Preparing for Law School Exams
* Materials in Room A066
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Study Aids in Print
* Study Aids on CD & Cassette
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Other Types of Study Aids
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Books on Taking Exams
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Past Ohio Bar Exams
* Past Exams
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Helpful Web Sites
* Exam Taking Tips
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Extended Hours and Study Rooms
Materials in Room A066
Located on the Atrium Level of the Law Library, the Professional and Study Skills Collection in Room A066 brings together an array of study aids, legal research and writing texts, materials about succeeding in law school, as well as materials to help you explore careers. All materials in Room A066 may be checked out. Resources include:
- Guides on preparing for and writing law school exams
- Hornbooks and Nutshells
- Legal research materials
- Books on legal writing
- Casebooks
- Bar exam preparation materials, including sample exams and answers
- Career materials
Study Aids in Print
The Law Library regularly collects hornbooks and nutshells. The Law Library selectively collects other study aids, such as the "Examples and Explanations" series, and the "Concepts and Insights" series.
Hornbooks
Hornbooks offer a detailed and comprehensive treatment of basic rules, key issues and topics relating to various areas of the law. Below is a list of just some of the Hornbooks available at the Law Library.
- Civil Procedure / by Jack H. Friedenthal, Mary Kay Kane, Arthur R. Miller KF8840 .F72 2005
- Constitutional law / by John E. Nowak, Ronald D. Rotunda KF4550 .N6 2004
- Criminal Law / by Wayne R. LaFave KF9219 .L382 2003
- Criminal Procedure / by Wayne R. LaFave, Jerold H. Israel, and Nancy J. King KF9619 .L34 2004
- Employment Law / by Mark A. Rothstein ... [et al.] KF3455 .E468 2005
- Law of Antitrust: An Integrated Handbook / by Lawrence A. Sullivan and Warren S. Grimes KF1649 .S92 2006
- Law of Securities Regulation / by Thomas Lee Hazen KF1439.H39 2006b
- McCormick on Evidence / by Kenneth S. Broun, general editor KF8935 .M292 2006
- Prosser and Keeton on the Law of Torts KF1250 .P73 1984
- The Law of Torts / by Dan B. Dobbs KF1250 .D6 2000
Nutshells
Nutshells provide a foundation for various areas of the law by introducing its origins, its objectives, and an overview. Below is a list of representative Nutshells in the Law Library collection.
- Agency, Partnership, and the LLC in a Nutshell / by J. Dennis Hynes KF1375.Z9 H95 2005
- Contracts in a Nutshell / by Claude D. Rohwer, Anthony M. Skroki KF 801.Z9 S3 2006
- Death Penalty in a Nutshell / by Victor L. Streib KF9227.C2 S77 2005
- Civil Procedure in a Nutshell / by Mary Kay Kane KF8841 .K36 2007
- Evidence in a Nutshell / by Paul F. Rothstein KF8935.Z9 R6 2003
- Real Property in a Nutshell / by Roger Bernhardt, Ann M. Burkhart KF570.Z9 B4 2005
- Legal Ethics in a Nutshell / by Ronald D. Rotunda and Michael I. Krauss KF306 .Z9 R668 2006
- Legal Research in a Nutshell / by Morris L. Cohen and Kent C. Olson KF240 .C54 2007
- Torts in a Nutshell / by Edward J. Kionka KF1250 . Z9 K53 2005
Examples and Explanations Series
Each title in the Examples and Explanations Series aims to provide big-picture overviews of essential topics, plus sufficient detail for understanding and applying principles in various areas of the law. . Some of the Law Library's selected titles in this series include:
- Constitutional Law--Individual Rights: Examples and Explanations / Allan Ides KF4749 .I34 2007
- Contracts: Examples and Explanations / Brian A. Blum
KF801 .B58 2007 - Criminal Law: Examples and Explanations / Richard G. Singer KF9219.3 .S54 2007
- Environmental Law: Examples and Explanations / Steven Ferrey
KF3775 .Z9 F45 2007 - Evidence : Examples and Explanations / Arthur Best
KF 8935 .Z9 B48 2007 - Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Examples and Explanations / Gerry W. Beyer KF755 .Z9 B49 2007
Concepts and Insights
The Concepts and Insights series aims to provides you with a concise treatment of various areas of the law and explains major statutes and cases. Some of the Law Library's selected titles in this series include:
