It's the BSB centrally set Professional Ethics assessment today on the BPTC. If you are sitting it, here are my top tips [Thread]
@BPPLawSchool @CityUniLondon @UniversityofLaw @NorthumbriaLaw @mmu_law @CardiffLaw @UWELaw @LawNLS @middletemple
@BPPLawSchool @CityUniLondon @UniversityofLaw @NorthumbriaLaw @mmu_law @CardiffLaw @UWELaw @LawNLS @middletemple
1. This year it's 2.5 hours to tackle 6 questions. Plan your time wisely. Split equally, you have 25 minutes per question but you might want to spend 5 minutes at the start deciding which order to take them in.
2. The mark scheme is described as rigid but it does contain the realistic & mark worthy points a candidate might make. There are apocryphal stories of people who write marvellous things which don't attract a mark. Not in my years of experience. (I've marked every exam to date)
3. Apply the code of conduct to the facts. Do this clearly with a simple, sensible structure. Allow the examiner to see that you have identified the correct bit of the code and are applying it to a relevant bit of the scenario.
4. Do not just parrot out sections of the code and hope that the examiner can magically see how they apply. They won't. Nor should you play hide and seek by putting a bit of the code at the top of the page and hiding how it applies elsewhere. Save fun games for later.
5. Make sure you don't write mutually exclusive points. There's a difference between writing two possible compatible decisions you might make and two that are diametrically opposed and entirely incompatible.
6. Make sure you write enough. Use the number of marks available as a guide to the number of points you need to make. Points can be worth 0.5 or 1 mark so my rule of thumb is double the number of marks and make at least that many points
7. Write clearly. I can only mark what I can read. There is a protocol for others to try and mark where one marker can't discern what is read, but ultimately, if it can't be read, it can't attract any marks.
8. Attempt all of the questions. Trite? Perhaps but I've seen people run out of time towards the end. It's a matter for you, but I take the view that you are more likely to pass by attempting every question even if that means leaving one at little earlier than planned
9. Write precisely. May and must are not interchangeable. You may need to write about litigation in the context of the question. Again, quash is what you can do to an indictment. Squash, cubed and roasted in olive oil is delicious in a risotto
10. Good luck Remember when you leave the exam hall, you must leave the exam in the room. Not just the paper, but the hours of prep. Don't dwell on your performance as it will impact the other assessments you still need to take. Stay ethical, but leave the assessment in the room.
