In a recent Platforum9 session for law students and early career professionals, Claire Flores, Head of Student Sales at Barbri SQE Prep, shared comprehensive insights on preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). As the legal profession adapts to this relatively new qualification route, understanding the structure, requirements, and preparation options has become essential for aspiring solicitors in England and Wales.
Understanding the SQE Framework
The SQE represents a significant shift in the qualification process for solicitors, replacing the traditional Legal Practice Course (LPC) route. Flores explained that the complete qualification journey consists of three key components:
- SQE1: A multiple-choice examination testing functioning legal knowledge
- SQE2: A practical examination assessing legal skills
- Qualifying Work Experience (QWE): A minimum of two years of relevant legal work experience
This structure offers greater flexibility than previous qualification routes, as candidates can complete these elements in various orders and the QWE can be gathered from up to four different legal environments, rather than requiring a formal training contract at a single firm.
Examination Structure and Content
The SQE1 examination presents a particularly rigorous challenge, with Flores detailing its comprehensive coverage of legal fundamentals:
“It’s a two-day exam with each day featuring approximately six hours of multiple-choice questions,” Flores explained. “The first day covers business law and practice, dispute resolution, contracts, torts, legal system of England and Wales, and constitutional law. The second day addresses property, wills and estates, solicitors accounts, land law, trusts, and criminal law and practice.”
In total, candidates face 360 multiple-choice questions across these subject areas. However, as Flores emphasised, the nature of these questions requires specific preparation: “The SQE1 employs the same types of multiple-choice tests as the US Bar does, asking for the best answer. Multiple answers can technically be correct, but one answer will be more correct because of a certain turn of phrase, a certain fact pattern, or a certain turn of the rule.”
This distinctive feature explains why self-study approaches that worked for traditional law exams might prove less effective for the SQE.
Flexible Study Options
Recognising the diverse circumstances of aspiring solicitors, preparation providers like Barbri have developed various study formats to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences. Flores outlined Barbri’s spectrum of options:
- 10-week accelerated course: A full-time commitment requiring approximately 40 hours per week, ideal for recent graduates who can dedicate themselves entirely to preparation
- 20-week focused course: A balanced option requiring about 20 hours of weekly study, suitable for those with part-time work commitments
- 40-week flexible course: Designed for those balancing full-time employment, requiring 10-12 hours per week over a longer period
These formats deliver the same substantive content but vary in intensity and duration. For working professionals, Flores highlighted that the 20-week course offers particular flexibility: “If you are put on a matter where, one week, you might not hit that 20 hours, you can flexibly change around your schedule with our personal study plan and with our intuitive study assistant and coach.”
This adaptability extends to early access to course materials, with courses typically opening approximately one month before the official start date to allow students additional preparation time.
The Technology Advantage
Modern preparation courses increasingly leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes. Flores described Barbri’s “Isaac” system (Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach), which uses algorithm-based learning to personalise the study experience:
“Our course knows everything about the exam and, over time, it learns what you know about the different subjects,” she explained. “Our algorithm in the background flexibly changes based on your performance and the time that you have left to study.”
This adaptive approach helps identify knowledge gaps and focus study time on areas needing improvement, potentially explaining the significant difference between general pass rates and those achieved with structured preparation. Flores noted that while the average SQE1 pass rate reported by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for January 2024 was 56%, Barbri students who completed at least 90% of their course had a 73% pass rate.
Practical Considerations
Beyond the academic challenge, candidates need to consider several practical factors when planning their SQE journey:
Timing and Scheduling
The SQE1 is offered twice yearly (January and July), while the SQE2 runs four times annually. With strategic planning, it’s possible to complete both examinations within a single year, assuming the qualifying work experience requirement has been met.
Costs
The financial investment for qualification is substantial:
- SQE1 examination fee: £1,888
- SQE2 examination fee: £2,902
- Preparation courses: Approximately £2,999 for SQE1 and £3,499 for SQE2
However, Flores mentioned that many employers cover these costs as part of training contracts, and course providers often offer alumni discounts, scholarship opportunities, and instalment payment plans to make the process more financially manageable.
Test Centre Booking
Flores emphasised the importance of early registration for preferred examination venues: “I would recommend to be prepared to book early, not only on the Barbri prep course but also on your SQE exam centre, in order to choose or get the exam centre that you would most prefer.”
Widening Access to the Profession
One significant advantage of the SQE system, according to Flores, is its potential to broaden access to the legal profession: “The SQE has actually widened the access to become a solicitor. With the previous route, you needed an LPC and then you needed to secure a training contract. With the SQE and qualifying work experience, you don’t necessarily need that specific training contract.”
This flexibility allows candidates to accumulate qualifying experience through paralegal roles, legal clinics, or other legal environments, potentially creating pathways for those who might have found it difficult to secure the highly competitive formal training contracts required under the previous system.
Conclusion
The SQE represents both a challenge and an opportunity for aspiring solicitors. While the examinations are rigorous and comprehensive, the flexibility of the qualification route and the availability of adaptive, technology-enhanced preparation options provide multiple pathways to success.
For law students and early career professionals navigating this landscape, understanding the examination structure, choosing appropriate preparation methods, and planning the qualification journey carefully are essential steps toward successfully entering the solicitor profession in England and Wales.
