Tips for preparing for SQE

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This article has been produced in collaboration with BPP University Law School.

My preconceptions of SQE

When I first enrolled onto the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), I knew it’d be a challenging journey. I was working and studying part time, and was determined to do well in an exam that people knew little about.

I took an SQE preparation course as part of my master’s programme, which turned out to be far more intense than I’d anticipated. I was expecting to be eased into the SQE-specific learning style (which was completely different to what I’d grown used to) but instead, I felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end right from the first week. I had to adapt quickly, understand what was required of me and remain consistent. This was no easy task – and the reality is that I didn’t take a break from preparing for, or thinking about, the SQE from September, when I commenced my course, until I sat the exams the following July.

Facing the challenges

I was wrong to think that having a law degree would make preparing for the SQE any easier. During my bachelor’s, my forte was essay-style questions and probing a point of law from multiple viewpoints. I’d never been tested on multiple-choice questions (MCQ) before, which meant I had to develop the ability to retain the law and then apply it in a short period of time.

My main challenge was staying focused throughout the exam. My attention span is nowhere near 153 minutes. The constant time pressure led me to develop a tendency to preempt the answers. While I always finished the mock tests with lots of time to spare, I was also unsure of my answers. I knew this had to change ahead of the actual exam, so I started setting timers for each question. This helped me because I was able to go through the questions at a good speed and spend enough time to understand the answer options.

The next step was staying consistent. At the beginning, I’d been studying the subjects independently and scoring quite well in the subject-specific mocks, but I couldn’t jump from one subject to another. I figured I had to revise all 15 subjects simultaneously. On top of that, all the dates, timelines, counting rules and legal tests I had to remember added up.

My approach was to practise – and I can’t say this enough – practise again, while studying the underlying law until I knew it like the back of my hand. While the SQE isn’t necessarily meant to test your memory, being confident in your knowledge of the law when it’s just you in front of the computer on exam day really helps. 

The SQE pass rate for my sitting was at an all-time low, so I was incredibly proud to score in the first quintile.

Tips for preparing for the SQE

Understand SQE1 versus SQE2

SQE1 and SQE2 have completely different requirements and require a completely different mentality, so I’d always suggest finding time to understand them. The law remains broadly the same, but there’s a huge difference between being tested on MCQ and advocating in front of a judge.

Make a schedule you can stick to

This was necessary for me, as I was also working while preparing for the SQE. I set time aside in the morning to review the law and practised MCQs in the evening. This meant I had quite a packed schedule, but I strongly believe that a big part of passing the SQE came down to staying consistent.

Find a balance between MCQs and reading

While attempting practice MCQs helps to familiarise yourself with the exam format, you’ll never get the same questions in the actual exam.

Get a friend to review your work

This tip relates more to SQE2, where you’re also being tested on how well you can convey your message to both a legal and non-legal audience. I found it useful to practise advocacy with a friend on the same journey as me and go through interview practice with my partner. This helped me gauge how to adapt my style according to the audience.

Consistency is key

What I’d say in the end is that the journey is hard, but the end result is worth it. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t let yourself be beaten up by a few failed questions or mock tests. Even during the actual exam, I tried not to spend too much time on a question I knew I couldn’t answer. In my experience, the key to passing the SQE lies in being consistent and moving with the timer.

Jacqueline Andra Bot is a BPP LLM SQE1&2 student.

BPP offers a comprehensive range of SQE courses to suit your needs – from comprehensive preparation for both law graduates and non-law graduates, to flexible exam preparation. Find out more via BPP’s website.