Let’s be honest — no matter how much you’ve prepared, the SQE2 exam days can feel overwhelming. You’ve spent months revising, practising mocks, and memorising structures… and now it all comes down to a few high-pressure days.
Maybe your mind blanks during a written assessment. Maybe a client interview doesn’t go to plan. Maybe you lose your train of thought halfway through your advocacy.
It happens — even to the best candidates.
The difference between those who recover and those who spiral often comes down to one thing: staying calm under pressure.
Here are my top SQE2 exam day tips to help you keep your composure, think clearly, and perform your best — even when everything seems to go wrong.
1. Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t
You can’t control every variable — but you can control your preparation, mindset, and reactions.
Go into the SQE2 knowing that some things might go wrong. That’s not a reflection of your ability — it’s just real life. Minds go blank, time flies, nerves kick in. The key is to adapt quickly instead of panicking.
If something unexpected happens, pause, take a slow breath, and remind yourself: “I’ve prepared for this. I know what to do next.”
Building calm starts before exam day — practise mock assessments under slightly stressful conditions so your brain learns to operate under pressure.
2. Use Your Time Wisely
One of the biggest causes of panic is poor time management. When you lose track of time, you lose control — and your confidence goes with it.
Each SQE2 task has strict timings (for example, 45 minutes for drafting, 25 minutes for an attendance note). During preparation, learn to structure your time to the minute. For example:
-
Advocacy (45 mins prep):
Spend the first 10 minutes reading all documents, 25–30 minutes preparing arguments, and the last 5–10 minutes rehearsing.
Having these time checkpoints in your head on exam day keeps you grounded and stops panic from creeping in.
3. Expect Nerves — and Reframe Them
Almost everyone feels nervous before the SQE2 oral exams. Those butterflies in your stomach? That’s adrenaline. It’s your body gearing up to help you perform.
Instead of thinking, “I’m panicking,” try reframing it as, “My body is preparing me to focus.”
In moments of stress, use grounding techniques:
-
Take slow, deep breaths (4 seconds in, 6 seconds out).
-
Press your feet firmly to the floor.
-
Briefly look around and name 3 things you can see — it re-centres your attention.
A calm candidate performs better — not because they’re less nervous, but because they’ve learned how to manage their nerves.
4. Stick to Your Structures
When stress hits, your brain can go blank. That’s why having clear structures memorised for every skill is so important — they give you a roadmap even when your thoughts feel scrambled.
For example:
-
Advocacy: Introduction → Facts → Law → Application → Conclusion.
-
Interview: Greeting → Gather facts → Ask open questions → Clarify → Summarise → Next steps.
-
Writing: Introduction → Legal principles → Application → Advice → Conclusion.
If you forget a detail, fall back on your structure. It keeps you moving and ensures you still pick up marks for organisation and clarity — even if you don’t feel confident in every point.
5. Recover Quickly When Things Go Wrong
Everyone has a shaky moment in SQE2. What matters most is how you recover.
If a client interview goes badly, don’t carry it into the next task. Each assessment is marked separately, so you get a clean slate every time.
After a difficult paper or oral exam:
-
Take a breath.
-
Avoid overanalysing your performance with others — it only increases anxiety.
-
Refocus on what’s next.
Remember: examiners aren’t looking for perfection; they’re looking for competence.
6. Prepare Your Mind Like You Prepare Your Notes
Revision builds knowledge. Mindset builds resilience.
In the weeks leading up to your SQE2, include stress management in your prep routine:
-
Visualise success. Picture yourself handling difficult moments calmly and professionally.
-
Simulate pressure. Do mocks under strict timing and mild distractions to build tolerance.
-
Rest properly. The night before each exam, prioritise sleep — tiredness magnifies stress.
When exam day arrives, your body and brain will already know how to stay steady.
Final Thoughts
The SQE2 isn’t just a test of your legal skills — it’s a test of composure, professionalism, and focus under pressure. Things might go wrong. That’s okay. What matters is how you respond.
By managing your time, using grounding techniques, sticking to structures, and resetting quickly after setbacks, you’ll show exactly what examiners want to see: the calm, capable mindset of a future solicitor.
You’ve already done the hard work — now it’s about trusting your preparation.