Can you use notes on law school exams?

Asked by: Miss Elisabeth Hyatt  |  Last update: August 10, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)

Law school final exams also vary in terms of whether you can use your notes or other class materials when completing the final exam. Some in-class exams will be open-book exams which might allow you to use a text book, class notes, or your outline when completing the exam.

Can you use notes on the LSAT?

A digital notetaking section is available within the LSAT Argumentative Writing module, so you can type notes as you write your essay.

Are law school exams open notes?

Exams may be open-book or closed-book

While this does provide a sense of comfort, do not rely on your outline or notes too much. Students often think that if an exam is open-note they do not have to memorize the law. This could not be further from the truth! There is no time to look up each rule in your outline.

Should I take notes on readings in law school?

Taking notes is so important in law school. Your professors will test what they discuss in class. So, having good class notes to refer back to when you create your outlines is crucial. If you are going to law school or already in law school, having a good plan of attack for your law school notes will be helpful!

Can you use an outline on a law school exam?

Further, many professors allow you to consult your outline during your final exams (Remember, that law school is different from undergrad, and many times you will only have one exam for each class that will determine your entire final grade!)

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21 related questions found

Can you write on paper during LSAT?

Use of scratch paper is not permitted during LSAT Argumentative Writing, unless requested and approved as a testing accommodation. (The LSAT Argumentative Writing interface includes a digital “Scratch Paper” section where test takers can type notes, instead of writing them on a physical piece of scratch paper.)

Can you use outlines on the bar exam?

Your outline should evolve into attack sheets.

As exam day approaches, whittle lengthy outlines down to one or two pages per subject. The ultimate goal is to use these whittled-down outlines as attack sheets: one or two-page summaries of each subject.

Is law school a lot of memorization?

The type of memorization required for law school is a bit different than what you dealt with in undergrad and high school. You'll need to memorize a lot more in a shorter amount of time. And, beyond just memorizing rules and elements, you'll also be required to understand and apply what you've memorized.

Is it better to handwrite or type notes in law school?

Many law students type up notes, but studies have shown that sticking to old-school pen and paper can seriously improve your retention of the material discussed. In fact, it was found that laptop users performed worse academically and felt less fulfilled (and more "disconnected") from their education.

Do law schools read your writing sample?

Do Law Schools Read the Writing Sample on the LSAT? Yes, law schools do read the writing samples to assess candidates' writing and argumentative skills.

What is the hardest law exam?

1. California

Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.

Are law school exams really anonymous?

To ensure fairness in final course grades, the School of Law uses an anonymous grading system. In those courses which are graded anonymously (experiential courses and seminars are generally the only exception), students must place only their exam number on the exam or course paper.

How to cram for law school exam?

How to Study Effectively For Law School Exams
  1. Create a finals study schedule. ...
  2. Complete your outlines and then work on memorizing them. ...
  3. Take practice exams. ...
  4. Focus on all the tiny details from cases. ...
  5. Work non-stop during finals weeks. ...
  6. Procrastinate!

Can you use a pencil on the LSAT?

What kind of equipment do I need in order to take the LSAT at a test center? All equipment and materials, including scratch paper and pencils, will be provided by Prometric to all test takers who choose to test at a testing center.

Can I take the LSAT writing in my bedroom?

You can take LSAT Argumentative Writing at home, or in another quiet, well-lit, private space. and supervised by Meazure Learning (ProctorU). This portion of the LSAT can be taken on-demand and is only administered online using secure proctoring software that you'll install on your computer.

Can you control F in the LSAT?

LSAC recently introduced a new search feature for the LSAT Reading Comprehension section after receiving ctrl+F.

Do you take notes in law school?

Effective note taking can help you discover not only what your professor finds significant and what is likely to be on the exam, but also the larger, primary themes and issues of the course. This outline provides tips and techniques that may be useful for taking notes in your classes at the Law Center.

Do law students write a lot?

In law school, you will be reading and writing a ton.

So you can crush all the course work to come.

Do lawyers have neat handwriting?

So there are certainly some attorneys with great and not-so-great handwriting, but it seems like our scrawling isn't impacting the faith in our profession. Perhaps it's because of tools like digital dictation software, which can transcribe an MP3 into a text document up to three times faster than typing.

What is the hardest year in law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

How hard is law school realistically?

Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.

How many hours do you spend studying in law school?

Law Students' Average Daily Study Hours

The answer also varies if you ask different law student advisors. All in all, however, law students typically spend around 30 – 40 hours per week studying.

Can you use notes on the bar exam?

O If you take your exam in-person, there's room in the test booklet to jot down notes and make an outline - like the backs of the pages, and there are often also blank pages at the end of the MPT and MEES.

Can you fail essays and pass bar exam?

The answer, in most states, is yes. In most states, as long as you make up for any lost points on the essay portion of the exam, you can fail the MBE and still pass the bar exam.

Is outlining necessary in law school?

Yes, outlining for a course where you will have a closed book exam is useful because outlining is a learning tool.