Conflicts, Gaps and Uncertainty
Recognise inconsistent sources, missing facts and unresolved uncertainty rather than forcing a conclusion.
How to prepare for the Casework Skills Test
Learn the instructions and response scales first, then practise evidence-bounded judgement and controlled accuracy with original, non-official material.
Core concepts
Concept 1
source conflict
Exam cue: Check whether apparently conflicting details concern the same person, date or event.
Concept 2
missing information
Exam cue: Identify exactly what missing fact prevents a definite judgement.
Concept 3
qualified conclusions
Concept 4
unresolved uncertainty
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Selecting the newest source automatically without checking what it addresses.
Guardrail: Do not import specialist policy knowledge, copy secure material, invent official timings or weights, rank independent actions, or trade exactness for uncontrolled speed.
Treating absence of evidence as evidence that an event did not occur.
Guardrail: Do not import specialist policy knowledge, copy secure material, invent official timings or weights, rank independent actions, or trade exactness for uncontrolled speed.
Memory anchors
Conflict before conclusion
Resolve whether two sources truly address the same fact.
Name the gap
State the missing fact that blocks certainty.
Silence is limited
A source that does not mention an event may not disprove it.
Later is not always controlling
Date alone does not establish relevance or authority.
Qualify honestly
Keep a probable conclusion probable when uncertainty remains.
Cannot say protects the boundary
Do not fill an evidential gap with imagination.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
An email gives deadline 12 May; a later letter gives 15 May without saying it replaces the first. What is the best treatment?
A customer says evidence was enclosed, but the scanned file has none. Which missing fact blocks certainty?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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