Introduction: Why a 10-Day Study Plan Works for Law Exams
Law exams can feel overwhelming, especially when they include several subjects, long Bare Acts, theoretical topics, and case laws. Many students start their preparation too late, attend classes without consistent revision, or simply do not know how to begin their study process. Even when motivated, they often feel confused about what to study, how much time to spend on each subject, or how to retain everything they learn.
This is where a focused 10-day study plan comes in. When followed correctly, this plan offers a clear path to cover major topics, revise essential sections, and practice answer writing—all within a short time. It is not about last-minute panic. It is about using limited time in the most structured and intelligent way.
This guide is based on actual methods followed during law exam season, and it includes strategies such as
- Prioritizing important subjects and topics
- Using the Bare Act as the main source of law
- Applying legal reasoning techniques in writing
- Practicing with previous year papers and structured revision tools
- Managing time for study, rest, and mental clarity
The 10-day strategy also allows flexibility. It works whether you are trying to pass, score high, or simply gain confidence in legal writing and interpretation. It is suitable for both core and optional subjects, whether related to constitutional law, criminal law, family law, or jurisprudence.
This blog also includes insights from other students gathered from Reddit, Quora, and online law forums. Their advice reflects common mistakes, practical study tips, and memory hacks that can help anyone make the most of a short study period.
If you want to know how to read bare acts in a structured way, I’ve also written a full guide here:
Bare Act Reading Tips for Beginners
Day 1–2: Understanding the Syllabus and Prioritizing Subjects
The first two days of your 10-day law exam preparation should be spent planning—not cramming. Many students make the mistake of diving directly into reading without any structure. This often leads to wasted time, poor topic selection, and lack of clarity about what to focus on.
Instead, begin with a clear understanding of what is required in the exam and how you will approach it subject-wise. These two days are meant to help you build a study roadmap so that your efforts in the next eight days are goal-oriented and productive.
1. Get the Official Syllabus for Each Subject
Start by downloading or collecting the official syllabus issued by your university or faculty. This is your master document. Do not rely solely on what was covered in class or notes shared by others. Professors may skip topics, but the exam may include them.
Read the syllabus carefully and identify:
- Total number of units or modules per subject
- Marking scheme or weightage of each unit
- Whether the subject includes theoretical, procedural, or application-based questions
- Keywords such as “explain,” “illustrate,” “define,” or “critically evaluate” that often reflect question types
Having the syllabus in front of you will give you clarity about what must be studied and what can be skipped or deprioritized.
2. Categorize Subjects by Priority
Divide your subjects into three groups based on how prepared you already are:
a) Well-Prepared Subjects
These are subjects you have studied during the semester, made notes for, or are naturally comfortable with.
b) Moderately Prepared Subjects
These are subjects where you understand some parts but haven’t revised recently or need more clarity on key topics.
c) Low-Prepared Subjects
These are subjects where you have missed classes, skipped reading, or do not understand major topics at all.
This division helps you decide how much time to spend on each subject. For example, spend
- 2 days on well-prepared subjects
- 3 days on moderately prepared subjects
- 4 days on low-prepared subjects
- 1 day for final revision of all subjects
3. Review Past Year Papers or Model Question Banks
Collect past year question papers or university-provided model papers. Read them carefully and identify
- Frequently asked topics
- Common question patterns (e.g., “Explain with case law” or “State with examples”)
- Repeated sections of Bare Acts that appear in problem-based questions
Create a list of high-frequency topics from each subject. These should be given top priority in your study plan.
4. Make a Realistic 10-Day Study Schedule
Now create a written day-wise plan. It does not need to be extremely detailed, but it should clearly mention:
- What subjects will be studied on each day
- Which units will be covered per subject
- Time blocks for reading, revising, and writing
- Breaks and revision slots
Sample Schedule for Day 1:
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Constitution—Unit 1 (Fundamental Rights)
- 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Break
- 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Contract—General Principles
- 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Reading Bare Act – BNS (Ch. 4 & 5)
- 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Notes review or flashcards
- 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Solve 2 past paper questions (outline only)
Do not overload the schedule. Keep 2 subjects per day, and include breaks.
