ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Business Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Legal Studies => Topic started by: werdna on December 17, 2010, 02:30:41 pm
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Just wondering how you high-scorers study for legal studies? What's the most useful and handy strategy you've used?
:)
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I did a few different things. To start with I'd write my notes by hand in class. As the SAC was approaching I'd type up all those notes into a word document, make them neat etc. Once I'd done that with the class notes I'd read the relevant chapters of A+ Publishing's Legal Notes. If there was extra information to be added to my typed notes (as there often was) I'd add them. The last step before a SAC was to create flash cards/study cards for absolutely everything. That was how I tested my memory.
Then at the end of the year I had a set of typed notes from each area of study. I got them bound at Officeworks. I also had all my study cards. Between those two and the past VCAA exams I managed myself a 43 in Legal.
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I did a few different things. To start with I'd write my notes by hand in class. As the SAC was approaching I'd type up all those notes into a word document, make them neat etc. Once I'd done that with the class notes I'd read the relevant chapters of A+ Publishing's Legal Notes. If there was extra information to be added to my typed notes (as there often was) I'd add them. The last step before a SAC was to create flash cards/study cards for absolutely everything. That was how I tested my memory.
Then at the end of the year I had a set of typed notes from each area of study. I got them bound at Officeworks. I also had all my study cards. Between those two and the past VCAA exams I managed myself a 43 in Legal.
Thanks for the advice! =D
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Thanks!! Anyone else? ;)
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Although I'm doing Legal next year as well, so far I've written summary notes for each AOS. I highlight bits of information which I think are important - I'll probably do what saaaaaam did, and type them up before SACs and the exam. I've also done some textbook questions and the "A+ Legal Studies" questions. Legal's a rote-learning subject. Different techniques work for different people. Do what you feel allows you to maximise your study.
How are you going with Legal, werdna... what's your plan for Legal over the holidays? I'll probably just finish Unit 3 and *hopefully* start a bit of the Unit 4 course.
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Look, probably the most effective aid for helping me excel in Legal was definitely the array of textbooks I possessed. Honestly, I didn't buy the A+ Legal Questions or the standard textbook, I used the Essentials book from Specalist Maths and it was a profound resource, leaving 'no stone unturned' in relation to the study design. In a nutshell, this is what got me over the edge and gave me the upper hand against other Legal students, maximising both my Study Scores in Legal & Spesh and my ATAR.
You didn't even do Legal...... ;D
Although I'm doing Legal next year as well, so far I've written summary notes for each AOS. I highlight bits of information which I think are important - I'll probably do what saaaaaam did, and type them up before SACs and the exam. I've also done some textbook questions and the "A+ Legal Studies" questions. Legal's a rote-learning subject. Different techniques work for different people. Do what you feel allows you to maximise your study.
How are you going with Legal, werdna... what's your plan for Legal over the holidays? I'll probably just finish Unit 3 and *hopefully* start a bit of the Unit 4 course.
I'm planning to get as much of Unit 3 done as possible too! :D Get heaps of questions done, and also start handwriting some notes.
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Take the advice of the kids who got 45+ before you take my advice, but I say that a lot of it is just pure rote learning. Learn the concepts off by heart, learn the case studies to a fair extent and then answering the questions will be easy. I just made hand writen notes in class, used a whitboard that i have in my room to write a big huge list of case studies (most of which you will never even use) but just make sure that you know them and understand what they represent and why they are important. The other thing is to get case studies which aren't in the book. I personaly used about 3-4 case studies which weren't in the book on my exam and (although i haven't seen my exam score yet) it did seem to get me good marks on my sacs.
Also, a trap i fell into in a lot of my sacs and practice exams was writing too much and going into too much detail. Don't do this. Even though you may get a 2 mark question on something that you know 10 marks worth of crap about there's no point writing more than two marks worth of knowledge. This problem plauged me through the year and I reckon it was the number one way that I lost marks.
Also, just pay atention in class and you'll be fine.
Oh, yeah, and as andrewloppol said, learn the spesh study design and course off by heart before even thinking about starting on legal.
