AI is everywhere right now. From drafting contracts to answering legal questions, tools like ChatGPT are changing how lawyers work. But what about students? Can you use AI in your SQE preparation — and if so, how do you do it effectively?
The short answer: yes, AI can be a brilliant study companion. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to use it. Here’s how to make AI work for you without undermining the core skills you’ll need to pass the SQE.
Why AI Can Help in SQE Prep
The SQE2 in particular tests not just what you know, but how you apply it in practice. AI tools can help you:
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Save time by generating structures, checklists, or summaries.
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Spot gaps in your knowledge by testing you with active recall prompts.
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Improve clarity by rephrasing legal principles in plain English.
Used smartly, AI is less like a crutch and more like a 24/7 study partner.
The Big Warning: Don’t Outsource Your Thinking
Here’s the danger: if you let AI do the work for you — writing attendance notes, drafting advocacy scripts, or answering questions directly — you’re cheating yourself out of the practice you actually need.
Remember, in the exam you’ll be on your own. No notes, no prompts, no AI. The only way to prepare properly is to train your own brain to recall and apply the law under pressure.
So use AI as a support tool, not a shortcut.
Practical Ways to Use AI in SQE Preparation
1. Generate Active Recall Prompts
Active recall is one of the most effective revision techniques. Instead of re-reading notes, ask AI to:
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Generate questions on FLK topics.
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Hide the answers so you can test yourself.
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Give you feedback on whether your explanation was complete.
✅ Example prompt: “Test me on the different ways an easement can arise. Ask follow-up questions if my answer is incomplete.”
2. Practise Explaining the Law in Plain English
SQE2 rewards candidates who can explain legal principles clearly to clients. AI can help you practise this skill. Take a complex area of law, explain it in your own words, and then ask AI to rate how clear and client-friendly your explanation is.
✅ Example prompt: “Here’s how I’d explain frustration in contract law to a client — can you suggest where I could make it clearer?”
3. Create Timed Practice Conditions
AI can even simulate the pressure of exam conditions by acting as a “mock examiner.” Give it a task (e.g. a client interview scenario) and a timer, then respond as if you’re in the real exam.
This builds confidence and reduces nerves on the day.
4. Build Study Checklists and Schedules
If you’re juggling full-time work or other commitments, AI can help you map out a realistic SQE study timetable. Just be sure to sanity-check it against your actual availability.
✅ Example prompt: “I have 12 weeks until SQE2 and 12 hours a week to study. Create a week-by-week schedule covering all skill areas.”
AI and the Future Solicitor
Here’s the thing: using AI in your SQE prep isn’t just about passing the exam. It’s also about preparing for practice. In-house teams and law firms are already using AI for drafting, research, and contract review. Learning how to use AI smartly now will give you a head start in your career.
But the same principle applies in practice as in your studies: AI should support your judgment, not replace it. The solicitor of the future will be the one who knows when to rely on AI — and when to rely on their own expertise.
Final Thoughts
So, can you use AI in SQE preparation? Absolutely. Just don’t let it replace the one skill the SQE is truly testing: your ability to think like a solicitor.
Use AI to:
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Generate active recall questions
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Refine your explanations
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Keep yourself accountable
But when it comes to mocks and practice tasks, do the hard work yourself. Because on exam day, it won’t be AI in the hot seat — it’ll be you.