Legal Studies
End of year exam preparation
2015
This booklet contains;
è Description and assessment criteria
è General tips, advice and a positive approach to exam revision
è Stress management tips
è What type of learner are you? Tips for revision based on learning style.
è A tick box overview of Unit Three and Four
è NOTES TO HELP WITH REVISION
èPast exam questions from 2014 -> 2006
è General Comments from the General Assessor’s Report -We can learn from their
mistakes.
** Separate –practice exams
** October Test – NEAP
** bclegalstudies.wikispaces.com – exam pages – practice exams with answers
VCE Legal Studies Written examination –
November Examination specifications
Overall conditions
There will be 15 minutes reading time and two hours writing time. The examination will be marked by a panel appointed by the VCAA. The examination will contribute 50 per cent to the Study Score.
Content
The VCE Legal Studies Study Design 2011–2015 is the document for the development of the examination. All outcomes of Units 3 and 4 of the VCE Legal Studies Study Design will be examined. All key knowledge and key skills underpinning the outcomes are examinable.
Format
The examination paper will remain in its current format as a question and answer book. The examination will consist of an appropriate balance of short answer, multiple part and extended response questions. All questions in the examination will be compulsory.
There will be one extended response question worth 10 marks at the end of the examination. There will be no choice of topics for students. This question will be drawn from Unit 3 or 4, or both. Total marks allocated for the examination will be 70.
The examination paper may include questions which refer to stimulus materials such as newspaper articles, extracts from reports or case study material.
Advice
During the 2011–2016 accreditation period for VCE Legal Studies, examinations will be prepared according to the examination specifications above. Each examination will conform to these specifications and will test a representative sample of key knowledge and key skills.
The following sample questions focus on new content in the VCE Legal Studies Study Design and provide an indication of the types of questions that teachers and students can expect on the Legal Studies examination 2011 in these content areas. They do not constitute a full examination paper.
The VCAA does not publish answers for sample questions. The following documents should be referred to in relation to the 2011 Legal Studies examination.
• VCE Legal Studies Study Design and Advice to Teachers 2011–2015
• VCE Legal Studies Assessment Handbook 2011–2015
• VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VET
WHERE DO I START???
A POSITIVE APPROACH TO EXAM REVISION
è You have all worked really well this year creating great foundations for the examination.
è Your sac notes and revision notes can now be used for examination revision.
è Now is the chance to show off your excellent skills and knowledge.
èYou get to tell the examiner how clever you really are.
We learn:
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
40% of what we see and hear
70% of what is discussed
95% of what we teach to someone else
PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE LEGAL STUDIES EXAM
You now are starting your examination revision. Where do you start? Below are some options;
PHASE ONE: UNDERSTANDING
o 1. Collate all of your revision notes
- Collate all of your SACs – go over what answers you knew and what you needed to review
- Go over your revision notes from each SAC.
- Can you use any of these for the examination? Do you need to re-write the notes for the questions you did incorrectly
o 2. Check that you have completed your legal studies summaries underneath key knowledge criteria.
o 3. Work out areas of weakness in both content and general skills.
- What do you need further explained to you? ASK ME
- What do you need to practice in more detail?
- For general skills, how are you at recalling information. Practice the short answer questions from past exam papers.
- For a weakness in analysis, practice the long answer questions from past exam papers.
o 4. www.studyon.com.au THIS IS GREAT TO USE, ESPECIALLY AS A REFRESHER ON CONTENT YOU MIGHT NOT BE SUPER CONFIDENT IN.
Unit three and unit four: have you read the revision cards?
- Have you downloaded your podpacks?
- Have you completed any tests using StudyOn? Have you completed the exam on line?
PHASE TWO: PRACTISE – ANSWER PRACTISE
o 5. Look through your SACs and attempt those questions you didn’t do perfectly at the time. Can you do these again in a more successful way?
o 6. Go though each chapter summary and complete the practice exam questions (found at the end of every chapter).
- You can either do these in dot point form (for the chapters you are confident in) or for chapters that you need the practice in,
- Or, complete these thoroughly.
o 7. Use StudyOn and attempt the test/exam section to practise your answers.
PHASE THREE: PRACTISE EXAMS, MEMORY and TIMINGS
o Go through some of the exam papers and practise answering some
o Time management practice. Choose a few questions and time yourself i.e. work on the 1 mark and less than two minute rule. Complete a section of an exam (20 marks, 35 minutes).
o The VCAA website has past years exam papers and answers (examination report). Check out www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce to check out past exams and answers.
o If you are uninspired or have limited concentration, choose little tasks. They are not as daunting as completing a full practice exam. i.e. Complete five small revision questions in dot point.
o Save the practice exams for the middle to the end of the exam period to test your memory.
o The more practice you do, the better. Especially under exam conditions.
o MAKE SURE YOU CAREFULLY READ THE ASSESSOR’S REPORTS
Your goal for the Term 3 “term break” is to fully complete your summary notes.
This way, you will be able to get the most of the October Test
GENERAL TIPS
During reading time
· You have 15 minutes to reflect during reading time. In this time, complete mental plans for each answer. What specific knowledge can you use to support your answer? Don’t just sit there wasting time.
· Circle the task words/action words in the question. Make sure you know what the question is asking you to answer. YOU ALL NEED TO DO THIS – Responding to the question asked is still a weakness for many of you.
