Pre-Writing for Your Law Exams in London!

Preparing for Private Law Tutor in London can feel like navigating a legal maze — complex, high-pressure, and full of surprises. Whether you're studying at King's College London, UCL, Queen Mary, or any of the other prestigious institutions, one thing is certain: preparation is key, and pre-writing can give you a sharp academic edge.

In this guide, we’ll explore what pre-writing is, why it's essential for law students, and how you can master it to excel in your exams.

What Is Pre-Writing?

Pre-writing is the process of planning and organizing your response before you begin the actual writing. It involves outlining, brainstorming, and structuring your argument in advance.

Unlike simple note-taking or reading, pre-writing simulates the actual exam environment and forces you to think critically about how you'll present your legal arguments, apply case law, and structure your essay or problem answer.

Why Pre-Writing Matters in Law Exams

1. Time Management

Law exams in the UK are notoriously time-pressured. With only 45 to 60 minutes per question, there's little room for hesitation. Pre-writing helps you develop an efficient framework, ensuring you use your time wisely and avoid going off track.

2. Clarity of Argument

Pre-writing encourages you to organize your legal reasoning logically, helping you avoid rambling and making your points more persuasive and easier to follow.

3. Reduced Exam Anxiety

Walking into an exam with a clear strategy and practiced structure can greatly reduce stress, allowing you to perform with confidence.

4. Better Application of Law

When you pre-write, you get used to matching legal rules to facts, applying precedents, and identifying key issues. This improves your ability to perform under pressure and tailor answers to specific questions.

Key Pre-Writing Techniques for Law Students

1. IRAC Framework Practice

The IRAC method — Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion — is the gold standard for structuring legal answers. Pre-writing gives you the chance to:

• Identify potential legal issues in hypothetical fact patterns.
• Recall and write out the relevant rules and authorities.
• Apply them to mock facts.
• Conclude with clarity.

Tip: Practice IRAC by taking past exam questions and outlining answers without writing full essays. Focus on structuring your points clearly.

2. Outlining Essays Beforehand

Pick common topics such as contract law, torts, public law, or criminal law, and draft outlines for essay questions. Each outline should include:

• A brief introduction (context and thesis).
• Main points or arguments.
• Supporting cases/statutes.
• Potential counter-arguments.
• A strong conclusion.

This prepares your brain to work in structured blocks rather than freewriting under pressure.

3. Brain Dumping

Before you dive into an answer, spend 2–5 minutes brainstorming:

• Key legal concepts that apply.
• Relevant cases and statutes.
• Possible themes or approaches.
• Logical order for your answer.

Train yourself to do this quickly, as it mimics what you’ll do in an exam setting.

4. Flash Outlines

Use flash outlines during revision: rapid, skeletal plans of how you’d approach a question. For instance:

Question: “Discuss the liability in negligence of a doctor who failed to diagnose a serious illness.”

Flash Outline:

• Duty of care – Donoghue v Stevenson, Bolam Test
• Breach of duty – Bolitho, reasonable standard
• Causation – Barnett v Chelsea
• Damage – Was the harm foreseeable?
• Defences – Volenti? Contributory negligence?
• Conclusion

By doing this repeatedly, the structure becomes second nature.

Incorporating London-Specific Resources

Being in London gives you access to world-class legal libraries, public lectures, and university support systems. Take advantage of:

• The British Library: Excellent legal collections and a quiet study environment.
• University Law Clinics: Practice applying law to real-life scenarios.
• Past Exam Papers: Most London universities provide these — use them for realistic pre-writing exercises.
• Study Groups: Collaborate with classmates to exchange outlines and ideas.

Common Pre-Writing Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Writing Full Essays During Revision Only

While full essays are good practice, focusing only on writing essays without planning can lead to poor time management in exams. Balance both.

❌ Ignoring the Mark Scheme

Your outlines should reflect what markers look for: legal accuracy, structure, clarity, and application. Always keep the mark scheme in mind while pre-writing.

❌ Overcomplicating Your Plans

Pre-writing is meant to simplify, not confuse. Keep your outlines concise, with clear headings and bullet points.

Final Tips Before Exam Day

1. Practice under timed conditions – Simulate the real exam to develop speed and confidence.
2. Use a legal vocabulary cheat sheet – Memorize key phrases and transitions to keep writing smooth.
3. Stick to a plan – Have a go-to approach for each question type: essay, problem, or hybrid.
4. Stay consistent – Pre-writing once a week isn’t enough. Integrate it into your daily revision routine.

Conclusion

Pre-writing isn’t just a warm-up exercise — it’s a proven, practical strategy that transforms how you approach your law exams in London. It boosts your legal thinking, sharpens your responses, and enhances exam performance. Whether you're tackling tort law or constitutional principles, taking time to pre-write is an investment in clarity, structure, and success.