5. Collect or Download All Required Study Materials
Before you begin full study mode, gather all materials to avoid wasting time later. You should have:
- Updated Bare Acts (physical or PDF from India Code portal)
- Short notes or class handouts
- Standard textbooks (only one per subject is enough)
- Case law summaries or judgment highlights
- Past year papers or university sample papers
6. Choose Bare Acts That Match the New Syllabus
From 2023, Indian criminal laws were replaced. Make sure you are using
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (replaces IPC
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (replaces CrPC
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)—replaces Evidence Act
Also include:
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Constitution of India
- Limitation Act, 1963
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (if part of your syllabus)
Use updated editions from LexisNexis, EBC, or Universal. If using apps or websites, make sure they include 2023 amendments.
7. Mentally Prepare Yourself for Focused Study
The next 8 days will require effort and commitment. Mentally prepare yourself by:
- Avoiding social distractions (mute notifications, stay off social media during study hours)
- Sleeping at regular times to stay fresh
- Eating light meals during the day
- Keeping your study space clean and quiet
If you start strong in the first two days, the rest of your preparation becomes much easier.
Day 3–6: Study Techniques That Actually Work
After planning and organizing your schedule in the first two days, Days 3 to 6 should be focused on deep learning, legal application, and answer writing practice. These four days form the core of your exam preparation. The goal during this period is to complete maximum syllabus coverage in the smartest way possible—without overloading your brain or wasting time.
1. Use the Bare Act as Your Primary Study Tool
The most important step during this period is to base your study on the Bare Act, not just textbooks or classroom notes. The Bare Act contains the exact language of the law used in courts and exams.
How to read it effectively:
- Begin with the section heading and read slowly
- Understand the main clause, then read the explanation, proviso, and illustration (if any)
- Highlight or underline important keywords such as "shall", "may", "deemed", "provided that"
- Write 2-line side notes summarizing what the section means in simple terms
- Use a separate notebook for collecting important sections per subject
If you are not confident with reading Bare Acts, refer to this detailed guide:
Bare Act Reading Tips for Beginners
2. Understand Each Concept Before You Try to Memorize
Memorizing sections without understanding will not help you answer problem-based or reasoning-based questions. First, focus on:
- Understanding the purpose of the section
- Identifying core elements of the rule (e.g., ingredients of a contract, essentials of murder, etc.)
- Connecting it with real-life examples or past cases for better retention
Once you understand the logic of the law, recalling the section becomes much easier.
3. Make Short Notes and Visual Summaries
Use simple tools to summarize large topics:
- Write one-page summaries per chapter
- Use flowcharts to break down procedures (e.g., stages of a trial, process of arrest, etc.)
- Use tables to compare related concepts (e.g., murder vs. culpable homicide, void vs. voidable contract)
- Create lists of important case laws with one-line facts and legal outcomes
This method improves both clarity and revision speed.
4. Practice Answer Writing Every Day
Many students understand the law but lose marks due to poor answer writing. Writing style matters a lot in law exams. Focus on:
- Writing introductions that define the legal concept or issue
- Quoting the section and including the exact words where necessary
- Mentioning one case law (with brief facts and ruling)
- Using the IRAC format (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) for practical or problem questions
- Keeping answers within word limits and well-structured
You can practice by selecting 1–2 questions from previous year papers each evening and writing full or outline answers.
5. Use the Pomodoro Technique for Study Blocks
Avoid studying for long stretches without rest. Use this proven method for better focus:
- Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break
- After 4 rounds, take a 15-minute break
- This keeps your mind fresh and reduces burnout
Plan 8 to 10 such blocks in a day for maximum output.
6. Prioritize High-Scoring Units and Questions
Use the past question papers from your subject and mark:
- Topics that appear frequently
- Units that have short answer questions or simple explanations
- Sections that are asked every year in different formats
Give priority to these topics over very technical or less-asked chapters. Your goal in this phase is to score well, not study everything.
7. Revise What You Read Every Night
At the end of each study day:
- Open your short notes
- Revise key sections and cases you studied
- Close your books and try to recall definitions or procedures aloud
- Mark any topic that still feels unclear and revise it again tomorrow
This small revision step helps build long-term memory and confidence before exams.
