How Do I Prepare for the SQE2?

Preparing for SQE2 is a crucial step toward qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. Unlike SQE1, which tests legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions, SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills, as well as legal knowledge, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply the law in a variety of scenarios. If you’ve been wondering, “How do I prepare for the SQE2?”, this guide will walk you through the best SQE2 revision advice, key strategies, and essential resources to help you succeed. Understanding SQE2 The SQE2 exam assesses candidates on practical legal skills across core practice areas, including: • Client Interviewing & Attendance Note Writing • Advocacy • Legal Writing & Drafting • Legal Research • Case & Matter Analysis These skills are tested in criminal litigation, dispute resolution, business, property, and wills & probate. The exam is designed to evaluate how well you perform legal tasks in professional settings—making preparation both knowledge-based and skill-focused. How Do I Prepare for the SQE2? Key Steps for Success 1. Enrol in a Reputable SQE2 Prep Course One of the most effective ways to prepare for SQE2 is by enrolling in a structured SQE2 prep course. A good course will: ✔ Cover all assessment areas in a structured way. ✔ Provide mock exams and simulated exercises to help you practice. ✔ Offer 1:1 feedback from legal professionals. When choosing a course, consider factors like teaching methods, reviews, materials offered and of course, cost to ensure it aligns with your study needs. 2. Create a Structured Study Plan SQE2 requires legal knowledge as well as practical skill development, so a strategic study plan is essential. Break down your preparation into dedicated study periods: 🗓 Month 1 – Understand what is required of each assessment and review the marking criteria from the SRA website; go through the functioning legal knowledge (FLK) ensuring you spend equal amounts of time on each subject – make notes, read books, watch lectures – whatever you need to do to start absorbing the legal knowledge; start practicing mock exams 🗓 Month 2 – Focus on active recall revision and mock exams. 🗓 Month 3 – Determine where your gaps remain, continue with active recall revision and mock exams. Consistency is key—stick to your study schedule to ensure you cover all areas before exam day. I would recommend studying around 10-15 hours per week for at least 3 months. 3. Use Active Recall and Practice Techniques A major mistake candidates make is passive studying—simply reading notes isn’t enough. Instead, focus on active recall and practical exercises to cement your knowledge: 🧠 Active Recall – Read through your notes, then explain key concepts aloud without looking. Afterwards, check what you got right or missed. 🎭 Mock Assessments – Simulate SQE2 exam tasks under timed conditions to develop a natural, structured response style. 🎤 Self-Record Oral Practice – Record yourself performing an interview or advocacy exercise, then watch and critique your performance. These techniques will help you retain information better and improve your confidence. 4. Get Feedback and Improve SQE2 isn’t just about knowing the law—it’s about demonstrating competency at the required standard. Seeking feedback is crucial for improvement: • Peer Review – Practice with fellow candidates and exchange feedback. • Tutor Feedback – If enrolled in an SQE2 prep course or other resource, take advantage of reviews of your mock performances. • Self-Assessment – Record and review your client interviews or advocacy exercises to identify areas for refinement. Essential SQE2 Revision Resources Beyond a SQE2 prep course, there are plenty of additional resources that can enhance your preparation: 📚 Legal Textbooks & Revision Notes/Books – Strengthen your legal knowledge and can be excellent resources for active recall purposes. 📂 Sample Exam Papers & Mock Questions – Familiarise yourself with SQE2 exam formats and obtain as many questions as you can from different providers – the more different question styles you are exposed to, the more prepared you will be. 🌍 Online Study Groups & Forums – Join SQE2 discussion groups to share insights and revision strategies. Final Thoughts: How to Prepare for SQE2 with Confidence So, how do I prepare for the SQE2? The key lies in structured preparation, active learning, and plenty of practice. Follow these steps to give yourself the best chance of success: ✅ Enrol (if you can) in an SQE2 prep course for expert guidance. ✅ Create a clear study plan that covers all subjects and skills. ✅ Use active recall & mock assessments to reinforce learning. ✅ Seek feedback and make continuous improvements. With commitment, practice, and the right resources, you can approach SQE2 with confidence and increase your chances of passing on your first attempt. Good luck! 🚀 For further SQE2 resources, click here.

