Boilerplate answers on Administrative Law


I've worked with numerous students who were retaking administrative law exams, and I've noticed that the most common pitfall they encounter is relying on their notes blindly without truly understanding the material.

Let me clarify what I mean by this. Many students tend to copy their notes verbatim onto their exam papers, thinking that mentioning the "right" cases will guarantee them a pass. This approach is commonly known as the "boilerplate" answer.

Simply copying materials or discussing relevant cases related to the exam's issues is not enough to ensure success. Many students also use answer templates, but understanding the material is what truly matters for this exam.

While having a well-organized set of CONDENSED notes is essential, particularly for admin law, what's even more critical is comprehending those notes and grasping how each topic interconnects with the others. If you're going through your notes and you see cases like Knight, Baker, and others, but you can't explain how each case relates to the others, then you haven't fully understood the syllabus material. To excel in the exam, you must establish connections between all the concepts in your mind, allowing you to apply your knowledge effectively.

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