Greetings to all my fellow NCA exam takers! As we approach another round of NCA exams, I've been asked by many students how I managed to succeed on these challenging exams. Questions like "Why do I study hard but still blank-out during the exam?" or "How do I write a memo when I've never done it before?" reveal the underlying nervousness shared by many. Having experienced exam anxiety myself, I can truly understand where they are coming from.
As a successful NCA graduate who completed seven exams in just nine months across three sittings, I'm here to share my tips and tricks to make your NCA exams smoother and less stressful!
Organizing Your Notes: One essential step for me was establishing a structured approach before and during the exam. I've previously discussed extensively how I organize my notes and create a structured binder to take with me to each exam. Having a well-organized binder with easily accessible information allows you to feel more comfortable and confident during the exam.
Using Reading Time to Strategize & Time Keeping: During the reading time before the exam starts, it's helpful to strategize and allocate answering time based on the weight of each question. Rank the questions by their point value and allocate time accordingly (e.g., a question worth 1/3 of the exam's value gets 1/3 of your time). Start with the highest point question to maximize your focus on the most crucial task. Stick to the time commitments you outlined during reading time to avoid last-minute scrambling. If you finish early, you can go back and enhance your answers.
Basic IRAC Structure: Now let's focus on structuring your answers during the exam itself. You may have heard of the IRAC answer format, which stands for:
"I" - Issue: Identify the problem or question asked. "R" - Rule: Identify the relevant law that applies to solving the problem. "A" - Application: Explain how the law interacts with the given fact pattern. "C" - Conclusion: Summarize the likely outcome of the case or applicable remedies.
Applying IRAC to the NCAs: IRAC is universally applicable regardless of the question prompt. Whether it asks you to write a memo or adopt a different format, using the IRAC structure and headers will ensure you stay on track. Headers are useful tools that organize your thoughts and answers while signaling to the examiner that you've carefully considered the question.
Multi-Issue Question Structure: If your question has multiple issues, adjust the IRAC structure slightly. Start with an introductory paragraph that lists the identified legal issues. Under each heading for Issue 1, Issue 2, etc., provide the relevant rules, applications, and possibly conclusions if the issues are interlinked. End with a conclusion that outlines the likely outcome and remedies (if applicable) for the whole question.
Single-Issue Question Structure: For questions with a single issue, follow the IRAC structure directly. Use three headers: Introductory & Issue, Rules and Application, and Conclusion (& Remedies). This format allows you to be clear and organized in your response.
By following these structures, you will not only feel calmer during the exam but also make it easier for the examiner to read your answers, maximizing your potential to earn points. If you're new to IRAC, practice with one of the NCA example questions and apply one of the templates above.
Always remember to breathe, reference your materials, and do your best to stay calm. You've got this!
Comments
Post a Comment