Most SQE2 candidates spend their preparation obsessing over the obvious things: learning black-letter law, memorising structures, timing each assessment, practising mock after mock.
But there’s one major SQE2 mistake that almost every struggling candidate makes — and many don’t even realise they’re doing it.
It’s not poor legal knowledge.
It’s not shaky advocacy.
It’s not running out of time.
It’s this:
👉 Your answers leave the reader none the wiser.
And examiners spot it instantly.
This one issue quietly destroys marks across every SQE2 assessment type.
Let’s break down what it looks like — and how to fix it.
The Real SQE2 Mistake: Lack of Clarity and Thinking Out Loud
SQE2 examiners are not mind readers.
If your reasoning isn’t spelled out clearly, they cannot (and will not) give you marks for what you meant to say.
Candidates often think they are showing understanding, but their work reads like:
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vague summaries
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unexplained references to legal principles
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bullet points without reasoning
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conclusions without analysis
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advice without foundations
In other words:
Your answer may contain “law words”, but it doesn’t contain legal reasoning.
And SQE2 marking criteria heavily reward clarity, structure, accuracy, and explanation — not hints of understanding.
What This Looks Like in Different SQE2 Assessments
1. Client Interview & Attendance Note
You ask questions, the client answers… and then your note is:
“Client might have a claim. Need to check X and Y.”
That gives the examiner nothing.
What is the claim? Why? What legal test? What facts matter?
2. Advocacy
You list the law but never apply it:
“Under CPR 1.1 we have the overriding objective, so the application should succeed.”
That’s not application — it’s a random sentence.
3. Legal Writing
You provide a conclusion with no journey:
“Based on the above, you are likely to succeed.”
But the “above” is… nothing. You need to show your thinking and how you got to your conclusion.
4. Drafting
You include clauses that don’t relate to the scenario or that you cannot justify.
5. Case & Matter Analysis
You identify issues — great — but then provide no reasoning nor analysis, such as pros and cons of various options available to the client.
6. Legal Research
You paste the answer from the statute or practice note without interpreting it.
These aren’t content issues.
They’re clarity and reasoning issues.
Why Clarity Matters So Much in SQE2
SQE2 simulates real legal practice.
A solicitor must be able to explain:
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the law
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the reasoning
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the advice
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the options
…in a way a client or colleague can immediately understand.
If your answer is confusing, rushed, vague, or relies on the examiner to “fill in the gaps”, it will score poorly — even if you know the law.
Examiners want to see:
✔ clear explanations
✔ logical structure
✔ fully reasoned application
✔ advice that follows from analysis
✔ readability
✔ communication suitable for the audience
This is competence, not performance.
The Fix: Make Your Reasoning Explicit
Here’s how to avoid the biggest SQE2 mistake and instantly boost your answers.
1. Use Clear, Simple Language
Pretend you’re explaining the issue to a client with no legal background.
If the examiner can’t follow your logic, they cannot give you marks.
2. Always Use Structures
Structures exist so you don’t lose the plot under pressure.
Examples:
Advocacy:
Introduction → Facts → Law → Application → Conclusion
Interview:
Intro → Questions → Clarify → Summarise → Next steps
Writing/Drafting:
Purpose → Law → Application → Advice → Closing
These frameworks force clarity.
3. Apply the Law Every Time
Don’t just name the principle — use it:
❌ “There may be an implied easement.”
✔ “There may be an implied easement as the test for necessity is met because…”
4. Signpost As You Go
“Firstly, the issue is…”
“The legal test is…”
“Applying this to your situation…”
These small transitions massively improve readability.
5. Slow Down to Explain
Rushing leads to vague writing.
Deliberate explanation leads to marks.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be Perfect — You Need to Be Clear
Most SQE2 candidates don’t fail because they’re incapable.
They fail because their answers don’t show what they know.
You might have the law in your head.
You might understand the scenario.
You might be great in practice.
But if the examiner cannot follow your reasoning — if your answer leaves them none the wiser — the marks simply won’t be there.
So don’t focus purely on hours or mock counts.
Focus on clarity, structure, explanation, and reasoning.
That’s what examiners reward.
That’s what makes the difference between a borderline fail and a solid pass.
And that’s the SQE2 mistake you can fix — starting today.