Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win

Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win provides law students with a practical guide to success, from admission to law school to the first set of exams. This 200-page paperback conveys two points about exam taking that are vital to every law student: (1) Exam scores can always be improved if the student masters effective exam techniques such as those outlined in this book, and ( 2) preparing to perform well on exams begins with a positive mind-set on the first day of class and steadily proceeds with solid study techniques throughout the semester.

Well written and highly accessible, this concise paperback guides law students, step-by-step, through procedures that will help them take exams successfully:

• the author's style is accessible and reassuring; recognizing that law students operate under severe time constraints, he makes his points clearly and concisely
• starting with creative examples and illustrations in familiar, nonlegal contexts, the author introduces students to new concepts by analogy and then advances to more complex legal examples
• exercises and practice exams, with a focus on essay questions and model answers, help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, plan strategies, and organize their efforts
• the author addresses techniques for maximizing scores on several types of essay questions, as well as on multiple-choice and other objective questions
• the author helps students understand why the typical law school essay question requires a balanced analysis with arguments for both sides, rather than identification of a clear answer
• assignments and exercises facilitate active learning.

In addition to teaching students analysis and exam-taking skills, Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win addresses exam anxiety with a helpful, positive perspective. The author:

• helps students understand that a small degree of anxiety can serve as a productive motivator
• helps students learn how to reduce anxiety to a productive level by placing exams into proper perspective, by preparing thoroughly, and by adopting stress-management techniques, such as stretching, meditation, or motivational music