Preparing for the SQE2 is no small feat. It’s a rigorous assessment of your ability to apply legal knowledge to real-life tasks, from client interviews to advocacy and legal writing. But success isn’t just about cramming facts — it’s about having the right SQE2 mindset and approach.
If you’re asking how to pass SQE2, start here: learn to think like a solicitor. The mindset framework below will help you tackle every SQE2 task with confidence and clarity.
Step 1: Identify the Legal Issue
In every SQE2 oral or written assessment, your first job is to spot what the legal issue actually is. That means not just reacting to what the client says, but digging beneath the surface.
Example:
If a client asks whether they can access land through a neighbouring property, that’s not just a property question — it’s about easements.
What to Remember:
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Legal issues are often hidden behind everyday language.
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Your role is to translate real-world problems into legal categories.
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Issue spotting sets the foundation for everything that follows — if you miss it, the rest won’t matter.
Step 2: Explain the Law
Once you’ve identified the issue, you need to clearly explain the relevant legal rules or tests. This is where many SQE2 candidates lose marks — by rushing into the application without demonstrating they actually understand the law.
Example:
In an easement question, explain all possible ways one can arise such as:
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Express grant
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Implied easement
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Necessity
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Prescription (long use)
and include explanations for each method. Don’t assume the examiner knows what you mean — spell it out clearly and logically.
What to Remember:
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Write or speak as if you’re explaining the law to a client.
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Clarity is more important than complexity.
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This is where you prove your Foundational Legal Knowledge (FLK) as required by the SRA (see specification here) — don’t skip it.
Step 3: Apply and Advise
Now it’s time to apply the law to the scenario and advise the client. This is your chance to show real problem-solving — not just reciting rules, but using them.
Example:
“Based on what you’ve told me, there may be an implied easement here due to XYZ. However, we’d need to confirm XYZ to confirm this.”
What to Remember:
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Your goal is to help the client understand their position and options.
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Be specific, not vague — apply the actual legal test to the facts.
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Always focus on resolving the client’s issue, not just showing off what you know.
Supporting Your SQE2 Mindset
Mastering these three steps — Identify, Explain, Apply — is the core of a winning SQE2 approach. But to really smash the exam, you also need to develop the right mindset around your preparation:
✔️ Adopt a Growth Mindset
Believe that your legal skills can improve with effort and feedback. Every mock exam is an opportunity to grow — not a verdict on your ability.
✔️ Be Strategic with Your Study
Create a balanced study schedule that mixes knowledge revision, practice tasks, and timed assessments. Use active recall and mock simulations to mirror exam conditions.
✔️ Use Support Networks
Don’t do it alone. Join SQE2 study groups, get feedback from tutors, and use high-quality prep materials that reinforce this mindset-driven approach.
Final Thoughts: How to Pass SQE2 with Confidence
If you’ve been wondering how to pass SQE2, start by approaching each mock question by focusing on these three essential habits:
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Spot the legal issue.
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Clearly explain the relevant law.
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Apply it to the client’s facts and offer practical advice.
This mindset framework isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. It’s how real solicitors think, and it’s exactly what the SQE2 is testing. Combine this approach with disciplined preparation, and you’ll be well on your way to smashing the exam.
For additional materials to support your SQE2 studies, check out my materials here.