How to get your best mark in HSC Legal Studies

Legal Studies asks students to examine the concept of justice through a broad lens, requiring them to critically analyse a range of evidence to inform judgments.

Rachel Taylor, Northholm Grammar, Legal Studies teacher and HSC marker

Top dos and don’ts for Legal Studies

• Have a toolbox of contemporary examples on hand and use the ones that are appropriate for the question asked. Include a range of supporting examples, such as legislation, cases, media, international instruments and reports.
• Take the time to decode the question, look at the directive terms, themes and challenges embedded in the question. Take time to draft a plan for your response in the writing spaces provided. Don’t cross out your plan, markers can consider this when appraising your work.
• Don’t just write about the respective legal or non-legal response with a broad statement about how effective it is at the end. Instead, form an informed judgment, supported with evidence – these are generally clearer and stronger.
• Don’t use absolute statements such as “the law is effective”.