· Read questions carefully and refer to them as your writing your response
· When answering questions make sure you respond to ALL parts of the question
· Answer each question specifically referring to the wording
i.e. In evaluating the jury system/Therefore the extent to which these objectives are achieved/ To analyse the adversary system, you first have to…etc
· Use dark blue or black pen – liquid paper is not allowed.
· If you make a mistake, put a line through it. Examiners will not read any material that has a line or scribble through it BUT if in doubt, keep it in. Marks are not deducted for wrong guesses.
· Write clearly, they shouldn’t have to work to find your answers.
· USE PARAGRAPHS!
· Make sure you write PTO on the bottom of a page (SOME OF YOU MAKE YOUR EXTENDED ANSWER VERY HARD TO FIND) if you are continuing your response and let them know what page the extra information will be on (question 2 extended on page 22)
· Mark each answer with the appropriate question number.
During study time
Preparation is essential. These are some studying tips that may help.
· Go over the key knowledge and key skills of each outcome. Use diagrams where possible to remember information.
· learn definitions and write down the definition in a sentence to show the meaning of the word
· place summaries around your house – especially in the toilet - have you tried this yet – I know some of you have with great success :), you will be surprised at how effective this can be.
· self-test: read a small part of your textbook. Close the book and write as much of that part of the text as you can remember.
· Cards: write important points on palm cards and read them as you travel to school.
· Tape yourself reading notes and listen to the tape while travelling or at home – you can even sing you summaries! Record your voice and put it on your iPod or iPad – especially if you are an auditory learner! IPAD APPS CAN HELP HERE!!! Audio note lite? That is an app you can use.
· Have a study music mix – this way, you wont be choosing your music each time you sit down. This wastes A LOT OF TIME! In class some of you spend at least 10 minutes changing songs. Make sure your music helps you concentrate and is not a distraction.
· Most importantly, learn to read the exam question closely. If asked to discuss an issue, make sure you give both sides of the argument. If asked to compare and contrast, give similarities and differences.
· During study time plan out your day allotting yourself achievable task with corresponding time limits. You should revise in 40 – 50 min sessions which will help you with time organisation and in gaining a sense of achievement. I have copies of blank time tables if you need them.
i.e.
Time / Task9 – 10 am / Summaries chapters 1-3
10 – 11 am / Complete 3 practice exam questions on these topics
11 – 12 am / Summarise chapter 4 before lunch
· Stretch regularly. Walk around the room regularly to help with blood circulation.
· Eat well (not just chocolate and coffee but brain food including fruit and veggies), drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep. I also have some stress management techniques (at least 37!) to help you if you need them. Examples are listed below.
· REST/SLEEP WELL – it will help your immune system and your ability to get more study done.
· Add material you have learned from your reading to your notes according to the subject area. Underline/ highlight/ write comments in order to emphasise the idea of each section.
· Revise actively. Don’t fall into the trap of spending 99% of your study time mindlessly writing out notes and 1% of your time actually looking at them. The more ‘active’ you are in writing notes, the better you will be able to remember them.
· Studies show that you recall information better if you teach it to someone else. The point is you need to TALK ABOUT LEGAL to whoever will listen.
· A positive mantra – positive thinking and keeping specific goals will help you during this time. By writing daily lists of what you plan to achieve and then ticking these off as you go will help keep you motiviated. Don’t get distracted but reward yourself with distractions as part of your study plan (eg, if I work and complete chapter one practise exam questions, I can then spend 10 minutes on facebook).
· If facebook or other things distract you, ask your mum/dad to change the password for a set amount of time.
· Write a specific list of everything you want to do in each subject. When you get stuck on one subject, switch it up. Change to another subject and that might help keep you motivated and productive.
· Keep lists of questions you want to ask about or want to go over again. Even if you don’t ask anyone, it keeps you on track.
OVERALL (Ms McMahon’s opinion)
The more practice of past exams you do, the better you can predict what the question is asking and what type of answer you need to provide. You also have the opportunity to work on your time management skills and your memory recall.
When you read a few assessor reports, you will realize there are common mistakes made each year. Think about your sacs, your strengths and areas you need to work on.
This exam gives you the opportunity to improve on your assessment tasks and learn not to make the same mistakes made in previous examinations and the ones you made in your sac.
This end of year examination is a wonderful opportunity to show how much you have prepared and what you can achieve with solid preparation.
You have made it through 12 years of schooling to get to this point. You know your strengths and weaknesses as far as preparation goes as well as your strengths and weaknesses of assessment tasks. Work on these.
These exams are not about the next few weeks but the journey you have been on for many years. Our legal studies time in nearly over so take a deep breath and focus on your goals.
Good luck! Ms McMahonJ
STRESS MANAGEMENT TIPS
http://www.rd.com/health/37-stress-management-tips/
Say Cheese
Smiling is a two-way mechanism. We do it when we're relaxed and happy, but doing it can also makes us feel relaxed and happy.
Compose a Mantra
Devise an affirmation -- a short, clear, positive statement that focuses on your coping abilities. i.e. "I feel calm. I can handle this."
Stretch
Muscles tighten during the course of the day, and when we feel stressed out, the process accelerates. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep breathing.