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Tests

Before you take on a case at FRU you must pass a test to make sure you are ready to represent a client.

The FRU test is an exercise in statutory interpretation. We give you a factual scenario and some legislation; then ask questions requiring you to apply the legislation to the scenario.

If you have passed one of our tests you do not need take a test again, even if you go on to train in a new area of law. If you attend both training days at the same time, you only need to pass one test (although you may attempt both to maximise your chance of success).

Completing the test

The test is always taken over the weekend of the training day. It should take about two hours to complete, but you may take as much time as you wish.

Immediately after the training day the test papers are available through FRUOnline. You will be able to login and download a pdf containing the test materials. The test contains all the information you need to answer the questions.

If you are resitting, but not attending the training day, we will email you details of when and how to access the test.

If you think you are eligible to resit, but have not received an email a week before a training day, please contact us, including your candidate number. Please check your junk mail first!

Submitting the test

Answers should be emailed to:

Your email should include your candidate number in the title of the email and your answer in the body of the email. Please do not send attachments, as this makes processing the tests time consuming.

Test answers must be returned to FRU no later than the deadline given. Late submissions will not be accepted and we do not grant extensions.

Test results

We will email you the result of your test 4-6 weeks after you submit it.

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to provide feedback on the test answers. All candidates will receive a simple pass / fail result.

Resitting the test

If you do not pass a test, you may resit in the next training day session. You do not need to attend a training day again to resit.

If you not pass on your second attempt, you will need to attend another training day.

If you did not submit a test on the same weekend that you attended a training day or you do not resit the test on the next training day session, you have a third, and final, opportunity to submit a test on the third training day session. Remember you do need to take on a case with a year of attending the training day, so that your knowledge is up to date.

Passing the test

The test is intended to assess your ability to apply legislation to a factual scenario. You will need to read the legislation carefully and make sure you understand it; then use that understanding to answer the questions. You will need to explain your answer and justify it by reference to the legislation.

The tests are an important part of the process to assess your ability to volunteer for FRU. They are intended to be challenging and do require some effort. They will test your ability to understand the law and explain yourself clearly working independently.

Sample tests and answers are provided below, to give you an idea of the type of test we set and the sort of answers we expect. The answers are not perfect, but they give an indication of the type of answer that scores well.

In order to pass the test you will need to:

  • Read all of the test carefully and appreciate the complexities of the statutory material.
  • Familiarise yourself with the factual scenario.
  • Justify your conclusions clearly and by reference to the legislation provided
  • Answer the specific questions, rather than giving a general opinion on the case

Those who don't pass have generally not taken this rigorous approach.

Sample Tests / Answers

Plagiarism

By taking the test, you agree:

  • You will take the test without help from anyone else;
  • You will not copy or distribute any information from the test;