If you’ve just taken our Are You Ready for Law School Quiz, it’s time to do a deep dive into your results.
- View the quiz answer key
- If you scored 1-2…
- If you scored 3-5…
- If you scored 6-7…
- If you liked the quiz, take the Law Student Personality Quiz
Quiz Answer Key
The grades you receive during the first year are the most important grades you’ll receive in all of law school. — TRUE
Your first-year grades not only determine your eligibility for Law Review and other academic honors employers seek, but also dictate what job opportunities are available when you graduate. The most selective legal employers recruit law students during the summer following the 1L year, and they often only interview law students who finished at the top of their 1L class.
The Case Method is synonymous with the Socratic Method. — FALSE
Although both teaching methods are similar in that they rely on students reading legal opinions (cases) prior to arriving at class, that’s pretty much where the similarity ends.
THE SOCRATIC METHOD
The Socratic Method derives its name from Socrates (470-399 B.C.) who, as you may recall from Philosophy 101 in college, walked the streets of ancient Athens questioning citizens about democratic principles, the obligations of citizenship, public morality, and the role of government. He pretended not to know the correct answers, and instead sought to elicit the truth from the subjects of his interrogation.
For law students, what you need to know about the Socratic Method is how it is employed by some (but certainly not all) law professors.
Law professors loathe using straight lecture as a way to teach the law because all the doctrine (a.k.a. black-letter law) you learn is fact-dependent. Facts that may give rise to liability in one scenario may result in no liability if the circumstances are tweaked in just the slightest way.
So, some professors use the Socratic Method as a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between teacher and student; it is based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking in order to help students draw their own conclusions about the legal rules and their underlying theories, presumptions, and utilities.
THE CASE METHOD
By contrast, the Case Method refers to a pedagogy (rather than a teaching style) introduced by Christopher Columbus Langdell (yeah, his parents had a sense of humor) who served as Dean of Harvard Law School in the late 1800’s. Langdell organized the first casebook — a compilation of actual judicial opinions — and revolutionized how law is taught.
You see, despite how some conservatives despise “activist judges” who “create law,” under the Anglo-American common law system we inherited from Great Britain, that’s the exact role of judges: TO CREATE LAW that arises from new or unforeseen factual circumstances. Using the Case Method, law students are expected to read hand-picked judicial opinions (cases) that gave rise to legal rules and dissect them by engaging in an exercise in retrospective analysis that explores why the court crafted the legal rule as it did.
So, while most law professors use the Case Method as a way to introduce legal rules, the Socratic Method refers to the incessant questioning that only some professors use to prod and test the rules they cover.
The subject matter taught during the first year of law school is largely the same, regardless of the law school’s geographic location and/or US NEWS Ranking. — TRUE
While the electives for the first year of law school may vary somewhat from school to school, at almost all law schools, students are required to take the same core first year classes — Civil Procedure, Contracts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Property, Torts, and Legal Research & Writing.
Students who enjoyed academic success in college and/or achieved a high LSAT score will likely enjoy similar success in law school by applying the same study and test-taking techniques. — FALSE
While a solid undergraduate academic record is a necessary precursor for a law school acceptance, the grades you earned during college are in no way dispositive of the success you’ll enjoy as a 1L.
Your law school experience will likely differ from undergrad in three major ways – all of which will dramatically impact the grades you’ll receive.
1. Your Law School Classmates Will Be Smart, Really Smart.
In law school, you’ll find that most of your classmates possess all of the characteristics needed to earn a spot in the top of the class: intellectual curiosity, mental acuity and solid study habits. Like you, these attributes likely separated them from their undergraduate classmates and earned them entry to a competitive law school. Consequently, you’ll likely encounter an entire class of high achievers – students who possess the same innate abilities.
Additionally, because of the sheer size of most college classes you likely encountered a wider range of people – including many “slackers” who were never any real competition at all. By contrast, in law school you’ll find yourself swimming in a much smaller pool of students who, because so many opportunities are riding on 1L grades, are all equally motivated to earn a spot at the top of the class.
2. The 1L grading curve
Most law schools impose a strict grading curve during the 1L year. So, unlike undergrad where your professors had broad discretion when handing out grades, in law school you will not be graded on what your professor feels was “A” or “B” effort; instead, your professors are required to award individual grades relative to the entire class.
Consequently, to excel, top students must demonstrate a complete mastery of the material when compared to their (equally-able) classmates.
3. Final Exams Determine Your Entire Grade
Unlike undergrad, in most doctrinal classes, there are no term papers or quizzes, and if there’s a midterm is likely worth only 5% (if that). Also, because of the anonymous grading system, attempts to become the “teacher’s pet” are pointless.
Your performance on one time-pressured final exam will largely determine your grade in each of your courses. Obviously, this places a huge emphasis on uncontrolled variables (e.g., your health on exam day, your ability to under pressure, etc.).
