SQE2 Exam Experience: Practical Tips from Successful Candidates

SQE2 (Solicitors Qualifying Examination Part 2) focuses on assessing practical legal skills, with an examination format and content significantly different from traditional written examinations. This article draws upon the latest information from the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) website and consolidates experience and advice from successful candidates through various authentic channels, providing a comprehensive guide covering exam structure, process experience, preparation methods, common pitfalls, high-scoring techniques, and study resources to help prospective SQE2 candidates prepare effectively.

Examination Structure and Assessment Content

Official Structure Overview

SQE2 comprises 16 independent stations, with 12 written tasks and 4 oral tasks. These stations cover six core legal practice skills:

• Client interviewing and attendance note/legal analysis
• Advocacy (submissions/presentations)
• Case and matter analysis
• Legal research
• Legal writing
• Legal drafting

Each skill is assessed within appropriate scenarios, such as client meetings simulation, case file reviews, or court presentations, designed to evaluate candidates' performance in real solicitor work situations. The examination covers legal areas including criminal litigation, dispute resolution, property practice, wills and intestacy, probate and estate administration, as well as business law and practice. Notably, professional conduct and ethics permeate throughout, with relevant ethical issues potentially embedded within cases requiring candidates to identify and handle appropriately.

Examination Format and Schedule

SQE2 is divided into two main components: Oral and Written assessments. The oral component typically takes place over 2.5 consecutive days, comprising 4 stations. According to SRA arrangements, each candidate must complete two client interviews (including post-meeting notes/legal analysis) and two advocacy presentations, each covering different legal areas. For instance, one assessment window might schedule civil dispute advocacy and property practice client interviews on the first day, followed by criminal litigation advocacy and wills & probate client interviews on the second day.

The written component follows over the subsequent 3 half-days, comprising 12 stations covering case analysis, legal research, legal writing, and legal drafting—three stations each. Written tasks are organised by day across different practice areas: Day 1 focuses on civil and criminal case scenarios, Day 2 on property and wills scenarios, and Day 3 specifically on business law scenarios. Therefore, candidates will encounter comprehensive questions throughout the examination—each station tests both legal practical skills and legal knowledge application.

A complete SQE2 examination typically spans approximately one week (for example, oral assessments might occur over two days in late April, whilst written assessments take place over three days in early May), with specific sequencing varying by assessment window. There are usually four assessment windows annually (approximately January, April, July, and October), allowing candidates to select appropriate sessions based on their preparation timeline.

Assessment Criteria and Pass Requirements

SQE2 employs an overall scoring system where all 16 stations carry equal weight, each contributing 1/16 of the total score. Each station is assessed separately on both "Legal Skills" and "Legal Knowledge Application" with equal weighting. Examiners grade candidate performance from A to F (A being highest, F lowest), corresponding to numerical scores from 5 to 0. A candidate's final result is the average of all station scores, requiring achievement of the pass mark set for that assessment window.

There are no separate pass marks for written or oral components—only the overall result determines success. The SRA sets the pass mark at the standard expected of newly qualified solicitors (the "Day 1 outcomes" standard). Therefore, candidates need not pursue perfect answers but should ensure overall performance meets the professional standard of a newly qualified solicitor. The initial SQE2 cohort achieved a pass rate of approximately 77%, significantly higher than SQE1's 53%, attributed partly to first-time candidates having practical legal experience. This demonstrates that whilst SQE2 has a relatively encouraging pass rate, it remains a challenging examination requiring solid knowledge, skills foundation, and thorough preparation.

Preparation Recommendations

Based on the examination schedule, we offer the following preparation advice:

1. Plan ahead - Based on published examination dates, plan your study time and preparation schedule in advance.
2. Note registration dates - Set reminders to ensure you don't miss examination registration windows, particularly as popular assessment periods often reach capacity quickly.
3. Manage SQE1 to SQE2 intervals appropriately - If planning to register for SQE2 immediately after passing SQE1, consider the relationship between results publication dates and registration deadlines.
4. Monitor legal changes cut-off dates - Ensure your study materials cover all content changes up to the examination's legal cut-off date.
5. Consider whether qualifying work experience (QWE) might serve as transition - Arranging practical work experience between SQE1 and SQE2 may help improve practical skills.

Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales requires three key elements: passing SQE1 and SQE2 examinations, completing two years of qualifying work experience (QWE), and meeting the SRA's character and suitability requirements. Properly planning the sequence of these three elements is crucial for your career development.

How CELE SQE Can Help You

As a specialist SQE preparation platform, CELE SQE provides more targeted preparation services based on the latest examination dates:

• Customised study plans based on different examination dates
• Comprehensively updated study materials ensuring coverage of all content up to the examination's legal cut-off date
• Targeted preparation strategies for each examination's specific characteristics
• Mock examinations scheduled to align with actual examination arrangements
• Registration reminders and support services

Examination Process and Practical Experience

In-Person Examinations and Test Centre Setup

SQE2 does not currently offer remote online examinations. The written component takes place at Pearson VUE computer-based test centres, requiring candidates to attend designated centres globally for computer-based testing. These centres are located throughout the UK and in some international cities (including Hong Kong and major cities in mainland China), allowing candidates to select convenient written examination locations during registration.

The oral component must be conducted in person within the UK, currently at four designated centres: London, Cardiff, Manchester, and Birmingham. Candidates can indicate their preferred oral examination city during registration and will be allocated to specific venues within that city (for example, London centres include Euston, Islington, and other locations).

As written and oral components are typically separated by approximately one week, overseas candidates must plan their UK travel accordingly. Some candidates have shared experiences of flying to London for oral assessments, then returning to Hong Kong for written components—quite an exhausting process. Therefore, international candidates should arrange visas and travel in advance, ensuring adequate energy for examinations.

Examination Day Process

SQE2's examination organisation has received widespread praise from candidates. One first-cohort successful candidate mentioned that examination venues were excellently organised with highly professional invigilators and staff efficiently guiding candidates through each stage. Oral examination venues are typically set in hotel conference centres or training facilities, providing rest areas and light refreshments for candidates to recuperate between multiple assessment stations.

Oral assessments typically involve one-to-one interaction between candidates and role-playing examiners/actors. For example, during client interview stations, a professional actor playing a "client" conducts a 15-25 minute simulated consultation entirely in English. The client-actor responds to your questions according to a predetermined script whilst observing your communication skills. During this stage, the correctness of your legal advice is not scored on the spot—interview performance is assessed solely on communication skills. Therefore, candidates should remain composed, focusing on listening and questioning with a professional, empathetic approach to information gathering.

Following the interview, you complete a written attendance note or legal analysis within the allocated time, which is marked by a separate examiner assessing whether your written expression and legal analysis are accurate and appropriate.

During advocacy stations, you act as a solicitor making oral submissions to a "court" regarding specific applications. Typically, case materials are provided approximately 45 minutes beforehand for preparation, followed by 15 minutes to present your arguments to an examiner playing the judge. Throughout this process, examiners assess your expression, logic, and reasoning depth. If you don't understand a question, politely request clarification rather than panicking.

Language and Communication Requirements

SQE2 requires candidates to use English, but accent requirements are not stringent. Real experience shows that even candidates with non-native accents can achieve high scores provided they express themselves clearly with sound logic. One Chinese candidate was concerned about accent and pronunciation issues affecting their performance but still achieved 4.1/5 in the interview component.

This demonstrates that examinations prioritise communication content and technique—whether questions hit the mark and attitudes remain professional and friendly—rather than demanding native pronunciation. For written components, candidates need not be overly anxious about English not being their first language. Assessment criteria clearly state that spelling or grammatical errors will not result in deductions provided they don't affect the accuracy and clarity of legal meaning.

Therefore, non-English background candidates should focus energy on legal reasoning and logical structure whilst ensuring clear expression and appropriately formal language meeting professional communication requirements.

