Top 2 Reasons the FE-1s Are So Hard — and Simple Solutions to Overcome Them

Written By Samantha Arnold

There are two simple reasons the FE-1s are notoriously difficult. I’ve broken them down below, along with easy, practical solutions to help you overcome these challenges.

If you’re reading this blog, you probably already know that the FE-1s are the entrance exams to the Law Society of Ireland’s trainee programme (the Professional Practice Course, or PPC). To get there, you need to pass all eight papers and secure a trainee contract with a law firm or other legal organisation. That’s your ticket to the PPC (yes — more study and more exams!).

The FE-1s have a reputation for being tough. According to recent reports, pass rates range from about 53% to 83%, depending on the subject and the sitting. Contract Law, in particular, is often one of the trickier papers.

So, what makes these exams so challenging?

The Top 2 Reasons

  1. Lack of a single, comprehensive resource
    Unlike most courses, the FE-1s don’t come with an official set of materials produced by the Law Society or another body with oversight of the exams. Each paper is written and marked by different professionals, which means there’s no single, clear resource that covers every topic in line with examiners’ expectations.

  2. The problem question challenge
    Study guides can break topics down well, but the real difficulty lies in problem-style questions. Passing the FE-1s isn’t just about memorising case law and legislation — it’s about applying them to unpredictable scenarios, which is much harder to prepare for.

How to Overcome These Challenges

So, how do we get past these hurdles?

  • Find study materials that work for you. Everyone learns differently. Some people benefit from short, focused guides; others need to dive deep into the full reading lists provided by the Law Society. Whatever your style, the key is eventually condensing your notes into clear, concise study cards you can revise in the days leading up to the exams.

  • Practice applying your knowledge. Once you’ve built your study cards, the focus should shift to using them. Practice applying your notes and resources to problem questions — this is where real exam success is built.

How This Website Helps

This site is dedicated to supporting your FE-1 journey. Here, you’ll find tips, study cards, and organisational tools for the most common topics across all eight papers:

  • Law of Torts

  • Contract Law

  • Property Law

  • Equity

  • European Union Law

  • Constitutional Law

  • Company Law

  • Criminal Law

Start exploring today and take some of the uncertainty out of your FE-1 prep.

Samantha Arnold