Why Keywords Matter More Than Length Examiners mark using tight AO1/AO2 descriptors. Keywords signal: a. legal accuracy b. element recognition c. correct case usage d. proper sequencing Using the “right words” makes examiners instantly comfortable. Using vague or casual words …
Why Some Students Always Score Higher (Even With Same Knowledge) They don’t write “more” — they write smarter. Their answers look clean, structured, examiner-friendly. They know exactly how examiners think. They know what triggers marks and what wastes time. They …
Why Multi-Offence Scenarios Scare Students They mix several offences (theft + robbery + burglary + criminal damage). Facts appear out of order. Legal issues are hidden inside long narrative sentences. Students get overwhelmed and write messy, unstructured essays. Examiners repeatedly …
Why Case Usage Determines Your Exam Outcome AS Law examiners repeatedly state: “Candidates named cases but did not use them effectively.” Students either: a. use no cases → lose AO1/AO2 marks b. use too many cases → waste time …
Why Element-Based Analysis Is the Highest-Scoring Exam Skill AS Law scenarios look complicated because facts are mixed together. Examiners design them to hide legal issues across multiple sentences. A* students do not read stories — they extract elements. Every offence …
Why Over-Explaining Destroys Marks Over-explaining = writing too much law and too little application. Examiners call this “narrative answers” — the lowest-scoring style. Students think more detail = higher marks, but AS Law rewards precision, not paragraphs. Over-explaining wastes time …
Why Students Panic When They Don’t Know the Rule They expect every question to match their notes. They try to remember exact textbook wording. They think not knowing the rule = losing the whole question. They forget that AS Law …
Why Application (AO2) Decides Your Grade AO2 is the single most important skill in AS Law. AO2 = applying law to facts. AO2 is where A* students separate from A/B/C students. Students often know rules and cases (AO1), but fail …
Why AO1 Definitions Matter AO1 is a major portion of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Examiners look for precision, not paragraphs. A definition is correct only when legally accurate. Wrong or vague wording = lost marks. Accurate AO1 supports AO2 …
Why Case Law Memory Fails For Most Students Students try to memorise full judgments. Students think examiners want long case facts. Students confuse ratio with obiter. Students rely on storytelling. Students overstuff answers with irrelevant cases. A* students do the …