24 July 2014 TEST TAKING SKILLS FOR BAR
conclusion
Essay Type Questions
 Apportion time to the number of
questions
 Do not utilize too much time on difficult
questions at the sacrifice of the other
much easier ones
Read the instructions carefully
 Find out what is being asked
 Find out first if there is a guide question
at the last part of the problem
Check out Direction Words
 Decide
 Write/prepare
 Define
 Argue
 Compare
 Contrast
 Distinguish
What is tested in the ESSAY:
 appreciation of facts
 appreciation of the applicable laws that
may come into play
 recognition of the issues posed
 resolution of the issues through analysis
and application of the law to given facts
 presentation and articulation
IRAC formula
ISSUE—RULE—APPLICATION—CONCLUSION
IRAC VARIANTS
ILAC= issue—law—application—conclusion
IDLAC=issue—law—decision—application—
IDAR= issue—doctrine—application—result
CREAC= conclusion—rule—explanation of
rule—analysis—discussion (best test taking
skills)
TREACC= TOPIC—RULE—EXPLANATION—
ANALYSIS—COUNTERARGUMENTS—
CONCLUSION
CRAC is suggested for legal analysis and for
problems with one issue. Each Letter should be
written in an isolated paragraph
IRAC is best in analysing problem, and for
problems with multiple issues
Quintessence, explanation of the rule
(philosophy behind the rule)
Analyse the facts
 underline the pertinent facts, words or
phrases that cause to think about legal
issues
 ideally, make notes in the margin, as
issues start jumping out of you
 make illustrations, flow-charts and
timelines
analyse the significance of the fact included
 dates
 relationships
 descriptive words
Determine the applicable rule/think like a
lawyer/look at both sides of the problem
Confutation: the case of xxx may support the
case of xxx, but…

UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHE OF THE EXAMINER

Outline your answer: visualize

Explain why and how you reached to your

conclusion

Apply the law

Interweave the elements fo the rule with the

key facts

Answer like a lawyer—sound like a lawyer—use

the language of a lawyer

Gather cute legal phrases and put them in one

file

Limit the latin maxim into three per booklet- it

must always be followed by its English
translation.

Have a perfect opening line

When should you qualify?

Louis brandeis brief: