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

Samuma · 15-10-2020 11:37PM

With the Law Society it seems that anything is possible.

I think I'll have to look for a refund for maybe 2 of my 4 exams. I just wont be able to get the hang of typing by then. I am still putting handwritten notes together.
I also don't have money to be wasting on the off chance that I'll be able to.

Lawlaw12 · 15-10-2020 11:46PM

neon123 wrote: »

What do people think the mock exam is about? Will it essentially be an opportunity to login to get familiar with the format and will it be optional? I’m working full time so definitely don’t have time to be hanging around for three hours!

I'm very curious about this.. it would hardly be an actual exam where they give us an exam question to answer? I don't know why they would call it a 'mock exam', surely it's just testing that the system works properly

BugsySiegel · 15-10-2020 11:54PM

Lawlaw12 wrote: »

I'm very curious about this.. it would hardly be an actual exam where they give us an exam question to answer? I don't know why they would call it a 'mock exam', surely it's just testing that the system works properly

They probably should have picked different wording. Its not going to be an exam of any sort. Itl be an opportunity to make sure you can use the software and everything works on your end [microphone, webcam etc].

Hazel774 · 16-10-2020 01:32AM

I haven't had the chance to look through the past papers for constitutional in too much detail yet, but looking at the March 2020 paper there didn't seem to be too much on SOP in that paper.
There was a question on non-justiciability which obviously ties in with SOP, but do people think it's likely we would get an essay question on SOP this year?

Like I said I haven't really looked through the past papers much, so maybe I'm wrong in thinking that might be due a run

sarahlawless · 16-10-2020 07:53AM

Hazel774 wrote: »

I haven't had the chance to look through the past papers for constitutional in too much detail yet, but looking at the March 2020 paper there didn't seem to be too much on SOP in that paper.
There was a question on non-justiciability which obviously ties in with SOP, but do people think it's likely we would get an essay question on SOP this year?

Like I said I haven't really looked through the past papers much, so maybe I'm wrong in thinking that might be due a run

IMO the last paper was pretty SOP focused (3/8) but you never know with Constitutional!

awsah · 16-10-2020 08:04AM

IgoPAP wrote: »

Am I the only one that's chuffed with the online format? I'm a fast typer and always struggle to get everything on the page - now time constraints are not an issue. I couldn't have hoped for better luck here.

Ya im the same,my hands have been getting craps because I'm not used to writing this much and I can type pretty fast without looking at the screen. I do feel like my prayers have been answered but I feel sorry for the people who are not in the same boat, nobody signed up for a typed exam and noone has been preparing for such. I need to be able to scribble things down if they come into my head in the middle of another question and highlight and mark the exam paper so im crossing fingers that that is catered for!

Meg! · 16-10-2020 08:15AM

Did everybody receive their email because I didnt.

Supermax1988 · 16-10-2020 08:18AM

Meg! wrote: »

Did everybody receive their email because I didnt.

I didn’t either.

lsheehaneire · 16-10-2020 08:30AM

No, me either

StabiloLaw · 16-10-2020 08:55AM

Hazel774 wrote: »

I didn't get it either

I didn't either! What are they at??

Olaboo1227 · 16-10-2020 09:30AM

Does anyone have an email to contact them at.

Do you reckon if you wanted a refund on one or two because the workload is too much now with them being online and the uncertainty you could get one. I don’t think I can handle 4 anymore

JudeLawX · 16-10-2020 09:54AM

Apparently if these follow the same format as the Bar exams the system has no Word functions, ie - autocorrect, caps, formatting. Even email has these simple functions nowadays. Some people may manage fine with that but I know myself if I'm anyway panicked I will not be hitting the right keys, I don't manage to do that properly at the best of times and Word's autocorrect function was a godsent in college when frantically taking notes in lectures etc.

I am really hoping they consider changing their minds and allow candidates handwrite answers, but at the very least we should be allowed a hard copy of the paper in front of us. We have not been given enough notice to adapt as it is and I can see from this thread that for many of us this would be a huge help. Has anyone had contact with the Law Society on this?

WesternC123 · 16-10-2020 10:00AM

I just got through to the number they have listed as the helpline from the latest update. I explained that a lot of us didn't get the email. I also asked whether we'd have the option of writing and she said we can submit any reasons why we aren't able to type the exam and the board will review it. She also said if we have any medical certs to show why we cant type to submit them but as I explained, for many of us there isn't a medical issue but rather we can't type fast enough.. she said she's had a few concerns and will inform the head of examinations. I think it would be useful if anyone who isn't happy with the exams being types could call that helpline and express their concerns because we might get something done about it if there's enough of us.

lawgirl23 · 16-10-2020 10:05AM

WesternC123 wrote: »

I just got through to the number they have listed as the helpline from the latest update. I explained that a lot of us didn't get the email. I also asked whether we'd have the option of writing and she said we can submit any reasons why we aren't able to type the exam and the board will review it. She also said if we have any medical certs to show why we cant type to submit them but as I explained, for many of us there isn't a medical issue but rather we can't type fast enough.. she said she's had a few concerns and will inform the head of examinations. I think it would be useful if anyone who isn't happy with the exams being types could call that helpline and express their concerns because we might get something done about it if there's enough of us.

Did she say anything about why some of us haven’t gotten the email?? They also haven’t updated the page on the Law Society website either I see...

WesternC123 · 16-10-2020 10:07AM

No she didn't say even when I pointed out that this happens all the time. She also said that I mightn't get the email until early next week.. not quite sure why

lawgirl23 · 16-10-2020 10:25AM

WesternC123 wrote: »

No she didn't say even when I pointed out that this happens all the time. She also said that I mightn't get the email until early next week.. not quite sure why

Just rang and spoke to her. She said to email the FE1 Section email to say I didn’t get the email and to ask them to send it across.

I asked if there was any updates on timings for the mock on the 22nd and she said she doesn’t have that information. She has asked for clarification on that. She said to also include that in the email to the FE1 Section.

SKLaw · 16-10-2020 10:28AM

lawgirl23 wrote: »

Just rang and spoke to her. She said to email the FE1 Section email to say I didn’t get the email and to ask them to send it across.

I asked if there was any updates on timings for the mock on the 22nd and she said she doesn’t have that information. She has asked for clarification on that. She said to also include that in the email to the FE1 Section.

I've emailed the FE1 Section so hopefully I'll get that email sent across. I was told too that these instructions will be posted on the LS website this afternoon but that there must be something going on in the background (that they don't know what yet) which is why a lot of people didn't get the email

IgoPAP · 16-10-2020 10:35AM

Saying you don't want to type for the exam because you're a slow typer is the same as arguing that you can't do a written exam because you're a messy writer.

Sorry, but unless you've got some legitimate medical reason, it's a terrible excuse. Most people type more than they write these days.

lawgirl23 · 16-10-2020 10:37AM

SKLaw wrote: »

I've emailed the FE1 Section so hopefully I'll get that email sent across. I was told too that these instructions will be posted on the LS website this afternoon but that there must be something going on in the background (that they don't know what yet) which is why a lot of people didn't get the email

I just emailed too! Not that I’m expecting a response to be honest.

As an aside, I’ve had responses from four local TDs to my letter who have said they will take up the matter with their party colleagues and appropriate ministers and come back to me when they have a response.

EmmaO94 · 16-10-2020 10:38AM

IgoPAP wrote: »

Saying you don't want to type for the exam because you're a slow typer is the same as arguing that you can't do a written exam because you're a messy writer.

Sorry, but unless you've got some legitimate medical reason, it's a terrible excuse. Most people type more than they write these days.

I think the problem for a lot of people is that they signed up for a written exam and the format has been turned on its head at the last minute.

SKLaw · 16-10-2020 10:39AM

lawgirl23 wrote: »

I just emailed too! Not that I’m expecting a response to be honest.

As an aside, I’ve had responses from four local TDs to my letter who have said they will take up the matter with their party colleagues and appropriate ministers and come back to me when they have a response.

Yeah I'm not hopeful about getting a response either.

Well, that's some progress on the TD front. I suppose we'll have to be patient enough to see if/when they have a response. Fingers crossed!

WesternC123 · 16-10-2020 10:39AM

We've been preparing for a written exam and have only ever sat written exams so I don't agree that it's a 'terrible excuse'. If you're happy to type an exam great but I think those who don't want to shouldn't have to?

