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harity talks to Marta Sanchez Merino, a dual qualified lawyer (Spain and England and Wales), about the SQE Review -from a Candidates perspective.
In December 2024, The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) commissioned the IFF, a social and market research agency, to conduct an independent review on the premise of evaluating whether the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is achieving its objectives.
As a candidate who actually completed the SQE courses and assessments, what is your general view of the SQE as a route to qualification?
The SQE is more than just a test of legal knowledge—it’s a test of performance under pressure. Time management and stress management are just as crucial as legal knowledge because this exam isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how well you apply it under intense conditions.
There seem to be concerns about the pass rate (in particular for the SQE1 assessments). For example, in October 2024, the pass rate hit an all time low of 44%.
What do you think are the contributing factors? and
The primary challenges in succeeding at SQE1 lie in mastering the vast body of legal knowledge to a high standard, while also developing the right exam technique and time management.
The multiple-choice format, though seemingly straightforward, is designed to test analytical thinking. Candidates must not only know the right answer but also identify the best answer immediately, applying all their knowledge to each specific case, over and over again. This requires the ability to quickly navigate complex questions, eliminate unnecessary information, discard misleading options, and make the best decision for the client under pressure. Over the course of many hours, maintaining focus and accuracy under these conditions can become increasingly challenging.
What solutions would you as a former SQE candidate suggest to remedy this?
It’s absolutely essential to internalise the material for SQE 1— to make the knowledge stick so firmly in your mind that you retrieve it instantly without hesitation. In the exam, there’s no time to pause and think about what the answer is; you need to recognise the best option immediately.
Therefore, mastering the syllabus content alone is not enough. The real challenge is in applying that knowledge accurately under pressure. To succeed, candidates need specific training that focuses on both solid retention and strategic application, ensuring they can perform under the strict time limits.
Incorporating more mock exams, timed practice, and time management training would help candidates develop the skills needed to meet the exam’s demands.
What do you perceive to be the positive aspects of the SQE? and
The SQE offers a unified route for everyone wishing to enter the profession, whether they're domestic candidates or foreign lawyers qualified elsewhere. This equality of access ensures that all candidates are assessed on the same criteria, fostering fairness and consistency in the qualification process.
Additionally, the skills developed through this process—such as absorbing vast amounts of information, meeting deadlines, staying composed under pressure, and prioritising effectively—are directly applicable to legal practice. These are not just techniques for passing an exam; they are essential skills that will serve us throughout our career, enabling us to manage our workload, make quick decisions, and protect our clients with confidence and precision.
The negative aspects of the SQE?
The SQE presents several challenges.
First and foremost, it is not affordable — the cost of the examination is substantial, particularly if you're not working or if your firm isn't funding it. This financial barrier can make the qualification inaccessible for some candidates.
Another challenge is the difficulty in preparing adequately, particularly because, at the moment, the SRA provides some questions as guidance but does not consistently publish all real past papers. This lack of resources makes it harder for training providers and candidates to fully gauge the level of questions and the style of the exam, potentially leading to less efficient preparation.
Additionally, the length of time to receive results is another issue. For a computer-based exam, waiting 6 weeks for results seems excessive and unnecessary, delaying the next steps for candidates who are eager to move forward with their careers.
Finally, the three-attempt limit on resits is restrictive. Given the exam’s complexity, there should be greater flexibility in the number of attempts allowed, ensuring that candidates have a fair chance to succeed.
As a former candidate, what advice and guidance would you give to those wishing to qualify through the SQE route?
The path to qualifying through the SQE is as unique as each candidate, but for me, back then—when I was first qualified in another jurisdiction—the journey was particularly challenging. Not only was I entering a completely new legal system, but I also had to adapt and transfer the knowledge I had gained from a civil law system to fit the English common law system. As a foreign-qualified lawyer working full-time, the process required a lot of adaptability, determination, and strategic planning. It wasn’t easy, but through persistence and focused preparation, I successfully made the transition and became dual-qualified.
One of the key elements of my approach was refining revision techniques that elevated my performance. It’s essential to train your mind to bring to the forefront of your memory the details that are often overlooked but crucial for the exam—time limits, comparative analysis, and the rapid visual breakdown of data—areas where candidates commonly stumble. I found that using colour coding for each type of information helped me categorise and prioritise critical content, making it easier to recall under pressure.
In addition to simply memorising material, it’s important to understand how you retain information best. This is about distinguishing between when you're learning new material and when you're reinforcing existing knowledge through review. With a full-time job, time management was essential. I learned how to optimise my energy throughout the day—studying early in the morning, and using moments like my commute to and from the office, whether on the bus, tube, or plane, to review key concepts.
Equally crucial was physical well-being—prioritising exercising, quality sleep, eating properly, and maintaining a sense of normalcy in the lead-up to the exam. Being in the best physical and mental state possible ensures you perform at your peak.
Another technique I found invaluable was visualisation: I used the time before the exam to mentally rehearse, as studies have shown the brain can't distinguish between visualisation and actual experience. This technique helped me stay calm, focused, and prepared when time was ticking down. During the moments leading up to the exam—whether registering, taking your seat, or waiting for the clock to start—there’s often a window of time that can either work for or against you. Don’t let it become a source of anxiety. I trained myself to use this time to centre myself, focus, and mentally prepare. Visualising success during these moments helped me enter the exam with the confidence that I had already done the hard work.
What aspects of the SQE do you think could be improved to enable the SRA to achieve its goal of advancing social mobility in the legal profession? and
One key aspect of the SQE that could be improved to support the SRA’s goal of advancing social mobility is the cost associated with the qualification process.
This financial barrier can be significant, potentially limiting access to the profession for talented individuals who may not have the financial means to fund the qualification.
What feasible steps does the SRA need to take to ensure they achieve this?
First, reducing the costs or offering more financial support would help level the playing field and ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to pursue a career in law.
Also, the SRA could consider releasing their own study materials for purchase, making them more affordable and accessible, which could help reduce the financial barriers.
Another step the SRA could take is releasing past papers. Access to these would not only help training providers gauge the appropriate level of questions and material but also empower candidates to prepare more effectively on their own, should they choose to study independently.
Marta Sanchez Merino
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martasanchezmerino/
Dual Qualified Lawyer (Spain and England and Wales)
April 2025
Interviewed by Charity Mafuba
Commissioning Editor,
Solicitor (England and Wales), New York Attorney