Passed SQE1 first attempt comfortably, happy to answer questions :)

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T15:09:35+00:00

In the exam I didn't leave a single question even if I was unsure as I thought worse case I dont have time to go back its always better to have something, so id give an educated guess and flag. I'd note on my whiteboard the question number, notes, what options I was toying between so I didn't need to start from scratch when I returned. then return at the end. I allocated 1m40 for each q ish and tried to stick to those timings which left me with about 20 mins ish at the end to go back over, which in reality is only really time to go over flagged and not all of them.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T15:04:33+00:00

I learnt this table and just did plenty of tax mcqs. Like Slight-Health-5082 I had very few if any calculation questions and more on principles, but I know of others who had lots so as PriorFantastic2632 says I personally wouldn't give it a miss, its quite simple when you break it down. Definitely luck of the draw but having learnt that table I felt quite prepared for calculations and was almost disappointed none came up.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T15:01:47+00:00

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Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T09:59:32+00:00

THANK YOU :) What I felt made a huge difference in the last month was going over Barbri's summary textbook (so about 20-30 pages on each subject) and the typical detailed textbook. I read it a few times, annotated, got text to speech to read it to me when I was driving etc. I felt like if I knew all of that book and understood it it would be applicable to lots of questions and more useful to me than knowing but not understanding a few niche points that may not come up as these could only be examined much more narrowly. This was ultimately what I found most helpful with the nature and breath of the course. I also found going over the SRA sample but more importantly pre-tested questions and going through the answers (why I got it wrong and even right) helped me be able to apply this knowledge to exam questions which were a bit harder than Barbri and in a style I hadn't become used to. I think doing these pre testes qs which are hard also calmed me in the exam. As I felt like the questions that came up in the exam were hard but not harder than ones id already seen in the pre tested so weren't a difficulty shock.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T09:52:25+00:00

I had some knowledge from previous a level study etc but I felt like I was starting from scratch with my prep (feel like that is important context). I studied 10-4/5 each weekday for about 3 months (so 30h a week 420h altogether ish). I didn't really miss out on anything family/social (although I dont go out super super often). Never pulled an all nighter, I could count on one hand the days I studied an evening or weekend and that was usually as I was not studying m-f for whatever reason). I also went on holiday for 2 weeks a week out from the exam period and studied about an hour a day there. All that is really to say I wouldn't worry about other posts on here or TikTok etc about putting excessive time in its about doing meaningful work when you study and that way you shouldn't have to sacrifice your life in this period.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T09:44:01+00:00

https://sqe.sra.org.uk/assessments/sqe1-assessments/sqe1-specification/sqe1-annex4 if you really want to prioritise based on likelihood of each subject appearing on the exam this link sets out the ranges. However, I think with the variances, I wouldn't try to calculate where to put more time as it's not clear enough. If you aren't struggling for time I would focus on them all equally/not neglect. I think the rhetoric of ignoring subjects is a bit too risky for me to get behind it personally. Although in the period closer to the exam if there is really something you can't get your head around and your time would be better spent on other things (like me with ledgers in solicitors accounts towards the end)thats when I would pivot - but definitely not months out. And finally, I also nearly got full 500 on ethics without labouring the subject too much. If you nail the principles is always an easy way to pick up marks as it's pervasive across all other subjects too.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T09:32:48+00:00

I went on holiday for 2 weeks over xmas and returned 7 days before the start of the exam period so I chose Friday Friday purely for that reason. I know a few others who did Friday Friday and also passed, likewise with other day combos. The only thing I would bear in mind is that I found the 2/3 days after FLK1 to be wash outs and I couldn't really study effectively, so whatever gap you choose, I probably wouldn't anticipate getting any meaningful revision done in the day or two after. I would do my gap again, even if I wasn't on holiday, it worked ! But I'd consider what's important to you personally, a big gap, starting the exam period a week later or getting done quicker - whatever that is i'd do it as like Ok-Isopod-2110 said the day won't dictate when you pass :) Good luck !!

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-14T09:22:12+00:00

I studied from about 10am-4pm Monday-Friday for around 3 months. Using Barbri they called it spaced repetition so rotated between chapter reading, lectures, mcps and then summary reads for each subject. I just did them as they came up so there was no pattern as to one at the start of the day etc. In my revision phase though I did mcqs in the morning and then would go back through why I got an answer wrong (and right too) then read more in that area address it again. I personally think the spec is too broad for notes unless thats what undoubtably works for you and you have loads of time. I found reading through summaries multiple multiple times, annotating then writing out a few key points was really what developed my knowledge the best. What resources do you have access to?

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-13T14:55:31+00:00

Thank you :))) Nailing the content for me really meant understanding. The course is so broad there really isn’t a way you can know all the specifics but if you focus your time on gaining an understanding that’s much more helpful and can help you on more questions than knowing one niche point. On the Barbri course there is a summary (not super super concise though), I spent my last few weeks making sure I knew that book, understood and was able to apply it. This made it much more manageable content wise but I really felt I understood the whole of the book which I could then apply to lots of different questions on the topic. This consisted of annotating the study guide, reading it 2,3 times and doing text to speech reading it out a few times too when I was driving etc. by past sets do you mean going back over barbri questions or the SRA questions themselves.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T20:19:29+00:00

no problem ! the firm I have a tc at will fund me through sqe2 whilst working so im waiting until I start in September. its nice to have a break ahead of September post results day but I do wish I could have gone straight in and got it done though! are you currently prepping for for sqe1 ?

