How I Passed My Law School Exams

I get a lot of emails from undergraduate law students and law school students who keep asking me questions on how I passed my law school exams. I skip the question most times because I keep feeling in my heart, ‘these munchkins should go and find 1st class students na’… But after a deep conversation I had with a very dear colleague of mine last week, it dawned on me that I needed no 1st class result to pass this knowledge to other people. My experience may just be what one young chap out there need to hit the bull’s eyes. So, let’s roll…

Kindly note that passing the law bar finals exam is a significant milestone for every aspiring lawyer. It requires loads of dedication and discipline. Now let’s get into how I passed my bar final exams in my own time:

  • Thorough Preparations: To smash this point my people, you must start early! Like the first day you register at the law school is the day your studies start. This will give you enough time to study all the relevant subjects thoroughly. I had a study schedule that worked for me which I made sure I stuck to; it really helped me in covering all necessary topics I needed to cover without it feeling like too much labour for me.
  • Join Study Groups: Study groups are life savers. You must form study groups (Shout out to Group 8 Lagos Law School my year). Groups are where complex topics are broken down and clarifications provided properly. You all test each other’s knowledge and areas you are not thinking of are even brought to your notice.
  • Seek Guidance from Older Colleagues and Lecturers: Urmmm, do not forget that your group members are your mates. So, sometimes you may need additional guidance from older colleagues, lecturers, professors etc if you find difficulties in any topic or subject. They will provide you with valuable insights and help you grasp a lot of challenging concepts. (Shout out to Sylvester Udemezue Esq. and Ogbuanya Esq. of Lagos Campus/ they saved our lives ooo).
  • Use Official Study Materials: Please, make the required study materials your best friend. They were recommended by the Nigerian Law School for good reasons. They usually tailor these materials to the exam’s requirements and they broaden your mind on what you are largely expected to know.
  • Practice Past Questions: This is the “Chairman of all Chairmans”! If you never studied a past question before finals, please forget the exam (lol… kidding). Honestly, this is King to all. This is where all the secrets and expos hide themselves! They help you get a sense of the exam structure and you will easily identify the areas where you need more practice and improvement when you start solving them. Please, ignore all and hug this close to your chest. (lol, kidding…)
  • Understand the Exam format: You have to try to familiarize yourself with the format of the bar examination, including the types of questions asked, time limits, the marking schemes etc. This will help you prepare and manage your time effectively during the exam.
  • Develop Strong Analytical Skills: The Nigerian bar exam does not test only your knowledge but also your analytical abilities. You have to practice your hypothetical questions very well. Know how to spot relevant issues in a case. You see this issues point, don’t joke with it, so you do not waste time on irrelevant issues when an analysis is drawn for you. Also know how to apply the laws that are specific to the scenarios that are painted out for you.
  • Study Strategically: You have to be very strategic with your study approach. Focus on understanding the fundamental principles and concepts of each subject instead of forcing yourself to memorize them. Abegoooo, stop the cramming! Cramming is extremely unnecessary for bar finals. Cramming is the easiest recipe for confusion in bar exams!
  • Simulate Exam Conditions Before Exams: Once exam date is getting close, learn to simulate exam conditions while practicing like timing yourself while solving a past question etc. This will help you develop the stamina and mental endurance you need to stay focused during the actual exam.
  • Exam Day Preparation: On the day of the exam, please arrive early! Ensure you have all the required materials. Be calm, confident and positive, we did it; you too can my darling! Believe in your preparations and trust your abilities.
  • Read Instructions Carefully: Please, before you dive into any question; read instructions carefully. Please follow any specific guideline the examiner provided. Don’t use over confidence and ruin things please.
  • Time Management During Exam: Please, on the day of the exam, manage your time wisely. Allocate sufficient time to each section and question. Don’t spend too much time on any single question you notice you are struggling with. You can come back to it when you are done with the rest.
  • Answer Strategically: I had a process I call narrow down options I used for my multiple choice questions. You simply keep narrowing out the wrong ones till you are left with the right answer, rather than searching endlessly for the right one sometimes. Then for theories, I outline them on code with pencil to help me organize my thoughts effectively before writing. This helps me reduce too much errors and need for extra sheets.
  • Be Concise: Always remember your examiners are humans. Nobody wants to be reading plenty jargons you know. So, simply be concise and focused while addressing key issues you raised in a question.
  • Review Your Answers: Ermmm… dem no dey give award for first to submit ooo. Please, if there is time; stay seated and be reviewing those answers. There may be last-minute errors and omissions that needs necessary corrections.
  • Post-exam Analysis: After the exam, please avoid discussing your answers with others. Simply trust that you did your best and focus on the next step in your legal career.
  • Stay Healthy: Please, learn how to manage stress and maintain your balance. Bar exam can be mentally and emotionally draining. You must practice stress reduction techniques like exercise, meditations, spend time with loved ones etc. Ensure you get enough sleep and you eat well.
  • Wait for results patiently: Ahnnn this step! You see this part, God dey! The result waiting period is a very nerve-wracking period. Please, use this time to relax and take a break from anything studying! You will pass, ok?

Last but not the least my people, PRAY!!! The God factor in all these cannot be underestimated! Please, stay very close to the supreme being for proper spiritual guidance while you do this journey. All the best…!