top of page

How I Passed SQE1 as a Foreign Student (English Was Not My First Language)

  • Alex Ferra
  • Mar 18
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 12

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, English was not my first language.

But I passed — on my first attempt.

This is how I did it.


FLK2 Practice Questions:FLK2 Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/0fwHiHTE


Review notes available here: https://amzn.eu/d/0hefvrir and https://amzn.eu/d/0aqz3cUP


SQE1 MCQ Strategy: https://amzn.eu/d/04jafgSK


1. I Stopped Studying Like a Student — and Started Thinking Like a Lawyer

One of the biggest mistakes I made at the beginning was trying to memorise everything.

SQE1 is not about memorisation.

It’s about application.

I realised quickly that:

  • The same legal rule can produce different answers depending on small factual changes

  • Questions are designed to confuse you with very similar options

  • Understanding why something is correct matters more than remembering the rule

Once I shifted my mindset from “learning” to “applying,” everything changed.


2. I Built My Own Structured Notes

Most materials felt either too detailed or not focused enough on the exam.

So I created my own notes.

But not traditional notes.

Instead, I focused on:

  • Key rules + exceptions

  • Common exam traps

  • Fact patterns that change outcomes

This helped me simplify complex topics and made revision much faster.


My review notes available here: https://amzn.eu/d/0hefvrir and https://amzn.eu/d/00Etz5DI


3. I Focused on “Fact Patterns” — Not Just Law

The biggest turning point in my preparation was understanding how the SQE really tests you.

It doesn’t ask:

“What is the law?”

It asks:

“What is the law in this very specific situation?”

That’s why I trained myself to:

  • Spot small differences in facts

  • Understand how those differences affect the legal outcome

  • Compare similar scenarios side by side

This approach dramatically improved my accuracy.


4. I Practised Smarter — Not Just More

Doing thousands of questions is not enough.

You need to:

  • Analyse why you got a question wrong

  • Identify patterns in your mistakes

  • Revisit weak areas strategically

I treated every question as a learning opportunity — not just a test.


5. Overcoming the Language Barrier

As a non-native English speaker, this was one of my biggest concerns.

Here’s what helped me:

a. I focused on legal vocabulary

Instead of general English, I prioritised:

  • Legal terminology

  • Common exam phrases

  • Keywords that signal the correct answer

b. I trained my reading speed

SQE1 questions are long and detailed.

I practised:

  • Reading quickly without losing accuracy

  • Identifying the key facts in each question

c. I stopped translating in my head

At the beginning, I mentally translated everything.

That slowed me down.

I trained myself to think directly in English — especially for legal concepts.


6. I Studied Consistently (Even When It Felt Impossible)

There were days I felt completely lost.

Days when nothing made sense.

Days when I doubted whether I could pass.

But consistency was key.

Even 2–3 hours of focused study every day added up.


7. You Don’t Need a Perfect Background — You Need the Right Strategy

You don’t need:

  • Perfect English

  • A UK law degree

  • Expensive courses

What you need is:

  • A clear strategy

  • Smart practice

  • Deep understanding of how the exam works


Final Thoughts

If you’re a foreign student preparing for SQE1, I want you to know this:

It is absolutely possible.

Yes, it’s challenging. Yes, it requires discipline. But you can do it.

I created SQE Exam Mastery to share the exact strategies that helped me pass — especially the focus on fact-based learning and exam technique.

Because success in SQE1 is not about studying more.

It’s about studying smarter.

Comments

bottom of page