The Cambridge Law Test 2018: How do they grade the test?
The Cambridge Law Test 2018 (the CLT) is used alongside a number of other aspects of your application in order to assess your suitability to study law at Cambridge. In order to compare candidates across different colleges, it is necessary to standardise the process of assessing candidates. Admissions tutors will be looking for a number of features of students’ essays if they are to be successful.
What are they looking for?
It is certainly the case that admissions tutors are looking for well-reasoned and logical answers. Lawyers need to be able to argue their case strongly, marshalling evidence in order to present a compelling case to the reader. Therefore, displaying these qualities in the exam is extremely important to be successful. So in the Cambridge Law Test 2018, you are assessed on the clarity of your response, how well you are able to engage with the issues in the question, and your ability to construct a well-written, structured, and coherent argument.
The marking criteria of the Cambridge law test 2018
In terms of marking, as well as these more subjective measures mentioned above, there is also a more objective criterion used. The Cambridge Law Test 2018 is marked out of 10 – the same way interviewees are assessed. The marks are as follows:
10 – Exceptional applicant – must take
9 – Very strong – worth an offer
8 – Strong – worth an offer
7 – Probably worth an offer
6 – Possibly worth an offer
5 – Doubtful of an offer
4 – Weak
1-3 – Probably unacceptable
What does this mean for my preparation?
Consider the key qualities and attributes mentioned above. These are what the examiners and admissions tutors are looking for from the essays you produce. So should focus on these criteria when you are planning and writing your essays: ask yourself whether you think you are providing logical and well-reasoned answers.
Having a structure is extremely important for the CLT so make sure you plan your answers thoroughly. Too often, students rush to get their essay down and want to write as much as possible. A strong answer will be concise and effectively deploy the evidence to construct a sense of an argument.
Conclusion
It’s important to keep these marking criteria in mind when going to take the test. Whilst you can’t possibly know what type of mark you’ll actually be given, it’s a good indicator of how much they expect from candidates. It’s also a good motivator to help you prepare for the Cambridge law test. The best ways to prepare for the test and ensure you got one of the top marks that will secure your offer at Cambridge, you should take practice or mock papers in a similar environment to what you’d expect on the day. Another good idea would be to read UniAdmissions’ Ultimate guide to the Cambridge Law Test. This book has all you the information you need to know to achieve the highest marks.
Take the Law Interview Programme
UniAdmissions offer a comprehensive one day package for students wishing to apply for Law at Cambridge, and who are sitting the CLT. These courses are the best way to prepare for the exam, familiarise yourself with the content of it and gain exposure to experts in the field. Our tutors have been through the process of applying to Oxbridge and they can support you in achieving the best results possible in the CLT exam.
In the Law interview programme, you can plan essays and complete them under timed conditions. Our tutors will help you to consider the important factors that are being assessed by interviewers above when you are doing this.
Should You Study Law at Undergraduate Level?
There’s a lot of argument at the moment as to whether it’s better to study law at undergraduate level or through a law conversion course.
We explore both sides of the argument in this blog. Read the pros and cons following both to help you make the right choice in the course you decide to take at University. Discover why, whichever option you choose, Oxbridge Universities like Cambridge are often the best place to study law.
