Wasn't sure if this is the right thread. But Im not a law student, so I decided "applicant" best qualified.
But Im just curious: does law school have alot of memorization? Or is it more firmly rooted in genuinely understanding and applying principles and concepts? Or maybe its a mix.. I just dont even know
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Memorization In Law School
Started by johnalm, Jan 14 2012 02:16 PM
4 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 14 January 2012 - 02:53 PM
It's kind of a mix... you almost surely won't have a law school exam that's undergrad-style, entirely multiple choice or short answer, where you just regurgitate information with no analysis or application. However, some exams will have short answer sections that do emulate this style, so memorization will help there. And even in the classic law school fact pattern exam, if you have the relevant law memorized you will save time because you won't have to look at your summary. You can then spend more time on the analysis and application part of your answer.
#3
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Posted 14 January 2012 - 03:13 PM
Generally speaking, I find it's not the same as memorization tests in undergrad. You have to remember that the seminal case on unilateral contracts is Cargill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball, but really it's about remembering the titles of stories rather than dates and formulae.
You'll have to remember that Vaughan v. Menlove is the basis for the 'reasonable man' standard in torts, but you'll remember that the same way you remember song lyrics or movie characters; that's just what the title of the thing you learned is called. It's less remembering that Henry VII defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485 and more remembering that all the stuff having to do with the Yorkists and the Lancastrians was generally called the War of the Roses.
I have a lousy memory and did fine. Most tests are open-book, and those that aren't you can generally do a decent job with flash cards in advance. It's not too tough to remember Parsons v. Citizens Insurance Co. when you're sitting there thinking, "Agh, which case was it that involved that insurance company?"
You'll have to remember that Vaughan v. Menlove is the basis for the 'reasonable man' standard in torts, but you'll remember that the same way you remember song lyrics or movie characters; that's just what the title of the thing you learned is called. It's less remembering that Henry VII defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485 and more remembering that all the stuff having to do with the Yorkists and the Lancastrians was generally called the War of the Roses.
I have a lousy memory and did fine. Most tests are open-book, and those that aren't you can generally do a decent job with flash cards in advance. It's not too tough to remember Parsons v. Citizens Insurance Co. when you're sitting there thinking, "Agh, which case was it that involved that insurance company?"
#4
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Posted 14 January 2012 - 08:46 PM
Thanks for the insight guys.
#5
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Posted 12 February 2012 - 04:35 PM
johnalm, on 14 January 2012 - 02:16 PM, said:
Wasn't sure if this is the right thread. But Im not a law student, so I decided "applicant" best qualified.
But Im just curious: does law school have alot of memorization? Or is it more firmly rooted in genuinely understanding and applying principles and concepts? Or maybe its a mix.. I just dont even know
But Im just curious: does law school have alot of memorization? Or is it more firmly rooted in genuinely understanding and applying principles and concepts? Or maybe its a mix.. I just dont even know
Most law school exams I have had are open book. In fact I have heard closed books are rare. Therefore, the need to memorize is not as significant.
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