Study techniques

[scandin9]

Is rewriting notes a "good" study technique for legal studies.

[Gekko]

What I found most effective in my preparation for legal studies was sitting down with the study design and making short, clear and concise notes on each item. This way, I knew that I was covering everything that could be examined on the exam. I just made sure that I didn't necessarily just memorise word for word all of the information but I could remember all of the information about a topic because I had a deep understanding of it. The notes themselves aren't important, the process of actually writing them is what helps. I read through the notes I made 3 times. The first time was a verification of everything on there to make sure it was all accurate after I had finished it. The second was the night before the exam and the third was the morning of the exam.

My preparation for the exam was doing this for a few hours a day in the 4-5 days leading up to the exam and I ended up doing pretty well.

[Gekko]

Hey, so you only started studying 4-5 days before the Legal Studies exam? I'm y11 and legal is my only 3/4, is it a good idea to start revising now? Do you end up forgetting everything close to the exam if you start revising too early anyway?

That part is completely up to you. I studied for SACs throughout the year so I did quite well in them but the only reason I left exam preparation so late is because I did it in year 12 and I was much more comfortable with legal than my other subjects.

[TheWackyCheese]

I actually use the same method as Gekko. I make concise notes on the different topics required, read through them and then rewrite them out to get familiar with the information. I only have to re-write my information out 2 or 3 times before I can remember it off by heart. Once you believe that you're confident, it always helps to do practice exam questions and apply what you have learned.
In my opinion, you should start making your Unit 3 Exam study notes now. This will help avoid cramming at the end of the year and you'll gain the benefit of re-enforcing yourself with what you already know. Seeing as Legal is your only 3/4, you can primarly focus on it. It's best to find out the areas that you are weaker in now so you can keep improving. The exam is in just over 3 months time so even if you just read through your Unit 3 notes every now and again, it will definitely help.