As the SQE2 exam approaches, one question dominates most candidates’ minds:
“Am I actually ready?”
This post is your SQE2 readiness test — a set of 10 honest questions that will tell you far more about your preparedness than hours logged or mock counts.
If you can answer “yes” to most of these, you’re in a strong position. If not, you’ve just identified exactly what to fix.
1️⃣ Can You Explain the Law Out Loud Without Notes?
SQE2 is closed book. You don’t get prompts, options, or multiple-choice answers.
Ask yourself:
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Can I explain the elements of a claim or offence from memory?
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Can I talk through a legal test clearly, without reading?
If not, you likely need more active recall, not more note-reading.
2️⃣ Can You Apply the Law — Not Just State It?
Knowing the law is not enough. You must use it.
In every assessment, the examiner is asking:
“Can this candidate apply legal principles to a messy, real-life scenario?”
If your answers often jump straight to conclusions without explaining why, this is a gap to address.
3️⃣ Do You Know the SRA Marking Criteria Well?
Be honest:
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Have you actually read the SRA criteria?
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Do you tailor your answers to what is being marked?
If you’re not actively writing to the criteria, you’re leaving marks on the table.
4️⃣ Do You Have Clear, Memorised Structures for Every Assessment?
When nerves hit, your brain blanks. Structures save you.
Ask yourself:
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Do I have a go-to structure for advocacy?
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For interviews and attendance notes?
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For legal writing and case & matter analysis?
If you’re “winging it”, you’re relying on luck under pressure — and SQE2 doesn’t reward that.
5️⃣ Can You Finish Tasks Comfortably Within Time?
Some SQE2 assessments are extremely time-pressured.
Ask:
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Can I complete legal writing in time without rushing at the end?
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Can I prepare advocacy arguments efficiently?
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Can I write attendance notes quickly but clearly?
If timing feels tight, you need more timed practice, not more theory. Also, be sure to have a time plan for each assessment type, so you know what you will be doing at every given point.
6️⃣ Have You Practised Under Real Exam Conditions?
This means:
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Closed book
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Strict timing
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No pausing
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No “I’ll just check that later”
If most of your prep has been open-book or untimed, exam day will feel much harder than your practice sessions.
7️⃣ Can You Spot Issues Quickly?
SQE2 rewards efficient issue-spotting.
Ask yourself:
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When I read a scenario, do issues jump out?
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Or do I need to reread several times to work out what matters?
If it’s the latter, you may need more pattern recognition practice, not more content.
8️⃣ Can You Explain Things Simply?
This is one of the most underrated SQE2 skills.
Your answers should sound like you’re explaining the issue to:
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a client, or
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a non-legal colleague
If your writing is full of jargon but light on clarity, examiners will struggle to award marks — even if the law is technically correct.
9️⃣ Can You Recover When Things Go Wrong?
Things will go wrong:
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You’ll forget a point
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You’ll misjudge timing
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A task won’t feel great
Ask:
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Can I reset quickly and move on?
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Or do I spiral and carry mistakes forward?
Mental resilience is part of SQE2 readiness — especially over multiple exam days.
🔟 Do You Know Exactly What You’ll Focus on in the Final Weeks?
The final stage of SQE2 prep should not be random.
You should know:
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your weakest skills
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your weakest subjects
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which mocks to prioritise
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what to revise through active recall
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what to stop doing
If your plan is “a bit of everything”, it’s time to sharpen it.
Final Thoughts: Readiness Is About Execution, Not Effort
Passing SQE2 isn’t about how many hours you studied or how many mocks you attempted.
It’s about whether you can:
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recall the law
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apply it clearly
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communicate professionally
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manage time
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and perform under pressure
Use this SQE2 readiness test as a diagnostic tool — not to scare yourself, but to focus your preparation where it matters most.
Because the goal isn’t to feel busy.
The goal is to walk into the exam thinking:
“I know what I’m doing.”