How To Score An A In CAIE AS Level Law

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Understanding What Makes AS Law Different

Law rewards structure, not memorisation.
Examiners look for clarity, precision, legal accuracy.
A* comes from applying law to facts, not writing long essays.
A* students don’t write more—they write better.
The exam is predictable once you recognise patterns.
Every question requires:
- Identification of issue
- Statement of rule
- Case authority
- Application
- Mini-conclusion

Core Principles For A*

Treat Law as logic, not English writing.
Prioritise AO2 and AO3 over AO1.
Case names act as anchors—they prove you know the law.
Clear linking words (“therefore,” “because,” “this means,” “as a result”) elevate your application.
Aim for legal compression: maximum law in minimum words.
Use bullet-style paragraphs: small, sharp, examiner-friendly.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

Paper Understanding Blueprint

Paper 1 Focus Areas

Legal system
Sources of law
Judicial precedent
Statutory interpretation
Law reform
Delegated legislation

Paper 2 Focus Areas

Civil liability (Negligence, Occupiers’ liability)
Criminal liability (Actus reus, Mens rea, Defences)
Remedies
Damages
Sentencing

*A Requirement Across Both Papers**

Precise legal definitions
Clear structure
Direct application
One case per point
Evaluation where demanded

What Examiners Reward

Clean issue identification
Definitions in one line
Case ratios in 4–8 words
Application tied to specific facts
Mini-conclusion after each point
Use of legal terminology:
- Ratio decidendi
- Obiter dicta
- Mischief rule
- Literal rule
- Duty of care
- Factual causation
- Legal causation

What Examiners Penalise

Storytelling
Long intros
Long conclusions
Repeating the question
Giving case names without ratios
Missing command words
Writing everything you know
Answering without structure

*A Writing Structure (Use In Every Long Answer)**

1. State Issue

Short.
Example: “Issue: Whether D owed a duty of care.”

2. State Rule

Legal principle only.
Example: “A duty of care exists if Caparo’s three-stage test is satisfied.”

3. Add Case Authority

One case. One ratio.
Example: “Caparo v Dickman (three-stage duty test).”

4. Apply To Scenario

2–3 lines maximum.
Always use the names in the question.
Example: “Here, Adam’s failure to fix the loose tile creates foreseeability of harm….”

5. Give Mini Conclusion

Example: “Therefore, Adam is likely to have owed a duty.”

Repeat the structure for each element.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

*Case Law Memory Framework (A Friendly)**

Civil Law Cases

Donoghue v Stevenson — neighbour principle
Caparo v Dickman — three-stage test
Hill v CC West Yorkshire — policy limits
Nettleship v Weston — learner driver duty
Blyth v Birmingham Waterworks — reasonable man test
Wagon Mound — remoteness of damage
Bolton v Stone — risk magnitude

Criminal Law Cases

R v White — factual causation
R v Pagett — but-for test
R v Roberts — foreseeable victim reaction
R v Blaue — thin skull rule
R v Cunningham — subjective recklessness
R v G — clarified recklessness
R v Mohan — direct intent

How To Memorise Cases

Ratio in 5–7 words.
Group cases by topic.
Make your own one-page case sheet.
Practise applying each case in 1–2 lines.

Exam Technique For A*

Start With The Easiest Question

Builds confidence.
Ensures quick marks.
Prevents early burnout.

Use Time Blocks

Section A: 35 minutes
Section B: 40 minutes
Section C: 35 minutes
Extra: 10 minutes buffer

Never Leave Questions Blank

Even partial structure earns marks.

Underline Legal Terms (Lightly)

Makes answers look organised.

Plan Before Writing

30 seconds per question to outline rule + case.
Saves minutes of rewriting.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

The Evaluation Technique That Separates A from A*

When To Use Evaluation

Only in long, analytical questions.
If examiner asks:
- “Discuss”
- “Evaluate”
- “Consider”
- “To what extent”

Evaluation Points You Can Use Every Time

Certainty vs flexibility
Fairness vs practicality
Judicial creativity vs parliamentary supremacy
Policy reasons (floodgates, resources, public interest)
Complexity vs clarity
Modern relevance vs outdated rules

Evaluation Writing Pattern

“This approach creates certainty because…”
“However, it can cause unfair outcomes when…”
“Reform could include…”
“Overall, the law strikes a balance by…”

Keep each evaluation 2–3 lines max.

*Common Student Errors That Kill A Potential**

Writing cases without relevance
Forgetting to apply to scenario
Writing like English essays
Giving long introductions
Not using legal terminology
Leaving evaluation for the end instead of embedding it
Over-writing weak points

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

*The A Revision Plan (4 Weeks)**

Week 1: Core Notes + Case Sheets

Rewrite bullet-point notes.
Make one-page summaries for each topic.
Memorise 5–7 major cases per area.

Week 2: Application Drills

Solve scenario questions.
Apply each case to 5 different hypothetical situations.
Short writing practice only.

Week 3: Past Paper Topic Batches

Group questions by topic.
Practise 8–10 questions per area.
Compare answers with mark schemes.

Week 4: Full Papers Under Timed Conditions

4–6 full papers.
Strict timing.
Identify pattern errors.
Final case law polishing.

*Daily Law Study Routine (A Level)**

25 minutes reading
25 minutes writing practice
10 minutes case memorisation
10 minutes scenario application
5 minutes answer review
Repeat cycle twice per day

Final Exam Week Strategy

No new content.
Only scenarios + past papers.
Re-memorise key cases.
Write out structures until automatic.
Sleep regular hours (affects logic).

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Law Free Material

Hunain Zia has previously achieved considerable success in the high-school educational stream, gaining a massive 154 Total A Grades and 7 Major Distinctions, a process in which he broke/ set 11 different world records, including the most A grades ever achieved, most subjects ever appeared in, most distinctions, gaining distinctions across two separate boards (Pearson Edexcel and CAIE) within the same year/ ever, and even 19 hours of constant examination. All records stand intact today. Hunain pursued his Honors Accounting Degree from the prestigious Bentley University, and then completed an LLB (in Honors) from University of London. Currently, he manages multiple social and commercial projects, has founded digital streams and works tirelessly in the education sector.

Educate A Change focuses on truly bringing change in the educational sector worldwide. All our courses are designed to ensure success, and provide complete preparation without requiring any other external material. Therefore, it takes away the expense of academies, books, past paper compilations and other miscellaneous items. Instead, by just the courses we offer, the student can prepare fully for the best grades in their CAIEs, Edexcel and other high-school exams. The earnings from our course-sales are invested in social projects and growing the free educational activities of Educate A Change.