It is important that you check the assessment criteria that apply at your university. Assessment criteria can usually be found either in your unit guide or in a course handbook. The criteria will typically set out the key features that examiners look for to assess the grade that a piece of work should be given. Grades usually consist of a bad fail, fail, Third, 2:2, 2:1 and First.

Good work will often display the following characteristics:

Excellent knowledge and understanding - there is no substitute for knowing the law that applies in a particular area. Candidates with an insecure grasp of the law will not be awarded high marks.

Sustained focus on relevance - spotting the relevant area is a key skill in problem questions. A hypothetical client will, for example, usually not tell you that she is concerned about a possible unfair dismissal and whether she has the requisite length of service to bring a claim! It is your job to spot quickly what the examiner is asking of you. Anything you write must be relevant to the question set. A candidate who spots the general area of a question then proceeds to tell all he knows about the subject in a generic fashion will usually not be awarded with more than a 2:2 (or less).

Good structure - this is essential in essay questions. Rambling answers that have not been planned well make it difficult for the examiner to follow your line of argument. When it comes to problem questions, use the structure the examiner has given you. Spending just a few minutes planning will usually mean a more coherent and logical answer.

Analysis not just description - this is often a deciding factor when determining whether a candidate is a 2:2 or 2:1 (or above). Telling what you know shows that you have decent knowledge but does not allow the examiner to test your ability to analyse. Analysis requires you to think beyond what the law is to examine its gaps, inconsistencies, and effects.

Good writing style - this often comes with practice. It goes without saying that in coursework proper referencing is an essential requirement for a good mark.