions are not welcomed in this forum without others getting touchy. I've seen that a few pages back. But don't worry. The Law Society might read our posts but they never act on them, otherwise we wouldn't be in this position now and they would have been prepared for online exams when we suggested it months ago.

LawExams 2020 wrote: »

Thank you. I genuinely wasn’t trying to be condescending.

Having a rant, a good cry, being royally pis*ed off and more, all totally natural. For me though, it’s equally as important to be able to pick myself up, dust myself off, and crack on with things.

It’s very easy to slide into a negative, overly stressed place, but to go too far into that kind of upset - I don’t think that benefits anyone.

I’ve wasted a few days this week worrying about the future. Trying now to focus as much as I can and put everything else out of my mind. I’ll be kicking myself if I lose out on too much study time.

I don't blame you at all and it's totally bs as most people have work and can't just book leave at very short notice!

I am just fortunate with timing that I'm done really I missed a sitting myself because of problems with a former manager (who basically was trying to run me out of the job) and I was believably stressed & upset. It's all cool when you cant control your next move it is the most stressful place to me

KMPT wrote: »

No need to be snarky. MCQs are not necessarily A, B, or C. It can be to choose two answers. Neither do they all have one correct answer. Many MCQs at third level requires the best possible answer. So for let's say the constitution of a will. The choices could be quite similar with one incorrect element or it could list a series of correct answers with the best possible answer focusing on the most important tenets.

Don't get frustrated by my original post. It would appear dissenting opinions are not welcomed in this forum without others getting touchy. I've seen that a few pages back. But don't worry. The Law Society might read our posts but they never act on them, otherwise we wouldn't be in this position now and they would have been prepared for online exams when we suggested it months ago.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be snarky. It's more our form of legal system does not lend itself to binary answers. So short of a question being "Pick which three elements comprise a valid will" or "The Indoor management rule is... A, B, or C" it's not really functional when we have to consider a number of possible outcomes. Just imagine a criminal exam with MCQs...

Have just been wondering if anybody has been told what 'early next week' even means? There's been a big discussion on how people have handled this period but my own opinion is that I feel like we've been absolutely jerked around. The stress, irrational or not, has been sending me up the wall. Seriously desperate for any information - even information on when we'll get information.

DAC Beachcroft has their trainee solicitor programme applications open until 27 November for anyone on here looking for a TC like me

Has anyone received a refund yet after paying for Tort/EU in October and then having passed them in the August results?

sh_owens wrote: »

The Law society takes about 3/4 months to process refunds

Please tell me you're not serious?
I rang and asked if I could pay after results and was told I couldn't. I genuinely can't think of any reason why it would take so long to process??

Imagine any other business taking that long to give you a refund lol

Hazel774 wrote: »

Guys I'm sorry I really don't want to drag out what's been said on here this morning as I appreciate that it is annoying when this thread gets off topic with arguments and we're all entitled to have different opinions.
I just really feel the need to say that there is absolutely no shame at all in needing therapy or being emotional over the stress these exams have caused. I myself have actually ended up in the doctors a few times over the last number of months due to the stress that the handling of these exams has caused me, and I don't feel in any way embarrassed about that.

I was very surprised to see comments in 2020 accusing people of losing the run of themselves for needing therapy or crying with stress. Everyone handles things differently and it's important to seek help if you need it.

Well said, Hazel. No shame at all. No one ever said there was.

Hey guys. In have accepted two TC offers as one of the firms requires me to have all my exams done by December and I'm a bit nervous I won't have them done. Does anyone know how strictly firms apply that rule? Also what's the latest you should inform a firm you don't intend to take an offer after you've accepted it?