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I remember that thread a while back about how doing Legal helps Spesh. xD
Quite a good read.
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I remember that thread a while back about how doing Legal helps Spesh. xD
Quite a good read.
;D ;D I cracked up reading your comment EPL, and I wasn't even around back then to know which thread you're on about! :D
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I did both Legal + Spesh, check again ;)
Not this again LOL.
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I didn't write my own notes for legal. I read the book several times and highlighted the important bits. Then used the notes available here to double check I had all the important stuff down.
Our teacher spammed us with current case studies every lesson. At least 2 cut outs from newspapers every legal lesson. That helped put things into perspective.
For the exam I just did a few prac exams because, to be honest, they are very boring. I read the textbook on the day and answered the questions how I thought they needed to be answered.
Then BAM 49.
But I think my style of learning, I take a lot in from just reading, doesnt apply to everyone so you need to know what type of learner you are and suss out how to become efficient.
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I'm not exactly a high scorer...
However, for every SAC i wrote up notes a couple days before. I would just make sure the notes included EVERYTHING from the chapters relevant to the SAC. I would also look through past VCAA exams and answers, and made sure i could answer all relevant questions in them. Finally, i used checkpoints, and again just answered all relevant questions.
I found that writing notes before exams helped the most as it helped me remember all the information easily.
In preparation for the exam... i followed a revision guide that my teacher found and gave us. The guide was really long, but it made sure i didn't miss any key topics. I finished the revision guide with about 30 typed up pages... Although it took forever to complete this revision it was definitely worth it.
I didn't do as many practice exams as i should have, which i think is what let me down.
I would recommend that you know as many examples/cases as you can!
As i said, i wasn't a high scorer, but i hope this helps in some way!
Good luck :)
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From what I can gather it's really about note-taking/reading the textbook, making sure I know case examples and clearly understanding the information. Thanks for all the advice guys! =D
Is there a set percentage of how much of Unit 3 & 4 is on the end-of-year exam? - i.e. 40% Unit 3, 60% Unit 4 - or can that not be determined?.. it changes every year..?
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I only got 45 so there's probably kids on here that are more pro than me, but chrisjb's approach was exactly the same for me. There are many things in legals you MUST know, for example the court hierarchy, and the way to know these concepts back to front without fail is to rote learn them; the lecturer I went to before the exam suggested this approach.
The way I did this was to type up comprehensive notes for each topic (probably 10 pages or so) before each SAC, studied it, and answered all the questions I could find from my teacher or my textbooks etc. Come the end of the year I had a set of great notes for each topic, which I combined to make notes for Unit 3 and 4 to use for exam preparation.
Also, what chrisjb said, just because you know 10 marks of information about a topic, doesn't mean you have to write it all if the question is worth 2 marks. I lost 3 marks for the year on my SACs, all due to running out of time/rushing the last question because I wrote too much. In addition to this, be concise with your answers, and write with some eloquence. Legal Studies is much like Business Management in that respect, having the knowledge does not guarantee you full marks; you need to directly answer the question and write in an orderly and clear fashion.
This will be discussed closer to the exam no doubt, but for the long question (8-10 marks), have a plan as to how you're going to answer it, and know everything you need to include in the answer. This avoids the chance of rambling on in your answer or forgetting a key point.
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From what I can gather it's really about note-taking/reading the textbook, making sure I know case examples and clearly understanding the information. Thanks for all the advice guys! =D
Is there a set percentage of how much of Unit 3 & 4 is on the end-of-year exam? - i.e. 40% Unit 3, 60% Unit 4 - or can that not be determined?.. it changes every year..?
I'm fairly certain that of the two options for the extended response one if from unit 3 and the other from unit 4. But that's all I know ... and it may change with the new study design?
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I'm fairly certain that of the two options for the extended response one if from unit 3 and the other from unit 4. But that's all I know ... and it may change with the new study design?
Oh k. Cheers.
Can anyone give a rough estimate to the amount of marks you can lose on SACs and the exam (I do realise some of you haven't gotten your SoM yet) to get anywhere between 45-50?.. or does that also depend on SAC moderation presumably?.. this is all generally speaking.