Time Management and Pacing

SQE2 maintains a tight schedule with strict time limits for each station. In oral assessments, interviews and advocacy each have only fifteen to twenty minutes presentation time, whilst written tasks typically allow 30-60 minutes each (approximately 3 hours total for 4 tasks per half-day).

Some candidates identify strict time constraints as SQE2's greatest challenge because even with knowledge mastery, inability to respond quickly within time limits may affect performance. Therefore, reasonable time allocation becomes crucial. In examinations, learn to prioritise: ensure core issues have answers first, then refine details, avoiding incomplete responses due to excessive focus on specific details.

During interviews, manage pacing carefully—neither waste time with awkward silences nor spend excessive time on single issues. In advocacy presentations, examination venues may provide timing reminders; ensure you complete key points before time expires. If approaching the end with uncovered content, quickly summarise conclusions. Many experienced candidates recommend strict timing during practice to develop time awareness and stress management, preventing anxiety from disrupting rhythm during actual examinations.

Genuine Candidate Feedback

Overall, candidates describe SQE2 as "painful process, valuable outcome." Some candidates admit "never wanting to repeat this experience"—the 5-day examination left them physically and mentally exhausted, collapsing at home for a full day's rest after completion. However, they also widely acknowledge SQE2's value in developing practical abilities.

"This examination highly simulates solicitors' daily work, improving communication skills, document drafting, legal research, and various other abilities. Whilst the process is challenging, the value is immense."

Some post-examination feedback indicates SQE2 examines extremely broad and detailed knowledge—inadequate preparation in any area creates examination difficulties. However, encouragingly, SQE2 doesn't present unfathomably complex questions: candidates report oral components typically examine routine matters, and with adequate practice, examinations won't present beyond-syllabus bizarre scenarios.

Some candidates initially worried most about oral assessments but discovered the real difficulty lay in written component details, as written work may involve easily overlooked knowledge points requiring more precise legal application abilities. Overall, if you've already passed SQE1, approach SQE2 with greater confidence—many experienced candidates state "passing SQE1 means you can definitely pass SQE2" because SQE1's knowledge foundation is crucial for SQE2. SQE2 tests more the ability to transform knowledge into practice; with adequate training, this stage is entirely passable.

Successful Candidates' Preparation Methods and Time Planning

Creating Plans and Allocating Time Reasonably

Almost all successful candidates emphasise the importance of study planning. "Proper preparation prevents poor performance"—listing subject schedules and timetables before formal revision makes preparation more systematic. We recommend creating multi-level monthly-weekly-daily plans based on individual circumstances: for example, preparing over 3 months, allocate the first 2 months for comprehensive revision and the final month for concentrated practice reinforcement. Set specific daily or weekly targets (such as completing several practice questions or conducting multiple mock oral assessments) and regularly monitor completion.

Course providers suggest 2.5-4 month preparation cycles, but specifics vary individually. Some successful candidates share their progression: with full-time study immediately after SQE1, approximately 10 weeks of intensive study can lead to success; whilst balancing work may require 3-6 months of sustained accumulation. Ultimately, different background candidates require varying preparation times, but the key lies in maintaining consistent, long-term revision rather than last-minute cramming.

Strengthening Legal Knowledge Foundation (FLK)

The extensive legal knowledge (Functioning Legal Knowledge) covered in SQE1 forms SQE2's foundation and cannot be neglected during revision. One successful candidate admitted: "If your legal knowledge is solid, combined with basic communication and expression abilities, FLK knowledge alone can enable SQE2 success." Therefore, SQE2 preparation must first maintain proficient mastery of key legal area knowledge.

Review SQE1 notes and textbooks to consolidate important statutes and principles, combining with SQE2's potential scenarios for focused application review. For example, types of shareholder resolutions in company law, bail conditions in criminal procedure, and key points in property transaction processes may all require practical application.

Some candidates share that in legal drafting examinations, memorising various template forms word-for-word isn't necessary—examination venues typically provide template formats for candidates to complete, with the key being understanding underlying legal requirements (such as required resolution types and passing percentages for company resolutions).

