The Student Room Group

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
Theres nothing more than hard work really hence why few have answered.
Have you looked at your law school's particular requirements for a First-class answer? I suggest that as a good place to start as you can see what sort of answers you need to provide in exams etc that would point an examiner towards you achieving First class marks. Usually, they talk about what sort of sources you need to draw on and, importantly, how confident you come across as really knowing a particular area of the law - better still than someone who writes a strong upper second class response.

In my first year, my tutor asked me at the beginning of the year what mark I was aiming for in my first year exams. I replied: 'As this is First year, I think I am aiming for a First'. I don't really understand what I meant then and I don't think my tutor did either! When I think now what my response should have been, it is: 'I want to achieve the best grade possible for me'.

Its great that you are aiming for a First, I too am aiming for a First and I'm in my third and final year of my law degree. The difference between me now and then, is that now I genuinely mean it when I say it and also, with the benefit of studying law for two years (and being able to judge better my own capabilities) its more of a realistic challenge.

Part of the challenge is wanting it in the first place and a good man once said that its good to set the bar really high and work towards fulfilling that goal because, even if you fail, you still end up a lot better off than if you didn't 'go for it'.
Reply 3
I got myriad 68% last year but to date I have not received a first-class mark. I might have got a first in one of the essays that I did in my exams, but as we don't get our exams back, I don't know.
Reply 4
Luine
Theres nothing more than hard work really hence why few have answered.


I'm not entirely sure how you would know this, as it seems you are still at school studying A levels :rolleyes:

There's actually a lot more to it than just hard work. You have to play a mighty good game for a start, and that involves not being too clever as examiners in law don't like people who are too intelligent. Thankfully this was never a great affliction of mine, but some people who I know without doubt deserved a first were, and a result got some mighty funny marks. Different things work for different people and different Universities, and I have to say, if you think anything that anyone on this forum has to say is likely to help you get a first, you're barking up the wrong tree.
TommehR
I got myriad 68% last year but to date I have not received a first-class mark. I might have got a first in one of the essays that I did in my exams, but as we don't get our exams back, I don't know.

is a first 70%+? approx. how many people in the year get firsts?
Technique plays a hugh role when it comes down to exams. I did get a first but I really did hate the process used to get there. I believe most skills used to write book/PhD would differ despite what people suggest. There is a lot of hoop jumping, applying the information correctly and as Freckles says (although I think she may be being sarcastic), not 'being too clever'. What I mean is hundreds of new clever ideas without good techique won't get you anywhere.
Reply 7
1982 Lawyer
...Freckles says (although I think she may be being sarcastic), not 'being too clever'.


Never!

1982 Lawyer
What I mean is hundreds of new clever ideas without good techique won't get you anywhere.


And lets be honest, how many undergrads, even the good ones, have any new clever ideas?! Lots think they do, and it must be painful marking those scripts.
Well perhaps we could volunteer to mark some scripts so that we can find out. :smile:
What sort of technique did you adopt lawyer lawyer? Were your optional subjects taken in a public or private law dimension?
jeffreyweingard
is a first 70%+? approx. how many people in the year get firsts?
Yes; you get a First when you score 70% or higher.

As to how many people get Firsts in first year, 'not many' is the answer, and it seems to be the answer for most universities.

Also there's a difference between getting a First in one (or two) subject(s) and getting a First overall for a particular year. In first year at most universities, its common for students to fail in doing the latter but quite a significant few manage to do the former.

EDIT - don't be fooled into thinking that 70% doesn't sound like very much to score a First. Universities have this strange grading system. I've never heard of anyone scoring more than 85% on anything. I think its intended to highlight that no matter how good an answer you write to a question, there's always going to be something better that you could have done or added etc or to put it a better way: no student can be expected to write an answer that receives a mark of 85%+
Reply 11
I think that of people graduating from UCL Law this year, probably about 5% (maybe 10% at a push) graduated with a First. And I think that's with a policy where if you get a total of four firsts in your second and third year (and assuming that the rest are 2:1 and high 2:2) they award you a first even if your overall average might not be above the magic 70% mark.
Reply 12
1982 Lawyer
Well perhaps we could volunteer to mark some scripts so that we can find out. :smile:



Good god, i can't imagine anything worse. It would simply serve to remind me how inane and dull i was and still am.
Franz Ferdinand
What sort of technique did you adopt lawyer lawyer? Were your optional subjects taken in a public or private law dimension?


Both, at my university some lecturers were better organised than others. A couple of subjects were a hugh no simply because the exam questions would be less aligned to what you had studied in class because they had forgotten what they had taught you, making meaningful revision a waste of time.

I am being serious too, working with impossible people does not help when you have a choice and many academics have a tendency to be that.
freckles29
Good god, i can't imagine anything worse. It would simply serve to remind me how inane and dull i was and still am.


Not even for million pounds? I love asking stupid pointless questions.
Reply 15
1982 Lawyer
Not even for million pounds? I love asking stupid pointless questions.


right now I would do *anything* for a million pounds. In fact, every woman has a price, and I suspect that if push came to shove, mine would be substantially lower than a million pounds...
freckles29
right now I would do *anything* for a million pounds. In fact, every woman has a price, and I suspect that if push came to shove, mine would be substantially lower than a million pounds...


haha I like your style. Where did you study?
Reply 17
Franz Ferdinand
haha I like your style. Where did you study?


Cambridge, but don't let that fool you, I have no sense whatsoever.

But I do like Indecent Proposal.
I'd do it for a fiver a script, or even an hour. Seriously though, better than exam invigilation which I have done for the past 4 years for £6 an hour
jeffreyweingard
how many people in the year get firsts?


Only one person here got a first last year in first year law, and that was a graduate from Harvard doing law as his second degree.

They mark you to third-year standards at Durham :frown: