Preparing for Law School Exams
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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.
See How to Find Study Aids in the Law Library
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:
- Bankruptcy and Debtor/Creditor, examples and explanations / Brian A. Blum KF1524.3 .B58 2004
- Constitutional Law--Individual Rights: Examples and Explanations / Allan Ides KF4749 .I34 2007
- Contracts: Examples and Explanations / Brian A. Blum
KF801 .B58 2007 - Copyright : Examples and Explanations/ Stephen M. McJohn - KF2995 .M35 2009
- Corporate Taxation: examples and explanations / Cheryl D. Block KF6465 .B557 2004
- Criminal Law: Examples and Explanations / Richard G. Singer KF9219.3 .S54 2007
- Dispute Resolution examples and explanations / Michael L. Moffitt, Andrea Kupfer Schneider KF9084 .M655 2008
- Environmental Law: Examples and Explanations / Steven Ferrey
KF3775 .Z9 F45 2007 - Evidence : Examples and Explanations / Arthur Best
KF 8935 .Z9 B48 2007 - Federal income tax : examples and explanations / Joseph Bankman, Thomas D. Griffith, Katherine Pratt KF6369.3 .B35 2008
- Intellectual property : examples and explanations / Stephen M. McJohn KF2980 .M42 2006
- Remedies : examples and explanations / Richard L. Hasen KF9010.Z9 H37 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
- Legislation and statutory interpretation by William N. Eskridge, Jr., Philip P. Frickey, Elizabeth Garrett KF425 .E834 2000
Sum and Substance
Some examples:
- Evidence : [essay exams and analysis] / by Michael H. Graham St. Paul, MN : Thomson/West, c2008 KF8935.Z9 G69a 2008
- Federal income tax : [multiple choice exams and analysis] / by Robert G. Popovich St. Paul, MN : Thomson/West, c2007 2nd ed KF6369.85 .P67 2007
- Property / by Peter T. Wendel, St. Paul, MN : Thomson/West, c2007, KF570.Z9 W45 2007
Understanding Series
- Understanding antitrust and its economic implications / E. Thomas Sullivan, Jeffrey L. Harrison KF1649 .S89 2003
- Understanding bankruptcy / Jeff Ferriell, Edward J. Janger KF1524 .F47 2007
- Understanding copyright law / Marshall A. Leaffer KF2994 .L43 1999
- Understanding corporate taxation / Leandra Lederman KF6464 .L426 2006
- Understanding employment discrimination / Thomas R. Haggard KF3464 .H34 2008
- Understanding family law / John De Witt Gregory, Peter N. Swisher, Sheryl L. Wolf KF505 .G734 2005
- Understanding federal income taxation / J. Martin Burke, Michael K. Friel KF6369.3 .B87 2008
- Understanding Insurance Law, Robert H. Jerry II, Douglas R. Richmond, KF1164 .J47 2007
- Understanding juvenile law / Martin R. Gardner KF9780 .G37 2003
- Understanding labor law / Douglas E. Ray, Calvin William Sharpe, Robert N. Strassfeld KF3319 .R39 2005
- Understanding local government law / by Sandra M. Stevenson KF5300 .S74 2003
- Understanding Patent Law, Amy L. Landers KF3114 .L36 2008
- Understanding remedies / James M. Fischer KF9010 .F57 1999
- Understanding trademark law/Mary LaFrance KF3180 .L34 2005
Kaplan PMBR “Core Concepts and Key Questions” series
Some examples:
- Conflict of laws : Core Concepts and Key Questions / Robert Feinberg, KF412 .C66 2007
- Corporations : Core concepts and Key Questions / Robert Feinberg, KF1414 .C694 2007
- Remedies : core concepts and key questions / Robert Feinberg, KF9016 .R45 2007
- Kaplan PMBR Finals : Torts, Kaplan Publishing, 2007 KF1250.Z9 T653 2007
Mastering Series
The Mastering series ,born in 2008, is easy to read and offers key terms highlighted and explained. Each chapter has a beginning road map and ending checkpoints for review.
- Mastering Criminal Law/ Ellen S. Podgor et al.- KF9219 .P63 2008
- Mastering Products Liability, Ronald W. Eades - KF1296 .E18 2008
- Mastering Bankruptcy/ George W. Kuney - KF1524 .K86 2008
- Mastering Intellectual Property / George W. Kuney, Donna C. Looper - KF2979 .K86 2009
- Mastering Statutory Interpretation / Linda D. Jellum - KF425 .J455 2008
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:
- Bankruptcy/ [sound recording] / by David Epstein, Steve Nickles KF1524 .E678 2006
- Civil Procedure / by Arthur R. Miller [sound recording] KF8841 .M56 1999
- Criminal Procedure / by Joshua Dressler [sound recording] KF9616.3 .D74 2005
- Exam skills [sound recording] : essay writing / by Steven Bracci KF285.Z9 B73 1996
- Entertainment Law [sound recording] / by Sherri Burr KF4290 .B877 2008
- Family Law / by Roger E. Schechter, [sound recording] KF505.Z9 S34 2002
- Federal Income Tax, [sound recording] / by Frank J. Doti KF6300.Z9 D67 2004
- Intellectual property [sound recording] / John R. Thomas KF2979 .T46 2000
- Products liability [sound recording] / by Steven R. Finz KF1296 .F55 1996
- 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
- Mastering the law school exam : a practical blueprint for preparing and taking law school exams Suzanne Darrow-Kleinhaus KF283 .D37 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
- Exam skills [sound recording] : essay writing / by Steven Bracci KF285.Z9 B73 1996
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. On the CALI Legal Concepts & Skills page, there are a number of CALI lessons geared toward test-taking and law school success, for example:
Advice to a 1L from a Law Professor
How to Brief A Case
Preparing for Your First Semester of Law School
Tips for Multiple Choice Exams
Top 10 Tips for Successfully Writing a Law School Essay
- 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 eleven 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 )