Question 1

What should I do if I am not ready for my SQE exam?

Accepted Answer

First: stop panicking and start triaging. Most SQE panic comes from trying to cover everything at once. The first step is to identify your highest-yield areas and focus there. For SQE1, Business Law & Practice, Property Practice, Criminal Law, and Tort together account for roughly half of all MCQs - that is where to start. Switch from passive reading to active MCQ practice immediately. Use this tool to get a clear, honest read on your position and exactly what to do next.

Question 2

I only have 2 weeks until my SQE1 exam - what should I do?

Accepted Answer

With 2 weeks left, stop reading notes. Your only priority is timed MCQ practice - aim for 100-150 questions per day with written review of every wrong answer. Focus on your weakest areas first, then BLP, Property, Criminal Law, and Tort. Do not start new topics you have not touched; triage what you already know. Two weeks of focused, disciplined MCQ practice has moved candidates from 55% to a passing score - but only if you change method completely rather than continuing what you were doing.

Question 3

What if I have not covered all the SQE syllabus?

Accepted Answer

Most candidates go into SQE1 without having covered 100% of the syllabus - and many still pass. With limited time remaining, trying to cover every corner of the 13-subject syllabus is the wrong approach. Focus on the highest-yield areas first: BLP, Property, Criminal Law, and Tort account for around half of all MCQs. For topics you have not touched at all with fewer than 3 weeks left, consider whether attempting them is worth the opportunity cost. Breadth of partial coverage beats depth of perfect coverage on a small number of topics.

Question 4

Can I pass SQE1 if I have failed my mock exams?

Accepted Answer

Yes - and it happens regularly. Mock exam results are a diagnostic, not a prediction. The gap between mock performance and the actual exam depends entirely on how you respond to those results. Candidates who analyse their mock failures systematically - identifying which topics and question types they consistently get wrong, then targeting those specifically - often see significant score improvements. Failing a mock with 4+ weeks remaining is information, not a verdict. The candidates who fail the actual exam after failing mocks are usually the ones who felt bad about the mock and then went back to doing exactly the same thing.

Question 5

How do I handle SQE exam stress and anxiety?

Accepted Answer

SQE exam anxiety is normal, especially for candidates working full-time or sitting a resit. The most effective thing in the final days is to reduce decision-making: have a clear revision schedule so you are not constantly deciding what to do next. Accept that you will not feel fully prepared - almost no one does. On the day, if a station or task goes badly, each one is marked independently. Candidates who recover composure after a difficult station consistently outperform those who spiral. If anxiety is significantly affecting your ability to function, speak to your GP - you may be entitled to a reasonable adjustment or deferral.

Question 6

What is a realistic pass mark for SQE1?

Accepted Answer

The SRA does not publish a fixed pass mark for SQE1. It uses standard-setting (the Angoff method) to set the threshold each sitting, so the pass mark varies. Historically it has sat somewhere between 56% and 65% depending on cohort and paper difficulty. The first-attempt pass rate for FLK1 was 60.8% and for FLK2 was 57.8% in 2024-25. Consistently scoring above 60% in practice MCQs across all topics is a reasonable target, but 65%+ gives meaningful headroom.

Question 7

Can I still pass SQE1 with only 4-6 weeks left?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if you change how you are studying right now. With 4-6 weeks remaining you cannot cover everything - you need to ruthlessly prioritise. Focus on Business Law & Practice, Property Practice, Criminal Law, and Tort, which together account for roughly half of all MCQs. Stop reading and switch almost entirely to MCQ practice with targeted review. Aim for 100-150 MCQs per day. Candidates who fail with 6 weeks left are almost always still in passive revision mode rather than active practice.

Question 8

Should I withdraw from my SQE sitting?

Accepted Answer

If you are consistently scoring below 50% in MCQ practice and have fewer than 4 weeks left, withdrawing or postponing is likely the right call - sitting underprepared wastes nearly £1,000 and the psychological cost of a fail is real. However, if you are at 55-60% with 4+ weeks, a structured push is often enough to cross the line. The worst outcome is withdrawing, losing momentum, and sitting in the same position six months later. Use this tool to get an honest read on your position before deciding.

Question 9

What is the difference between SQE1 and SQE2 prep?

Accepted Answer

SQE1 is two multiple-choice papers testing legal knowledge across 13 subject areas - the challenge is breadth and volume. SQE2 tests practical legal skills through 7 written and oral assessments: Interviewing, Advocacy, Legal Drafting, Case and Matter Analysis, Advice Note, Legal Research, and Legal Writing. SQE2 marks legal knowledge and skills separately - strong structure and professional language can earn high skills marks even when your FLK on a topic is weak. Treating SQE2 like an academic exam is one of the most common reasons candidates fail it.

Question 10

What does the £9 recovery plan include?

Accepted Answer

The £9 plan gives you a structured, personalised recovery plan based on your inputs - weeks remaining, MCQ scores, syllabus coverage, and study hours. For SQE1 it includes your exact day-by-day schedule for the next 7 days, which topics to prioritise and deprioritise, daily MCQ targets calibrated to your position, a catch-up protocol if you fall behind, and specific focus warnings. For SQE2 it covers skill priorities by assessment type, oral and written prep structure, and a confidence-building routine. One-off payment, instant access, no subscription.

SQE Panic
Button

SQE prep: answered honestly

SQE PanicButton

SQE prep: answered honestly

SQE Panic
Button