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How to Gain Legal Experience When Every Job Asks for Experience
You want to become a solicitor. You search for your first legal role, find one that looks promising and then reach the same line again: previous legal experience required. How are you supposed to get experience if you need experience to get started? A training contract is one route, but it is not the only way to begin building practical skills. Voluntary work, legal clinics, court support, paralegal roles and related work can all help you understand how legal services operate
Alex Ferra
5 days ago2 min read


Preparing for SQE2? Don’t Forget the Law Behind the Skills
SQE2 preparation often means practising interviews, advocacy, drafting and written advice. But when you are working through a client scenario, you also need to recall the underlying law. If you passed SQE1 some time ago, it is natural to feel rusty on topics you have not revisited in months. That is why I created two concise revision guides to help you refresh your SQE1 legal knowledge while preparing for SQE2. Mastering SQE2: A Practical Guide to Legal Skills and Professiona
Alex Ferra
5 days ago2 min read


Failed SQE1? Don’t Panic - I Did Too. Here’s What I Changed
You opened your SQE1 results and saw the word you had been hoping not to see: Fail. I know how that feels because I failed SQE1 too. After all the hours spent studying, the notes, the revision and the sacrifices you made to prepare, it is difficult not to take that result personally. You start questioning everything. Did I not study enough?Am I simply not good at exams?Maybe I’m not cut out for this?What if I fail again? But failing SQE1 doesn't necessarily mean you aren't ca
Alex Ferra
Sep 127 min read


Passed SQE1? What Happens Next? Your Guide to Preparing for SQE2
You passed SQE1. Congratulations! After months of revision, practice questions, memorising rules and getting through two demanding FLK assessments, seeing that pass result is a huge achievement. Take a moment to enjoy it. And then comes the inevitable question: What now? If your goal is to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, passing SQE1 is a major milestone — but it is only one part of the journey. For many candidates, the next challenge is SQE2. And while it may be
Alex Ferra
Sep 126 min read


How to Plan Your Study for SQE1: A Practical Guide to Passing the First Time
Preparing for the SQE1 can feel overwhelming. With 13 legal subjects, thousands of pages of content, and hundreds of single best answer (SBA) questions to master, it's easy to spend months studying without making real progress. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Practice Questions here: FLK1 https://amzn.eu/d/0iHvyFCh and https://amzn.eu/d/064LrKbA FLK2 Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/00OWkndb Plan your study..
Alex Ferra
Jul 93 min read


How to Pass the SQE2 Exam: A Practical Preparation Guide for 2026 Candidates
After successfully navigating SQE1, many candidates assume SQE2 will be easier. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. While SQE1 tests your legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions, SQE2 assesses something entirely different: your ability to apply that knowledge in realistic legal practice scenarios. The good news is that SQE2 is highly predictable. Candidates who understand what the examiners are lookin
Alex Ferra
Jun 24 min read


Preparing for the next SQE1 exams?
SQE1 is a demanding exam that tests both legal knowledge and exam technique across FLK1 and FLK2. The candidates who perform best usually focus on three things: ✅ Structured revision✅ Consistent MCQ practice✅ Strong exam strategy One resource many candidates are using to prepare is the SQE series, which combines concise review notes with realistic practice questions designed specifically for SQE1 preparation. For review notes + practice questions: SQE1 Review Notes + Practice
Alex Ferra
May 81 min read


Maximize Your Success How Long to Study for SQE1 and Effective Strategies
Preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 1 (SQE1) can feel overwhelming. Many candidates ask, how long should I study for SQE1? The answer varies depending on your background, study habits, and available time. This post breaks down practical strategies to help you plan your study schedule, manage your time effectively, and approach the exam with confidence. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Practice Q
Alex Ferra
Apr 163 min read


Preparing for the SQE2 Exam: Tips for Success in October 2026
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a crucial step for aspiring solicitors in England and Wales. SQE2, the practical skills assessment, tests candidates on their ability to apply legal knowledge in realistic scenarios. With exam sittings scheduled for October 2026, early and focused preparation is essential to perform confidently and effectively. This guide offers practical tips to help you succeed in the SQE2 exam and make the most of your study time. Plan your st
Alex Ferra
Apr 133 min read


