Notes on preparing for the all-essay SS2 exam

Alright, listen up. Here are some things I can tell you about the exam.

1. As you know now, you must bring the primary sources during the test. But if you plan to just read them during the exam, I can guarantee that you’ll fail.
2. The best way to prepare is to try answering the questions on the front page of the reader. Those questions are very similar to what will be asked in the exam. Once you have your own answers, I strongly recommend discussing them with friends. I am certain you’ll learn from each other.
3. The exam is a very different kind of essay test. It can be as easy or difficult, as short or as long as you want it to be. You are free to choose whichever item you want to answer. The only thing you should consider is that each question has a point credit (PC), and that you are required to accumulate 4 PCs (for most), 3 (for mock trial winners) and 3.5 (for judges). Thus, you can answer four questions with one PC each, or two questions with two PCs each to meet 4 (if you need four). It’s up to you. There are many possible combinations.
4. The more you study and the harder you’ve worked during the mock trials, the wider your options will be. That was our main guiding principle in designing the test. Yes, there are questions which connect the different primary sources and cases.
5. You can get an A++ in the exam. For bonus credit, answer only 0.5 more than what you’re supposed to answer if you want us to count it. Hence, 4.5 PCs (for most), 3.5 (for mock trial winners), and 4 (for judges).

That’s it. So log off the web now and study. :p

Good luck!

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