How to get an A*/A in A level Law

Although A level Law is not required to study LLB Law it can be an excellent way to gain various transferable skills, such as critical thinking and commercial awareness. 

Many students fail to utilise effective strategies that maximise their grades, ultimately falling short of their potential. According to Schools Week the number of students attaining an A* and an A has declined since 2021. 

However, that shouldn’t deter you from aiming for the top! We’re here to help you secure that A*/A.  A level Law is often challenging, but it doesn’t need to be – stay tuned for our tips and tricks.

Here at The Profs, we are determined to give you all the necessary strategies and guidance to earn your A-A*. At The Profs, 93% of our surveyed students received their target grade, and 83% of our students received a grade increase. That’s what makes our expert Law tutors perfect to support you through your A levels and help you receive the best possible outcome.

Whether you’re a student aiming to enhance your academic performance or a parent seeking support for your child, this guide offers the blueprint for achieving an A-A* in A level Law. So, keep reading for expert advice!  Navigate your journey to academic success and become proficient in legal studies with A-Level Law Tutors at The Profs, where our expert guidance shapes your future career pathway.

Content:

• A level Law: Specification overview
• A level Law: Exam overview
• Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level Law?
• A level Law: Learning techniques
• A level Law: Revision resources 
• Strategies to improve your revision for A level Law
• Exam tips and strategies 
• Benefit from our expert guidance in A level Law 
• FAQs

A level Law: Specification overview 

A key strategy for achieving your best in the course and exams is to master the details of your syllabus. Consider the syllabus as the essential ingredients of a recipe! Knowing all the topics that could be tested guarantees that you’ll avoid any unexpected challenges during your revision or worse, when you’re taking the exams.

Specifications will vary depending on your exam board. Check out the table below for an overview of the A level Law specification for different exam boards. Remember, these can vary slightly from year to year as exam boards often update teaching requirements, so always double-check according to your A level date.

A level Law: Exam overview 

Understanding the exam format is essential for securing an A or A*. It helps you concentrate your studies on key areas and manage your time effectively. This familiarity reduces exam anxiety and enhances your performance, ensuring top marks.

Have a look at the table below for detailed information on the exam papers for each exam board: 

AQA: A level

OCR: AS level 

OCR: A level

It is important to bear in mind that many schools no longer offer AS level. They may examine students with their own exam papers. Make sure you check with your school for the most relevant information!

Do you need help to understand your exam format for A level Law? Our expert Law tutors can clarify the different papers and topics, as well as prepare for the exams. Ignite your potential with The Profs’ Law Tutors and steer your career towards unparalleled success.

Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level Law?

Each exam board requires a different amount of marks for each grade boundary. Grade boundaries will also change from year to year depending on the difficulty of the exam. Below are the grade boundaries for the 2023 cycle:

AS level:

A level:

Feel overwhelmed with understanding the grades and how to reach them? Succeed in your academic journey by partnering with The Profs’ expert A-Level Tutors, where tailored guidance meets outstanding results.

A level Law: Learning techniques

Studying A level Law is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires a strategic approach to learning. The subject encompasses a wide array of topics, from the principles of contract and tort law to criminal law and human rights. Empower your academic journey with A-level Human Rights Law Tutors at The Profs and pave the way for a future filled with limitless career opportunities.

Given the complexity and breadth of the syllabus, effective learning techniques are essential for mastering the material and achieving an A or A*. 

By adopting different learning techniques, you can navigate the complexity of law with confidence and competence, laying a solid foundation for further legal studies or careers in the legal profession.

Make handwritten notes: Handwritten notes are invaluable when it comes to note-taking during class as they can increase the retention of your content. 

• Taking handwritten notes is essential for maximum retention. Research by Science News has shown that handwriting words can better aid learning compared to typing notes. With various definitions, legal concepts, and cases to remember, jotting down information by hand is crucial. This process helps solidify your understanding of the material and allows you to check your retention levels, as summarising the content while taking notes is a key aspect of learning.

Interactive reading and annotations: Although you will be given content to copy, it is essential that you interact with this content as opposed to passively copying it down.

• Summarise key points by writing concise summaries of legal principles, case facts, and judgments in your own words. 
• Make sure you annotate texts by using the margins for comments, questions, and insights that arise while reading. 
• Use different colours to highlight key passages, definitions, and significant legal principles. This can help draw your attention to important details, which will be particularly useful during your revision.