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^ This is what I'm aiming for too. ;)
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Well I haven't got my SoM yet, but I got a 45 with 99/100 and 98/100 for my SACs. I was number 2 rank in my cohort, and there were 4 of us who got similar SAC marks to me. However I ended up getting the highest SS, the rest got 42, 41 and 39. So it really depends on how many marks lost during the exam. I would estimate I got about 56/60 on the exam for my 45, and I'd say the A+ cutoff would have been 53/60 at the lowest.
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Well I haven't got my SoM yet, but I got a 45 with 99/100 and 98/100 for my SACs. I was number 2 rank in my cohort, and there were 4 of us who got similar SAC marks to me. However I ended up getting the highest SS, the rest got 42, 41 and 39. So it really depends on how many marks lost during the exam. I would estimate I got about 56/60 on the exam for my 45, and I'd say the A+ cutoff would have been 53/60 at the lowest.
Damn.... so at least a 59/60 or so would be needed for a 50.
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Damn.... so at least a 59/60 or so would be needed for a 50.
Yes, exactly. I'm hoping to get 50... though I'd happily take 45+ =D
I think for a subject like Legal, there is minimal room for error. I don't think there is really much difference between 45-50, it's really only one or two marks on the exam that makes the difference.
Bear in mind though that legal is epically stringent in terms of marks lost. I heard of 3 marks lost in 09 for a 45 with high ranking. Also my in 09 friend lost only 1 mark in 1 SAC and claims to have full marked the exam and ended up with 49.
That's what m@tty told me! xD
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Eek.....
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Eek.....
That's how I felt when I chose to do it in Year 12 - no scaling and it's hard to get 45+, let alone 50. Though with any - with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible. From what I was told, most of the 1/2 stuff is merely repeated in Legal Studies 3/4 - it's only a few things which are new in 3/4. Hence, I'm working ahead now.
Best of luck, werdna (or Andrew)!
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Eek.....
That's how I felt when I chose to do it in Year 12 - no scaling and it's hard to get 45+, let alone 50. Though with any - with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible. From what I was told, most of the 1/2 stuff is merely repeated in Legal Studies 3/4 - it's only a few things which are new in 3/4. Hence, I'm working ahead now.
Best of luck, werdna (or Andrew)!
Thanks EPL, good luck to you too!! The Legal exam was said to be really easy this year, so would that have increased or decreased the A+ cutoff?
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Eek.....
That's how I felt when I chose to do it in Year 12 - no scaling and it's hard to get 45+, let alone 50. Though with any - with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible. From what I was told, most of the 1/2 stuff is merely repeated in Legal Studies 3/4 - it's only a few things which are new in 3/4. Hence, I'm working ahead now.
Best of luck, werdna (or Andrew)!
Thanks EPL, good luck to you too!! The Legal exam was said to be really easy this year, so would that have increased or decreased the A+ cutoff?
Increased. The easier the exam, the higher the cut-off. Though next year (2011), is the first year of the new study design, so who knows what to expect. Apparently, it's generally easier for the first year of a new study design, though don't take my word for it.
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I'm fairly certain that of the two options for the extended response one if from unit 3 and the other from unit 4. But that's all I know ... and it may change with the new study design?
Oh k. Cheers.
Can anyone give a rough estimate to the amount of marks you can lose on SACs and the exam (I do realise some of you haven't gotten your SoM yet) to get anywhere between 45-50?.. or does that also depend on SAC moderation presumably?.. this is all generally speaking.
I finished the year with
Unit 3 ~90/100
Unit 4 ~94/100
but was rank 1 so whatever I got in my exam became my SAC mark.
The most important thing with legal I think is to make it to rank 1. You dont want to have to worry about the person ranked above you stuffing up your score.
*I've ordered a SoM for exam and SS so I'll be able to tell you my raw SAC score and the scaled one soon
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is writing dot points as you read through a chapter a good idea? because i am
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Consider seeing a tutor this year to maximise scores Smiley
Yeah good idea, who's good?
