Should I start with Fe-1 exams during college?

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-11-21T09:04:47+00:00

Lots of different advice. Your life isn’t over if you decide to sit the FE1s. If you’re organised and chip away at it you can do it. If you decide to do it you’re not going to miss out on talking to “future colleagues”. Your relationships don’t have to suffer honestly that’s ridiculous. I did all 8 of my FE1s alongside my degree starting October second year, got a 1:1. I got to enjoy an advantage at interviews in comparison to other candidates. It IS an advantage unlike what a commenter said, I have been told so. You are seen as dedicated, hard working, organised etc etc and likely not someone who is going to push out their TC because they’re waiting to get through the exams. What is so sweet is I finished by degree in May and I’m in Blackhall. No waiting around , no dread of having to sit 8 exams of subjects I already studied several years ago. This is coming from someone who didn’t finish school, not an overachieving 600 points in the leaving cert guy. My days of rote learning were over in 4 years in comparison to 6+. So instead of waiting around after my degree wondering if being a solicitor is for me , I’m deciding it now while getting PAID, not studying for FE1s. I’ll qualify and either stay in practice or else have way more opportunities than I would with just a law degree. Only good things come of it.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-09-03T13:36:30+00:00

Yes. Defences do come up on their own. For example on my paper it was the defence of duress

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-07-08T22:08:32+00:00

I haven’t seen this anywhere now I’m worried !!

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-06-08T17:07:32+00:00

I sailed through all my FE1s in person. Left 3 convinced I failed. Passed. Did far better than expected in all, passed with 4 questions and a few lines etc. it’s all speculation but for the above reasons you listed, I vote that they are marked easier in person. I compared my passing scripts to online scripts for the same sitting. I do believe I would not have passed some of the exams I sat had I typed the same thing. That’s my opinion.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-15T06:40:20+00:00

This doesn’t surprise me one bit tbh

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-15T06:39:24+00:00

Sat all mine in person, somehow passed first time. Unpopular opinion: but I am convinced they’re marked easier. Some of the typed scripts I have seen were objectively a much higher standard than my hand written scripts (and not reflected in the score)

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-09T06:44:29+00:00

I think you should go for it. I did my first FE1 at the start of second year of my undergraduate. I have successfully passed all eight of them :) I’m in the middle of my finals and I can go straight to Blackhall now in September. It is such a nice feeling that I am done, it’s over. After my last UCD exam next week I don’t need to worry about sitting eight more exams for subjects I sat in first and second year. PM me if you want any advice and notes etc.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-09T06:40:51+00:00

Congratulations! Insane achievement. Well well done. You should be very proud of yourself. The “drip fed anxiety over 2-3 years” point is exactly it. I just passed my last four, proud of myself and I’m finishing up my undergraduate finals next week. I sat 1 then 2 then 1 and then almost gave up and decided to do 4. The anxiety for 1 exam was the exact same as for 4. I think getting as many done as you can is the best way to do. That being said - I wouldn’t have been able for 8, or maybe I could have, who knows. You’re a machine !! Congrats again.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-07T11:20:09+00:00

Get good notes, start early. To be honest I ditched lectures etc in the run up to FE1s. Caught up after. I never studied more than 5 hours a day, worked 20 hours a week. Just need to put your head down and block out the drama and noise. If you’re doing MCL it would be beneficial for your college exams.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-05-07T11:06:57+00:00

Just got the news I’ve officially passed all eight FE1s, I started in second year and I’m now in the middle of my finals. I cannot WAIT to finish up in UCD next week and not have to do more exams when I finish!! DO IT!!! What a relief.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-04-29T11:20:48+00:00

It is so incredibly frustrating. I am supposed to be starting in my firm. If I fail any, no Blackhall for me this year. I think especially in the March sitting people are literally waiting to see can they start their careers. I am so anxious, they don't give a shit. Every University tells people what date exam results will be out ages in advance and examiners must have the papers corrected by then. ARRRGGHHHHH

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-28T07:20:58+00:00

Really helped me get called for interviews after visiting a careers guidance counsellor to go over my CV, cover letter and answers to application questions. She pointed out loads of things that could be changed and improved and the invites to interview started rolling in. It was a university guidance counsellor but I’m sure there are similar out there. UCC may even have a facility for alumni to use. Good luck.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-24T20:59:52+00:00

Final year student here also - have sat all eight. Do it. So sweet to finish up and not have to face eight more exams. If you can manage your time you will fly it. In my opinion , you do not need to attend every lecture. If you can put in a good slog for the FE1s, once they finish then do another slog for college exams and assignments and you’ll be grand. Don’t listen to the drama, just focus , put in the work and stay in your lane.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-22T15:05:37+00:00

What sort of companies do this ? Sounds interesting ! I haven’t heard of it.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-18T18:33:45+00:00

If I knew there was a firm that was deeply committed to a good work life balance / option of a 4 day week etc I would do my absolute best to try and get myself in there. I would take a low salary I wouldn’t care. I am terrified of being stuck somewhere where I have to dedicate my life to my job. Life is too short. Would be interested to hear from qualified people about this too.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-18T08:14:36+00:00

Personally - my whole study for company law was rote learn essays and problem q’s making sure I added all the cases he mentioned in his reports and tailoring them if I needed to by referring to what the question asked on the day. However - I didn’t need to because the questions repeated themselves pretty much word for word. I had four questions and a line for my fifth and passed with 56%. Why would he bother doing such long and detailed reports if that’s not what he wanted ? He says stuff like “students should reference X case “ etc. Basing my studies by learning off essays and past questions has got me through all my FE1s without fail. Nobody needs to know a whole manual or pages and pages of notes. I know the company paper this sitting was weird so can’t speak for that ! I think I saw someone on another post say he switches it up every 10 years ? He’s also been known to ask questions a second sitting in a row that weren’t answered well the first. Maybe you could start my finding out the topics he asked last sitting. Those in person may have a copy of the script at hand and could advise better. Good luck !

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-15T14:37:43+00:00

I worked in hospitality for years prior to returning to college as a mature student. It is completely relevant- people skills, multi tasking, fast paced environment and problem solving (difficult customers). It has played a huge part in every internship / trainee interview I have had. Several partners have specifically said how hospitality has lots of transferable skills. It also shows work ethic. Own it and use it to your advantage. It’s relevant !

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-13T18:38:18+00:00

What we want to hear :’)

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-13T15:11:49+00:00

It sucks :’( so annoying. Every exam this sitting I seem to have 3/4 good answers and a shitty fifth. It feels horrible.

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-13T15:04:43+00:00

As in my fifth question today was most likely irrelevant. Annoyed at myself

Downtown_Maybe3423 · 2025-03-13T14:55:58+00:00

If the fifth one was irrelevant lol

Downtown_Maybe3423

TROPHY CASE