Organise notes by topic: Organising your handwritten notes by topic ensures clarity and accessibility, which will prevent you from getting too overwhelmed during revision.

• Dedicate a separate notebook for each major legal topic (e.g., contract law, criminal law, tort law). Keep your notes distinct from one another, rather than having one notebook, which will get too big to utilise effectively for revision.
• If you have resources beyond what is in your textbooks, divide these into different plastic folders. You do not want to make the mistake that a lot of students make, having a huge stack of notes by the end of the course sitting on their table!

Create discussion groups with other A or A* aspiring students: Forming study groups with like-minded peers can significantly enhance your understanding and application of A level Law concepts.

• Reach out to classmates who are similarly motivated to achieve high grades in A level Law. Consider inviting individuals with diverse perspectives and strengths in different legal topics.
• Create a group chat on messaging apps or social media platforms for easy communication and scheduling. Exchange contact information to coordinate meeting times and share relevant resources.
• Pose challenging questions or hypothetical scenarios related to legal principles and case law. Debate different interpretations and implications of legal decisions to deepen understanding.
• Assign readings or case studies to be reviewed before each meeting. Take handwritten notes on key points and questions to guide the discussion.

Ask questions during class: Active participation through asking questions is a vital component of engaging learning in A level Law.

• Identify areas of confusion that you may have by noting down any concepts or legal principles that you find challenging or need clarification on. Formulate specific questions that address your uncertainties or seek further explanation from the teacher, as this can prevent you from going off-topic!
• Understand that asking questions is a proactive approach to deepen your understanding and clarify doubts, not a sign of weakness! Trust in your ability to contribute meaningfully to class discussions by seeking clarification when needed.

Does this feel too overwhelming? Don’t stress. Navigate your journey to success with The Profs’ online tutors and gain the expertise needed to open doors to exciting career opportunities. 

A level Law: Revision resources 

Check out some A level Law revision resources that could be particularly beneficial:

• AQA A level Law revision content.
• Revision world A level law resources.
• Tutor2u revision resources. 

Strategies to improve your revision for A level Law

Mind mapping 

Create mind maps that visually connect legal concepts, cases, and theories. Use branches to outline main topics, with sub-branches for related principles and cases. Use different colours and symbols to distinguish between different types of legal principles (e.g., statutory law, case law). Don’t forget, if you do not like hand-making mind maps, you can use online platforms, such as Nulab, to make them.

Do not ignore topics that you dislike 

Often students fall into the habit of not revising topics they do not like, or leaving them to the last minute. Do not make this mistake as this can be the reason you fall short of receiving an A or A*. 

Allocate dedicated time to understand challenging topics thoroughly. If you are struggling, ask your teachers, or classmates, or consult online resources to clarify difficult concepts. 

Avoid feeling overwhelmed by dividing complex topics into smaller, manageable segments for easier comprehension. Make sure you continuously review disliked topics to improve your understanding and confidence. Connect with the Best Tutors from The Profs to elevate your A-level Law grades, gaining a competitive edge for future studies and career success.

Teach someone else

Teaching someone else is a highly effective method for reinforcing your understanding and retention of law concepts. It is also a great tool to identify your confidence. Often if you struggle teaching someone else a topic it means that it should be an area of extra focus!

Select a willing friend, family member, or study partner and explain key concepts, theories, and studies in law as if you were teaching a class. Encourage your ‘student’ to ask questions and seek clarification on any confusing points. This way you can engage with difficult aspects of a topic.

Make flashcards early on your course, rather than later

You should make flashcards as you are learning the content. When it comes to the revision stage, you should be utilising them (testing yourself), not making them! 

To create flashcards:

• Write a term or concept on one side of the flashcard and its definition or explanation on the other side. When writing the term or concept, write it in the format of a question. Keep flashcards concise and focused on single concepts or pieces of information.
• Use flashcards regularly for spaced repetition, reviewing them frequently to reinforce memory retention.
• Test yourself by shuffling the flashcards and quizzing yourself on the content. Ask other people to quiz you too!

Complete past papers

Past papers are the best forms of active revision as they test your knowledge with a variety of complexities. It also helps you get into the exam mode by simulating the real day!

Practice with past exam papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and types of questions. Also, make sure you do this in timed conditions to heighten the realism of the paper. Analyse the past papers to identify recurring themes, types of questions, and frequently tested topics.Make use of the marks scheme by reviewing incorrect answers to understand misconceptions and areas needing improvement. Note down specific terminologies and structures examiners look for.