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My method, which I used for BM as well, will be to read the chapter twice, then a third time highlighting/making notes. Then at the end of the AOS I type the notes up on the computer and on flashcards write down glossary terms for that AOS. I'll also be using two textbooks and A+ notes to make sure I don't miss anything.
Finally, before SACs I will do 2 or 3 practice SACs (however many I have) and the online studyOn questions.
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Seeing what people have said, I might try flash-cards as an alternative method of revision. Generally, I don't do much besides practice papers and writing/making notes before SACs and the exam. I'll give it a try later on.
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Seeing what people have said, I might try flash-cards as an alternative method of revision. Generally, I don't do much besides practice papers and writing/making notes before SACs and the exam. I'll give it a try later on.
I saw flash cards (I think they're called system cards) at Officeworks and they were an absolute rip off.... anyone know where to get flash/cue cards from?
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I saw flash cards (I think they're called system cards) at Officeworks and they were an absolute rip off.... anyone know where to get flash/cue cards from?
I don't know. I have palm cards at home already, I'll just use those - write bits of information on them and get my brother to test me on them or something. Use anything around the house - bits of scrap paper etc. I'm Asian. I don't feel the need to fork out money for flash-cards. LOL. =D
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Haha ;D Random question, but you can't see my moderator status on this thread can you? :S
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We can.
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We can.
It reads "Essay Submission and Marking Moderator" with green stars.
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I can't
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We can.
It reads "Essay Submission and Marking Moderator" with green stars.
Awesome! This is what I was hoping it'd be. ;)
I can't
Hmm......
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yeah, i cant see it either, maybe its some bug since they moved the forums around.
you should ask ninwa to fix it or somethin.
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In an attempt to bring the topic back to Legal Studies, do people know when their first Legal SAC is?.. mine's on the 28th of Feb (25% of Unit 3 SACs).
My teacher this year (who also takes Legal Studies 3/4) said that, our school's SACs are apparently quite hard and really long. There about 13~14 questions (like the exam) for each SAC and it must be done in around 60~80 minutes. He said it was so that come to the exam you'll have plenty of time, since the exam is 2 hours.
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Yes, as a mod, werdna, you shouldn't be going off topic so much.
EPL: My first SAC is around week 6 I believe.
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Week 7 or 8 - Parly and citizen Topic Test work 25 marks, seems like a fair while
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Going off my school's course outline, my first SAC is on;
- Federation/Parliament
- Effectiveness of parliament
- Initiation of legislation
- Need for changing laws
- Law reform bodies
- Changing the law
That's basically 3 chapters worth. I presume most of it won't be too difficult as it was covered in Units 1/2.
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February is pretty early EPL - I think I've got my first SAC around mid-March.
We should start the Legal score tally next time too, similar to what they did this year.
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February is pretty early EPL - I think I've got my first SAC around mid-March.
We should start the Legal score tally next time too, similar to what they did this year.
I just realised that, everyone else's first SAC is ages away from mine. =\
We should do it sometime in the future. Can you?.. or me or someone else?.. it's a good idea, though I don't want other people (myself included) to feel embarrassed/disheartened if they don't do well on a SAC or something. I could blow my chances of getting 50 if I screw up my first SAC (which *hopefully* I won't).
I mean, it also depends on the school - some schools give out easier SACs, while other schools give harder ones - it wouldn't be a true indication of how everyone's going in comparison to one another, due to the level of difficulty of SACs. I just thought I'd mention that, though I don't have any objections to it.
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There is also this thread which I made a while ago, which answers the question of this thread - "How did/do you study for Legal?"
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Breaking up Study Design into individual AOS and taking notes for each dot point atm.
Will do questions from the textbook and Legal Notes to be sure that I am applying my knowledge correctly.
Handwriting (never been one for typing) summary/revision notes before SACS and might try the flashcard method.
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Will do questions from the textbook and Legal Notes to be sure that I am applying my knowledge correctly.
Handwriting (never been one for typing) summary/revision notes before SACS and might try the flashcard method.
I'm doing the same as you.
Though, how would you break up the study design into each AOS?
