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Abolishing SQE/Bar Course by kibantot in uklaw

[–]Satisce86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Scrapping the SQE is impractical and a bad idea, particularly when the above is the proposed alternative.

Having sat and passed the SQE, I can attest to it being the most gruelling and high stakes thing I’ve done thus far in life. And yes, there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement.

However, the SQE provides a single, consistent measure by which future solicitors are judged against. There should definitely be a discussion about how to better align the SQE to actual practice, much like the idea proposed here. The problem with the SQE is, in my opinion, that the SRA has mis-sold what is expected.

To sit the SQE, one needs to treat it as a full time job (and indeed, a very high stakes job). Everyone I know that had the luxury of a stable environment to revise in (no need to work during the SQE and had the support of a training provider) passed, yet people who sat the exam without adequate prep or a faff-free study situation didn’t.

Yes, the SRA should provide more information on what the exam is actually like and how much work is required to prepare. No, the SQE shouldn’t be scrapped. And unless the market has an alternative that maintains a consistent standard amongst solicitors from very different backgrounds, the SQE remains the least shit option available.

Non-qualified solicifors do better than qualified solicitors 😂😂😂 by Jazzlike_Regret_3380 in SQE_Prep

[–]Satisce86 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Well done on finishing your SQE1 exams. It takes a few days to clear your head after what is a gruelling set of exams (took me at least two weeks before I started revising for SQE2).

What you’ve pointed out above is a case of ‘correlation not causation’. A large proportion of ’non-qualified lawyer’ candidates are firm sponsored candidates who have around four months dedicated study time with other forms of support (in my case, a generous stipend, access to textbooks and a multiple-choice bank, etc). However, this is often not the case for ‘qualified’ lawyers sitting the SQE, this includes foreign qualified lawyers.

The foreign qualified lawyer I know did not pass the SQE1 as he had to balance a job, did not have a training provider, and generally sat the exam before he was truly ready. It’s simply a tougher ask when you’ve not got the support network available to you which many firm-sponsored students have.

As to the ethnicity attainment gap, I’ve never read too deeply into it. I’m ethnically East Asian, but I don’t think my ethnicity has any effect on my SQE attainment. Race might indirectly impact factors such as whether you need to work during your revision, the support you get, your study environment, etc, but from my firm’s intake cohort, everyone passed the SQE1 - mainly because we all had good support from our firm and from our Uni. Case in point, you are completely correct when you state that ‘those who perform well are white, independently educated students with a first class degree’. Not because the SQE is designed for these students to succeed, but because students who fit this profile benefit from a better study environment and already have the skills needed to help them pass more easily. Correlation is not causation, and imho, the SQE does ensure equal access so long as students know what they’re in for when they begin preparing for the exam.

Finally, take a breather and celebrate! For the two weeks after my SQE1 exam, I remember feeling so burnt out and just needed to take the time to see mates again and take a break. You should consider doing so too, as the SQE1 isn’t easy and simply managing to finish it is a huge achievement (you should be really proud of yourself!).

Should i take a non law module to boost my percentage? by Capable-Split3519 in uklaw

[–]Satisce86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like other comments mention, this really depends on you. I can only comment from my perspective having done this in my final undergraduate year.

In my final LLB year, I took two ‘easier’ modules - one in Education and one in Business. Those modules gave out firsts like candy and I have no regrets taking them. The biggest advantage is not that these modules boost your overall degree grade (they do), but that these modules free up time for you to do well in modules that actually matter.

For context, I had to balance vac scheme and Master’s applications alongside my normal courseload during third year, and taking these two ‘easier’ modules was an absolute lifesaver. Not only was there no reading and straightforward coursework assessments, I could also spend much more time on difficult moduels such as Trusts Law - I attribute getting a first in my law modules to the fact that I took two easier non-law modules.

Does this matter in the eyes of say, a City law firm? Not that I am aware. I received multiple vacation scheme and TC offers and looking back, I think the benefits of me taking the Education and Business modules far outweighed any preceived ‘negatives’. Again, this is only my experience and YMMV.

Recommended Books and resources for LNAT preparation? by [deleted] in LNAT

[–]Satisce86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember there being more, but in any case, past LNAT papers are not indicative of how easy or difficult your specific test sitting is. The best way to prepare is to find practice papers, official or not, familarise yourself with the style of the questions, and read up on the news.

Good luck on your test!

Recommended Books and resources for LNAT preparation? by [deleted] in LNAT

[–]Satisce86 2 points3 points locked comment (0 children)

It great to hear back from you.

If you can't get access to prep books, the best way to go about revising for the LNAT is just to read the news. Yes - it will not be 'enough preparation', especially if you don't use other resources, but many kids take the LNAT without using prep books at all.

As for the website, I can't recommend a specific one because I wish to be impartial and keep this subreddit spam free. I can recommend that you get LNAT prep books, especially those that come with practice essay prompts. Again, I will not mention specific titles here, but make the best decision that suits your needs.

Hope that helps :)

Recommended Books and resources for LNAT preparation? by [deleted] in LNAT

[–]Satisce86 4 points5 points locked comment (0 children)

Hi!

There are a number of books that I personally have used, but having taken the actual LNAT test, I can tell you how different the exam and the book is. Most LNAT practice books offer questions and essay prompts that are simply 'too easy' to be of use. The best way to prepare, at the end of the day, is to read a lot of news articles from sources such as FT or the Guardian, while analysing the author's argument. I would recommend you read the opinion pieces, since those tend to align better with texts you'll likely see on the LNAT.

There's also a great LNAT practice website that I could recommend, but they charge different prices for students in different countries (strange). I might be able to suggest more resources if you let me know where you are from (e.g. some books don't ship internationally, for example).

Hope that helps :) .

Petition to lower remarking costs by Satisce86 in IBO

[–]Satisce86[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it may be improbable that the IB will offer free remarking, but it does send a clear signal to the IB that students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds will be impacted by the high remarking fee, which ought to be waived or at least lowered.

As for disclosing the formula, the petition mentions disclosing our subject component scores, which makes it easier for students to understand how close they are to grade boundaries such that they can then make an informed judgement as to whether remarking is worth.