Supporting every step of your legal education journey
Getting to grips with the SQE
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is an independent centralised assessment, introduced in September 2021, which every aspiring solicitor in England and Wales must undergo. The main aim of the SQE is to ensure that all candidates meet the same single, high standard for admission into the profession. It also opens up the profession by providing flexibility during the qualification process for SQE candidates, ensuring more diversity and inclusion.
SQE Prep with BARBRI
We offer online SQE preparation courses that fit all types of learners, from those who want to get qualified or dual-qualified as soon as possible to those who need more flexibility and time.
SQE FAQ's
SQE1:
The first session is a Flexible (40-week) and is suitable for students without an English or Welsh law degree. However, this longer course is also available to any other students, especially those working full-time, or re-qualifying international lawyers. The second option is Focused (20-week) course which can be undertaken full-time or part-time, depending on availability or level of familiarity of the assessed subjects. The third option is Accelerated (10-week) course duration. This is only suitable for law graduates with the ability and opportunity to study intensively and full-time.
The starting dates for SQE1 2024 courses are as follows:
- 40-week SQE1 Prep course – April 2024
- 20-week SQE1 Prep course – February 2024
- 10-week SQE1 Prep course – April 2024
The starting dates for SQE2 2024 courses are as follows:
- 20-week SQE2 Prep course – March and June 2024
- 10-week SQE2 Prep course - February 2024
Enrolment dates can be found here.
The BARBRI SQE course allows you to study when and where you study best over the duration of the course session you choose. While your study time, days and location are extremely flexible, you should plan on spending the recommended hours per week over the relevant course session.
There are certain live sessions in each course, but these are recorded and available to watch on demand if students can’t make them or want to re-watch.
All course lengths cover the same materials but at require different hours of committed study per week.
The Flexible SQE1 40-week part-time course is 10-12 hours per week of study and we recommend 1 hour of study a day with 1 full day of study on the weekends.
The Focused SQE1 20-week part-time course is 20 hours per week of study and we recommend 3 hours of study per day over the 7-day week period.
The Accelerated SQE1 10-week full-time course will require 40 hours per week of study and is recommended for recent law graduates who can dedicate the time and study intensively.
The 20-week SQE2 course requires 10-15 hours of study per week spread evenly throughout the week.
The 10-week SQE2 course requires a commitment of 15-20 hours of study per week. We wouldn't recommend this option for students who are not BARBRI SQE1 Prep alumni.
The SQE1 Prep course has over 2,000 multiple-choice questions and forms the main foundation of the course content, in addition to the BABRRI workbooks, pre-recorded lectures and extensive mentor support. This way you will not only familiarise yourself with the substantive content of the exam, but also learn the crucial skill of applying this knowledge in the multiple-choice format that the assessment is in.
If you take any of our SQE2 Prep course you will also have access to this content.
For SQE1 you will receive a hard copy and online version of the Study Guide specifically designed for the SQE. This guide covers each subject area. You will also receive a revision book.
For SQE2 you will receive a hard copy and online version of a concise workbook to supplement the skills explanations.
For SQE Foundations in Law we will provide you with an online workbook to supplement the coursework.
Yes, we will ship to the address you include in your myBARBRI account. There are no additional fees for international shipping.
SQE1:
In addition to the main practice multiple choice questions, there will be several multiple-choice practice tests delivered in exam style. This means that the student must complete all the questions before they can see the answers. We still provide the students with detailed explanations of each question, including why the right answers are correct and why the wrong choices are incorrect. There will be 4 mock tests throughout the course, which will include two 90-question practice tests for each of the two assessment areas. Finally, the SQE1 preparation course concludes with a full simulated exam which will replicate the SQE1 assessment specification, a full test of 360 questions.
SQE2:
Before you sit SQE2, you’ll complete mock assessments and receive personal feedback from a BARBRI assessor in each skill and subject assessed in SQE2.
SQE Foundations:
There is no mock assessment for SQE foundations.
For both SQE1 and SQE2 each student gets assigned a Learning Coach, who acts as a personal mentor. You would be able to book time with your personal Learning Coach to see how you are progressing with your studies. They will also conduct livestream workshops, provide tips, and help you with any problem areas. There will also be scheduled “Strategy Sessions” when the learning coaches will be available for queries and support.
Additionally for SQE1, we include our “Prep for Success” live workshop series to enhance group cohesion and improve exam readiness. The SQE1 touchpoint workshops will cover:
- Guidance on how to use the materials and access/work through the course
- How to approach multiple choice question exams
- Wellness, mindfulness, and resilience
- Pre mock guidance
- Post mock analysis
Yes, you can sign up for our SQE Prep Preview to see what our course looks like inside. There is no cost involved. You will be able to view and test out all the features of the online Personal Study Plan (PSP) and view the main types of course content on the SQE1 Prep.
To get a better idea of what our SQE2 course looks like, and to find out if this is the right option for you, you can download a sample of the SQE2 course materials. You’ll receive a real, abbreviated sample chapter that provides an insight into what will be covered during your course.
BARBRI HeadStart
BARBRI HeadStart is our free careers platform for prospective students, graduates and others aspiring to a career in the legal industry. It offers valuable career-focused content to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to get ahead in your legal journey. It also gives you a glimpse into our CareerHub, the comprehensive employability platform provided to all our enrolled students.
Some of the features include:
- Access to our jobs search portal to support you in searching and applying for roles.
- An AI-based CV checking tool.
- An interview simulator to help you hone your skills for future interviews.
- Aptitude tests to help prepare you for psychometric/aptitude assessments during the recruitment process.
- Self-assessments and more.