Legal Studies Exam Revision Guide 2014

The following revision guide aims to help you prepare yourself for the exam. The better prepared
you are the more confident you will be and the better you will perform. Avoid the last minute rush.
It is a fact that when rushed and stressed you cannot remember effectively. Develop a study
timetable. Dont procrastinate (leave it for later) Reward yourself after a study period. Dont
despair, you will be surprised how much will start to click once you start your revision.

General exam information
2 hours long plus 15 minutes reading time
Contributes to 50% of study score
Format; question and answer booklet. Write the information in the space provided, extra
space is provided at the back of the book. If you are a student who needs lots of extra space
a blank script book can be requested
All questions are compulsory
There has been a mixture of unit 3 & 4 questions
There are no multiple choice questions
There are a series of short answer questions (1-3 mark allocation)
There are extended short answer questions (4-8 mark allocation)
There is one extended response which is 10 marks. No choice of the topic. May be from unit
3 or 4 or both.
For a one mark question one sentence or two is the maximum
Dont write in point form (only if you run out of time)penalties will apply
Use paragraphs
Dont use diagrams
A question may cover more than one topic
Signposting your answers help you write more fluently, it ensures you stick to the topic and
the examiner can find the information in the 3 minutes they both have to mark it.
When there is stimulus material (case/scenario/problem/newspaper article/extracts from
reports/a statement or a quote) make use of the information but it is not a comprehension
task. You need to apply the theory to the material
Dont repeat an answer; this would be a sign that you have not read the question properly.
An example of this has been separation of powers with the division of powers
There is an emphasis on applying understanding and skills than rote learning (eg courts
jurisdiction)
A good way to structure evaluation questions is to show both sides of the argument. The
two-handed approach (On the one hand, a strength of...is...while on the other hand, a
weakness is...)
Abbreviations can be made to frequently used words such as Constitution (Const)
Parliament (Parl) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). You should only do this in those long
questions and always use the word first and then in brackets and then you can use the
abbreviation
Refer back to the question topic at the end of your answer*







During the Exam
Make good use of the reading time to plan what you will write for the longer and more
challenging questions*
Get comfortable, focus, ignore others, noises, etc.
Ensure your water bottle and pencil case are clear
A dark blue or black ink pen only. Have a few and find a smooth tip pen
Answer the easy ones, (always the first few) to gain your confidence and settle the nerves
Underline task words, and note any specific requirements of the question. Does it ask for an
example? For a specific number two, does it ask for or or and.
Little notes and plans to yourself in the margins is O.K but dont doodle on the exam. They
hate it.
Keep in mind the marks a question is worth*
Answer questions as fully as you can. Dont assume anything, write as if you are explaining
the answer to someone who knows nothing about the topic.
An exception to this is the discussion of cases. These do not have to be in great detail
Dont include extra information that is not relevant just to fill in the lines. You will run out of
time*
Use the correct legal terminology wherever you can*
Do not repeat the term in your definition Define exclusive powers Exclusive powers are
powers exclusive to the Commonwealth
Lengthy introductions are not necessary*
Allocate your time carefully so you dont run out of time*
If you do not know an answer leave it till later, it may come to you. If it doesnt make an
educated guess, have a go anyway, there is no negative marking
It is your choice if you make a plan for an extended response keep it brief key words,
headings, abbreviations
Ensure you have spelt key words correctly*
Review answers when finished

Revision Activities
1. Learn the terminology
Review chapter vocabulary lists
Revise the task words so you are clear that you know what is expected when a
question asks to evaluate, explain, describe etc ( handout given and 328-329 of
text)
2. Revise the content
Read through your summaries
Complete the revision pack for unit 3 & 4
List the cases you need to remember and what their significance was
Create visuals; develop a mind map using colour/pictures/symbols for each chapter
using the key knowledge headings in your text book use them as wall charts
Key skills- it is vital you go through this section of the text book and develop your
own questions to the topics *
Get into study groups and put mind maps together.
Pod cast from your Jac plus
Make cards on topics or use ones you bought
Summary cards you purchased with the book are an excellent revision tool. They
also have snips of video, power point etc
3. Practice short, medium and extended response questions
Holiday exams go through and check the answers to the questions
VCAA 2011 exam and others it is vital you not only complete this but go through
and read the examiners report with their tips. This gives you advice on how to
approach questions, pitfalls, good
answers.http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcaa/vce/studies/legalstudies/pastexams
Past exams
Revision Pack Units 3 & 4
Critically Evaluate questions are the ones students struggle with do more of
these* The average mark in last years question was 5.1 (worth 10)
4. What do I expect from YOU?
Use your time productively
Ask me for assistance when you need it
Complete the above tasks and have it checked for feedback
Focus, work hard and achieve your best

* summarised from previous Examiners reports