Exam Preparation Resources

I . Books in the NYLS Library

Annual compilation of bar examination questions [KF303 .I57 Stacks & Reference]
West Hartford, Conn. : Institute for Bar Review Study, 1972-1980
Annual compilation of bar examination questions
and answers [KF303 .I57 Reference]
West Hartford, Conn. : Institute for Bar Review Study, 1981-
Burkhart, Ann M.
How to study law and take law exams in a nutshell [KF283 .B97 1996 Reserve]
St. Paul, Minn. : West Pub. Co., 1996

Dernbach, John C.
A practical guide to writing law school essay exams [KF283 .D47 2001]
Littleton, Colo. : F.B. Rothman, 2001

Fischl. Richard Michael
Getting to maybe: how to excel on law school exams [KF283 .F57 1999]
Durham, N.C. Carolina Academic Press, c1999

Frank, Steven J.
Learning the law : success in law school and beyond [KF283 .F73 1992]
New York : Carol Pub. Group, c1992

Harvard Law School
Annual examinations in law [KF292.H37 A24 Reference]
Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Law School
Kinyon, Stanley Van Eman
Introduction to law study and law examinations in a nutshell
St. Paul, MN: West Publishing 1971 [KF273 .K5]

Walton, Kimm Alayne
Strategies & tactics for the first year law student : maximize your grades [KF283 .W352 1997 Reserve]
South Norwalk, Conn. : Law In a Flash, c1990

Whitebread, Charles H.
The eight secrets of top exam performance in law school : an easy-to-use, step-by-step program for achieving great grades! [KF283 .W45 1995]
Chicago, Ill. : Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Pub., c1995

II. New York Law School Exam Archive on the Intranet

This consists of exams released to the Library by NYLS faculty. Please note that professors are not required to release exams to the Library and many choose not to do so. Consequently, you may not be able to find an exam for either your class or your professor. All exams are in Adobe Portable Document format (PDF) and are viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view, navigate, or print PDF files across all major computing platforms. The Adobe Acrobat Reader has been installed on all machines in the Library and the student computer labs.

You must have this software installed on your personal or home computer in order to view the exam files. If you already have configured your Web browser to use the Adobe Acrobat PDF reader, PDF files can be viewed directly by clicking on the file name.

The exam archive is maintained by the Circulation Department. Questions regarding available exams should be directed to Ping Tian, Circulation Manager (telephone 212-431-2333; email:ptian@nyls.edu)

Sample and Practice Exams (Posted on the NYLS Intranet; requires NYLS network login.) If you're having a problem logging in, contact 212-431-2316.

III. CALI Lesson in Examination Skills

The CALI Library of Lessons is a collection of over 250 interactive, computer-based lessons covering 28 legal education subject areas. The CALI lessonss may be used in the student computer labs, downloaded from the web, or run off the CD-ROM (available at the Library Reference Desk)
William R. Andersen, Writing Better Law School Exams: The Importance of Structure
This interactive program is designed to be useful to students interested in improving their exam-writing techniques. In much of the written work done by lawyers (including writing exams as students), a special form of writing is used. The program begins with an explicit discussion of that form, and the structural implications it has. Within that specific context, the program goes on to discuss the tasks to be performed, the tools used in performing those tasks, and methods of sharpening those tools. The program concludes with some interactive opportunities to try the techniques described. Note: This lesson requires Macromedia Flash Player)

To download lessons, you will be asked to create an account (with the law school access code) the first time you visit the CALI site. Contact the Reference Desk in person or send an email from your NYLS account. You may also pick up the CALI CD at the Reference Desk. Click here for more info about the CALI lessons.

IV. Exams from Other Law Schools on the InternetWriting answers to professors’ old final exams is an excellent way for students to prepare for exams. It can also be helpful to look at other law school exams that are available online. A number of law schools/law libraries maintain freely available collections of their school’s exams:


V. Other Resources

Mendik Matters

[Hours]

LIBRARY HOURS
JUNE 1-5, 2009
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Reserve materials for classes are available 9 am – 6 pm at Room 701, 40 Worth Street.
Books can be returned in person or by using the book drops located on the 14th floor (40 Worth) or at the student cafeteria (47 Worth).
7th floor computer labs and study rooms are open.
14th floor study rooms are open.
Reference and Reserve areas at 185 W Broadway are closed until further notice.

Research Questions? Email us at reference@nyls.edu.

[Contact Information]

Reference:
212.431.2332
reference@nyls.edu
AIM: nylslib

Circulation:
212.431.2333
reference@nyls.edu

Interlibrary Loan
212.431.2149
interlibraryloan@nyls.edu