Dliodoir2021 · 16-10-2020 10:45AM

IgoPAP wrote: »

Saying you don't want to type for the exam because you're a slow typer is the same as arguing that you can't do a written exam because you're a messy writer.

Sorry, but unless you've got some legitimate medical reason, it's a terrible excuse. Most people type more than they write these days.

With respect, it really isn’t. We learn to write from around age 4, whereas there are designated typing courses later in life/school that not everyone does so likely aren’t as confident or skilled at typing. (My typing speed is between 70 and 80 so that’s not an issue for me but I’m saying this to hopefully put the assumption to bed).

People do need to stop worrying so much over the method - not everyone is going to be happy.

Our energy could be better invested in training towards this new exam - our brain will need to work differently, so ensure we don’t forget anything when it isn’t on the page in front of us.

The usuals like looking after our health around exam time but a new one is to be more careful of our eyes: limit screen time beyond work/study and take breaks from the screen. So important.

Hopefully we’ll get on good with this new method ðŸ˜Š

sarahlawless · 16-10-2020 10:56AM

IgoPAP wrote: »

Saying you don't want to type for the exam because you're a slow typer is the same as arguing that you can't do a written exam because you're a messy writer.

Sorry, but unless you've got some legitimate medical reason, it's a terrible excuse. Most people type more than they write these days.

Typed exams place me at an advantage, far more so than written exams. I type very fast and have typed all my notes and past questions. That said, IgoPAP would you ever cop on and stop being so insensitive - not everyone is as lucky as you and I 'mate'.

Samuma · 16-10-2020 10:59AM

IgoPAP wrote: »

Saying you don't want to type for the exam because you're a slow typer is the same as arguing that you can't do a written exam because you're a messy writer.

Sorry, but unless you've got some legitimate medical reason, it's a terrible excuse. Most people type more than they write these days.

Most people do type more than they write these days indeed. But not 3 hour exams. And not under the circumstances of being informed 2 weeks out. They aren't even allowing for paper to do out written plans that you can type from. So this "mock exam" next week will be the first opportunity to see what the system is like.

In terms of medical reasons, they're also saying people can't use the bathroom. There's no need for any more commentary on why that's a joke.

Perhaps they're going to change the format of the exams and that we wont have to do 5 questions. Perhaps they're going to give us more time on the day. Perhaps they'll let us have a piece of paper to make notes. Perhaps they'll let us use the bathroom.
Perhaps, they might have let us know so that we wouldn't be guessing.

Ps I didn't get the email either. Lots of people don't use Boards. They can't even get that right. Shambles.

RaffRiff01 · 16-10-2020 11:04AM

Hazel774 wrote: »

Yes, finding is a good one to add in, and just add to what's said here, if you look at the examiners reports for the finding question they copy and paste the exact same paragraph into the reports every single time finding comes up and its actually a pretty detailed answer plan! Lists all the cases you'll need... so I would definitely look through the reports on finding and you'll put together a sample answer quite quickly.
I believe adverse possession is on practically every paper too, so between succession and adverse possession you should have 3 questions covered already!

Thank you so much for this! any chance that you would have those property examiner reports or sample answers? i desperately need them as well! thank you so much

rutha1994 · 16-10-2020 11:05AM

I don't have a laptop, stable Internet and I don't live in a quiet area. I also don't have cash lying around to have everything sorted in the next two weeks.

CMUL · 16-10-2020 11:35AM

Its going to be the law society themselves its says using its own examination platform? Like seriously every results day the system crashes. They have also said we can ring if we have a problem during exam? Really ring a society that doesn't answer their phones! I would be much more confident if the exam was outsourced to another independent company.

Shonagoring123 · 16-10-2020 11:36AM

Are you not allowed a bathroom break for the three hours?
Also for the purpose of problem questions when we’ve been trained to highlight the issues to be discussed and everyone jots down the structure of the question and the key cases - are we not allowed print the exam and do that does anyone know?

surely with such a big change to the exam (whether it suits you or not) they are going to have to take it into consideration when marking..

16-10-2020 12:00PM

Not being able to print out the exam paper is an enormous issue imo, thinking of problem questions where the scenario can often span more than a page, I think highlighting and identifying the issues will be so much harder off a screen where you can’t make notes as things pop into your head!

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

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