IRAC Method: How to Answer Law Exam Problem Questions

Stop waffling. Start scoring. Here is how to face any problem question.

You Know the Law, So Why Are You Losing Marks?

Every year, bright students walk out of the exam room sure they did well, then collect a modest grade. The reason is rarely missing knowledge. It is missing structure.

Problem questions do not ask, “What is the law on contracts?” They ask, “What happens to these people?” The IRAC method turns a messy story into a clear, mark-winning answer.

What Is the IRAC Method?

IRAC is a four-step format for answering law exam problem questions. The four letters stand for:

• I = Issue: What legal question is in dispute?
• R = Rule: Which law answers it?
• A = Application: How does that law fit these facts?
• C = Conclusion: Who probably wins?

Step 1: Issue (Spot the Trouble Fast)

Read the facts twice. Underline anything that looks like a legal problem, such as a promise, an injury, a mistake or a broken agreement. Then turn each problem into a question.

• ❌ Not an issue: “Chitra wants the laptop.”
• ✅ A proper issue: “Was the price tag an offer Chitra could accept?”

Keep it to one line.

Insider tip: Examiners plant issues, so every odd detail is there for a reason.

Step 2: Rule (Name the Law, Name the Case)

State the rule in one or two clear sentences, then back it up with authority, such as a statute section or a leading case.

• Do not dump everything you know about the topic.
• Write only the rule that answers this issue.
• If the rule has a test with several parts, such as duty, breach and causation, list the parts now. You will follow them in the next step.

Step 3: Application (Where the Marks Are Hiding)

This part earns the most marks, and most students rush it. Do not simply repeat the facts. Link them to the rule using the word because:

“The sign said X, which means Y, because the rule requires Z.”

How to write a strong application:

1. Work through each element of the rule in turn.
2. Compare the facts with the leading case: “Unlike in the case of…, here…”
3. Argue both sides. If the other party has a fair counterargument, give it a sentence, then explain why it is weaker or stronger.

Examiners like to see a balanced answer.

Step 4: Conclusion (Close the Case)

Give a short answer to the issue:

“Therefore, Ben is likely not bound, so Chitra probably cannot enforce the sale.”

• Use cautious words like likely and probably, because the law is rarely certain.
• A conclusion with no reasoning scores nothing, but a conclusion backed by reasoning seals the marks.
• Never start a new argument here.

IRAC Example: Problem Question Answered Step by Step

Facts: Ben’s shop displays a laptop in the window with a price tag of Rs 1,000 by mistake. Chitra walks in and demands to buy it at that price. Ben refuses.

• Issue: Is the displayed price an offer that Chitra can accept, creating a contract?
• Rule: A display of goods is generally an invitation to treat, not an offer (Fisher v Bell; Pharmaceutical Society v Boots Cash Chemist). The customer makes the offer, and the seller is free to accept or refuse.
• Application: The laptop was only displayed with a price. Because it was an invitation to treat, Chitra’s demand was the offer, not an acceptance. Ben had not accepted it, so no contract formed. Chitra might argue the tag was a clear promise to sell, but the courts protect shopkeepers from being forced to sell at a mistaken price.
• Conclusion: Ben is likely entitled to refuse, so Chitra cannot enforce the sale.

Bonus: Words and Phrases That Win Marks

Link your reasoning with phrases like:

• because
• therefore
• unlike in
• on the other hand
• this suggests
• the court is likely to hold

They show the marker you are thinking, not just reciting.

5 Common IRAC Mistakes That Cost You Marks

1. Retelling the story. The examiner wrote the facts, so they already know them.
2. Skipping the rule. Never apply a law you have not stated.
3. One-sided answers. Always consider the other party’s argument.
4. Merging issues. Give each issue its own IRAC.
5. No conclusion. Even “likely liable” is better than silence.

Before You Write: A Quick Planning Checklist

1. List the parties, the issues and the key cases.
2. Number the issues in order.
3. Write using headings such as “Issue 1: Offer and acceptance” so the marker sees your structure at a glance.

Final Thoughts

IRAC is not magic. It is discipline. Spot the issue, state the rule, apply it with because, and conclude with confidence. Practise on five past questions and the method will soon feel automatic.

FAQ

What does IRAC stand for in law?
IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion. It is a method for structuring answers to law problem questions.

Is IRAC used in law exams?
Yes. Law students use IRAC to organise problem question answers so that each issue is identified, supported by law, applied to the facts and concluded clearly.

Which part of IRAC earns the most marks?
Application. This is where you link the facts to the rule using reasoning and consider both sides.

How do I practise the IRAC method?
Practise on five past exam questions. The method will soon feel automatic.

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About the Author

Sheron Nathasha, LLB (Hons)
University of Staffordshire
JRO, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka