Readers’ Course Entrance Exam: Preparation Seminar Jason Harkess Chief Examiner 2 October 2018
About the exam • 3 hour partially open-book exam (extracts of legislation provided in exam) • Topics: civil/criminal procedure, evidence and ethics • Types of questions: • “pure rule” and “application” (most questions are of the “application” type) • multi-choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions • Pass mark 75%
Examinable material • Exam Materials: candidate in exam (soft • Reading Guide specifies copies can now be examinable sub-topics downloaded from Bar within each general topic website). • and prescribed texts; Candidates are expected • Reading Guide specifies to be familiar with the prescribed legislation (all selected cases referred examinable provisions to in Reading Guide. are extracted); • Reading Guide identifies selected cases. • Hard copy of Reading Guide and Legislation extracts provided to each
Exam preparation • Candidates who perform well in website). the exam: • have read and understood Reading guide; • have read and understood examinable provisions and how they may be applied; • have read and understood selected case law; • have read relevant parts of prescribed texts; • have read previous examinations and sample answers (available on Bar
General exam tips • Explain the rule’s rationale.) Read factual problems carefully. • • Read specific instructions in Sensible time management. • each question carefully: Answer every question. • • a simple/general question Write legibly. giving wide scope to raise/discuss a number of legal issues (e.g. ‘is the evidence admissible?’; • a more directed/multi- faceted question where all components must be addressed (e.g. ‘What is the rule in Browne v Dunn? How does it apply in this case?
Examiner’s marking process • • Designed to be objective and fair. is expressed • Candidate’s answers for each clearly/succinctly. question assessed against marking guide. • Mark recorded for each question reflects overall assessment of extent to which candidate’s answer: • identifies/addresses relevant points; • demonstrates understanding of law and its application to facts;
Sample answers from Oct ‘14 • Refer to handout.
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