SQE2 Strategy: How to Structure Answers for Success

Preparing for SQE2 requires more than just legal knowledge—a super important SQE2 strategy is to have a structured approach to answering each assessment clearly and concisely. Many candidates lose marks because they don’t follow the correct SQE2 approach, missing key legal explanations or failing to present their answers logically. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through essential SQE2 strategies to help you maximise your marks, avoid common mistakes, and refine your assessment technique. Why Structure and Strategy Matter in SQE2 The SQE2 exam tests your ability to apply legal knowledge in a professional and practical way. Unlike the SQE1 multiple-choice format, SQE2 assessments require clear written and oral responses, simulating real-world legal practice. Many students struggle not because they lack legal knowledge, but because they fail to structure their answers logically or explain legal principles fully in a way that the examiners expect and meets the SQE2 requirements. This results in lost marks, even when they technically understand the law. By refining your SQE2 strategies, you can tailor your answers to what examiners expect to see—helping you secure the highest possible score. 1. Structure Is Key: Avoid Waffle and Confusion A well-structured answer makes it easier for examiners to follow your reasoning and award marks. Every response should have clear subheadings and dedicated sections to ensure no key area is missed. Recommended Answer Structure for Most SQE2 Assessments (particularly on the Written Side): There will always be exceptions, but most good SQE2 answers follow this or a version of this structure or contain these sections in logical places as a minimum: • Introduction: Briefly state what the issue is and what your answer will cover. • Facts: Summarise the relevant facts from the scenario. • Legal Explanation: Provide a full and comprehensive explanation of the law before applying it to the scenario. • Application & Advice: Apply the legal principles to the facts, explaining how the law operates in this situation and what advice should be provided to the client in question. • Conclusion: Summarise your findings and provide clear, concise advice. 💡 Tip: Avoid long, unstructured paragraphs. Use bullet points or numbered lists when appropriate to break down complex points. 2. Do Not Gloss Over Legal Explanations One of the most common mistakes in SQE2 is jumping straight to application without explaining what legal principle applies. Examiners need to see that you understand the law in full, not just that you can reach a conclusion. For example, if you are answering a question about easements, you shouldn’t simply apply one type of easement to the scenario. Instead, you should: 1. Set out all types of easements (express, implied, necessity, Wheeldon v Burrows, and statutory under s.62 LPA 1925 etc.). 2. Explain each type concisely. 3. Discuss why certain types of easements are relevant (or not) to the scenario. 4. Then apply the law to the facts and provide your conclusion. This ensures you pick up all available legal knowledge marks, not just application marks. 💡 Tip: If a question asks you to advise a client, and there are multiple options available to the client, always provide balanced reasoning—highlight potential risks, alternative interpretations, and any counterarguments where relevant. 3. Write Clearly: Precision and Proofreading Matter SQE2 answers must be clear, well-structured, and free of grammatical errors. If your writing is unclear, it can affect your marks even if your legal analysis is correct. How to Improve Your Writing for SQE2: • Avoid overly complex sentences – Keep your writing simple and to the point. • Pretend you are explaining to someone with no legal background – If a non-lawyer could follow your answer, you’re on the right track. • Proofread before submitting – Even minor errors can make your response harder to read. 💡 Tip: After writing an answer, re-read it it with fresh eyes after a short break (even if it is just 1 minute). This helps spot awkward phrasing or missing words. Final Thoughts: Mastering Your SQE2 Approach Success in SQE2 isn’t just about knowing the law—it’s about presenting your answers in a structured, clear, and strategic way that allows the examiners to tick off all required criteria and give you high marks. By following an SQE2 strategy, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure that your answers meet examiner expectations: ✔ Use a logical structure with subheadings. ✔ Fully explain legal principles before applying them. ✔ Write clearly and concisely, with a focus on readability. These small but crucial changes can make the difference between passing and failing SQE2. Stay disciplined in your approach, and you’ll set yourself up for exam success! Need More SQE2 Preparation? If you’re looking for additional SQE2 resources, mock exams, or personalised feedback, feel free to explore my study materials or reach out for further guidance. 🚀 With the right approach, you can maximise your SQE2 score and qualify with confidence!