Your VCE Legal Studies exam can be stressful, but we have some tips to help you out on the night before the exam!
You might be feeling worried or nervous. This is completely normal, and you should know you won’t be alone in that feeling. Without further ado, here are some tips and tricks that can help you feel prepared on the night of your exam!
Let’s dive in!
Step #1: Do Some Revision
Step #2: Figure Out Your Plan of Attack
Step #3: Eat and Stay Hydrated
Step #4: Take a Break
Step #5: Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Step #1: Do Some Revision
We’re sure you’ve heard people say, ‘don’t study the night before your exam, you can’t learn anything you don’t already know.’ But this isn’t really the case.
Sure, you probably won’t learn any new concepts in time. But, on the night before your VCE Legal Studies exam, do a bit of revision of all the content you need to know to keep yourself in the exam mindset!
We recommend an hour of study maximum, so that you don’t stress yourself out.
Here are some great ways to revise:
- Go through cue cards
- Read through old notes or your textbook
- Revisit old SACs to see where you’ve made mistakes in the past
- Make a mindmap of all the key concepts
- Watch videos about Legal Studies content
- Have someone quiz you
Step #2: Figure Out Your Plan of Attack
Before going into your Legal Studies exam, you should have a plan on how to approach the paper.
You will have 15 minutes of reading time and 2 hours writing time in the exam, so knowing how to complete the exam in this time frame is very beneficial.
Here are some tips that you could use, (but don’t have to) to plan your exam approach.
Reading time
Read through the blocks of text and scenarios first, then read the questions, and mentally relate the texts/scenarios to the questions.
Writing time
You have many different ways to complete your exam. It’s up to you how you use your writing time!
But, on the night before your VCE Legal Studies exam, make sure you know how you’ll approach your writing time — here are two good options:
Option #1
Warm up with a couple of 2-3 mark questions. Then approach the 10 mark questions.
Work your way through the exam from largest mark questions to smallest.
Option #2
Choose to do section A or B first. Then, work your way from largest to smallest mark allocation in that section. Then do the same with the section you did not do.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, leave it and come back to it later. You might remember the answer after having some time to answer other questions.
How Long Should You Spend on Each Question?
The Legal Studies exam is big and requires a lot of writing!
To make sure you don’t get caught up in the exam, here’s a short guide on the amount of time you should spend on each question.
2 mark questions
These questions usually, (not always), ask you to define or describe something. Be as quick as possible, and try to spend no more than a minute on these questions!
You could probably get 2 mark questions out of the way in a couple of seconds.
3 mark questions
For these kinds of questions, you usually need to provide your answer and a small elaboration. Spend no more than two minutes on these questions.
4 mark questions
This is where you start to structure your questions in paragraphs. Most often, you will need to break down your response into two small paragraphs. Spend no more than 3 minutes on these questions.
5 mark questions
Think of a 5 mark question similarly to a 4 mark. It requires a couple of paragraphs with sufficient elaboration. Try to spend no more than 4 minutes on these questions.
6 mark questions
This is where our responses will become a lot more fleshed out. We’ll keep rehashing the point; use paragraphs!
A lot of 6 mark questions will be requiring you to address two sides of a concept or the positives and negatives of a concept. Keep this in mind when responding and spend no more than 5 minutes.
7 mark questions
No more than six minutes! Think of it as a slightly longer 6 mark question. Try to get one mark at least per point you make.
8 mark questions
This is where we start to get to extended response questions. 8-10 markers will usually require 1-2 pages of writing.
This is why it is a good idea to spend as little time as possible on the other questions. It gives you more time for these big ones!
You can spend up to 9 minutes on these questions.
9 mark questions
We are getting closer to the big extended response! It’s very rare that a 9 mark question would come up, but if one does, treat it like a slightly longer 8 marker.
Aim for a mark a minute, but allow yourself a little extra time depending on the size of the other marks in the paper.
10 mark questions
Finally! The extended response! Think of a 10 mark question like a little essay.
The question will most likely hint for you to use an introduction and conclusion, as well as body paragraphs that argue or analyse a specific point or concept.
Often, a 10 marker asks you to respond to or justify a statement, so keep this in mind. You could spend up to 15 minutes on these questions.
Step #3: Eat and Stay Hydrated
Most of the preparation you do for the night before your VCE Legal Studies exam should not be centred around learning the exam content.
It’s really important that you don’t stress yourself out, so focus on doing things that will keep you calm and collected.
One of the most important things you can do is eat good meals that will give you energy, and of course, that you enjoy!
Try to have something that is nutritious, and of course, treat yourself with a night of exam dessert!
It is also important to stay hydrated, so make sure you are drinking enough water. Drinking water helps your body to properly function, and carries nutrients and oxygen through your body.
Tip: Try carrying a water bottle around to make sure you drink enough throughout the day and night.
Step #4: Chill Out With A Break
As nervous as you may be, make sure you take some time for yourself to do something that you enjoy.
You could read a book, watch a movie, or listen to some music. You can even scroll a little on TikTok, just don’t spend the whole night doing so!
Step #5: Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is one of the best things you can get when exams are around the corner. Try going to bed at an earlier time, so that you can feel refreshed and ready for your exam in the morning.
Tip: You should be aiming to get 8-10 hours of sleep.
If you’re reading this a couple of weeks or even days before your exam, then try to get into a routine of sleeping a little bit earlier than usual, as this can help you to develop a healthy sleep pattern before your exam.
What If I Can’t Sleep On The Night Before the Exam?
Don’t worry! A lot of the time, students may struggle to sleep the night before the VCE Legal Studies Exam because of anxiety and stress.
This can be difficult, and may make you feel tired on the day of your exam. Fear not however, because there are some things you can do to mitigate the effects of tiredness before your exam.
If you wake up in the morning feeling tired, or if you didn’t sleep at all, make sure you eat a good breakfast to give yourself a big energy boost for the day.
Pair this with an stress-relieving activity such as meditating, colouring or listening to music in the morning — you’ll find that you’ll be in a better mindset than before you strarted!
And, That’s How You Prepare For Your VCE Legal Studies exam!
Most importantly, do what you need to help you feel calm before the big day, and good luck for your exam!
Check out more of our VCE Legal Studies resources:
- The Ultimate 7 Day Study Plan for your VCE Legal Studies Exam
- VCE Legal Studies Unit 3 AOS 1 Practice SAC
- VCE Legal Studies Unit 4 AOS 1 Practice SAC
- VCE Legal Studies External Assessment Practice Questions
- How to Ace Your End of Year Exam for VCE Legal Studies
- All Past VCE Papers Compiled to Help you Study for your Final Exams
Maija Flood completed the VCE in 2021, so she knows how much work it can be. She is passionate about creating resources for students, and wants to help them feel confident about their studies! Maija is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne, and intends to major in clarinet performance.