Similarly, legal writing tasks often involve writing client letters, testing clear professional written communication and legal analysis abilities. Training in basic letter formats (headers, dates, salutations, body structure) combined with relevant legal knowledge enables competent answers. Simply put, avoid cart-before-horse template memorisation; instead, invest time in solid knowledge foundations and improved application abilities.

Strengthening Practical Skills Training

Whilst mastering knowledge, SQE2 demands practical application and communication. Therefore, preparation should include targeted training in various practical skills:

Client Interviewing

Find classmates or friends to role-play "clients" for simulation practice. Preset simple cases, have partners respond according to scripts whilst you practice opening, self-introduction, asking open questions for information gathering, listening and empathetic responses, and concluding with next-step summaries. Simulate entirely in English, followed by brief meeting records or legal advice. This trains both oral communication and written analysis.

If possible, record practice sessions for later review, identifying missed information or communication shortcomings. Focus on developing listening and empathy—one successful candidate emphasised that even imperfect legal advice during interviews doesn't matter; the key is demonstrating professional, patient, client-focused attitudes whilst gathering necessary information. These soft skills are crucial for interview success.

For Chinese candidates, CELE SQE provides 1-on-1 tutor mock interview training. Please add our customer service WeChat (SQE100) to book mock interviews.

Advocacy

Common advocacy tasks involve several types of court applications. Candidates recall that advocacy topics are limited—for example, bail applications, interim injunctions, summary judgment applications. During preparation, compile common application legal standards and key points. For instance, what are the legal basis and requirements for summary judgment; what elements must injunctions satisfy?

Memorise legal tests these applications must satisfy, then practice submissions with case studies. Focus on clear structure during practice: polite opening greetings introducing applications; followed by legal basis and factual reasons supporting applications; concluding with summary requesting judicial decisions. Practice before mirrors or record yourself to assess pace and tone.

If nervous about public speaking, invite friends to play "judges" for simulation, helping you adapt to audience situations. During examinations, simply apply prepared frameworks to specific case facts whilst maintaining confident, respectful tone for comfortable task completion.

Legal Writing and Drafting

These form the bulk of SQE2 written assessments requiring dedicated practice. We recommend selecting writing exercises across different topics—client letters, supervisor memoranda, contract clause drafting. Practice with strict timing, such as limiting 45 minutes for letter completion. Compare with model answers or assessment criteria afterwards: check format compliance, argument clarity, legal basis support, and professional language conciseness.

If possible, seek experienced reviewers, such as CELE SQE's SQE2 preparation courses providing 60 mock questions with marking services, significantly improving SQE2 writing examination abilities.

For drafting tasks, familiarity with common legal document basic structures (contracts, litigation documents) helps, but avoid relying solely on institutional templates. Examinations provide background materials or partial forms for key content completion. More importantly, understand question requirements—for example, drafting partnership agreement clauses requires identifying whether the focus is partnership liability or profit distribution, then drafting appropriate clauses based on learned legal principles.

During training, reference UK law firm precedents or tutorial materials to appreciate legal document language precision.

Legal Research

SQE2 Legal Research typically provides electronic legal databases or material compilations for searching. Practice finding specific legal issues within time limits and writing brief reports. Training focuses on: quickly locating authoritative information (statutes or cases), extracting key points, and providing case-specific advice.

Develop index and keyword search skills plus English statute reading abilities. Without database access, use public legislation websites or case databases for practice. Examination research question difficulty has decreased, with latest format integrating legal research as single component rather than previous excessive complexity. However, advance practice still improves speed and accuracy.

Scientific Study Sequencing

With SQE2 covering multiple skills, reasonable revision sequencing improves efficiency. Generally, progress from easier to harder with alternating approaches: for example, begin with written tasks for foundation building, then gradually tackle oral challenges. Alternatively, alternate between different content types to avoid fatigue.

