Property Example Exam Questions

I promised to make available a couple sample exam essay questions to help give you an idea what mine might look like. Also, in case you are curious, the CALI exercises are a pretty good example of what the short answer and multiple choice portions of my exam will look like.

As discussed in class, the sample questions and answers listed below may be broader than what we covered. For example:

In the 2004 sample exam, Essay I (only) is a good example. In the model answer for Essay I, consider only the "License v. Lease and Constructive Eviction" section.

In the 2007 sample exam, the "best answer" notes that "marketable title" is required. This issue is not actually raised by the facts as presented in the question, either, but the student notes it. We did not talk about that in this context, so I would not want or expect that as part of the answer on my exam.

Property I 2004

Property I 2004 Best Answer

Property II 2007

Property II 2007 Best Answer

The above exams are from Widener Law Professor Alicia Kelly.

These are examples only, and please try not to get too overwhelmed. If you have questions about these samples or other exam questions, you can e-mail me, post a comment to this blog, or stop by my office hours. You can also stop by or contact me to find another time.

Also, as noted in class, I will stop answering substantive questions at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. This will give me ample time to address questions (if any) raised before the exam and post my response on this blog.

As Requested: Optional CALI Exercises

A few people have asked for additional exercises to help prepare for the exam. If you would like some additional areas to review, you might consider doing the CALI exercises listed below. I recommend studying your class notes first, then consider additional information sources, like CALI exercises, if you feel like you want or need more information.

Again, to be clear, I'm not suggesting that you should do any or all of these, but if you are looking for some exercises that might be helpful, I think these are especially relevant:

Easements Appurtenant and in Gross
Easements Defined
Covenants, Equitable Servitudes and Restrictions 1: Creation
Covenants, Equitable Servitudes and Restrictions 2: Determining the Validity and Scope

These also might be of interest if you want a little more information, but again, these are simply options for additional information and/or clarification:

Covenants, Equitable Servitudes and Restrictions 3: Who Has the Right to Enforce Covenants and Equitable Servitudes?
Covenants, Equitable Servitudes and Restrictions 4: Against Whom May One Enforce the Promise?
Covenants, Equitable Servitudes and Restrictions 5: Defenses to Enforcement
Implied Easements of Necessity
Prescriptive Easements

Just Something to Think About

This is not really on track with what we've covered this semester, so this is merely for your consideration (i.e., not exam material) but it is property related. Check out this blog post comparing immigration and adverse possession if you have a second, and try to think about the distinctions. Is one wrong -- both -- neither?

Final Exam Policy

The following is to clarify my exam policy with regard to materials allowed during the exam. This clarification is to make clear that the policy to be enforced is consistent with that stated at the outset of the course, which is stated below. Please note, because this is a 2-credit-hour course, the exam will be a 2-hour exam. Some prior versions of the syllabus indicated a 3-hour exam, which is incorrect. I apologize for any confusion.

This exam is subject to the School of Law’s Examination Rescheduling Policy. The exam will be a 2-hour exam, which may include a combination of multiple choice, short answer and/or essay-style questions based upon the course materials. The exam will be open book. Specifically, you may bring your text and you will be able to use printed (not electronic) copies of your notes or outline. No outside sources, such as commercial outlines or treatises are permitted. You may work together to create outlines if you wish, but each person must have their own hard copy for use during the exam. Exams can be handwritten or taken on a computer, if the School of Law offers the option. The examination will make up 100% of the final grade.

Remaining Reading Assignments and Class Schedule

Wednesday, April 8, 2009: Please read pages 669-95.

Monday, April 13, 2009: No Classes.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009: Please read pages 777-80, 795-802, 825-31.

Monday, April 20, 2009: Please read pages 996-99, 1059-64. (This is our final class meeting; I will also provide a brief review and exam overview.)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009: Class canceled.

Reading for Monday, April 6, 2009

Please read pages 651-69.

CALI Clarification -- Deadline Is End of Semester

The CALI exercises were not intended to be work for today's class. Rather, they are in lieu of make-up classes. Thus, I ask that you complete the requested number of exercises before the end of the semester, not for today.

I apologize if there was any confusion. This was intended to make your scheduling and workload a little more manageable, not more stressful.