Law school audio study material and prep

Aspiring lawyers face many challenges. The heavy workload involves a lot of reading, from reviewing case briefs and study guides to memorizing constitutional law and legal jargon.

But law school is about more than just studying. Students learn how to network, handle pressure, and hone their time management skills.

Here, we’re covering the most helpful study aids for law school. These resources help law students improve their academic performance and prepare for the bar exam.

What are law exams like?

Being a lawyer is rewarding, but finishing law school can be challenging. First-year students often dread exam season because they don’t know what to expect.

Law school exams typically contain issue-spotter questions. These are hypothetical questions that describe an event with far-reaching legal consequences. Students must discuss the situation thoroughly and show a deep understanding of relevant laws.

You’ll usually reference required reading or material discussed during your courses. Depending on your exam, you may reference the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or criminal law statutes.

Some law school exams may also contain policy questions. A policy question tests students’ ability to argue their case and is usually based on in-class theoretical discussions.

You’ll rarely see multiple-choice questions in your exams. In the rare case that you do, you’ll have to rely on your critical thinking skills. The questions and answers in such examples don’t necessarily test how well a student has memorized relevant material. Instead, they measure how well they can connect what they’ve learned so far.

So, how long do law school exams take? They usually fall into two categories. In-class exams typically last for three hours, while take-home exams could take up to eight hours. However, the time limit varies based on the school of law you’re attending.

Useful study aids for law school

Aspiring lawyers often stress the importance of exam prep. Paying attention in classes, discussions, and seminars is valuable, but concise study aids ensure that students absorb and retain the information.

Your school’s law library

Never underestimate the catalog of your school’s law library. If you’re a first-year student, talk to the school’s academic law librarian about the study aids you can find in the library.

Academic law librarians are in constant contact with other faculty members and follow the latest civil and criminal law developments. They have the expertise to recommend study guides covering various legal issues.

If your school library doesn’t have what you’re looking for, you can check out online libraries like the Aspen Learning Library for law school resources.

Short & Happy Guides

Short & Happy Guides make complex subject matter more accessible and break it down into easy-to-understand topics. They’re also invaluable for lawyers who have passed the bar exam and want to brush up on a particular topic.

The subject matter covered in the Short & Happy Guides includes:

• Business organizations
• Bankruptcy
• Client counseling and interviewing
• Business contracts
• Constitutional law
• Criminal procedure
• Criminal law
• Torts
• Copyright
• Elder law
• Federal income taxation
• Mediation
• Networking
• Treatises

Flash cards

In addition to using study guides, law students benefit significantly from studying with flash cards.

Flash cards are one of the most popular study methods because they bolster active recall by stimulating memory and forming long-term connections to the study material.

When making flashcards, try to use drawings and pictures to make the subject matter more engaging. Also, focus on both sides of your cards. Some students only try to answer the question. Upgrade your strategy and look at the answers. Then, try to predict what questions your professors may ask.

Remember that the goal is to learn the study material, not just memorize it. But creating flash cards doesn’t have to be boring. You can use colored paper to separate your courses and markers to highlight the most important information.

Concise Hornbooks

Concise Hornbooks are a series of short treatises that cover the most critical issues of different law branches. The series is an excellent supplement to many law school courses, from criminal procedure and tort law to free trade agreements and government contracts.

The Concise Hornbooks are a step-by-step guide to applying laws and statutes to real-life situations. These guides use examples from pop culture and current events to simplify complex topics.

Besides Concise Hornbooks, law students should also check out the Black Letter Outline series and the Acing series.

The Acing Law School collection organizes study material in check marks, helping students better remember critical terms and concepts.

Audio lectures

In recent years, some higher education institutions, including law schools, have begun to make accessibility a top priority. As a result, students have gained access to classroom and lecture recordings.

With audio aids, law students can make studying a stress-free, podcast-like experience. You can listen to audio lectures wherever you go—during your lunch break or commute. Additionally, you can focus on making concise notes as the narrator gives relevant examples.

Some of the most popular audio lectures for law students come from the Sum and Substance Audio series. The short recordings are a time-saver for students prepping for several exams. They’re available on the West Academic website.

Your law school may have the Glannon Guides in audio format. These short discussions explore legal subjects and end with a set of multiple-choice questions for students.

Practice questions and exams

Exam prep in law school should always involve taking practice tests. Students familiarize themselves with the exam form beforehand, so they’re less anxious when the exam day arrives.

As they go through practice quizzes, law students learn how to model answers in a logical and concise way. Moreover, it’s an efficient way for students to review the study materials they covered earlier in the semester.

Text to speech readers

Text to speech (TTS) software can help law students improve productivity and motivation by turning written text into speech.

Not all colleges provide students with lecture recordings, and not all assigned reading is available in an audio format. TTS readers like Speechify are the simplest way to resolve this problem. All you need to do is open a PDF or Word document of a Gilbert Law Summary book, and the program will read the content aloud.

Speechify—The text to speech app designed to help law students

Speechify is the most advanced TTS app on the market. It’s beginner friendly, features a simple interface, and is compatible with computers and mobile devices.

You can use the app to listen to email, articles, and research papers. Aspiring lawyers can make their studying more enjoyable and turn case briefs, nutshells, and other study aids into podcasts with quality narration.

Try it today for free and see how it can help you become an exam pro.

FAQ

What are the benefits of audio study material?

Audio study materials promote active participation because students can read and listen simultaneously. Moreover, they help students with a heavy course load save time and have become invaluable assistive tools in special education.

What is the difference between a public and private law school?

Public law schools rely on government funding to reduce tuition fees. On the other hand, private law schools receive most of their funding from students, resulting in higher tuition fees.