Using the detailed table of contents

If you’ve started studying for the Ontario bar exam, then you’ve probably heard of an index (we’ve also discussed indices in a previous blog post). But what if you don’t want to use an index? After all, there’s a ton of reasons why you might feel this way. For starters, they’re often expensive (although the students at U of T have put together a free one that you should try to take advantage of). Their quality also tends to vary depending on who you get yours from. And, even if you’re ambitious enough to try to make your own, that’s probably going to eat into a lot of time that might be better spent reviewing the actual material.

So, are there any alternatives? Yes! Instead of using an index, you can use the detailed table of contents that is included in your study materials as a way to navigate them quickly and efficiently. This table of contents is literally referred to as “Detailed Table of Contents” in your materials and so you should have no trouble finding it. Basically, it provides you with page references to the various headings and subheadings located within each chapter.

So, hypothetically, if you had a question relating to a lawyer’s duties to their clients, you could look at the detailed table of contents and track down the various page numbers relating to this topic. Even better, assuming you know your stuff, you could look for the page reference to the specific heading/subheading dealing with the issue raised by this question. Then, simply flip to that page and you should be able to locate the answer. It’s as easy as that!

In short, for those of you looking for an effective, affordable, and user friendly way to navigate their study materials on test day, consider the detailed table of contents strategy. Lots of candidates use it — often to great success!