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

IgoPAP wrote: »

Praying to dear God that they extend the exams to 2 weeks later to let candidates prepare for the online sittings.

As they've already posted the timetable for the online sitting this seems unlikely unfortunately

lawDani wrote: »

anybody sit the exams online in August?

I'm freaked a bit because i have no laptop / access to sufficient WIFI.
i heard in August candidates had the option of writing their answers and scanning? although ive no scanner..
just looking for some sort of inkling of what to expect as ive never done online exams.

Hi there!

I sat the online exams in August and then, we had to write our answers by hand and scan them in using our phone (app called CamScan).
However, we did need a laptop with a camera and good internet as we were on a zoom call with the invigilator for the entire thing.

Not sure if it will be the same this time round, but without a doubt you'll need a laptop and WiFi in my opinion.

StabiloLaw wrote: »

Hi there!

I sat the online exams in August and then, we had to write our answers by hand and scan them in using our phone (app called CamScan).
However, we did need a laptop with a camera and good internet as we were on a zoom call with the invigilator for the entire thing.

Not sure if it will be the same this time round, but without a doubt you'll need a laptop and WiFi in my opinion.

Hey, thanks for the reply, and hope they went well.

right, ill borrow a laptop anyway and sort location for Wi-Fi, the joys of living in the suburbs!

Does anyone know when (or if) they will be releasing the March/August 2020 examiners reports?
I've emailed asking a few times but they haven't replied

maggie95 wrote: »

Question for anyone who sat the online August sitting (apologies if already asked):

Was the scanning your answer book part included in the 3 hours or were you given extra time?

...as this would take me an additional 10 mins at least lol

Disappointing. I’ve been an advocate of granting exemptions since March and Tort was called off. It seemed so much better than the five months of uncertainty that followed. There was just one group of Tort and EU candidates, that’s all. When the Tort and EU finally did go ahead, why not even just grant exemptions to students from the three localised lockdown counties who legally couldn’t physically travel here. The October sitting plans were published which looked to be certain and we all knew where we stood until it wasn’t and then it was delayed by a month with no timetable and then by another week with uncertainty this time whether the sitting would even go ahead - online or otherwise.

At the best of times, it’s arguable whether these exams are necessary. IMO, there’s a strong case to argue they should be scrapped in normal times. They may be an case for the existence and continuation of these exams in normal times however in the midst of a global pandemic, that case is diluted and becomes weaker when you consider an exemption would only be a temporary measure in place for 2020 candidates. Future and past candidates may argue we were the lucky ones being given an exemption however I feel myself and anyone else sitting FE1s this year have been the most unlucky group of candidates - they’re normally difficult exams with a wide ranging syllabus however add in the stress of a pandemic, the fear for loved ones, the mental health aspects of living in a lockdown for months, the stress of losing jobs / getting TCs, etc and people reach boiling point. IMO, whether it was March, August or October, be equitable and award exemptions then sit down, make some concrete decisions for the next sitting and move on. It’s a set of legal exams, it shouldn’t have more suspense than a Hollywood horror!

I have stable WiFi and a laptop that works ( * Touch Wood * ) so it doesn’t affect me and might not affect anyone else on here but what would happen if say a candidate lived in an area with poor WiFi and didn’t have a laptop nor could he / she borrow one, what would happen here. Would he / she have to go to the expense purchasing a laptop / a hotel room for a few hours? The exams have always been pen ‘n paper so surely a student in that situation could and should receive an exemption due to his / her exceptional circumstances. It’s just one example however I believe exemptions should have been awarded in the past so many months and even going forward there’s going to be candidates feeling very hard done by.

That’s just on exemptions instead of going online - I won’t even ask why the early November dates haven’t been pushed back or would there be a reduction in the fees.

Hi guys. Does anyone have revision guides for tort/contract please? Thanks 😊

fe1fi20 wrote: »

Hi guys. Does anyone have revision guides for tort/contract please? Thanks ��

I have one for tort, dm me your email

shaunadennyham wrote: »

Unlikely to get a reduction in fees given that the law society are driven by money.....

Quite indeed Shauna. The question is should we receive a reduction but I’m sure we would both answer that in the affirmative.

StabiloLaw wrote: »

This was additional time. We actually weren't allowed start scanning until after 1pm even though I was finished a few minutes before and asked if I could!

It took me about 10 minutes I would say!

Awesome, thanks - at least that's something reassuring about these exams if they do it the same way as August!

scarson216 wrote: »

Law society just updated the website to add to the timetable and said “more information will be available shortly” feel like it’s going to be another long week waiting for details

FYI this was my email from friday ;

noreply <noreply@lawsociety.ie>
Attachments
Fri, Oct 9, 5:54 PM (3 days ago)
to FE1Section

Thank you for your application to sit the FE-1.



As a result of the government’s decision of 5 October to move the entire country to Level 3 of its Living with Covid Plan it is unfortunately not possible to hold physical examinations in November.

The Law Society will provide an online examination in November and a copy of the timetable is attached.



Further information about the online examinations will be available early next week.



Kind regards
FE-1 SECTION''

Dliodoir2021 wrote: »

I listened to this podcast all day and got some brilliant tips, if anyone's struggling with timing or something specific, i'd say you'll find your solution with this!!

Author of the podcast here! I stumbled across this post just now - thanks for spreading the word :-)

We do get quite a few law students listening - I know you guys have some pretty onerous study / exam challenges to face, so I'm glad to help if I can.

As well as the podcast, I'm always happy to answer specific questions about effective ways to learn or test-day / exam technique - you can drop me an email me via the contact form on the website (I can't post a URL because I'm new here... but it's ExamStudyExpert[dot]com/contact). I reply within a couple of days most of the time.

Wishing you all every success :-)

Hey guys, would anyone have any tips for equity? I have sample answers and notes made out, however I seem to have trouble with the subject as there is just so much. I have failed it twice. Its my last one. Would anyone who passed have their paper by any chance? - just to see the standard/structure required for a pass. I cant get my head around it.