From paralegal to SQE1 pass: why I wish I had started practice questions sooner

What’s your background, and why did you decide to do the SQE?

I graduated with a Law degree in 2023 and then worked at a law firm, initially in an administrative role before becoming a paralegal. I then obtained an apprenticeship which allowed me to complete my preparation course for the SQE. I actually had a choice between doing the LPC and the SQE, but the SQE was more accessible to me and I thought the exams would suit me better, as I preferred multiple-choice questions over coursework.

How did you prepare, and what made the biggest difference in your success?

My preparation involved reading textbooks and making notes again and again until the information finally stuck in my head. I then started doing practice questions on the topics I had learnt, gradually building this up and eventually working towards timed mocks. I found there was a big difference between understanding something when reading it and actually being able to apply it to an SQE1 question, especially with how the questions can be worded.

What was the hardest part, and how did you push through it?

The hardest part for me was maintaining the focus needed for a year and a half to constantly learn, revise and retain such a huge amount of content. I found that I forgot a lot of things I had previously learnt, so I had to keep revisiting topics and refreshing my memory.

If you had to do it again, what would you do differently?

If I could do it again, I would definitely have started doing practice questions sooner. I waited until I felt more confident before starting them, when actually starting earlier would have helped me build that confidence.

Any final piece of advice for SQE candidates?

My biggest piece of advice would be to start questions early, whether you think you are ready or not. You will be surprised by how much you remember, but also by how much you learn from getting questions wrong. Going back and understanding why your answer was incorrect helps the information stick in your head and shows you exactly what you need to revise. Don’t wait until you feel ready to start practising.