Past Exam Papers
Updated: 4 days ago
Past examination papers can be one of the most useful tools when preparing for a professional examination. They allow you to become familiar with the types of questions that have been asked, how questions are structured and how you may be expected to apply your knowledge under examination conditions.
However, past papers should be used carefully. A past examination paper is a preparation tool, not a prediction of what will appear in your next examination. The law, examination structure, syllabus and requirements may change. Always use the current LPC syllabus and current legal sources alongside past examination papers.
1. Attorneys' Admission Examinations
The Legal Practice Council's competency-based examinations have undergone changes as part of the transition to the amended examination structure. This means that candidates should pay particular attention to the date of a past paper and the examination structure that applied when it was written.
The resources below may assist you in locating past competency-based examination papers:
This collection contains competency-based examination papers that may be useful for exam preparation.
The Law Society of South Africa provides professional examination resources and information that may assist candidates preparing for the board exams.
The LPC provides professional examination resources and information that may assist candidates preparing for the board exams
Always check the LPC's current examination information before relying on an older paper.
2. Conveyancing Examination
Past conveyancing exam papers can help you familiarise yourself with the exam format and the type of theoretical and practical questions that candidates may encounter.
LSSA provides previous conveyancing examination papers and related professional examination resources.
When using older conveyancing papers, remember that conveyancing practice is closely connected to legislation, regulations, deeds registration requirements, circulars and other procedural developments. An older question may therefore reflect requirements that have since changed.
Use the current conveyancing syllabus and current legal sources to determine what remains applicable.
3. Notarial Practice Examination
Past notarial exam papers can be useful for becoming familiar with the type of knowledge and practical application that may be tested.
LSSA provides previous notarial examination papers and related resources.
As with all past papers, do not assume that an older question reflects the current law or examination requirements.
4. How to Use Past Papers Effectively
Simply reading past papers is unlikely to give you the full benefit of using them. Consider using them in different ways as your preparation progresses.
Early in Your Preparation
Use past papers to get an idea of:
how questions are structured;
the types of legal problems candidates may be asked to address;
the level of practical application required; and
areas that you may need to investigate further.
You do not need to be able to answer every question at this stage.
During Your Preparation
Use questions to test whether you can apply what you have studied. When you encounter a question, ask yourself:
What is this question actually asking me to do?
Identify the legal issue, locate the relevant law and consider how the law applies to the facts.
Closer to the Examination
Attempt papers under timed conditions. Try to recreate the examination environment as far as reasonably possible. This can help you assess your:
knowledge;
application of the law;
answer structure;
drafting ability, where relevant;
time management; and
ability to work without constantly referring to your notes.
5. Do Not Memorise Past Questions
It can be tempting to look for patterns and memorise questions that have appeared before. Avoid relying on this approach. A similar topic may appear again, but the facts, legal issue, question and required application may be completely different. Your goal should be to understand why an answer is correct and how to apply the underlying legal principles to a new set of facts.
6. Check the Date of Every Paper
Before using a past paper, consider:
When was the paper written?
Which syllabus applied at the time?
Which examination structure applied?
Has the relevant legislation changed?
Have the court rules or practice directives changed?
Has the relevant case law developed?
Has the LPC changed its examination requirements?
This is particularly important during the current transition in the competency-based examination system.
7. Past Papers Are Not Your Syllabus
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is studying only what has appeared in previous exam papers. A topic that has never appeared in the papers you have may still be examinable. Use the current LPC syllabus as your starting point, and use past papers to supplement your preparation.
Quick Checklist
Before using a past examination paper, ask:
☐ Do I know which examination it relates to?
☐ Do I know when it was written?
☐ Do I know which syllabus applied at the time?
☐ Have I checked whether the relevant law has changed?
☐ Have I checked the current LPC requirements?
☐ Am I using the paper to practise, rather than predict the next examination?
☐ Am I attempting questions under realistic examination conditions?
A Final Reminder
Past examination papers can show you what has been asked before. They cannot tell you exactly what will be asked next. Use them to practise, identify gaps, improve your technique and become comfortable applying the law under examination conditions.
Study the current syllabus. Know the current law. Use past papers to practise.
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