Some candidates prefer tackling weaknesses first—concentrating on writing if weak, then consolidating strengths. Others choose building knowledge frameworks first (reviewing SQE1 knowledge), then concentrating on skills questions. Regardless of sequence, reserve at least 2-3 weeks for comprehensive simulation, completing several full mock examinations according to actual timetables, integrating all skills practice. Use simulation to identify remaining weak areas for timely remediation.

As examinations approach, adjust schedules appropriately, ensuring energy and optimal condition for peak performance.

Experience and Lessons Shared

Some experienced candidates reflect on preparation methods. One candidate suggests that with common law education background (such as UK law degrees), self-study for SQE2 success is entirely feasible; otherwise, systematic training is needed, especially for weaker English speakers—CELE SQE's SQE2 courses offer rich samples and mock questions providing substantial SQE2 success support.

This self-study successful candidate reflected post-examination: their best oral component performance resulted entirely from practice through real-person dialogue training; case analysis relied on self-exploration yet achieved good results. However, this represents individual cases with significant personal variation.

For candidates lacking Anglo-American law backgrounds or poor self-discipline, quality training courses provide systematic guidance and practice opportunities—also excellent choices. As one first-cohort successful candidate noted, SQE2's broad syllabus and multiple skill requirements led them to choose courses because complete self-study struggles to efficiently cover all content; course learning not only aids examination success but improves considerable practical skills. Therefore, candidates should decide on course enrollment based on personal circumstances.

Regardless of approach, success ultimately depends on diligence and practice. As many candidates emphasise: persistent effort and solid training are the only methods for conquering SQE2.

Common Pitfalls and Response Strategies

During preparation and examination, common pitfalls may affect performance. Below are pitfalls summarised by candidates and corresponding countermeasures to help everyone avoid these traps effectively:

High-Scoring Techniques and Mental Preparation

Building upon basic examination strategies, here are high-scoring techniques and psychological adjustment methods summarised by experienced candidates to help you excel in SQE2:

1. Master Assessment Criteria for Targeted Responses

Understanding what examiners want to see enables targeted high-scoring responses. According to SRA assessment standards, each task type has clear evaluation points. For example, written answers emphasise clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and appropriateness; oral interviews emphasise listening communication, information gathering, and professional etiquette; advocacy focuses on structure, evidence, and presentation.

Study official assessment matrices carefully before examinations (available in SRA website Assessment Specification appendices), internalising them as answer guides. Consciously demonstrate these points when responding. For example, ensure clear structure and professional language when writing; use polite address and timely client need summaries during interviews. Targeted medicine cures diseases for high scores: knowing "Grade A performance" enables working towards that direction.

2. Emphasise Detail Quality, Demonstrating Professional Standards

High-scoring candidates often excel through details, reflecting prospective solicitor standards. Examples include:

• Neat written document formatting using formal letterhead formats
• Appropriate letter salutations (Dear Mr/Ms... for individuals, Dear Sir or Madam for companies), polite sign-offs
• Standardised legal citations, such as including years and sections when mentioning legislation
• Appropriate body language during interviews, maintaining suitable eye contact and nodding to show listening
• When clients express emotions or difficulties, tone providing comfort and understanding

These details create mature, stable, professional impressions with examiners. One examiner mentioned in case studies that an excellent candidate, even when encountering unfamiliar questions during interviews, calmly responded "This is an important question requiring further research before providing definitive answers" rather than fabricating responses—demonstrating integrity and professionalism, equally earning recognition. Simply put, high scores come from excellence in every aspect, treating yourself as a genuine practising solicitor.

3. Learn Quick Thinking and Adaptability

Many candidates report that achieving high SQE2 scores requires strong on-the-spot rapid response abilities. This needs regular training in quick reading, quick analysis, and quick language organisation. For example, when receiving case analysis questions, excellent candidates often grasp key information within minutes, outline reasoning frameworks, then rapidly write responses. When examiners ask oral questions, they can quickly provide structured answers.

