As a foreign-trained lawyer, the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) journey can be extremely isolating. You have no idea how the exams work, what you’re doing wrong, what to focus on, and the list goes on. I remember thinking, I wish I had just one person on the same journey as me to bounce my thoughts off. I started my NCAs in March 2026. Five exams and one Legal Research and Writing course later, I finished my requirements in August and received my Certificate of Qualification (CQ) in September 2026. Right now, I want to be that one person for anyone stressing over these exams because, on the balance of probabilities, you’re going to be just fine.
PART 1: General Suggestions
Read the Fine Print
The NCA has provided you with the syllabus, which tells you exactly what you’re going to be tested on. It’s only about 20 pages, and it is the single most authoritative resource you have. I split my screen, with the syllabus on one side and a blank document on the other. I researched the words, meanings, relevant cases, and anything else I needed to understand a point. Then I drafted a slightly more detailed version of the syllabus, and I did this throughout the entire document. The goal was to make sure you have something written down for every topic.
Analyze and Anticipate
Since we have the syllabus and sample questions provided by the NCA, there’s a general understanding of what topics are emphasized. I would anticipate questions that are almost certain to appear and draft sample answers beforehand. For example, with Administrative Law, you can expect questions involving procedural fairness and substantive review. Both require you to know the relevant legal principles and how to apply them. So, I would draft a sample Issue, Rule, and Conclusion for these topics. For Foundations of Canadian Law, there could be questions on different schools of thought or questions asking for your own analysis. I would go through the syllabus and prepare draft paragraphs with relevant cases and articles to support my arguments. If a similar question came up in the exam, I wouldn’t have to stress about finding sources to support my position. Of course, you can’t anticipate every single thing, but there’s a range of possible questions you can anticipate. The less time you spend figuring out how to structure your answer, the more time you have to answer it.
Rehearse
When I say practice, I don’t just mean answering individual questions. I mean practising the entire experience. Set a timer, have five or six questions ready, and go through the entire three-hour routine at least twice before your exam. This will help you figure out how to find things faster, identify where you’re lacking, improve your typing speed, and learn your own rhythm. Your second or third practice will feel much easier because you’ve already experienced what it’s like to work under those conditions. Also, remember that during the actual exam, you can’t copy and paste. So, practice with that in mind.
Exhibits A through Z
My dream scenario for my exams was not having to look for things or sit there thinking, I remember reading this somewhere, but where?! So, I tabbed everything. Chapters, important points, cases, and anything else I thought I might need to find quickly. The idea is to see the question, understand which topic it relates to, and immediately know which tab to go to. You don’t want to be flipping through notes trying to find that one case. The more organized your materials are, the less stressful the exam becomes.
Highlight the Material Facts
The NCAs allow you to highlight parts of the questions during the exam, and I found this extremely useful. Most questions aren’t straightforward. They can involve several different legal issues and little details that you might not immediately realize are important. While you’re typing out a long answer, it’s easy to forget something from the question. So, read each question thoroughly and highlight key words. This is especially important because some questions run long enough to qualify as a short story with legal consequences. Use the highlighting option wisely. It can help you keep track of the important details and make sure you address everything the question is asking.
Find Your Co-Counsel
Find a group of people who are going through the NCA process. There are events, online platforms, WhatsApp channels, Reddit groups, LinkedIn communities, and so many other ways to connect with people on the same path. Having someone to discuss the syllabus with, ask questions, or simply talk to when you’re feeling overwhelmed can feel a little less isolating. They need it as much as you do. So, reach out.
PART 2: Things That Worked for Me
Set a Limitation Period
Every month, even if I didn’t start preparing, I would register, pay for the exam, and then study for it, leaving myself with no choice but to work towards clearing it. Having a deadline stressed me out just enough to actually study for it. It gave me a concrete date to work towards and created what I felt was a good amount of pressure. Now, if you don’t work well under pressure, I would suggest studying, building a little confidence, and then registering for the exam. The NCA journey involves a lot of independent studying. You’re studying at your own pace, on your own time, with nobody to hold you in contempt. It’s easy to lose track of time, and before you know it, months have gone by. Having a date gave me structure and kept me accountable.
Admissible Expenses
The exams are already expensive, and notes are an added cost. Plenty of people have passed these exams without paying for notes. However, if you have the financial ability, get good notes. I personally thought it’s better to invest in something that helps me feel like I’ve done everything in my power to get ready for the exam. Although I made my own notes for every exam, it was still helpful to have notes that someone more experienced had put together. It was something I could refer to if I needed to, and it helped remove the guesswork. Of course, there’s the question of what notes to get and whether it’s worth it. What works for one person might not work for another. I’d be happy to connect with you personally if you want my two cents on where I got my resources.
Passive Studying Is Still Studying
It’s hard to sit down every day and spend hours studying. Sometimes, you just don’t have the energy for it, and that’s okay. I would split my studying into two parts. During the first two weeks, I would passively listen to videos and lectures on the subject. You can find free playlists on YouTube or pay for lectures if that’s something you prefer. I would listen while making breakfast, doing laundry, getting ready, going on walks, travelling, and doing other everyday things. For me, listening to someone explain the material helped me retain it. By the time I sat down to study, I already understood the concepts to a certain degree, which made the process much easier. It’s not a replacement for active learning, but it’s a great way to stay engaged.
Finally, don’t forget that many of you are foreign-trained lawyers from countries where you wrote legal exams with no open books, no MCQs, nothing. We had to study and remember everything, including sections and articles. This is an open-book exam where you have access to your materials; you can prepare your notes beforehand and organize everything in a way that works for you. You are more capable than you think, and you’ve already made it this far!
About the Author
Niyarah is an internationally trained lawyer with two years of litigation experience in constitutional, tax, and civil matters. She holds a dual degree in Law and Business Administration. Niyarah completed her NCA requirements and is an LSO licensing candidate currently working as a Legal Intern at Astute Lawyers. She volunteers at Justice For All Canada and the Muslim Legal Support Centre and has experience in community-focused initiatives with a particular interest in gender equity.
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