NCA Logistics: (Part I) Determining the Number of Exams per Sitting
Greetings, NCA Candidates! As we embark on a new year, I've received numerous inquiries from new NCA Candidates regarding the logistical aspects of planning their exam sittings and managing study time.
Although I've previously covered smart study techniques in my post on Avoiding Information Overload and suggested subject combinations in another post, I'd like to step back a bit and focus on the fundamentals. In this two-part series, I'll address how many exams you should attempt per sitting, the ideal preparation duration, and the best approach to readiness.
Part I: How Many Exams Can I Take Per Sitting?
In typical legal fashion, the answer to this question is: "It depends!" The NCA exams are designed to be a flexible assessment system that accommodates both employed and unemployed students. Therefore, the number of exams you should take at a time will be influenced by other time commitments, your personal study habits, and the time needed to prepare for each exam.
Unlike the past, where students could complete all their exam assignments consecutively in a single week, the current NCA exam schedule requires a more spread-out approach. Exams are now offered every month, but not all subjects are available each month. Consequently, a minimum of 3 months is required for a student to pass all five core exams. The core exams are distributed across a 3-month period, with elective subjects interspersed throughout.
Additionally, students must take and pass the 8-week, online Legal Research and Writing Course through CPLED or an NCA approved Canadian Law School program.
For most students who are also juggling work or other responsibilities alongside their studies, the three-month timeline is likely reasonable. To provide insight into your own situation, I'll share my NCA experience below. Please note that my exams were taken under the previous schedule, where all exams were compressed into a single week every 3 months.
Number of Exams: Seven (5 core, 2 electives) Number of Sittings: Three
October: I sat for one exam to familiarize myself with the NCA process and exam structure. As I had limited time to study due to receiving my official NCA assessment one day before the October registration deadline, I opted for one exam to be cautious.
January: I completed three exams in a single week. Initially, I was registered for four exams, but I deferred one as I didn't feel adequately prepared. This experience helped me realize that three exams per week was my upper limit considering other time demands.
May: I completed three exams in a single week, concluding my NCA studies.
Lifestyle & Background: Throughout my NCA studies, I was working full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) while also volunteering and trying to maintain a social life. However, during exam weeks, I always took time off from work, including the Friday before each week, to have a long weekend for final preparation. This was particularly necessary as all exams were condensed into a single week. Under the current setup, you will likely take just 1 or 2 exams per week. Overall, I approached the NCAs with a balanced approach akin to part-time degree studies, ensuring a healthy work-life-study balance. Even during exam weeks, I made sure to take breaks and have downtime.
Other factors to consider:
- Language Skills: Legal language can be complex and challenging to comprehend. If English is not your first language, you might require more time to read through the materials thoroughly. This could impact how many exams you can reasonably prepare for within the three-month intervals between sittings. However, this assessment is individual, and only you can gauge your capabilities effectively.
- Scheduling: Each core NCA exam topic is offered four times per year, while elective subjects may be available only 2 or 3 times annually. You can find the schedule of exam topics for each sitting on the NCA website.
- Travel and Space: The new online format eliminates the need to travel to an exam site. However, you must ensure you have a stable internet connection and a quiet, private environment to write the exam. Writing the exam with other people (or small children) present in the same room is not allowed. If your home doesn't offer these conditions, you may need to consider writing the exam at a hotel, library, or any other suitable location..
I hope you've found this overview of my personal experience helpful! Whatever you decide, ensure it aligns with your unique study habits. Use your past law school experience as a guide for what works best for you.
Join me next time as I outline the recommended preparation time for each exam and sitting.
Happy Studying!
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