LPC graduates now have the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor through taking SQE2, as they are exempt from SQE1. In this article, we’ll explain how to prepare effectively for SQE2 if you haven’t taken SQE1, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Legal knowledge matters - so identify your gaps
SQE2 isn’t just a skills exam! SQE2 assessments assume candidates have a broad legal knowledge, as these assessments apply legal knowledge in practical scenarios. 50% of your marks for SQE2 come from your legal knowledge, which hopefully you can draw from your LPC studies. The SQE2 requires foundational understanding across five key legal areas - Contract, Tort, Land, Crime, Wills and Trusts, Business, and Dispute Resolution. With that in mind, it’s vital to recognise where your gaps are in legal knowledge before embarking on the SQE2.
There are lots of ways to identify where your legal knowledge gaps are. Methods include:
- Using SQE1 -style multiple choice questions (MCQs) to check your recall, and spot where your knowledge is the weakest. You can use the SRA’s sample questions here to help.
- Reviewing sample questions and assessing if you feel comfortable with the format and knowledge required of you
- Thinking about subject areas that you haven’t studied since university - particularly recognising the difference between the depth in your LPC elective studies versus the breadth required of you in SQE2 assessments
Once you know the legal knowledge gaps you need to fill, it’s time to get studying. Recall is vital to pass SQE2, as Dr Giles Proctor, CEO of the College tells us: “the SQE2 examination really requires you to have the legal principles at your fingertips.”
How to rebuild your foundation legal knowledge effectively
Once you have identified what you need to work on, utilise the resources available to you to plug your knowledge gaps. As part of the College’s SQE2 Prep, we include all the legal knowledge you need to know through our SQE1 materials to support you. It’s a fantastic resource to pull on! We will also provide you with specific demonstrations of skills within the five practice areas. If you have access before your course starts, it’s also a good idea to use any manuals or resources that you have available from your LPC.
Practically, it’s key to use your resources little and often. Don’t cram, but patch your gaps alongside your SQE2 prep generally. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert across all the subject areas, but must be confident in the principles underlying them.
Be prepared to spend more time on the course than the recommended study hours. You may find your knowledge is not as up to date as fresh graduates, requiring more time of you to get up to scratch!
Common pitfalls, and how to avoid them
You aren’t alone in coming across roadblocks. Our supervisors frequently share the pitfalls their SQE2 prep students come across if they haven’t completed SQE1. Prior knowledge is power!
Firstly, as we have said, it’s key not to underestimate the law theory element of SQE2, or the need to prepare directly for the examinations. Our previous student, Ruth, shared these thoughts with us:
“Initially, foolishly I wasn’t going to do a prep course. I quickly realised how much of a big mistake that would have been. Then wisdom kicked in. I thought if you’re going to do it, do the course and do it well.”
You must know your legal principles and your procedural subjects well, and not just by relying on knowledge from old LPC electives. All the legal knowledge resources are available from the beginning of the course, and it is up to you to get ahead and spend time learning and revising.
Secondly, practice your legal skills - a lot! Make sure not to ignore the need for practice, and always engage with as many mock assessments as you can. Understanding and practising the assessment set up is just as important as the knowledge and skills you’re to be assessed on. Make sure to prepare and use every opportunity you can get! Practice them timed and closed book, just like the exam conditions for SQE2. The more practice you do the more confidence you will have when you get to the exam.
Lastly, engage with your supervisors and listen to their feedback. It is hard if you are working alongside study to engage with the preparation course - but, it’s absolutely worth it! Within our SQE2 preparation course there are 16 practice assessments where you will get individual written feedback from your supervisor, all broken down into your performance against the specific SQE2 legal knowledge and skills required. Make use of every one! There are also supervision feedback sessions to help you digest the feedback, and identify where to improve - this will ensure that you are ready for the exams.
Final thoughts
So many LPC graduates have qualified through the SQE route in 2025 that you should feel confident that it is possible.The key to success, though, is preparation which is intentional, planned, and guided by experts. At the College, we ensure our SQE2 prep courses include foundational support and lots of supervisor expert input and feedback. Always start your legal studies early, and allow plenty of time to build your confidence!