Taran is a second seat trainee in Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office. She shares her experience preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with BPP University and offers practical tips for aspiring solicitors.

Published 15 January 2026

In July 2023, I received a call from the Emerging Talent team confirming I had secured a training contract with Shoosmiths. It was a proud moment and the start of an exciting chapter in my legal career at one of the UK’s leading law firms.

But before stepping fully into the role, there was one major hurdle to clear – the SQE.

Facing the SQE

The SQE is one of the most demanding stages on the path to qualification. With firms placing significant emphasis on exam performance, thorough preparation is essential.

In this blog, I share practical strategies to help you feel prepared and confident as you begin your SQE journey.

Start early and stay consistent

If you were a last minute crammer at university, the SQE will quickly expose the limits of that approach. BPP University releases course materials shortly before lectures begin and the early sessions are relatively light – use this time wisely to get ahead.

While you are not taught the underlying law directly, resources are provided for self-study. Many students plan to cover these topics as they go, but once the workload ramps up, those plans often fall by the wayside. Starting early and building a steady routine will limit stress later and put you in a stronger position to sit the exams.

Choose active learning over passive reading

Reading notes may feel productive, but it is not the most effective way to learn. Instead, engage actively. Consider using methods such as:

• use flashcards.
• rewrite material in your own words
• explain concepts out loud
• work through practice questions and mocks

Tough revision makes for an easier exam. Active learning takes effort, but it improves retention and application under pressure.

Set realistic goals

Ambitious plans such as attempting to cover contract, tort and criminal law in a single week, often collapse under the weight of lectures and learning new content. Instead, set achievable goals. For example, dedicate three or four days to lecture material and two or three days to underlying law topics.

Consistency is key. Small, steady steps will take you further than unrealistic targets that lead to burnout.

Review and reflect regularly

Spaced repetition is very important. I used flashcards and tracked my scores over time to identify weaker areas. It is tempting to stick with topics you know well, but real progress comes from tackling the ones you find hardest.

Final thoughts

The SQE is demanding and that is no secret, but it is achievable with the right preparation. Plenty of candidates succeed every year and you can too.

If you are starting the SQE or are already in the thick of it, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn for tips or guidance.

Good luck!

Explore more of our recent blogs for insights and inspiration. If you have questions, our FAQ page is a great place to start.

If you are ready to apply, jump straight to our training contract opportunities.

Still curious or need advice? We would love to hear from you – email us at joinus@shoosmiths.com and our team will be happy to help.