Example Day Plan (During Day 3–6)
Morning (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Read Indian Contract Act Sections 10–23
- Make side notes and summary table on “Void and Voidable Contracts”
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Read Constitution – Fundamental Rights (Articles 14 to 21)
- Use flowchart to summarize Right to Equality
Evening (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Attempt 2 questions from previous paper (Contract and Constitution)
- Self-check using model answers
Night (9:30 PM – 10:30 PM)
- Revise all notes made that day
- Prepare next day’s study list
What Not to Do During Day 3–6
- Do not keep switching between subjects every hour
- Avoid reading large commentaries or multiple books per subject
- Do not rely only on coaching notes without checking the Bare Act
- Do not panic if you forget a case name—focus on the reasoning
Day 7–8: Revision with Focus on Sections, Keywords, and Diagrams
By Day 7, your focus should shift from reading new topics to revising everything you’ve already studied. These two days are for strengthening memory, improving speed, and building confidence before the exams begin.
Start by going back to your syllabus. Mark the topics you’ve already completed. Use your short notes, summaries, and highlighted Bare Acts. Do not try to read new material at this stage. Your goal is to revise smartly—not add more confusion.
Focus on section numbers, keywords, and illustrations in the Bare Act. Read only what you’ve already studied. Go through the definitions, explanations, and exceptions. Repeat them aloud or write them down to check how much you remember.
Prepare one-page revision sheets for each subject. Write down the most important sections, 2–3 landmark case laws, and common definitions. Keep these sheets simple and handwritten. Use them for last-minute review before your paper.
If you have created diagrams, charts, or tables, now is the time to revise them. Visual notes are quicker to recall during exams. Go over your flowcharts for topics like trial stages, types of contracts, or constitutional principles.
Switch subjects during the day to keep your mind fresh. For example, revise Criminal Law in the morning, Constitutional Law in the afternoon, and revise past paper questions in the evening. This rotation helps you cover more ground without losing focus.
Avoid starting new chapters, watching long lectures, or reading from new books. Trust what you’ve already learned. Focus only on sharpening and revising it properly.
If you stick to this plan for Day 7 and Day 8, you will feel much more prepared and confident by the time you reach the final two days of the schedule.
Day 9–10: Answer Writing Practice + Mental Prep
The final two days before your exam are all about polishing your writing, strengthening your recall, and preparing your mind to stay calm and clear. This is not the time to panic or attempt major new topics. It is the time to shift into exam mode and apply everything you’ve revised in a practical way.
Start Day 9 by solving one full-length paper for each subject you have prepared. Use past year university questions or mock papers. Set a timer and try to write full answers under exam-like conditions. This helps you practice answer structure, manage time, and build confidence. You don’t have to write every answer word-for-word; even outlining the answers in bullet points will help.
After writing, review your answers. Check whether you followed a logical format, mentioned correct section numbers, and included at least one case law where relevant. Make sure your introduction and conclusion are clear and that your content stays within the word limit. If possible, ask a friend, senior, or teacher to give you feedback on one or two answers.
Continue to revise your one-page subject summaries. These sheets should now be the only thing you revise. Read them once in the morning, once in the evening, and once before sleeping. Keep your Bare Acts nearby and flip through the key sections. The more often you revise these, the easier it will be to recall them during the exam.
Make sure to sleep well and eat light, healthy meals. Avoid late-night study during these final two days. Fatigue can ruin even the best preparation. Focus on keeping your mind clear, calm, and focused. Spend some time going for a walk, stretching, or even listening to relaxing music in between revision blocks.
Stay confident in your preparation. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to write clearly, stay focused on the question asked, and support your answers with the law. With strong revision and writing practice, you will be ready for the paper.
Tips from Law Student Forums and Communities (Reddit, Quora, YouTube)
Here are practical and widely-shared tips from students who have successfully prepared for law exams using short-term study plans.
1. Focus on Bare Acts More Than Theory Books
Many students on Reddit recommend reading the Bare Act thoroughly. Understand the structure of sections, pay attention to keywords, and use the exact legal language in your answers whenever possible.
2. Make a Final Revision Notebook or Flashcards
Students on Quora suggest creating a single notebook with summaries of all key sections, definitions, and case laws. Read this notebook 3–4 times in the last few days. Some use flashcards for memorizing tricky concepts like exceptions, maxims, and ingredients of offences.
3. Practice Writing Two Full-Length Answers Every Day
Law YouTubers often stress the importance of daily writing practice. Even if you don’t write complete papers, try solving two past questions per subject every day using the IRAC format or paragraph structure.
4. Stick to What You Have Already Studied
Don’t switch materials in the last few days. Many students fail by trying to read new books, notes, or videos close to the exam. Stick to your own notes and revision plan.
