As we gear up for another academic year, we’re excited to announce the start of our SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses this September. Now entering our third year of delivering these courses, we’ve gained valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in these demanding exams. With a deep understanding of the exam format and the expectations set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), we’ve fine-tuned our courses to offer the best possible preparation for aspiring solicitors.

SQE1 Preparation: A Two-Part Approach

Our SQE1 preparation course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive and effective learning experience, split into two key phases.

1. Seminar Timetable (10 Weeks): Active Learning at Its Best

For the first 10 weeks, you’ll follow a seminar timetable that covers the entire SQE1 curriculum. These sessions are built on the principle of active learning, meaning you’ll be engaged in constant interaction with your tutor. This approach not only improves your understanding of the material but also enhances retention. Our tutors, all qualified lawyers with real-world experience in the fields they teach, are dedicated to helping you grasp the complexities of the law in a practical, memorable way.

2. Revision Timetable: Drilling Exam Questions

After completing the seminar phase, you’ll transition into an intensive revision timetable. This period is all about ‘drilling’ examination questions, mimicking the conditions of the actual SQE1 exam. By focusing on question practice, you’ll develop the stamina and precision needed to tackle the exam’s challenging format. This rigorous preparation will continue right up until your exam sitting, ensuring you’re thoroughly prepared.

SQE2 Preparation: Focused on Practical Skills

Our SQE2 preparation programme is all about practice. In these seminar sessions, you’ll rehearse the skills that are directly assessed in SQE2 through detailed practice scenarios. Your tutors will closely monitor your progress, assessing your development against the Statement of Solicitor Competence. You’ll receive weekly, in-person feedback, allowing you to continuously refine your skills and improve your performance.

Key Insights for Success in the SQE

Through our experience in running these courses, we’ve identified several crucial insights that can make a significant difference in your exam performance:

1. Experience is Key: The SQE is a competence exam, and those with practical legal experience find it considerably easier to pass. Gaining relevant experience is invaluable, as it provides the context needed to apply your knowledge effectively.
2. Practical Application Over Memorization: While memorization is a component of the exam, our experience shows that practical application of the law is far more beneficial. Engaging with the material in real-world contexts helps solidify your understanding and prepares you better than rote revision alone.
3. Legal Judgment is Crucial: Success in the SQE1 exam requires more than just knowing the law; you need to apply legal judgment to determine the best possible answers from within a range of options. This skill is honed through practice and is essential for passing the exam.
4. Endurance Matters: The SQE1 exam is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s gruelling, requiring you to sit for long periods and answer a large number of questions. Building your stamina through regular practice sessions is critical to managing the exam’s demands.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Our SQE preparation courses are designed with your success in mind. With a combination of active learning, practical application, and rigorous practice, we’ll equip you with the tools you need to pass these challenging exams and move one step closer to qualifying as a solicitor.

Don’t leave your preparation to chance—join us this September and start your journey toward success in the SQE.