Merriam-Webster offers several definitions of judgment. The one that fits best here is “an opinion or decision that is based on careful thought.” This definition captures something every successful law student learns; doing well is not just about knowing the material. It is also about making smart decisions with what you know.
On an exam, judgment shows up constantly. You decide how much time to spend on each issue you identify on an essay. You decide whether an issue calls for a thorough discussion that shows everything you know, or a concise and precise answer that hits the key points is warranted. Spending ten minutes on a minor issue can cost you the time you need for a major one. Writing two sentences on a key issue can leave points on the table. The number of issues, the point values, and the time you have to complete a question all shape the choices you must make.
Judgment matters just as much before the exam. You decide which material deserves the most attention, which topics you already understand well enough or have mastered, and how much studying is truly enough. No one has unlimited time to study so you must prioritize, it is unavoidable and you do not want to skip important information. If you study everything with an equal amount of attention then you may spend too little time on the most important material or spend too much time on material from the start of the academic year.
The good news is that judgment is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Each practice exam teaches you something about pacing. Each review session shows you where your understanding is solid and where it could use more attention. Over time, you start to recognize which issues deserve depth and which need only a quick raise and dismiss and you make those calls faster and with more confidence.
Good judgment takes time to develop. Be patient with yourself, make all the mistakes, and pay attention to what works so you can only become better over time.
(Goldie Pritchard)
