Easy methods to prepare on your SQE exams

by Amber Rolfe

On the brink of tackle the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)? 

The SQE is a two-part assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills needed to develop into a Solicitor (or Lawyer) in England and Wales. In terms of passing these exams, preparation is vital, making it absolutely vital to take a position time into understanding the exam format, reviewing legal concepts, and practising practical skills.

We spoke to Tracy Savage, Learning Director at BARBRI, who’re global leaders in legal education, to seek out out just a few of the most effective ways to organize on your SQE exams: 

Avoid time-wasting tasks 

OK, so this will likely seem obvious, but hear us out. 

While you may feel as if traditional revision-based tasks like reading and re-reading notes, highlighting texts, and copying out notes are super productive, they might not be achieving much. Especially in the event you aren’t actually taking in the knowledge. 

As a substitute, focus your time on more practical activities that test your knowledge and keep you engaged, reminiscent of flashcards, mind maps, post-it notes, mnemonics, quizzes, and interactive learning tools. 

And, avoid procrastination in any respect costs. We guarantee that houseplant doesn’t must be repotted within the midst of your mind map…

Mix up your approach 

Regardless of how much you like a flashcard, sticking to only one kind of task isn’t the most effective approach to learn. The truth is, using quite a lot of learning aids is the most effective approach to reinforce learning.  

It’s also vital to alternate between subjects during your study sessions. Spaced repetition (i.e. reviewing material over time as an alternative of suddenly) can also be a superb approach to construct the brain’s ‘muscle memory’ (something BARBRI’s Personalised Study Plan (PSP) relies on). 

This smart learning technique will show you how to to retain information more effectively, not to say enable you to avoid losing focus during a protracted study session.

Gamify your learning

Newsflash: revision doesn’t must be boring. 

If studying has you mastering the art of procrastination as an alternative, it is perhaps time to gamify your learning. 

This might involve every part from setting goals and rewards, and attempting to improve your individual scores in quizzes, to joining a study group where you may work with others and test one another.  

Some online learning platforms (reminiscent of BARBRI’s) also enable you to trace your progress, following a Personal Study Plan with achievable goals that are tailored to you.

Practice, practice, and more practice

In terms of nailing your SQE exams, practice is vital. 

BARBRI offers two courses to assist along with your exam preparation, each of which include a mixture of video lectures, workbooks and practice questions. 

SQE1 Prep course students profit from 3,000+ practice questions, and SQE2 Prep course students will find a way to take mock exams as a part of their studies. You’ll also get individual feedback on 16 assessment answers and 28 exam answers. For more sample questions, check the SRA website.

When you’ve passed through all of the practice questions, do them again – timing yourself against the clock. 

Create a revision timetable

A (realistic) revision timetable is an ideal approach to not only organise your learning, but additionally make the most effective use of your time. 

Make sure you start revising early (across months/weeks, not days), and deal with planning revision sessions little and sometimes. 2 hours of productive learning is significantly better than 8 hours of attempting to learn but getting too drained to recollect your individual name. 

For every session, it’s also vital to take regular breaks to make sure you’re not burning yourself out. For instance, for each 20/40 minutes of revision, plan a 5-10 minute break. 

And let’s face it, life may not at all times be cooperative in relation to your study schedule – so take any unexpected events into consideration and plan your study time flexibly. 

Concentrate to your surroundings

Location, location, location. It matters.

As well as to picking a tidy and uncluttered area to check in, it’s also an excellent idea to let housemates or members of the family know once you’re planning to check – you realize, so that they can keep their creative but questionable musical freestyling to a minimum. 

If all else fails? Noise cancelling headphones are your best friend.

Moreover, don’t restrict yourself to 1 study spot. A change of scenery will do wonders on your mindset and focus. You may even decide to learn on-the-go, whether it’s watching online videos or reading learning materials. 

Be nice to yourself

Exam preparation can sometimes mean you ignore essential self-care activities, reminiscent of exercise, eating well, drinking water, socialising, and you realize…sleeping. 

But to be able to stay motivated and positive, it’s absolutely essential to deal with yourself.

Which means at all times take a break in the event you need it, and don’t be afraid to achieve out to someone in the event you need support – whether that’s your BARBRI learning coach, a friend or member of the family, or a study buddy. 

And remember: coffee just isn’t considered a meal. 

Minimise stress on exam day (and the day before) 

Think your best revision is finished the hour before your exam? Reconsider… 

To avoid exam day stress, it’s at all times best to suit your preparation in early, supplying you with time to calm down on and before the large day. And likelihood is, anything you are trying to cram in at this point is unlikely to stay anyway. 

So don’t study (yep, you read this right), do some exercise, and get some sleep. Your body and mind will thanks. 

Also, try to not panic or aim for perfection – nobody gets 100% on this exam.  

Why study with BARBRI?

BARBRI is an internet legal educator specialising in courses that help graduates and legal professionals prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), which enables them to develop into a solicitor in England and Wales. 

Their SQE preparation courses utilise modern online technology to supply students with a structured and supportive learning environment, whilst being time and cost-effective. 

More reasons to check with BARBRI include:

• They’re a trusted legal educator with over 50 years helping greater than 1.4 million law students and lawyers reach legal exams across the globe
• You may study entirely online and around other commitments 
• Learn from qualified solicitors and barristers and get unlimited one-on-one time (in the event you’re taking the SQE1 course) along with your expert tutor 
• Receive extensive careers and employability services, including individual careers support, CV review, interview skills preparation and other resources to spice up your industry knowledge
• Should you don’t pass the primary time around, they’ll show you how to prepare on your resit free of charge

Discover more

Need to learn more about SQE preparation courses? Enquire now or check out a free course demo here.

BARBRI is an internet legal educator specialising in SQE preparation courses that help people pass their SQE exams and develop into solicitors.