Taking on study for the SQE is a big decision, and one not to be taken lightly. It’s a challenging process, but one that is incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally. We sat down and had a chat with two very different students on different courses to hear their thoughts. In this article, we will share the experiences of two SQE prep students: Ruth Ekong, Director at Fitch Solutions who passed SQE2 with the College, and Erin Tschiderer who passed SQE1 and is currently taking SQE2. We’ll share their experiences of deciding on a provider, their study experiences, study methods, and the exams themselves.
Choosing a provider
When it came to choosing a provider, there are a lot of factors to consider. Firstly, think flexibility. Are you looking for regular daytime contact, or do you need to have a timetable that fits your preexisting priorities? How much do you want to be in person, versus attending virtually? You might also prioritise cost. Preparation courses for the SQE vary considerably in pricing, and this is definitely something to investigate.
Erin and Ruth shared that there were several factors that influenced their decision, namely, cost and flexibility.
Ruth:
“Cost was a key factor, of course, but also the flexibility of being online around a busy life. When you have a full-time job, the idea of traipsing somewhere physically was really not appealing. I loved the lively, engaging sessions from tutors, plus having an immediate response from many tutors within the online portal was so helpful. It’s an intense course, so you can do with all the help you can get - The College of Legal Practice really delivered that”.
Erin:
“None of the SQE process is cheap. Exams aren’t cheap, courses aren’t cheap. I needed a course that I could afford, which combined SQE Prep with an LLM, which The College of Legal Practice delivered and other providers did not. It also needed to be online - there was no feasible way that after a full-time day at work I could then turn up to a physical lecture. Plus for me the way that the course was designed specifically for online was really important. Many courses have an online component because the pandemic forced them to. However, the College courses were designed specifically to be delivered online and it works really well.”
Experiences of studying SQE Prep
Everyone’s experience of study is different - both based on the provider itself, and their personal circumstances. Studying remote versus a campus based course will impact the way your studies fit around your life, for example. Do you want your studies to be your main focus, or are there other commitments that take priority for you, such work, or a family? With the College of Legal Practice, many individuals enjoy our fully online experience. You can read more about how this looks in practice here.
Erin and Ruth came from very different career backgrounds and different learning styles. Let’s explore how they have got on so far!
Erin:
“I didn’t do the GDL or LPC - instead I (perhaps foolishly!) taught myself the course content then went straight to an LLM with SQE Prep. What the College did well here was the course materials. Everything is so clearly laid out. They make it clear exactly what you need to know in concise detail, and intentionally do not include information that isn’t relevant to the exam. That was really helpful. The student services have been fantastic, too. I have reasonable adjustments in place due to my ADHD and dyslexia, and I also found that my tutors were really quick to respond to me, usually within 48 hours. They’ll give you as much as they possibly can and are very knowledgeable.
In terms of study, I needed a really set plan. I worked backwards from the day of my exams and had a really clear schedule. I made sure my weakest skills were reviewed as close to the exam date as possible and I did practice tests every day. I also know that I’m an audio learner, so I voice recorded all the College lectures and listened over and over again. I did the 20-week course and I really have to say that you can’t leave revising until the course ends - you have to start recapping while you’re still learning, or you end up chasing your tail.”
Ruth:
‘You really need to put in the hours. I did four hours of prep every day and I do feel the best approach is to get it done regularly rather than letting it build up. For me I got my working day done then got to studying. I also made sure not to wait until I’d learned everything before trying to tackle a paper. I would always give it a go, look at the answers and attempt again. I also am a visual learner so made a big pack of revision notes that I returned to over and over!
Getting guidance on what to focus on is really important when you’re studying and revising. The College gave us a lot of mocks, which you can complete, then go through answers with your tutors. Having that person who is in current practice who can advise you on what you’re strong on and what needs more work is so important.”
The exam experience
Finally, the exams themselves! For specific details on how the SQE works and the components that make it up, haed to the SRA’s specific website here. Ruth and Erin have some great tips to share to support you.
Ruth:
“The SQE2 exam was an early start, so make sure you get a good breakfast and give plenty of time for travel, especially if you’re in London. I also broke down all my notes and study materials into the exams I was taking that day to make it clear in my head what I was doing.
In terms of passing the exam itself, it’s all about practice practice practice. During your SQE2 prep course, you learn about question types and the strategy for answering them within the set time frame given by the exam. Understanding this format was really helpful as it meant when it came to the exam itself, you could really just focus on working out what you are being asked and what knowledge you need.”
Erin:
For the actual SQE1 exam, I had reasonable adjustments - so my experience may be a little different from others. On the day you need to arrive earlier than it states as there will be a big queue. You can’t take water or snacks into the room. The day is very long but goes very quickly, and you need to really work on your stamina between day one and two as day two is often seen as the more challenging. In terms of the exams themselves, you really need to be aware of your timings and know when to reread and try a question, and when to skip it. It’s about strategy.”
Thank you Erin and Ruth!
To read more about Erin and Ruth’s personal experiences with the College of Legal Practice, read Ruth’s case study and Erin’s case study.
Interested in learning more about the SQE? Head to our dedicated page for the SQE, or our SQE 1 prep course page here.
Get more tips from students who have passed the SQE with our SQE Secrets to Success guide.
Erin:
“For me the way that the course was designed specifically for online was really important. Many courses have an online component because the pandemic forced them to. However, the College courses were designed specifically to be delivered online and it works really well.”
“What the College did well here was the course materials. Everything is so clearly laid out. They make it clear exactly what you need to know in concise detail, and intentionally do not include information that isn’t relevant to the exam. That was really helpful.
Ruth:
“Getting guidance on what to focus on is really important when you’re studying and revising. The College gave us a lot of mocks, which you can complete, then go through answers with your tutors. Having that person who is in current practice who can advise you on what you’re strong on and what needs more work is so important.
“During your SQE Prep course, you learn about question types and the strategy for answering them within the set time frame given by the exam. Understanding this format was really helpful as it meant when it came to the exam itself, you could really just focus on working out what you are being asked and what knowledge you need.”