SQE1 Guidance Needed on Prep Period

[sohanp]

Hi everyone!

I am about to graduate law school in June 2025. After graduation, I intend to do the SQE and I have decided to go with QLTS as my Prep Course Provider.

I originally intended to sit for the July 2026 SQE1 exams, however, I wanted guidance on whether you believe I would be well prepared to sit for the January 2026 SQE1 exams if I were to devote 7 hours per day in a week of SQE prep.

Similarly, how long would you estimate I should spend in preparation if I intend to sit for the July 2026 SQE1 exams. I intend to prepare for the SQE1 without any work on the side.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing your insights,
Sohan Prasad

 

[ZNadeem]

Hi everyone!

I am about to graduate law school in June 2025. After graduation, I intend to do the SQE and I have decided to go with QLTS as my Prep Course Provider.

I originally intended to sit for the July 2026 SQE1 exams, however, I wanted guidance on whether you believe I would be well prepared to sit for the January 2026 SQE1 exams if I were to devote 7 hours per day in a week of SQE prep.

Similarly, how long would you estimate I should spend in preparation if I intend to sit for the July 2026 SQE1 exams. I intend to prepare for the SQE1 without any work on the side.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing your insights,
Sohan Prasad

Hi! It's great that you're planning ahead for the SQE exams and considering how to structure your study time. If you're aiming for the January 2026 SQE1 exams and are considering 7 hours per day of study, it seems like a feasible goal, but it really depends on the delivery style of your QLTS prep course. Since QLTS tends to offer more self-paced options, it would be essential to discuss with them whether this intensive approach aligns with the course's structure and requirements. Generally, many students opt for a more traditional study timeline, beginning in September, which would give them roughly 6 months to prepare for the January exams. So starting in the summer should still allow you to catch up.

That said, it's also worth considering why you want to sit for the January exams instead of the July 2026 ones. The timing might conflict with other commitments like vacation scheme applications or interviews, which often fall during the months you're planning to study intensely. If you're also targeting the recruitment cycle, it could be challenging to balance intensive study with recruitment efforts. It’s a good idea to weigh whether preparing for the SQE in January is the best use of your time, especially if it could impact other opportunities like gaining work experience or securing a training contract.

 

[sohanp]

Hi! It's great that you're planning ahead for the SQE exams and considering how to structure your study time. If you're aiming for the January 2026 SQE1 exams and are considering 7 hours per day of study, it seems like a feasible goal, but it really depends on the delivery style of your QLTS prep course. Since QLTS tends to offer more self-paced options, it would be essential to discuss with them whether this intensive approach aligns with the course's structure and requirements. Generally, many students opt for a more traditional study timeline, beginning in September, which would give them roughly 6 months to prepare for the January exams. So starting in the summer should still allow you to catch up.

That said, it's also worth considering why you want to sit for the January exams instead of the July 2026 ones. The timing might conflict with other commitments like vacation scheme applications or interviews, which often fall during the months you're planning to study intensely. If you're also targeting the recruitment cycle, it could be challenging to balance intensive study with recruitment efforts. It’s a good idea to weigh whether preparing for the SQE in January is the best use of your time, especially if it could impact other opportunities like gaining work experience or securing a training contract.

Thanks alot for your insight into this.

Could I just follow up and ask your opinion on whether spending around 4 hours per day in a week, would be good for a July 2026 target?

I live in the UAE and study law here in Middlesex's Dubai Campus and the training contract and vac schemes that are offered are extremely limited making it even more competitive. Most firms here now like applicants for TC's who've already completed SQE1 and on their way to SQE2, which is why my primary goal after graduating is to complete the SQE.

 

[ZNadeem]

Thanks alot for your insight into this.

Could I just follow up and ask your opinion on whether spending around 4 hours per day in a week, would be good for a July 2026 target?

I live in the UAE and study law here in Middlesex's Dubai Campus and the training contract and vac schemes that are offered are extremely limited making it even more competitive. Most firms here now like applicants for TC's who've already completed SQE1 and on their way to SQE2, which is why my primary goal after graduating is to complete the SQE.

It sounds like you have a clear focus and a solid plan in place, which is great! If you’re targeting the July 2026 SQE1 exams and can devote around 4 hours per day, that’s certainly achievable. Assuming you’ll start your preparation a year in advance (around July 2025), 4 hours per day provides ample time to cover the syllabus thoroughly and build strong foundational knowledge. You might want to adjust this intensity closer to the exam period by increasing your study hours or focusing on practice questions and mock exams to refine your technique.

Given your unique context in the UAE and the competitive nature of securing training contracts there, your plan to prioritise the SQE is understandable. Since the training contract and vac scheme opportunities are limited, you could also explore gaining qualifying work experience (QWE) in alternative ways, such as paralegal roles or internships with local or international firms that operate in the UAE. This approach will not only fulfil the SQE2 requirements but also enhance your CV for future TC applications.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks alot for your insight into this.

Could I just follow up and ask your opinion on whether spending around 4 hours per day in a week, would be good for a July 2026 target?

I live in the UAE and study law here in Middlesex's Dubai Campus and the training contract and vac schemes that are offered are extremely limited making it even more competitive. Most firms here now like applicants for TC's who've already completed SQE1 and on their way to SQE2, which is why my primary goal after graduating is to complete the SQE.

One of the reasons the providers encourage you to sit SQE1 around 4-5 months into their courses is that the SQE1 relies a lot of memory. The only issue with delaying your SQE1 sitting until 10 months after the course started is trying to recollect information you studied towards the start of the course. For some people they find this a lot easier, but for others sitting earlier is easier just in terms of memory retention.

The downside of the January sitting is you have to commit to sitting it before you know whether you are ready. You are generally having to sign up to the assessments in October when you are only a matter of weeks into the course.

It’s worthwhile speaking to your course provider to get their expertise on this. They have much more experience in what works for their course/students.

 

[sohanp]

Thank you all for your inputs, really very helpful! I'll definitely take this in consideration and also have a word with QLTS before figuring out which month is best to attempt the test.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you all for your inputs, really very helpful! I'll definitely take this in consideration and also have a word with QLTS before figuring out which month is best to attempt the test.

You won’t have to decide this until the SQE1 January sitting opens up in October.