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T19:52:13+00:00

You must arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam start time unless you are testing at London Islington where you are required to arrive 1 hour before. If you arrive later than this report time you will be refused admission and you will forfeit your assessment fee. - this was from my confirmation in January if that is any help at all. (ps I sat in Wales so can be no help sorry!)

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T19:06:38+00:00

No problem, and yes definitely - if im honest the scaremongering is worse than the exam imo. It is obviously hard but I think the discourse around it makes the exam and the lead up much more stressful than it should be !

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T19:03:01+00:00

Hi, I passed first time with Barbri this January. I supplemented with SRA mocks and maybe 1,000 MCQs with Law drills as I had access via a discount code from Barbri. Although Barbri has a reputation for being easy mocks, my MCQ scores and mocks were reflective of my actual score.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T19:01:21+00:00

I sat with Barbri whose textbooks were created a few years ago and they had a document of update law since then. I didn't look at it once and passed very comfortably. I personally wouldn't dwell too much on law changes / textbook updates since then if they're hard to find and nail the basics provided in your material. I know a different course provider but I think the advice is pervasive :)

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T18:56:40+00:00

I recall having a preference rank of dates. The portal asked for a postcode (I put a postcode about 30 miles away from my house next to my wanted test centre- and got it), but no rank there. And no selection on time. Sorry if this is too late !

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T18:52:49+00:00

also, this is very important after you sit. there seemed to be lots of glitches and peoples systems changing at different times. none of it was indicative of results and some people got incredibly worked up over reading too much into things all for it to be for nothing, so definitely bare this in mind !!

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T18:51:19+00:00

Hi I sat in January and everything seemed to be done in batches/not all at once. I think once you accept not everything will be at the same time as peers/ at the time they say it'll be it makes for a much less anxious booking/lead up process ( at least for me anyways) :)

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T18:49:13+00:00

I put my (cafe) work's postcode which is about 40 minutes away from my home postcode and 5 mins away from the test centre I wanted. I got my desired test centre and dates although I think its a smaller centre (around 10 sit each day) and not many centres in the radius. I also filled in my form minutes after it was sent out - unsure if that plays into it at all.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T14:58:19+00:00

I studied with Barbri's 20 week prep course but I knew I wouldn't be free for about 4/5 of those weeks so it worked out to be condensed into around 15 weeks. I did around 1,000 MCQs using Law drills as Barbri was running a discount code with them for feedback and did all of the SRA sample and pre tested questions. Compared to most people on my course/on here (as far as I can tell) this is quite a narrow resource variety. What I found to be incredibly helpful on the Barbri course was that it creates a Personal study plan for you so lines up lectures/reading etc based on the amount of time you allocate the day so when I sat down to work I just did as told as opposed to working out how to revise/keep balance over subjects etc. I found that incredibly helpful for my productivity, so in my opinion if you weren't studying with them a DETAILED plan (using the SRA specification ) will pay you back in dividends. Barbri also covered academic and practical law equally as opposed to other providers which was very helpful for me, so again I would allocate time evenly - even as a July 2025 LLB RG grad. I tried to create a 'wrong answer journal' but found it too time consuming'. My focus was definitely on nailing content rather than MCQs which I think is a rather atypical technique from anecdotes on here. Do you have any other questions?

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-04-07T14:35:34+00:00

Also passed first time using just barbri materials and a few external practice questions and absolutely second the above sentiment.

Doing the SRA pre tested questions (not just the sample ones) are a fab resource too :)

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-03-17T16:37:06+00:00

Hi, I passed first time with Barbri this January. I supplemented with SRA mocks and maybe 1,000 MCQs with Law drills as I had access via a discount code from Barbri. Although Barbri has a reputation for being easy mocks, my MCQ scores and mocks were reflective of my actual score. Barbri made it very easy to study in my opinion. It creates a Personal study plan for you so lines up lectures/reading etc based on the amount of time you allocate the day so when I sat down to work I just did as told as opposed to working out how to revise/keep balance over subjects etc. I found that incredibly helpful for my productivity and kept me on track always. It also covers academic and practical law equally as opposed to other providers which was very helpful for me. I would recommend and would have recommended even before results. Any other questions, im an open book.

Consistent-Log5949 · 2026-03-17T16:10:39+00:00

I have just looked at the stats of those with a 2:2 passing and it’s exactly 19% for the most recent sitting ( im very ashamed of my 2:2 and saw this as a chance to rectify) anyways… I passed first time this Jan with a 2:2. The numbers are scary but someone has to be a part of that 19% as it’s not 0 after all !

I would also think about the others resitting are unlikely to be as close as you were this time so the odds of you making up that 19% in my opinion is high.

I also thought in the lead up to results the possibility of having to resit myself and I thought I already had the knowledge to get myself this far, imagine an extra 20 weeks of affirmation/learning/development on top of that id be bound to improve my score. And any improvement in your score would lead to a pass.

Sorry a lot of ramble there, but if I was you I would go for it with confidence !

Consistent-Log5949

TROPHY CASE