The SQE “Plateau Problem”: Why Your Revision Stops Working (And How to Break Through)
If you’ve been preparing for the SQE for a while, you’ve probably experienced this: You’re studying consistently. You’re doing practice questions. You feel busy. But your scores? They’ve stopped improving. Welcome to what I call the SQE Plateau Problem. And if you don’t fix it early, it can cost you your first-time pass. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Practice Questions here: FLK1 https://amzn.eu/d/0iHvyFCh and..
Alex Ferra
Apr 43 min read


How to Pass SQE1 with Confidence: The Ultimate Study Strategy (and the Resources You Actually Need)
Preparing for the SQE1 can feel overwhelming. The sheer volume of content, the pressure of multiple-choice exams, and the uncertainty around how questions are framed can leave even the most capable candidates feeling stuck. But here’s the truth: passing SQE1 isn’t about studying harder — it’s about studying smarter. In this article, I’ll break down exactly how to do that — and share the resources designed to give you the edge. 🎯 Step 1: Master the Art of MCQs SQE1 is not jus
Alex Ferra
Mar 292 min read


How to Organise Your SQE1 Study (Now → January 2027 Exams)
If you’re sitting the SQE1 in January 2027, the biggest mistake you can make right now is not having a structured plan. SQE1 isn’t just about knowing the law - it’s about retaining, applying, and recalling huge volumes of information under pressure. The good news? You still have enough time to prepare properly - if you organise your study correctly from today. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Practice Questions here
Alex Ferra
Mar 273 min read


How I Passed SQE1 as a Foreign Student (English Was Not My First Language)
Passing SQE1 is hard. Passing it as a foreign student, in a second language, while navigating a completely different legal system — that’s a different challenge altogether. I know this because I’ve been through it. When I started preparing for SQE1, I felt overwhelmed. The syllabus was huge, full of rules, exceptions, and subtle distinctions. Even worse, the exam tests not just knowledge, but how small factual changes can completely alter legal outcomes. On top of that, Engli
Alex Ferra
Mar 183 min read


Why Reviewing Your Notes Is the Key to Passing SQE1: How to Use the Last 3 Months Before the Exam
Preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1) can feel overwhelming because of the sheer volume of material you need to remember. The exam tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) across many areas of law and requires candidates to apply that knowledge to complex multiple-choice scenarios. From my experience studying independently, the last three months before the exam are the most important period of your preparation. This is when you move away from learning new
Alex Ferra
Mar 163 min read


How I Passed SQE1 as a Self-Studying Student Without a Law Background
How I Passed SQE1 as a Self-Studying Student Without a Law Background Passing the SQE1 without a legal background can feel intimidating at first. When I began preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, I did not have a traditional law degree and was studying independently. However, with the right strategy, discipline, and consistent practice, it is absolutely achievable. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Pr
Alex Ferra
Mar 143 min read


SQE2 Exam Structure and Guidance
Preparing for SQE2 can feel overwhelming, but once you understand the structure, it becomes much easier to plan your study. This guide explains how SQE2 is set up and how you can approach it effectively. Plan your study https://amzn.eu/d/0bHAniNQ 1. What SQE2 Assesses SQE2 tests two things together: Legal skills – such as interviewing, advocacy, legal writing, legal drafting, case and matter analysis, and legal research. Application of law – using core areas of law in realist
Alex Ferra
Mar 124 min read


What Is the SQE Exam? A Clear Guide for Future Solicitors
If you want to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, you’ve probably heard about the SQE. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what does it mean for your route to qualification? Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0bd5nGLc and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7mTPU9 Practice Questions here: FLK1: https://amzn.eu/d/0iHvyFCh and https://amzn.eu/d/064LrKbA FLK2 Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/00OWkndb Plan your study https://amzn.eu/d/0eIwUq4u and...
Alex Ferra
Mar 63 min read


Mastering SQE Exam Techniques: Essential Strategies for Aspiring Solicitors
Preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) can feel overwhelming. The exams test a wide range of legal knowledge and practical skills, requiring candidates to be both thorough and strategic in their study approach. Whether you are just beginning your SQE journey or are in the final stages of revision, mastering effective exam techniques can make a significant difference in your performance and confidence on exam day. Review Notes + Practice Questions: https://a
Alex Ferra
Mar 33 min read
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