Today I am going to show you how to master a take home exam.
By taking into account six factors, you should be able to perform at a higher level.
Hi, this is Professor Beau Baez.
Almost everyone in law school will experience a take home exam, which I think is the most
difficult type of exam to master.
My first take home exam was during my first semester of law school in Torts—
48 hours of sleep deprivation, frustration, and consternation.
Something about an accident on a lake involving a boat rental.
Maybe I should add apparition to my list, since this exam still haunts me.
Inward, outward, upward!
Today we are working on outward changes to propel you upward.
Take home exams come in all shapes and sizes: 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, or even longer.
The longest take home exam I’ve ever given my students was one week.
I thought I was helping them out, but instead
I created a bunch of nervous wrecks as many of them tried to complete my take home exam
while working on their other finals.
Step one, location.
Figure out where you want to complete the exam.
You want to study in that room before you pick up the exam, as that's going to help
you remember the material at a deeper level.
Next, make sure the room is free from distractions and let everyone know
you will generally be unavailable during this time.
Also, get comfortable if you work better that way.
For me, business casual helps me to focus better than shorts and a t-shirt.
Step two, preparation.
You must prepare for a take home exam just like you would for a closed book exam.
Anything less means a weaker answer.
This was my mistake.
I believed, hey, I don’t really have to study for Torts because I’ve got my notes,
my books, 48 hours.
Boy, was I mistaken.
This is because I hadn’t taken time to really master torts, resulting in a less than stellar
performance—a B, if I recall correctly, but that was an average grade at Georgetown.
Step three, administration.
What are the rules for the exam?
Can you talk to others?
Can you reach out to the professor?
Do you have to print out the exam and drop it off somewhere?
Understand the rules and adhere to them.
Two students were almost expelled from a law school I taught at for talking to each other
about what they thought was a non-exam issue.
Step four, organization.
Create a schedule, in advance, for the time you’ve been allotted.
This will look different for each of you.
For longer take home exams, ensure that you are working at the times
when you are at your best.
Make sure to sleep—working 48 hours straight is not only unhealthy,
but it is likely to result in a weaker product.
By the way, just before you go to sleep, read the exam.
Studies show that our brains continue working on things
that we were dwelling on just before bed time.
Make sure to take breaks, using the Pomodoro technique
or something else that works for you.
If you have flexibility as to when the exam begins, make sure you pick a time that
maximizes the times when you're at your best.
Step five, refortification.
For longer take-home exams, make sure to build in time for physical exercise.
Studies demonstrate that cognition goes up after exercise.
Stay hydrated, forcing yourself to keep drinking--
no, not alcohol, water--
as the brain needs liquids to work at its optimal level.
Don’t forget food and healthy snacks: think nuts, not potato chips.
Step six, composition.
Your answer should be more polished than a normal law school exam since you have more
time to work on it.
Once you’ve read the exam, then prepare your outline, just like you normally do for your exams.
Then write out your first draft.
Once you’ve got your draft, begin editing it.
Feel free to move sections around.
The professor wants something that looks good, otherwise they would have given you
a traditional three hour exam at the law school.
And force yourself to do the editing.
I am always amazed by students who feel they are just done and
just turn in a take home exam early, believing it is complete.
Hear me: an essay is never complete.
There is always just a bit more you can do to make it better.
You have to decide. Do you want to a top grade or
are willing to settle because you just want to move on.
Make sure you check out my new videos every other Wednesday, and hit the subscribe and
bell buttons so you can become a better student and a better lawyer.