How to IRAC on Examinations IRAC is one method of answering essay examination questions. While it is very important to understand that not every professor in your law schools wants students to use IRAC on essay examination questions, a reasonable number do. However, IRAC can be generally used as the starting point for examination questions. IRAC - Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion is not just for writing legal memoranda. The first part of any examination is to issue spot and tell the professor what the issue is.
Many professors have a number of issues in their essay examinations.
The first part of the process is to read the essay several time so that you can identify issues note the questions at hand and then logically order them so that the professor can follow what you are talking about. Issue spotting is hard because it is not based on rote memorization of the cases, but rather an understanding of the legal rules. After selecting the issue, focus on the rule. Many students mistakenly write only the basic rule and go on to conclude that it applies or not. Think of your high school algebra equations and problems.