The secret to developing this ability lies in high-intensity simulation practice: set more urgent time limits than examinations for practice, such as limiting writing practice to 10 minutes less than examination time, forcing yourself to improve thinking and typing speed. Practice impromptu summarisation: after reading materials, immediately summarise main issues and solution approaches aloud in English. These exercises gradually improve brain information processing speed, enabling composed responses to new problems during examinations without panic whilst demonstrating clear thinking.

4. Maintain Positive Mindset, Build Confidence

Psychological quality significantly impacts SQE2 performance. Confident, composed candidates more easily excel, whilst excessive nervousness may cause poor performance even with known content. Building confidence begins with solid preparation, but pre-examination mindset adjustment is equally important.

Use positive affirmations for self-encouragement, such as silently repeating before entering each examination room: "I'm well-prepared and can succeed." If the previous station felt unsatisfactory, tell yourself "That's fine, I can still achieve high scores in other areas to compensate."

Simultaneously, correctly view examiner roles. Some imagine examiners as "fault-finding" intimidators, causing unnecessary anxiety. One training instructor shared insights suggesting: "Consider examiners as people hoping for your success; meeting basic requirements makes them happy to award passes." This mindset helps relaxation, focusing on demonstrating abilities rather than fearing mistakes.

5. Adjust Body and Mind, Reduce Stress, Increase Efficiency

SQE2 preparation and examination are "marathons," maintaining physical and mental health forms the foundation for high scores. Candidates shared practical stress-reduction methods: planning, regular rest, and appropriate exercise.

Planning alleviates confusion-induced anxiety, clarifying each step's requirements. Arrange brief breaks during daily study, such as 10-minute breaks every 50 minutes of study for movement or stretching, helping brains absorb information more effectively.

Exercise is a recognised stress-relief tool, whether daily 30-minute pre-examination runs or park walks during examination weeks, releasing nervous emotions whilst maintaining mental clarity. Additionally, simulating examination day schedules and adjusting time zones (for overseas examinations) constitute necessary preparations. Abundant energy and stable emotions help maintain steady performance throughout the examination marathon.

6. Examination Strategies and On-the-Spot Responses

Some small examination techniques help secure high scores:

• Utilise notes and draft paper effectively: During oral preparation time and written answering, quickly list outlines or key point checklists on draft paper to prevent omitting crucial points. Especially for post-interview records and legal analysis, list client-provided information and required legal opinion points before writing for more complete, structured responses.
• Use remaining time for checking cleverly: If finishing early, use extra minutes to quickly check whether any question requirements are missed, obvious language errors, etc. (avoid wasting excessive time perfecting sentences).
• Remain calm when encountering difficulties: If truly unable to approach a question, don't panic. Writing framework content within limited time is better than leaving blank spaces—even listing outlines and several suggestions may score higher than no response. Examiners understand candidates may not cover everything comprehensively; therefore, even encountering unfamiliar problems, try demonstrating analysis thinking and basic problem-handling frameworks.

Simply put, on-the-spot composure and strategic planning are also essential high-scoring factors.

Study Materials, Platforms, and Resource Recommendations

Good tools make good work. Fully utilising various preparation resources can make your SQE2 journey twice as effective. Here are study materials and platforms recommended by successful candidates:

SRA Official Materials

First, strongly recommend reading SRA website's SQE2 examination specifications, Assessment Specification, and other authoritative materials. These official documents detail examination scope, skills checklists, and assessment criteria—the examination "instruction manual."

Additionally, the SRA website publishes official SQE2 sample questions. Currently, the website provides demonstration questions and reference answer analyses for different subjects (such as property practice legal writing samples). These samples are highly valuable: familiarising with question styles whilst understanding expected answer points through answer analyses.

Note that some candidates report official samples are relatively easier, often scoring higher than actual examinations. Therefore, if sample questions feel easy with high scores, don't become complacent. As one candidate noted: "SRA samples are ridiculously simple; real examinations aren't this easy." We recommend practising official samples first, then seeking additional practice questions for deeper training.

