Written by Jade Nicolson, LLM in Legal Practice Student at The College of Legal Practice
In this article, I share my honest reflections on my first SQE1 attempt, including what caught me off guard, how I dealt with the results, and what I wish I’d known from the start. I’m writing this in the hope that it helps other SQE students feel more prepared, more informed, and less alone as they navigate their own SQE1 journey.
How did you feel going into your first SQE1 attempt, and what were your expectations
I felt extremely nervous going into my first SQE1 attempt. Throughout the preparation period, I never truly felt ready to sit the exam, although, I’m not sure anyone ever feels 100% prepared for SQE1. Part of that anxiety came from not fully knowing what to expect. There was limited information available about the exam day itself and the overall process, which only added to the nerves. Looking back, I underestimated how different SQE1 is from traditional assessments. It’s not simply about knowing the law, but about applying it quickly, under pressure, and often to
unfamiliar factual scenarios. While I expected the exam to be challenging, I didn’t fully appreciate how demanding it would be in terms of stamina, time management, and rapid decision-making over such a long period of time.
What do you think were the main challenges that caught you off guard?
One of the main challenges that caught me off guard was how much I second-guessed myself during the exam. The multiple-choice format can be deceptive, often more than one answer seems convincing, which makes it easy to doubt your initial instinct and overthink, especially under time pressure. Learning to trust your judgment is a bigger part of SQE1 than I initially realised. Mental fatigue was another significant challenge. The length and intensity of the assessments require concentration for hours at a time, and this is something I hadn’t fully prepared for. Even when you know the content, decision-making becomes harder as fatigue sets in, which can affect performance towards the later stages of the exam. I was also surprised by how early preparation really needs to start, particularly when it comes to practising MCQs.
There is no such thing as starting too early with question practice. Understanding the law is essential, but becoming familiar with the exam style, recognising patterns in questions, and managing time effectively are just as important. Finally, I underestimated how much personal time I would have to sacrifice to revise properly. Preparing for SQE1 requires a level of consistency and prioritisation that can impact work, social life, and downtime. Balancing revision with other commitments is challenging, and I didn’t fully appreciate how disciplined I would need to be until I was in the middle of it.
How did you pick yourself back up after receiving your results?
Managing my expectations and mentally preparing myself ahead of the results day was important. When I received my results, I was disappointed, and there were moments where I questioned my ability. I allowed myself some time to step back, process the outcome, and reflect rather than rushing into self-criticism. That period of reflection helped me identify what hadn’t worked, particularly my exam technique, my approach to revision, and how I managed pressure on the day. Instead of viewing the result as a failure, I used it as an opportunity to understand what I could do differently next time. I will take this on board when I sit the SQE gain in 2026. Speaking to others who had also failed or struggled was especially reassuring and
helped me realise just how common this experience is, even if it isn’t often talked about openly.
What advice would you give to someone who’s just failed SQE1 or is afraid of failing?
The main thing is the importance of knowing failing this exam does not define you or your potential in any way. The level of difficulty of this exam is reflected in the low pass rates themselves and many capable candidates don’t pass on their first attempt. Allow yourself to reflect and feel disappointed, but do not allow that to turn into self-doubt. For those afraid of failing, my advice would be not to suffer on your own. Ask questions early, practise under exam conditions, and remember that this is one step in a long career.
What I will be doing differently this time around
Going into my re-sit in 2026, I plan to take a much more structured and strategic approach. Firstly, I will start my preparation much earlier and build MCQ practice into my routine from the very beginning. I now understand that question practice is key for SQE1, not just to test knowledge, but to strengthen exam technique, time management, and confidence.
Secondly, I will focus on quality over quantity. Instead of trying to memorise everything at once, I want to revise in smaller, consistent blocks and concentrate on improving weaker areas rather than repeatedly revisiting what I already know. I’ll also make sure I review the reasoning behind questions I get wrong in more depth.
Another important change is prioritising my wellbeing. Mental fatigue affected me the first time, so I want to build in proper rest, sleep, and balance alongside my revision. I’ve realised that productivity isn’t just about long hours.
Failing once has given me clarity on what this exam requires, and I feel better equipped to meet that challenge.
Read more student exam experiences
We spoke to three trainee solicitors from Acuity Law about juggling working with studying and how they prepped for their SQE exams
Jade Waddell, Head of Curriculum at the College and recent NQ solicitor Tilly Twite share their do's and don't when it comes to SQE prep