- Agency, Partnerships & LLCs / by Stephen M. Bainbridge KF1345 .Z9 B24 2004
- Complex Litigation: Problems in Advanced Civil Procedure / by Jay Tidmarsh KF8900.A4 T7 2002
- Federal Income Taxation: A Law Student's Guide to the Leading Cases and Concepts / by Marvin A. Chirelstein KF6369 .C43 2005
- The First Amendment / by Daniel A. Farber KF4770.Z9 F369 2003
Study Aids on CD & Cassette
Take a break from reading and study for law school exams or the bar by listening to experts explain key legal topics. The Law Library's collection includes over 2,500 CDs, audio cassettes, and other audio visual materials. Most circulate for a one week loan period. Some of the most popular titles include:
- Civil Procedure / by Arthur R. Miller [sound recording] KF8841 .M56 1999
- Criminal Procedure / by Joshua Dressler [sound recording] KF9616.3 .D74 2005
- Real Property / by Paula A. Franzese [sound recording] KF570 .F73 2005
- Securities Regulations / by James D. Cox [sound recording] KF1439 .C69 2004
- Torts / by Steven Finz [sound recording] KF1250 .A2 F46 2005
Other Types of Study Aids
While you can find some of the many published study aids in our collection or via OhioLINK, you may want to purchase your own online or from a book store. A few examples of some of the most popular series include:
- Casenotes Legal Briefs & Outlines
- Crunchtime Series
- Emanuel Law Outlines
- Gilbert Law Summaries, Legalines & Law School Legends Audio Series
- Sum & Substance Quick Review & Audio CDs
Books on Taking Exams
Here are a few examples of the many exam preparation books available in the Law Library.
- Law School Exams: Preparing and Writing to Win / by Charles R. Calleros KF283 .C35 2007
- Reading Like a Lawyer: Time-Saving Strategies for Reading Law Like and Expert / by Ruth Ann McKinney KF283 .M398 2005
- Succeeding in Law School / by Herbert N. Ramy KF 283 .R36 2006
- Writing Essay Exams to Succeed Not Just to Survive / by John C. Dernbach KF 283 .D47 2007
Past Ohio Bar Exams
Some professors recommend using past Ohio Bar Exams and Outline of Subjects Tested on Essay Portion of Ohio Bar Examination by the Ohio Board of Bar Examiners to study for law school exams. Both are available at the Law Library's Information Services desk.
Past Exams Given
The Law Library has an extensive collection of past exams online and in print. The collection consists of the actual exams given to students in previous years. Whether and which exams to post online is at the discretion of the individual professor. Some professors choose not to have their exams placed online. If you cannot find an exam for a particular professor, please check the Exam Index at the Information Services desk. An exam may be available in hardcopy which you can photocopy. Exams circulate for a two hour loan period within the Law Library.
Helpful Web Sites
- CALI Lessons offer the opportunity to review a subject in tutorial format and augment your own class notes and outlines.
- Lexis Nexis Study Aids provides leads to in-depth study materials and includes several area of law outlines.
- Findlaw provides links to outlines and exams on the web organized by topic.
- The Jurist web site provides links to law school exam study guides as well as online exams.
Exam Taking Tips
Consider some good advice from the following:
- C-M Law Professor Deborah Geier's Exam Taking Tips
- Writing Law Examinations Professor John H. Langbein, Yale Law School
- Using Study Aids in Law School by Professor Joyce Savio Herleth, Director of Academic Support at Saint Louis University School of Law. A review and critique of commercial study aids and suggestions on how to use them.
- Study Tips from the Top Students also from the Academic Support web page at Saint Louis University School of Law.
Extended Hours and Study Rooms
The Law Library is open extended hours during reading and exam periods.
There are nine group study rooms located throughout the Law Library for use by law students. To reserve a study room, please stop by the Information Services Desk . Group study rooms are for two or more persons and may be reserved for three continuous hours per day. Reservations may be made in person up to 72 hours in advance and 24 hours in advance by phone (216-687-2250).
Revised December 2007 (aeb)