We spoke with Sophie Azzopardi and Courtney Wilbor, now qualified solicitors at Acuity Law. Both completed their SQE1 and SQE2 Prep courses with The College of Legal Practice while working full-time. Here, they focus on SQE2, and share their honest, practical experiences of sitting the SQE2 exams, from what actually happens on the day to how best to prepare and stay calm under pressure.
What were the exam days like?
Sophie: “I had two oral exams on the Thursday, and two more the following day. The next week I had four written exams on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Make sure you check the SRA guidance early, as it provides a rough outline of what you will be assessed on each day and the length of the exams. I didn’t do this early enough!”
Courtney: “It was the same structure for me, but I did my written ones first and oral the week after. The practice areas are set per day, but you don’t know what skills are going to be assessed in respect of each of those practice areas. For example, you might have legal drafting and legal writing both on Wills, or these skills may be assessed across different practice areas, so you need to prepare for everything.”
What is the oral assessment experience really like?
Courtney: “Mine were in a hotel in Cardiff. You’re put in a small group of about six, and you stay with them the whole day. When it’s your turn, you’re escorted up, and as soon as you knock and walk in, you’re in role - no candidate numbers, no introductions. You’re a solicitor meeting a client, or presenting to a judge. It’s strange, but it helps you click into the right mindset.”
Sophie: “People panic about the orals, but it’s actually a great chance to show the examiner what you know. Remain professional and structured, don’t be afraid to say you will follow-up with the client if you are unsure on something and remember to address the examiner correctly. For example, in advocacy, ensure that you know how to address the judge correctly – those small details count.”
How should students prepare for the orals?
Sophie: “Practise like you’re really there. Use the College’s guidance - it covers everything from how to start and end an advocacy submission, to how to structure your advice note clearly. SQE2 is marked half on legal knowledge and half on how you communicate it, so confidence and clarity can get you a long way.”
Courtney: “And if you don’t know something, say so. Say you’ll come back to the client. That’s what you’d do in real life. It shows integrity and professionalism, and that’s part of what they’re testing.”
What about the written assessments?
Courtney: “Legal research was the hardest for me time-wise. You’re provided with loads of attachments, and it’s easy to skim over something important. I wrote a little grid to keep track of which document was relevant to which issue and that helped me stop jumping between tabs.”
Sophie: “I’d gone through every document and task on the College’s platform before the exams and this was a lifesaver. Even if you haven’t seen the type of document or task before, just stay calm. Read carefully and look at the document – what is it asking for and why, what details might you still need from the client…this should help you to apply your revision to the task at hand”
Any final advice for exam day?
Courtney: “Take a moment between exams to reset, especially with the written ones. You do two, then there’s a break, then two more. If one doesn’t go well, let it go. It’s an average across all 16 assessments. You can still do well overall.”
Sophie: “Definitely check the test centre location and your travel options. You also need two forms of ID as well - those small details can make a big difference on a stressful day.”