Exam shazaam

Law exams approach like a pungent swarm of cave trolls. They're big, they're cruel, and they're hard to understand.

My thesis is done but I am required to "offer" examinations in my three taught courses. Such is the way of the Oxford BCL. I begin on June 30 and, thanks to a nicely distributed schedule, finish on July 11. The format is much like undergraduate exams, with the masters students gathering in ye olde Examination Schools with pens in hand, clad in full sub-fusc (academic dress) and sweating like Fat Albert in a wool sleeping bag waiting in an Iranian election queue. I've heard rumours that the Examination Schools building is air-conditioned, but I had also heard rumours that English bathroom plumbing was entering the modern era, so I have my doubts...

The Exam Schools

I have no doubt that these exams will be difficult. One is expected to know an enormous amount of English law, both within and surrounding the course in question, and all of it is closed-book (unlike North America). I'm making my way through the material and I have a decent level of confidence in my exam technique (probably as important as actual knowledge), but I must admit that the trolls have me scared. At least I get to take them on one at a time, like Hercules in the old cartoons. Unfortunately, the limited range of grades that one can achieve for the overall program consists of (a) fail (b) pass (second class) and (c) distinction (first class). Almost no one fails and very few get a first, although the prevailing mantra is that "everyone here is capable of getting a first". Hmmm. As you advance to a high level in your chosen endeavour, you inevitably learn that there really is truth in the saying "there's always someone smarter". The Oxford graduate law program is brimming with a lot of clever people. For the first time in my academic life I don't snort when other students ask questions, something I did fairly often at UBC law where alleged 8+ GPA types with degrees in political science, english, philosophy, etc would make cretinous statements. Not so here. This does appear to be a cretin-free zone!

The other day I was talking to two fellow students from Northern Ireland and India. We agreed that almost anyone here has the potential to spock out on his or her exams and receive the illustrious Distinction, but that very few will actually do so. As such, each of us is prepared for the unglamourous "pass".

I'm prepared for it, but I'm not accepting it yet. The trolls shall die.

We kicked some ass today, Newt!