5. Review Previous Year Questions to Spot Trends
Students recommend scanning past 3–5 year papers to identify recurring questions and high-weightage topics. Focus revision around those areas to improve your chances of scoring well.
6. Use Short Notes, Not Entire Books, for Revision
Long answers come from clear thinking, not from rereading 300-page books. Keep your revision focused on short, handwritten notes and Bare Acts.
7. Avoid Reading All Day Without Breaks
Multiple students shared that they used the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes study + 5-minute break) or 90-minute focused blocks followed by a 20-minute rest. This prevents burnout and increases focus.
8. Trust Your Plan and Avoid Last-Minute Panic
Don’t compare your preparation with others. Everyone follows a different method. Believe in the strategy you’ve made and revise what you know instead of doubting yourself.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During a 10-Day Study Plan
1. Trying to Study Everything Instead of Prioritizing
Many students panic and try to complete the entire syllabus in 10 days. This leads to shallow understanding and stress. Instead, focus on important and high-weightage topics based on the syllabus and past papers.
2. Ignoring the Bare Act
Relying only on notes or summaries can weaken your understanding. The Bare Act gives you the original language of the law, which is essential for writing precise and structured answers in exams.
3. Not Practicing Answer Writing
Understanding the law is not enough if you cannot write it well. Avoid the mistake of only reading and not writing. Practice at least 1–2 past paper answers each day to improve speed and clarity.
4. Switching Between Too Many Sources
Using multiple books or resources in the last few days creates confusion. Stick to one standard book per subject, your own notes, and the Bare Act for revision.
5. Studying for Long Hours Without Rest
Some students try to study 12–15 hours a day without breaks, thinking more time means better results. This leads to fatigue and poor memory. Use short, focused study sessions with regular breaks.
6. Skipping Difficult Topics Entirely
While you should prioritize, completely skipping certain topics—especially if they are frequently asked—can cost you marks. Try to at least understand the basic structure and keywords of each unit.
7. Forgetting to Revise What You Already Studied
Many students keep moving forward without revising what they have already studied. This leads to forgetting. Spend at least 30% of your time reviewing old material every day.
8. Neglecting Sleep, Diet, and Health
Poor sleep and unhealthy habits reduce concentration and brain performance. Sleep at a fixed time, eat light meals, and drink enough water to keep your mind sharp.
Avoiding these mistakes will help you make the most of your 10-day exam plan without unnecessary stress or burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I really prepare for law exams in just 10 days?
Yes, you can. If you follow a structured plan, focus on high-weightage topics, and revise daily, 10 days are enough to perform well. The key is smart planning, regular revision, and answer writing practice.
2. What should I focus on first when only a few days are left?
Start by checking your syllabus and marking important chapters. Focus on understanding key legal concepts, sections from the Bare Act, and past year questions. Do not try to study everything—prioritize.
3. Should I study from notes or textbooks in the last 10 days?
Use your class notes and one standard textbook per subject, but rely mainly on your own short notes and the Bare Act for revision. At this stage, clarity and recall matter more than new reading.
4. How important is the Bare Act for exam preparation?
It is extremely important. The Bare Act contains the exact legal wording used in courts and exams. Reading and understanding sections, definitions, provisos, and illustrations gives your answers accuracy and legal depth.
5. How can I remember section numbers and legal language?
Write them down, revise them aloud, and use visual aids like charts and tables. You can also create flashcards or final summary sheets to review repeatedly. Repetition helps long-term retention.
6. Is it necessary to practice writing answers?
Yes. Law exams require not just knowledge, but the ability to present answers clearly and legally. Writing answers under time conditions builds confidence, speed, and structure in your responses.
7. How should I manage multiple law subjects in 10 days?
Study two subjects per day—one in the morning and one in the evening. Rotate them across days. Use one day before each paper to revise that subject completely. Create a daily schedule and stick to it.
8. What should I do the night before the exam?
Revise your final summary sheets, go through important sections and definitions, and sleep on time. Avoid starting new topics. Keep your mind calm and focused for the next day.
9. Are case laws necessary in every answer?
If the question demands legal reasoning, yes. Try to include at least one landmark or relevant case law per major answer. Keep it brief—just the name, facts in one line, and the legal principle.
10. What should I do if I feel underprepared or anxious?
Stick to your plan. Avoid comparing yourself with others. Focus on what you can revise now rather than what you missed. Confidence, clarity, and writing well are more important than trying to cover everything.