Approach our expert Law tutors today to get tailored revision support to make the most out of your revision.

Exam tips and strategies 

Quick Overview of Questions

Before diving into answering any questions in your A level Law exam, it’s useful to begin with a quick scan of all the questions provided. This initial overview allows you to grasp the breadth and scope of the exam, helping you strategise on how to manage your time effectively.

By understanding all the questions upfront, you can prioritise your efforts and decide which questions to tackle first based on your familiarity and confidence with the topics presented. This proactive approach not only helps in planning your time but also ensures that you have a clear roadmap for navigating through the exam paper.

Careful Reading of Each Question

After the initial overview, it is crucial to read each question attentively at least twice before formulating your response. Reading the question multiple times ensures that you fully comprehend what is being asked, including any specific legal issues, concepts, or scenarios described. 

You do not want to misread a question and write the wrong response which can cost you marks! This methodical approach helps prevent misinterpretations and ensures that your answers directly address the question’s requirements, therefore maximising your marks. Harness your potential and achieve academic excellence with The Profs’ expert Tutors, paving the way for your career growth.

Time Management Awareness

During the exam, maintaining a vigilant eye on the allotted time is crucial for effective performance. Effective time management is key to completing all questions within the given timeframe. 

Regularly checking the time allows you to gauge your progress and adjust your pace accordingly. Being aware of the time ensures that you can allocate sufficient attention to each question and maximise your chances of providing well-developed responses across the board. You do not want to leave any questions uncompleted due to running out of time!

Proofreading for Accuracy

Before submitting your answers, it is important to allocate time for thorough proofreading. Proofreading involves reviewing your responses to correct any errors in grammar, spelling, or clarity. It also allows you to verify the accuracy of your legal analysis and ensure that your arguments are well-supported with relevant cases or theories where applicable. 

Taking this extra step helps enhance the overall quality of your answers and ensures that your responses are articulate, concise, and effectively convey your understanding of the legal issues at hand. 

To maximise your results, connect with our expert team today to receive bespoke exam tips and strategies! 

Benefit from our expert guidance in A level Law 

If you are looking to achieve an A or A* in A level Law, reach out to our expert team for dedicated and bespoke support. 93% of our surveyed students received their target grade, and 83% of our students received a grade increase. We are here to make tangible differences!

Still unsure? The Profs have maintained their title as the highest-rated tuition company on Trustpilot for 7 years! Reach out to us today to make your dream results a reality.

Our experienced Law tutors offer methods for improvement by breaking down complex concepts and providing exam strategies. They also offer a deeper understanding of Law by providing additional learning materials and offering immediate feedback.

So, if you’re ready to claim your A-A* in A level Law, reach out to our friendly team today. Take your future into your own hands. Amplify your academic success and gain a competitive edge with A-Level Law Tutors from The Profs, who offer unparalleled expertise tailored to your needs.

FAQs

Which GCSEs would be the best for A level Law?

When preparing for A level Law, selecting GCSE subjects that lay a strong foundation in relevant skills and knowledge can be highly beneficial. Here are some GCSE subjects that would be particularly advantageous:

• History.
• Business studies.
• Economics.

Our History, Business Studies, and Economics tutors are here for tailored support. It is also important that you attain high grades for English language, English literature and Maths too, so do not neglect those subjects! 

Should I do A level Law if I have not studied law before?

Absolutely, you can pursue A level Law even if you haven’t studied law before. A level Law courses are designed to introduce you to the fundamental principles of law, starting from the basics and building up to more complex concepts, making it accessible to all students regardless of their prior experience. 

The course curriculum does not assume any previous study of law, ensuring that all essential legal concepts are covered from the ground up. 

How can I effectively organise my study schedule for A level Law?

Create a detailed study schedule that allocates specific times for each topic. Use a mix of study methods like reading, note-taking, practice exams, and discussions. Ensure you balance time between all subjects and include regular breaks to avoid burnout. When it comes to revision, create a revision timetable to avoid you feeling overwhelmed.

Is it true that studying A level Law is bad if you want to pursue law at a degree level?

No, it is not true that taking A level Law will put you at a disadvantage for studying law at university. A Level Law helps you develop essential skills that are crucial for success in university law courses. These include critical thinking and analytical skills, which are necessary for understanding complex legal issues and constructing logical arguments.

Additionally, A Level Law requires you to write essays and structure your arguments coherently, providing valuable experience in legal writing that will be beneficial for university assessments.