While these three points may seem daunting, you can take comfort in the fact that everyone in your class is forced to play by the same rules — while unpleasant, you’re not at any disadvantage relative to your classmates.
Regardless of your law professors’ teaching styles, there’s probably little benefit from gaining a basic understanding of various subjects covered during the 1L year prior to the start of classes. — FALSE
Without a basic understanding of each area of law, most law students are forced to read the assigned cases in a vacuum; reading cases without any context/understanding for where those cases may fit in the larger course is much like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle without having the benefit of the picture on the front of the box — no doubt it can be done, but not without considerable effort and inefficiencies.
If a student wants to get a basic understanding of each substantive topic covered during the 1L year, they can simply purchase printed study aids that can be consumed prior to the start of classes. — FALSE
Although there are ample study aids that help explain each core 1L class, they are written as supplements to what a first-year law student is learning in class; therefore, such study aids assume a certain amount of knowledge that a pre-law reader is unlikely to possess. Top law students walk into law school armed with a general road map for each of their courses by working with some of the best law professors from around the country who provide an overview of each core 1L class. Using a lecture format, professors can explain many of the theories that drive each area of law so that students can better understand not only how their courses are structured, but also the purpose of individual (black letter) rules they will cover during the semester.
Most law schools implement a strict grading curve during the first year of law school. — TRUE
To accommodate a system where grades carry so much weight, most law schools impose a strict grading curve – one that allows for only a certain number of A’s and, yes, F’s. Unlike undergrad where your professors had broad discretion when handing out grades, in law school you will not be graded on what your professor feels was “A” effort; instead, your professors must award A’s only to those students who demonstrate a complete mastery of the material in comparison to the rest of their classmates. It is for this very reason; many smart and capable students receive the first C’s of their academic careers during the 1L year.
What’s Your Score?
If You Scored 1-2…
If you scored 1-2, the honest truth is that you’re probably not ready for law school.
But don’t panic — yet.
Law school is one of the most challenging academic experiences out there (and not to mention one of the most expensive). Starting 1L before having a solid understanding of the intricacies of law school and the harsh toll of law student life could leave you with a strong disadvantage.
If you’re starting law school and feel like you’re not ready, now is a good time to either start preparing or perhaps reconsider whether going to law school is even worth it.
There are many ways you can learn more about the law school experience including checking out our blog, scrolling through the law school admissions subreddit, or taking a law school prep course.
How Can Law Preview Benefit People Who Scored 1-2?
Starting your 1L year before prepping could cost you tens of thousands of dollars if you fail a class or choose to drop out. Don’t risk flunking your first year of law school, prepare with the nation’s #1 law school prep course, Law Preview.
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Law Preview has taught thousands of students how to conquer law school, now it’s your turn.
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If You Scored 3-5…
If you scored 3-5, you’re just about ready to start law school.
People who score 3-5 have a general understanding of how law school differs from undergrad and what law student life looks like.
It may be a good time to start learning about the detailed intricacies of law school, like how the law school grading curve works, the habits of successful law students, or how to navigate life as a law student.
Law school isn’t something you can “wing,” your approach should be carefully calculated so that you make your way to the top without burning out. It’s important to understand why 1L grades matter, and how they’ll impact your future.
How Can Law Preview Benefit People Who Scored 3-5?
Don’t settle for average, learn how to get to the top of the class with the nation’s #1 law school prep course, Law Preview.
Available via live, live stream or on-demand, our courses teach incoming law students everything they need to know to become a top law student. Top law professors teach you how to navigate your 1L year by teaching academic success skills, proven exam-taking strategies, core 1L material and more.
First-year grades impact everything from academic honors to your eventual legal career. And getting to the top is the best (and fastest) way to land your dream job. We know how important 1L grades are, and we’re determined to help you conquer your 1L year (and beyond).
Don’t risk being average. Get to the top with Law Preview.
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If You Scored 6-7…
If you scored 6-7, chances are you’re an overachiever and will one day be a Gunner. You know what you’ve gotten yourself into, and you’re ready for it.
Students who scored a 6-7 know the intricacies of law school, and how much law school differs from undergrad. They have a good understanding of what matters most, why 1L grades are important, and how the law school grading curve works.
Unfortunately for you, law school is mostly made up of the smartest kids in class. That means that you could easily go from being a top student, to average.
How Can Law Preview Benefit People Who Scored 6-7?
Starting law school with a competitive advantage and the tools you need to race to the top could be the edge that helps you stand out from your peers. Remember, in law school, getting to the top means earning academic honors, landing stellar internships, and getting the dream job.
If you’re an overachiever, you know how important it is to be prepared for the challenges ahead.
With Law Preview, you’ll learn proven exam-taking techniques, how to take expert notes and outlines, legal writing and research 101, and a full overview of your core 1L course material.
Plus, students who attend a live course get a chance to network with fellow incoming law students and ask their questions to some of the nation’s top law professors.
Want to learn more? Demo the course or sign up today.