Training Institution Courses

Numerous SQE preparation courses are available; for Chinese candidates, CELE's PASS SQE is an excellent choice. Courses provide video explanations, practice question banks, mock examinations, tutor Q&A, plus 24-hour AI Q&A functionality within the app. For students needing systematic guidance, courses provide comprehensive planning and professional instruction.

According to feedback from some course participants, different institutions' course quality and styles vary; select based on learning preferences (preferring self-study materials versus interactive practice). Those considering courses should research course reputation and pass rate data beforehand, reasonably scheduling course progression with examination timing.

Past Papers and Mock Examinations

Since SQE is a new examination, no previous years' papers exist, but candidates can reference old QLTS examination (UK solicitor transfer test) OSCE papers. QLTS OSCE components closely resemble SQE2, also examining oral and written skills; some circulated QLTS papers and answer analyses serve as reference practice materials.

Additionally, many training institutions compile mock papers; as mentioned, CELE SQE provides 60 SQE2 mock questions with AI marking services for each question—excellent value worth choosing.

Online Communities and Experience Posts

Fully utilise internet power, learning from successful candidates. Some community forums feature numerous candidate experience sharing and Q&A posts. For example, Reddit hosts lively discussions on "SQE2 preparation" and "subject difficulties," with some high-scoring candidates providing detailed advice.

LinkedIn also features candidate and training instructor examination insight articles; search keywords like "SQE2 experience" and "SQE2 tips" to find content. Some LinkedIn articles provide precise advice on mindset adjustment and time allocation, such as "imagine examiners as helpers for passing rather than troublemakers," helping us shift preparation mindsets.

For Chinese candidate communities, check xiaohongshu and zhihu for SQE candidate sharing notes. For example, zhihu already features detailed analysis posts on first-examination data and experiences; xiaohongshu reportedly includes senior students' preparation daily records and written/oral examination insights. Joining WeChat or QQ exchange groups (if available) is also beneficial—communicating with fellow travelers provides timely information and moral support. However, when learning from others' experiences, remember to verify information accuracy and adapt selectively to your situation.

Preparation Books and Materials

Currently, few books specifically target SQE2, but some traditional Anglo-American legal skills books remain applicable. For example, "Legal Writing" and "Drafting Contracts" help improve legal document writing abilities; "Practical Law" website guides expand practical knowledge scope. SRA's published Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) reference lists serve as self-study indices, ensuring no important legal points are missed.

Additionally, many UK law firm websites or blogs provide free resources, such as common legal problem guides—useful for reading and writing practice. If English comprehension proves difficult, CELE SQE will launch SQE Chinese guides or courses by end-2025 to assist understanding examination requirements. However, final examination responses remain in English; Chinese materials serve only as auxiliary tools. We recommend starting directly with English textbooks and courses for faster learning and more accurate concept absorption.

Mock Examination Apps and Online Tools

Some training institutions develop SQE practice mobile applications or online platforms. As mentioned, CELE provides the PASS SQE app for student use, enabling anytime question practice. Using these tools facilitates fragmented learning and self-testing.

Additionally, for improving writing, tools like Grammarly and common legal dictionaries (such as Black's Law Dictionary) prove very helpful during preparation.

Official Communication Channels

When encountering questions during registration or preparation, promptly check SRA SQE website's "Help and Support" section or contact SRA customer service directly. Some candidates mention SRA's candidate service team responds quickly with clear answers, helping resolve many practical issues.

Latest examination policies, timing, and other updates are first published in SRA website news or email notifications; candidates should regularly monitor to avoid missing important information (such as registration deadlines, venue requirement changes).

Conclusion

Finally, we wish all SQE2 candidates the best of luck! Whilst the path presents challenges, as many successful candidates prove, with adequate preparation and stable mindset, you too can successfully pass SQE2, stepping towards a new journey as a practising solicitor in England and Wales.

We hope this article's compilation of official information and experienced candidates' insights helps you avoid detours, perform optimally in SQE2 examinations, achieve examination success early, and become an even more excellent legal professional. Best wishes for enjoyable studies and successful examinations!