How to prepare for the SQE
BPP looks at everything you need to prepare for the SQE, including how hard is the SQE, how to study for SQE, and SQE sample questions. Read now!
If you’re looking to become a solicitor in England and Wales, then you’ll need to take the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE pass rates have shown that this is a challenging assessment, requiring careful planning and preparation.
If you’re wondering:
How hard is the SQE?
What’s the best way to prepare for the SQE?
How should I study for the SQE?
Then we’re here to help, with insights and guidance to support your SQE preparation. We’ll explore the SQE1 and SQE2 exams, offer study strategies based on successful SQE students’ experiences, and provide tips on choosing the most suitable SQE preparation course.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about preparing for the SQE.
How much time does it take to prepare for the SQE?
The SQE has no set timeframe, unlike the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Passing the SQE exams requires a comprehensive understanding of the law, and it is important not to attempt the exams until you are fully confident of passing.
Due to the flexibility of the training route, there are a variety of courses available to help SQE candidates qualify at their own pace. Full-time SQE courses take anywhere from 4-months for the individual SQE1 Preparation package, to 12-months for the comprehensive LLM SQE1&2.
What does SQE1 and SQE2 cover?
SQE1
The SQE1 consists of two examinations of 180 multiple-choice questions. SQE candidates must apply their knowledge of the law to demonstrate the competencies required of a newly qualified solicitor.
SQE1 exams cover the following areas of law:
Business Law and Practice
Dispute Resolution
Contract
Tort
Legal System of England and Wales
Constitutional and Administrative Law and Legal Services
Ethics and Professional Conduct are also examined across both assessments. SQE candidates will be expected to demonstrate their ability to act with honesty and integrity, following the SRA principles.
Additionally, Principals of Taxation will be examined in the context of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice, and Wills and the Administration of Estates.
SQE2
The SQE2 exams are split into five half days. Oral examinations will take place over two half days, with a total of four oral exams. These will be evenly split between 1) advocacy, and 2) interviewing and attendance/legal analysis.
This is followed by the written component of the exam, which will take place over three half days and will cover the following skills across 12 assessments:
Case and Matter Analysis
Legal Research
Legal Writing
Legal Drafting
Candidates will participate in solicitor/client interactions, file reviews, and court-based scenarios. These skills are assessed through 16 tasks in simulated legal environments called stations.
The areas of law covered in SQE2 are:
Property Practice
Wills and the Administration of Estates
Solicitors Accounts
Land Law
Trusts
Criminal Law and Practice
Each SQE2 task is assessed in the context of one or more of the areas covered in SQE1, so it’s essential for candidates to maintain and retain that knowledge for SQE2.
What can I do to be as best prepared for the SQE as possible?
How hard is the SQE?
The new qualification route is very challenging, and will require careful planning and preparation for candidates to be successful.
With the SQE1 and SQE2 exams combined, candidates will sit 18 different assessments over a total of seven days. While these are not all completed in one go, this gives a sense of the scale of knowledge and skills that the SQE demands.
How to study for the SQE
We spoke to our SQE students to get their top tips on how to study for the SQE:
Prepare to start your SQE preparation course. Make sure you revise key topics from your law degree or law conversion course, and go over previous assessments to learn from the feedback
Summarise complex terminology using flashcards, rhymes, or mnemonics. This will help you retain facts and phrases
Hone your legal skills by gaining experience working in practice, such as during a Pro Bono project, vacation scheme, or part-time legal work
How to choose the right course for you
The key factors you should consider when choosing an SQE preparation course are:
Funding
Are you self-funding, or will you need access to a postgraduate loan or scholarships? It’s important to understand what funding options are available and are most suitable to you.
Online or in-person, full-time or part-time
The flexibility of the SQE means that you can choose to study how you like, whether that’s part-time so you can fit the SQE around full-time work, studying remotely, or studying full-time in-centre.
Your legal knowledge
Have you completed a law degree or law conversion course? If not, you will need to complete a law conversion course or integrated law conversion with SQE preparation.
Employability and legal skills
Consider whether you would benefit from extra-curricular support and development such as careers support or pro bono or coaching and mentoring schemes while you study for the SQE.
Why not check out our SQE course comparison table to see which course would be best for you?
Final thoughts
The SQE training route offers lots of flexibility to aspiring solicitors. While the SQE exams are very challenging, there are a wide range of courses that will help you to qualify in a way that works for you.
Ready to start your SQE journey with BPP?
