I've just finished the prep course as part of my LLM SQE1 & 2 pathway at The University of Law, and I'm about to properly start revising for SQE1, which I'm sitting in January 2027. Here's where my head's at before I begin.
The memory thing is more daunting than I expected
SQE1 leans heavily on memory, recalling the right rule at the right moment across the whole syllabus. I've always prided myself on having a good memory, but that's exactly what makes this exam feel daunting rather than reassuring. Knowing the law isn't enough if you can't retrieve it fast enough under pressure.
The answer options are deliberately close to each other
Going through practice material during the course, the thing that's caught me out more than actual gaps in knowledge is how similar the wording of the answer options can be. It's not always about knowing the law, it's about reading closely enough to spot which option is subtly wrong.
Notes alone were never going to cut it
I realised early on that writing everything out in notes, the way I would have for a law degree essay, wasn't going to work for an exam like this. SQE1 is a different kind of test, and it needs a different kind of revision.
Question banks, starting small and building up
The plan is question banks, and lots of them, easing in with a smaller number of questions and gradually increasing over time rather than diving straight into full timed papers. That's advice I got from a law sister I first met at my very first lecture at Surrey, given to me earlier this year. You'll probably hear more about her here as this pathway goes on.
Why it matters
SQE1 is one step closer to the end goal: qualifying as a solicitor in family law. It's a tough exam, but I believe I'm well equipped with the knowledge, resources, and advice to take it on in January 2027. I'll be back with honest updates as revision gets underway.