Don’t miss this #1 piece of advice for anyone taking the SQE

Understand your personal circumstances, identify your strengths and weaknesses and find a study approach that fits.

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

Chizurum qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Nigeria (2015), gained 7 years experience, then earned a distinction in a UK master’s degree. After struggling to enter UK legal practice as a foreign-qualified lawyer, she chose the SQE for its flexibility across practice areas and exemption eligibility for SQE2 based on prior experience.

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

She read University of Law textbooks, joined a study group, then subscribed to Law Drills in May 2025 (10 weeks before exams). The platform’s question-based approach strengthened active recall and identified weak areas. She practiced approximately 1,500 questions, combining reading with targeted practice. Result: “passed SQE1 on first attempt scoring in quintile 1 for both FLK1 and FLK2.”

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

Balancing full-time work with unsocial hours and study proved most difficult. She maximized available time slots, listened to podcasts during commutes, and strategically used annual leave (70% depleted). Rather than targeting fixed daily hours, she focused on utilizing “all the pockets of hours” available.

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

She’d start earlier to allow 10-12 weeks for practice questions after content review. Initial mock scores were 45-55%; final week mocks exceeded 63%, boosting exam confidence. She recommends 2,500+ practice questions for comprehensive coverage.

Final advice

Emphasize writing notes, building support networks, and managing stress through breaks. Most importantly: remember your “why.”