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VCE Stuff => VCE Business Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Legal Studies => Topic started by: eeps on December 10, 2011, 10:24:39 pm

Title: Legal Studies advice
Post by: eeps on December 10, 2011, 10:24:39 pm
Having done this subject in 2011, I thought I'd give some brief general advice for those of you doing Legal Studies in 2012 and beyond. Note, all my advice is purely based on my experience of this subject. If you have your own method and it works for you, stick with it.



An essential key to scoring well in Legal Studies is to provide examples. Generally, where a question is worth more than 2 marks, you should provide an example to back up what you’re saying. It shows a greater depth of knowledge to the assessor/your teacher (who’s marking your work) - whether it be the name of an act or case with a description, a specific section of the Constitution etc. This is what makes a student successful in this subject; knowing how to the question. It doesn’t take much effort to memorise these finer points/examples. With practice, it will become second-nature to you.

The actual content itself in Legal Studies isn’t overly hard compared to other VCE subjects. However, the difference from a score of 40 to 45 to 50 can be a matter of marks, which is why I stress the importance of knowing how to answer the question. If you’re aiming high in this subject, note that you cannot afford to drop many marks on SACs or the exam. Also, in terms of knowing how to the question, the number of lines and marks allocated to questions indicate the appropriate length of answer/how much to write in your answer so you provide sufficient detail (not too much/too little). A question worth five marks obviously requires more detail compared to a question worth two marks.

Unlike most other subjects, the phrase “practice makes perfect” can, and does apply to this subject. The more questions you expose yourself to, the more likely your results will improve. Doing various questions from external companies, past VCAA questions will only aid to improve your results.
 
STUDY TIPS

For a subject like Legal Studies where there is a lot of information to remember, try different methods of revising. Be inventive. For example, try writing out flash cards - i.e. write the word “Senate” on one side with the definition/its’ function on the other side. Get your parents/siblings to test you. Other tips for revising are to gather a group of friends together and form a "study group". Meet up weekly/monthly and go over the key concepts in that area of study prior to a SAC and even the exam. Test each other. This will benefit all involved.

USE YOUR TEACHER
   
This is very important. Ask him/her a lot of questions if you’re unsure of anything. It’s best to ask your teacher as soon as possible if you don’t understand something, rather than leaving it to the day before a SAC or the exam.
 
KEEP AHEAD IF POSSIBLE

I found worked for me. By keeping ahead of your class/cohort, you have an advantage as the material that your teacher is going through will be new to other students, but reinforcing what you already know. You will have gone over the material two or three times already. Obviously if you have SACs/other commitments which take priority, then Legal Studies can take a back seat. Additionally during the term breaks, it is useful (if you have time) to get ahead.

SACS

My only comment here is not get too down if you receive one or two poor SAC results. Look over the errors you made, understand why you lost marks here or there and move on. Ask your teacher. SACs aren’t the “be and end all” - there will be plenty of SACs throughout the year to redeem yourself if you do poorly on one or two SACs.

STUDY DESIGN

This is one document I would suggest printing and keeping a copy of. Print out a copy of the new study design which can be on the VCAA website (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au) and use it as a guide. It gives (in dot points) what sorts of things you should know for each AOS (area of study). VCAA and your teacher can only test you what’s on the study design. They can’t test anything outside those boundaries. The study design will also save time when it comes to SAC revision. Make notes based on the specific dot points listed for each AOS, and this will save you a lot of time and work.



The best piece of advice I can give is to work hard and put in a consistent effort all year round, as goes with any subject. If you’re willing to make the time and effort to do the work, then you’ll go a long way to succeeding in Legal Studies. The subject itself isn’t too difficult once you understand the content and do practice questions. As much as your tutors, teachers etc. can assist you, it’s ultimately your responsibility to take care of your education. If you work hard then you’ll get your just rewards.

The end.

If you have any queries/concerns etc. - feel free to PM me because I've locked this thread.
Title: Re: Legal Studies advice
Post by: eeps on February 05, 2012, 05:09:44 pm
Part 2:

What if I haven’t done Legal Studies 1/2? Is Legal Studies 3/4 difficult?

Short answer to that is: it doesn’t really matter if you didn’t do Legal Studies 1/2. The key concepts and ideas are repeated again in the Unit 3/4 textbooks, so there isn’t really a big disadvantage if you didn’t do Units 1 and 2. Plenty of students achieve scores of 40 or better (who haven’t done Unit 1/2). It really comes back to how hard you work and the effort you make to succeed. Anything is possible with hard work.

Is there any scaling in Legal Studies?

Based off previous years, no. What your raw score is tends to end up as your scaled score. So if achieve 40 raw, then 40 is your score. However, this subject does scale down by 1 if you get below a certain score I believe. The scaling a subject shouldn’t deter you from undertaking it. Above anything else, you should choose subjects which you have an interest in/passion for.

Is tutoring necessary to succeed in Legal Studies?

This is a subjective question. It really depends on the individual, one’s work ethic and their ability. The only thing I’d add here is that as much as your tutors, teachers etc. can assist you, it’s ultimately your responsibility to take care of your education.