SQE 2 Prep Course

The SQE2 assessment is a rigorous examination designed to test a candidate's practical legal skills across a broad range of legal contexts. It consists of 16 separate tasks, which are evenly split between written and oral formats. These tasks are crafted to simulate real-world legal scenarios, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply legal knowledge in practical situations.

Structure of the SQE2 Assessment

The written tasks may include drafting legal documents, providing legal advice in writing, or conducting legal research. On the other hand, the oral tasks might involve advocacy, interviewing clients, or making oral presentations. Each task is carefully designed to assess a specific set of skills that are crucial for the practice of law, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for the realities of legal work.

Delivery Method

The delivery of the SQE2 assessment is conducted in-person at designated testing centers across the UK. These centers are equipped to provide a controlled and professional environment, where candidates can focus solely on their performance. The in-person nature of the assessment is essential because it allows the examiners to closely observe candidates' behaviors, especially during oral tasks where communication skills are being tested.

The tasks are administered under strict timed conditions, reflecting the time pressures lawyers face in real legal practice. This timing aspect is crucial, as it not only tests candidates' knowledge and skills but also their ability to perform under pressure. The in-person delivery also ensures that the assessment is standardized and fair, providing each candidate with the same opportunities and challenges.

The marking of the SQE2 assessment is carried out by experienced legal professionals who are trained to evaluate candidates consistently and fairly. Each task is marked according to specific criteria that are designed to assess the key competencies required of a newly qualified solicitor. These criteria might include the accuracy of legal knowledge, the effectiveness of communication, and the ability to apply the law in practical scenarios.

Marking Process

The marking process is standardized across all candidates, meaning that each task is scored in the same way, regardless of who the candidate is or where they took the exam. This standardization is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the assessment and ensuring that all candidates are judged on the same basis. To further ensure fairness, the examiners undergo regular training and calibration exercises to align their marking standards.

Passing Score

The passing score for the SQE2 assessment is determined through a rigorous standard-setting process. This process involves analyzing the performance of candidates to determine the minimum level of competence required to pass. The passing score is not fixed and may vary slightly from one assessment cycle to the next, depending on the difficulty of the tasks and the overall performance of the cohort.

This approach ensures that the passing threshold accurately reflects the level of competence expected of a newly qualified solicitor. It is designed to be challenging but fair, ensuring that only those candidates who have demonstrated the required skills and knowledge are able to pass. Candidates who meet or exceed the passing score are considered to have the practical legal skills necessary to begin practicing law.

The SQE2 assessment covers a broad range of practice areas to ensure that candidates are well-rounded and capable of handling various types of legal work. The key practice areas included in the assessment are carefully chosen to represent the core areas of legal practice that a newly qualified solicitor is likely to encounter.

Practice Areas Covered

• ★ Criminal Litigation: Involves tasks related to defending or prosecuting criminal cases, including preparing cases for trial and advising clients on criminal law matters.
• ★ Dispute Resolution: Focuses on resolving civil disputes through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Tasks may include drafting pleadings, advising clients, and managing settlement discussions.
• ★ Property Practice: Covers legal work related to property transactions, such as drafting contracts for the sale of property, handling lease agreements, and advising on property law.
• ★ Wills and the Administration of Estates: Involves advising clients on wills, managing the probate process, and ensuring that estates are administered according to the law.
• ★ Business Organisations, Rules, and Procedures: Includes tasks related to the formation, management, and dissolution of business entities, as well as advising on corporate governance and compliance issues.

Completion Time

The SQE2 assessment is spread over several days, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the tasks and the broad range of skills being tested. Candidates are required to complete all 16 tasks, with each task being timed to simulate the time pressures found in real legal practice. The exact duration of the assessment varies, but it typically spans 5 days.

The timing of each task is carefully calculated to reflect the complexity of the legal issues involved. For example, an advocacy task might be allotted more time than a legal writing task due to the need for oral presentation and interaction. This time management is a crucial part of the assessment, as it tests not only the candidates'