SQE2 Preparation

SQE2 Mock Exam Practice — Free Preparation for All 16 Assessments

SQE2 tests what you do as a lawyer, not just what you know. Practice is the only way to prepare.

SQE2 is a fundamentally different challenge from SQE1. Where SQE1 tests functional legal knowledge through MCQs, SQE2 assesses practical legal skills across 16 assessments — a combination of written and oral exercises spanning client interviewing, advocacy, legal research, legal writing, drafting, and case and matter analysis. Each assessment mirrors a task a trainee solicitor might actually perform. The only way to prepare effectively is to practise under realistic conditions, with feedback on your technique. This guide explains what SQE2 involves and how to get the most from free mock exam practice.

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SQE2 assessments

Practical skill areas tested

Both

Written and oral exercises

Free

Mock practice on Applaa

What SQE2 Involves

SQE2 comprises 16 assessments that test practical legal skills in the context of realistic legal scenarios. The assessments are divided into written and oral exercises across five skill areas. Each exercise is set in the context of one of the SQE2 practice areas: criminal litigation, dispute resolution, property, wills and trusts, and business.

✓Client interviewing and attendance note
✓Advocacy and persuasive oral communication
✓Case and matter analysis
✓Legal research and written advice
✓Legal drafting
✓Practice areas: Criminal, Dispute Resolution, Property, Wills & Trusts, Business

How to Prepare for SQE2 Assessments

SQE2 rewards preparation that mirrors the actual assessments. Reading about how to do a client interview is not the same as practising one under time pressure with a structured feedback loop. The most effective preparation involves repeated practice of each skill type in the relevant practice area context, with detailed review of what you did well and what you missed.

✓Practise each skill type separately before attempting integrated scenarios
✓Time yourself on every exercise — SQE2 assessments are time-pressured
✓Study the SRA's published assessment criteria for each skill area
✓Seek feedback on oral exercises from a qualified solicitor or structured AI review
✓Review model answers to written exercises and identify gaps in your own approach

Using Mock Exams to Build SQE2 Readiness

Mock exams for SQE2 should simulate the conditions of the real assessments as closely as possible. For written exercises, this means working to the same time limits and word counts. For oral exercises, it means recording yourself and reviewing your performance against the SRA's criteria. Applaa provides structured SQE2 practice scenarios with guided feedback.

✓Complete at least two full mock exercises per skill area before the exam
✓Review every attempt against the published SRA assessment criteria
✓Focus on structuring your answers clearly — examiners look for organised thinking
✓Practise your client interviewing technique until the opening sequence is automatic
✓For drafting, practise the same document type in multiple practice area contexts

Practical plan

SQE2 Preparation Checklist

Step 1

Download and study the SRA's SQE2 assessment specification

Step 2

Practise at least one client interview with self-review against the criteria

Step 3

Complete two written legal research exercises in different practice areas

Step 4

Draft at least one letter of advice and one legal document in a timed session

Step 5

Practise an advocacy exercise — record it and review for structure and persuasiveness

Step 6

Complete a case analysis exercise for each of the five practice areas

Step 7

Sit a full SQE2 mock in the final two weeks of preparation

1 month free, then 50% off for 3 months — £4.99/mo

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Frequently asked questions

How is SQE2 different from SQE1?

SQE1 is an MCQ exam testing functional legal knowledge across 14 subjects. SQE2 assesses practical legal skills through 16 written and oral exercises across five practice areas. The two parts of the SQE require completely different preparation approaches.

Do I have to pass SQE1 before sitting SQE2?

No. SQE1 and SQE2 can be sat in any order, though most candidates sit SQE1 first as the knowledge it covers underpins the practical skills tested in SQE2.

What is the SQE2 pass rate?

SQE2 pass rates are generally higher than SQE1 — many sittings see pass rates above 70%. However, the practical nature of the assessments means unprepared candidates can still fail, particularly in oral exercises.

Is there free SQE2 practice available?

Yes. Applaa provides SQE2 preparation resources including practice scenarios, skill guides, and structured exercises. Check the SQE2 section on Applaa for current availability.

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