Updated March 2024
As I did for SQE1, I’ve compiled a list of parties providing publicly available practice questions for SQE2. You can try the problem sets below for free.
Where to Find Free SQE2 Practice Questions
- The SRA (6 Ques) – As you probably already know, the SRA has published some practice problems to aid test-takers. They’ve shared a sample problem for each of the practical skills assessments: Interviewing/Attendance Note/Legal Analysis, Advocacy, Case & Matter Analysis, Legal Research, Legal Writing and Legal Drafting. Answers are provided for each question.
The SRA has also provided an exam simulation. The written parts of SQE2 are done on computer, and the SRA sample questions (mentioned above) are also available via a realistic user interface – similar to the one candidates will see on test day at Pearson VUE. Here you can try the SQE2 simulation.
- The QLTS School (6 Ques) – The QLTS School is a course provider that now provides training for the SQE. On its website you can find some SQE2 practice questions available for free. They’ve provided a mock assessment for Interviewing, Advocacy, Legal Writing, Legal Research, Legal Drafting and Case & Matter Analysis.
- CILEx (45+ Ques) – The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (or CILEx) is the professional association and governing body for Chartered Legal Execs and Paralegals in England and Wales. CILEx provides an alternative route to legal practice and, upon obtaining a CILEx diploma (and gaining necessary work experience), Legal Executives are usually qualified to practice in a single practice area (for example, employment, conveyancing, etc).
Unlike the SQE, LPC and QLTS, CILEx posts its past exam papers online, along with sample answers. These old tests can be very helpful tools for practicing the Legal Writing, Legal Drafting and Advocacy portions of SQE2.
Keep in mind that:
- There are two different sets of CILEx exams: level 3 & level 6. The level 6 questions are more difficult than the level 3s and are closer (though not identical) to what you can expect in SQE2.
- The level 6 tests have theory and practice components. The ‘practical’ questions will be most relevant for SQE prep.
- CILEx’s sample answers are more comprehensive for some test subjects than for others. In some cases a full draft answer is shared, while others just have bullet-points – indicating topics an answer should cover. This seems to vary year-to-year, so you may want to look back at some of the older papers. (NB: FYI, all CILEx’s suggested exam answers are now contained within online documents entitled ‘Chief Examiners’ Reports’).
- Below I’ve included links to all tests dating back to 2020, however you can go back even further and find additional exams on CILEx’s website.
| SQE2 Area of Law | Links to CILEx Units (Level 6) | Links to CILEx Units (Level 3) |
Business Law | Units 1 & 16 January 2024 – Exam Jan & June 2023 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions | |
| Wills & Probate | Units 14 & 21 January 2024 – Exam Jan & June 2023 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions | Units 8 & 14 November 2023 – Exam & Solution Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions |
| Dispute Resolution | Unit 15 January 2024 – Exam Jan & June 2023 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions | Unit 9 November 2023 – Exam & Solution Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions |
| Criminal Litigation | Unit 18 January 2024 – Exam Jan & June 2023 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions | Unit 11 November 2023 – Exam & Solution Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions |
| Property Practice | Units 9 & 10 & 17 January 2024 – Exam Jan & June 2023 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions | Units 4 & 10 & 19 November 2023 – Exam & Solution Jan & June 2022 – Exams & Solutions Jan & June 2021 – Exams & Solutions Jan & Sept 2020 – Exams & Solutions |
- Kaplan (10 Ques) – Kaplan is the assessment organisation appointed by the SRA to develop and run the SQE. It also produced exams for the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), which preceded the SQE and ran from approximately 2012 – 2022. Kaplan previously made 10 practice problems available for candidates sitting the practical skills section of the QLTS. Given the similarities between SQE2 and the QLTS, you may find these QLTS exercises to be helpful: Client Interview/Attendance Notes, Legal Drafting and Legal Writing (2 each).
I have also included 4 Kaplan exercises for Legal Research and Oral Presentation, which formed part of the QLTS but differ from the assessments in the new SQE2. First, there is no Oral Presentation portion of SQE2 (during which candidates need to analyze a client problem and then provide them with oral advice). However, I’ve included the Kaplan QLTS Oral Presentation exercises here, as they may be useful for SQE2 Legal Writing prep (ie. you’d simply prepare a written reply for the client, rather than a spoken one). Second, Legal Research is part of both SQE2 and the former QLTS, but the requirements differ. For the QLTS, candidates had to perform their own research – using Lexis Nexis or Westlaw – in order to answer the questions posed, while for SQE2 the online research component will no longer be required. I’ve included the Kaplan QLTS Legal Research exercises here only to provide examples of what a Kaplan research query could look like.
Should I Pay a Provider for More SQE Practice Questions?
The above should give you a good idea of the kinds of problems you’re likely to encounter in SQE2. I know of a number of candidates that worked their way through all of the above – sometimes with a study buddy – and were very glad they did. (Practice makes perfect, as they say).
If you feel like you want more practice, and/or outside feedback, then you may find it worthwhile to pay for additional practice exams with a prep or coaching centre. In another post, I’ve be written about places you can find additional SQE2 practice questions – for a cost.
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I hope the above is useful to you. If you know of any other free resources, please let me know in the comments.
Lastly, please take a look at my next post where I’ve written about one of the SQE’s oral assessments – SQE2 Tips: The Client Interview.
Best,
Lawyer in London
This is very informative.
thank you, this post is so helpful, but for the Kaplan questions you’ve linked where can we find the exemplar answers or mark scheme
Hi, I’m afraid Kaplan did not provide :/