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How to Organise Your SQE1 Study (Now → July 2026 Exams)

  • Alex Ferra
  • Mar 27
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 12


If you’re sitting the SQE1 in July 2026, 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.


FLK2 Practice Questions: https://amzn.eu/d/04u9s3DT


Review notes available here: https://amzn.eu/d/0hefvrir and https://amzn.eu/d/0i7SAMPf


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


Step 1: Understand the Timeline You’re Working With

Most successful SQE1 candidates prepare over 5–6 months with consistent weekly study .

That means if you’re starting now (spring 2026), you’re in a perfect position - but only if you avoid wasting the next few weeks.

👉 A realistic benchmark:

  • 15–20 hours per week (part-time study)

  • Or 30–40 hours per week (full-time intensive study)


Step 2: Break Your Study Into 3 Phases

Phase 1 (Now → April/May): Build Core Knowledge

This is where most students go wrong - they rush.

Your goal here is:

  • Understand black letter law

  • Build strong foundations across all SQE1 subjects

  • Start light practice questions

How to study:

  • Use structured materials (👉 your books should be the core resource here)

  • Create concise notes (not rewriting textbooks)

  • Focus on understanding over memorisation

📚 Use your SQE1 books here as your primary framework - as discussed in your previous posts.

Phase 2 (May → June): Consolidation + Active Recall

This is the most important phase.

You should now:

  • Revisit all topics

  • Start serious question practice

  • Identify weak areas

Your focus shifts to:

  • Active recall (flashcards, self-testing)

  • Practice MCQs daily

  • Spot patterns in questions

👉 Remember: SQE1 tests application, not just memory.

Phase 3 (Final 4-6 Weeks): Exam Mode

This is where you pass or fail.

Your priorities:

  • Timed mock exams

  • High-volume question practice

  • Rapid revision cycles

At this stage:

  • You are no longer “learning” — you are training for performance


Step 3: Weekly Study Structure (What Actually Works)

Here’s a realistic weekly structure you can follow:

If studying part-time (working alongside):

  • Weekdays: 2–3 hours per day

  • Weekend: 5–6 hours per day

👉 This aligns with typical successful prep patterns (around 10–20 hours/week)

If studying full-time:

  • 6–8 hours per day

  • 1 lighter/review day per week

👉 Full-time students often aim for 30–40 hours weekly


Step 4: What You Should Be Studying (and How)

SQE1 covers Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) across multiple subjects including:

  • Contract

  • Tort

  • Business Law

  • Property

  • Criminal Law

  • Trusts & Wills

The key is not just coverage - it’s integration.

The winning method:

  1. Learn topic (using your book)

  2. Summarise into short notes

  3. Test yourself immediately

  4. Do MCQs on that topic

  5. Revisit weekly

📚 This is exactly how your books are designed to be used - not passively read, but actively worked through.


Step 5: The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

❌ 1. Starting practice questions too late

You should begin early, even in Phase 1

❌ 2. Passive studying

Reading ≠ learning If you’re not testing yourself, you’re falling behind

❌ 3. Burnout from overloading early

Consistency beats intensity(You can always ramp up later)

❌ 4. Not tracking weak areas

Your revision should be data-driven


Step 6: How to Use My SQE1 Books Properly

If you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know I designed my SQE1 books to solve one problem:

👉 Students don’t know what to focus on

Here’s how to use them effectively:

  • Start with one subject at a time

  • Work through systematically (don’t jump around)

  • Turn each chapter into:

    • Flashcards

    • Short summaries

  • Pair each topic with practice questions

📚 If you don’t yet have them, check out my SQE1 study books here → [link to your product page]


Step 7: Your Simple Plan From Today

If you do nothing else, follow this:

From now → end of April

  • Cover all subjects once

  • Light MCQs

May → June

  • Heavy question practice

  • Weekly revision cycles

Final month

  • Mocks + exam technique

  • Focus on weak areas


Final Thoughts

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You need:

  • A clear structure

  • Consistency

  • The right materials

If you organise your study properly from now, July 2026 is absolutely achievable.

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