Integrity-First Exam Prep: Strategy over Prediction

The Danger of "Topic Spotting"

"I bet they'll ask about frustration this year because they asked about mistake last year." This is gambling, not revision.

Examiners know that students do this. They often write questions that blend topics (e.g., a contract problem involving both formation and terms) specifically to test the breadth of your knowledge. If you topic-spot, you risk being unable to answer a hybrid question.

1. Revision vs. Re-reading

Reading your notes over and over is passive. It feels like work, but it creates the illusion of competence. You recognize the words, so you think you know them.

Active Recall is the only way. Close your notes. Write down everything you know about "Duty of Care." Then check your notes. The pain of struggling to remember is where the learning happens.

2. Mastering the IRAC Structure

For problem questions, your structure is your safety net.

Practise writing out just the skeleton of answers for past papers. You don't always need to write a full 2,000 words. Plan 10 answers in the time it takes to write one.

3. Academic Integrity is Non-Negotiable

In the age of AI, the temptation to take shortcuts is high. But an exam is a test of your reasoning, not a chatbot's.

Use tools like generic practice prompts to test your understanding, but never input exam questions into an AI to generate an answer. You rob yourself of the practice, and you risk severe academic misconduct penalties.

Trust your preparation. If you have done the reading, attended the lectures, and practiced the application, you do not need shortcuts.