SQE1 diary: starting prep in September, sitting January 2027

[Louis_Litt]

Hi all,

Starting my SQE prep course in September and sitting SQE1 in January, so thought I'd start a thread here to keep myself accountable and hopefully pick up a few tips along the way.

Everyone I've spoken to says the exam is genuinely tough, both in volume and in how long the day itself is. Trying not to let that overwhelm me too early, but it's hard not to think about it a bit.

Before the course kicks off, my plan is to make flashcards for the academic subjects the prep course doesn't cover in much depth, so I'm not starting from scratch on those once things get busier.

I'm also building a spreadsheet mapping every point in the spec, partly as a checklist and partly so nothing slips through while I'm heads down on whatever topic is in front of me that week.

Will keep updating as I go, mistakes included. Would love to hear from anyone further along, especially on how you approached the pre-course prep.

 

[Laurelle]

Hi!
Going along with you on the same September to Jan, though I'm self-studying! I did start a prep course last year with the intention of sitting the July 2026 exam, but I wasn't able to sit in the end. Are you using a prep provider?

 

[Louis_Litt]

Hi!
Going along with you on the same September to Jan, though I'm self-studying! I did start a prep course last year with the intention of sitting the July 2026 exam, but I wasn't able to sit in the end. Are you using a prep provider?

Yes, I am using ULaw, looking forward to starting next week! Hope your prep is going well.

 

[Louis_Litt]

Hi all,

Update from this week: I've gotten access to the ULaw online manuals and started working through Contract Law first, mostly because it was my strongest module at uni and I thought it would be a gentle way back in.

That theory hasn't quite held up. I'm making a fair few silly mistakes on the questions at the end of each section, nothing to do with actually understanding the law, more that my brain has clearly gone soft over the holidays. Hoping that sharpens up quickly once I'm back into a proper rhythm.

On the plus side, I'm really liking the question style so far. Problem questions were always my strong suit at uni, and these feel like mini versions of that, so it's a format I actually enjoy working through rather than dread. Just need to get through 360 of them on exam day, so we'll see how enthusiastic I still am a few months from now.