I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that we do not see our law students at their intellectual or creative best through timed, closed-book, written exams. I don't think any human being truly performs at their best under high stress. Certainly, these exams do little to prepare them for professional life, where they are required to structure an argument, research and marshall sources they can actually read and reflect upon. And an engaging conversation or good piece of writing is all you really need to determine if a lawyer is thinking rather than gushing information.