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Many questions in Legal explicitly ask you to regurgitate knowledge you have onto the paper, word for word. For example court/VCAT list jurisidctions, structure of parliament etc etc. Unlike for instance Business Management, there are no/very few case studies you'll come across where you have to "apply" knowledge as such.
Break up the study design into outcomes, and then divide again if necessary. For example often there is a 40 mark outcome then a 60 mark outcome, but it's likely your school will divide the 60 mark outcome into 2 SACs. So split that outcome into two AOS.
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Break up the study design into outcomes, and then divide again if necessary. For example often there is a 40 mark outcome then a 60 mark outcome, but it's likely your school will divide the 60 mark outcome into 2 SACs. So split that outcome into two AOS.
I think I already know my outcomes. I have 3 written SACs for Unit 3 - 25%, 50% and 25%. Presumably they total to 100 marks. Should I be assuming that?.. that's what it clearly says on my school's course outline.
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Yep, same as my Unit 3 this year. First SAC is 30 marks, second one is 40, third one is 30.
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I've got a another question; how did people go about studying for SACs?
Generally prior to SACs, I'd read over/type my notes up, do my school's past SACs + do the relevant questions from "A+ Notes" and other guides. What would people suggest doing?.. I'm planning to use flash cards as well (this time for SACs). Any pointers?
Obviously, this is a subjective thing and it depends on the individual; I was hoping to get some views.
Thanks.
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I've got a another question; how did people go about studying for SACs?
Generally prior to SACs, I'd read over/type my notes up, do my school's past SACs + do the relevant questions from "A+ Notes" and other guides. What would people suggest doing?.. I'm planning to use flash cards as well (this time for SACs). Any pointers?
Obviously, this is a subjective thing and it depends on the individual; I was hoping to get some views.
Thanks.
That's pretty much what I did.
Another way of studying that I found to be useful when recalling information from flash cards was to actually say the information out loud.
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I've got a another question; how did people go about studying for SACs?
Generally prior to SACs, I'd read over/type my notes up, do my school's past SACs + do the relevant questions from "A+ Notes" and other guides. What would people suggest doing?.. I'm planning to use flash cards as well (this time for SACs). Any pointers?
Obviously, this is a subjective thing and it depends on the individual; I was hoping to get some views.
Thanks.
That's pretty much what I did.
Another way of studying that I found to be useful when recalling information from flash cards was to actually say the information out loud.
Thanks for the tip!
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Lots of rote learning.
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^ This. I had 68 pages of notes I just read and re-read. Only netted me a 38 though :(
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My teacher says the key to Legal Studies is understanding the work, not memorising it.
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Legal's a ROTE-learning subject, I don't think just memorising large chunks of information by itself, will get you anywhere. It's applying what you know to that specific question. Don't ramble on when it's not necessary (i.e. including information which isn't necessary). That's really the approach I'm taking into Legal in 2011.
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Legal's a ROTE-learning subject, I don't think just memorising large chunks of information by itself, will get you anywhere. It's applying what you know to that specific question. Don't ramble on when it's not necessary (i.e. including information which isn't necessary). That's really the approach I'm taking into Legal in 2011.
I would have to say alot of it is rote learning mate, like I said in another thread, Legals is different from Business Management for example because you are not generally asked to apply knowledge as such, instead regurgitate information. For example, the 10 mark question I did on this year's exam asked to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of parliament; so, your mind immediately thinks of the 5 strengths and their corresponding weaknesses that you memorised back in April, and you write it down eloquently. I got a 10/10 for that question. There is very little application of knowledge, rather it is recounting things you've learnt.
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I'm in total agreement. Though, I meant in terms of over-compensating for a question that may be worth only 3 or 4 marks. That's really the trap that students fall into. My teacher stressed that point to us this year. If a question is worth 3 marks, in most likelihood you'll need to show 3 distinct points to gain full marks.
That's really as much as I can say - I haven't finished this subject yet, you have. All I can do is work hard and hope for the best.
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Oh yeah for sure, that's the only reason I lost any marks on SACs; I gave 6-8 marks worth of information when it only asked for 3-4.