How to prepare for SQE1

Jan 05, 2024

Written By Helena Kudiabor

There are a variety of different ways to prepare ahead of sitting SQE1, whichever option you choose depends on the amount of law you have studied beforehand, and on your budget.

Should I take a preparation course?

Law schools offer a variety of different courses to help you prepare for the SQE1. This ranges from the postgraduate diploma in law (PGDL) which provides non-law students with a background in law as well as preparation for the SQE1, to an SQE1-specific practice course. Course fees vary depending on the intensity of the course, so the PGDL can cost £15,000 while SQE1 specific courses cost approx £5,000. Given that the SQE exams are very new, many law schools are offering incentives such as unlimited retakes of the course if you fail the exam and eBooks for revision.

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While you may be uninterested in the preparation courses due to the high cost, they also have several advantages. If you fail any part of the SQE three times, you will have to wait six years before you can resit, and you will have to pay every time you resit. Preparation courses will not just teach you content, but valuable study skills such as time management. If you haven’t studied law before or are nervous about the exam, it’s a good idea for you to take a preparation course.

How can I self study for SQE1?

Self-studying requires a lot of discipline and perseverance, and it can be difficult to do so if you have a limited background in law. It would be a good idea for you to self-study if you have a lot of legal experience: for example you’ve done a law apprenticeship or are currently a paralegal.

Make sure you try several sample questions online, preferably with time restraints so you know how the exam will feel. Find out what type of learner you are (auditory, visual) and adapt your study methods accordingly, for example by using videos or flashcards.

There are lots of different resources online (although some require a fee), and there will be more as more people take the exam. If you think you’ll struggle with motivation, why not get together with some friends to share resources and push each other?

One of the benefits of the new SQE format is that there is no single right way to prepare for it. As a result, you should do whatever best suits you and your learning style.

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