Time management is one of the most critical skills in law exams. Many students know the law well but run out of time because they spend too long on their strongest question.
The Golden Rule
If your exam has four questions in three hours, you have 45 minutes per question. Stick to this rigidly. A solid 2:1 answer to all four questions will almost always score higher than one first-class answer and three rushed attempts.
Planning Time
Spend 5-10 minutes planning each answer before you start writing. For problem questions, list every issue. For essay questions, sketch your thesis and key points.
Writing Efficiently
- Get to the point quickly — do not waste time on lengthy introductions.
- Use abbreviations for frequently cited cases.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- If running short on time, use bullet points for your final issue — you will still pick up marks.
Question Selection
If you have a choice, spend the first five minutes reading all questions carefully. Choose questions where you can identify the most issues or construct the strongest argument.
The Last 10 Minutes
Reserve the final 10 minutes for review. Check that you have answered the correct number of questions and that your handwriting is legible.