Research
Author:
An Nguyen
Last updated date:
Jul 8, 2025
The TL;DR
QLTS School offers 10-30 SQE1 practice exams depending on course level. Basic includes 5 FLK1 and 5 FLK2 mocks for £1,999. Advantage/Premium include 15 FLK1 and 15 FLK2 mocks. Questions are 14.5% harder than the real exam.
Summary
QLTS School has earned a reputation as one of the leading SQE preparation providers, with their mock exams becoming particularly well-known among candidates. When students search for 'QLTS mocks,' they're typically looking for practice tests from QLTS School that have helped many pass the SQE1. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about QLTS School's mock exams for SQE1, including the varying numbers available (10-30 depending on course level), difficulty levels, pricing analysis, and balanced student experiences. While students consistently praise the mocks as challenging and exam-realistic, many find the supporting materials unnecessarily complex and overwhelming, with some questioning whether the extensive content is worth the high cost.
What are QLTS mocks?
QLTS mocks refer to the practice examinations created by QLTS School, a major SQE preparation provider. These mock exams simulate the actual SQE1 assessment format with 90 questions per exam, covering all Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) areas tested by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). QLTS School offers between 10 and 30 full-length SQE1 mock exams depending on the course package.
The term "QLTS mocks" has become common shorthand among students, though technically QLTS is the school's name - standing for Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme, their original focus before transitioning to SQE preparation. This heritage in multiple-choice legal assessments has influenced their approach to creating challenging mock examinations.
Key features include:
Time-limited format matching real exam conditions (2 hours 33 minutes)
Questions designed by legal professionals with SQE expertise
Built according to SRA Assessment Specifications
Comprehensive coverage of all FLK practice areas
Detailed answer explanations for learning
How many QLTS mocks does QLTS School offer?
QLTS School provides different numbers of SQE1 mock examinations depending on the course package selected. The Basic course includes 10 mocks (5 FLK1 and 5 FLK2), while higher-tier packages include 30 mocks (15 FLK1 and 15 FLK2). Each mock contains 90 questions, following the exact format of the real SQE1 assessment.
The mock distribution by course level:
Basic Course (£1,999): 10 SQE1 mocks - 5 FLK1 + 5 FLK2 (900 questions total)
Advantage Course (£2,499): 30 SQE1 mocks - 15 FLK1 + 15 FLK2 (2,700 questions total)
Premium Course (£2,999): 30 SQE1 mocks - 15 FLK1 + 15 FLK2 (2,700 questions total)
This tiered approach means the cost per mock varies dramatically. Basic course students pay £199.90 per mock - nearly three times more per mock than Premium students. The full 30-mock set provides comprehensive coverage across both examination days, while the limited 10-mock Basic package may leave gaps in practice coverage.
Are QLTS mocks harder than the real SQE exam?
QLTS mocks are significantly more challenging than the actual SQE exam administered by the SRA, with extensive data showing students score on average 14.5% higher on the real assessment compared to their QLTS mock results. This intentional difficulty has become a defining characteristic of QLTS School's preparation materials, with score differentials ranging from 5% to 22% improvement on exam day.
Students consistently report that scoring around 50% on QLTS mocks often translates to 60-70% on the actual SQE. This challenging approach serves a strategic purpose - by preparing for harder questions, candidates develop stronger analytical skills and deeper legal understanding. The difficulty ensures students are over-prepared rather than caught off-guard.
Real student experiences confirm this pattern:
"I scored 52-57%, while in Barbri I got 70-80%. It felt QLTS MCQs are too complicated, probably unnecessarily"
"Yeah the QLTS mocks are gold, really helped!"
"QLTSchool mock tests are known to be harder/trickier than other test providers' mocks. I barely had pass marks on QLTSchool and scored within 1st quintile at the actual SQE"
"the questions are really really like the real thing and the mocks are invaluable"
"QLTS MCQs are much more complicated than real tests"
The higher difficulty shouldn't discourage candidates - it's a feature, not a flaw. Students who persevere through challenging QLTS mocks consistently outperform the national average, with those completing 25+ mocks achieving 94% pass rates.
Are QLTS mocks worth it?
The value of QLTS mocks depends heavily on individual circumstances, learning style, and preparation preferences. Student experiences vary significantly, with some achieving excellent results while others find the materials overwhelming despite extensive preparation.
Many candidates pass the SQE1 without using QLTS School at all. The 53% national pass rate includes students using various providers, self-study materials, and free resources. Some achieve excellent results with more affordable alternatives offering similar mock quantities for significantly less money.
Arguments for QLTS mocks based on user feedback:
Challenging difficulty prepares for worst-case scenarios: "the questions are really really like the real thing and the mocks are invaluable"
Proven track record with successful candidates: "I used QLTS and passed comfortably - quintile 1 and 2, I would definitely recommend them"
High-quality mock examinations: "Yeah the QLTS mocks are gold, really helped!"
Effective for those who complete them extensively: "The mocks are what u what with QLTS! I did them twice and used the mocks as a learning tool"
Arguments against QLTS mocks based on user feedback:
Material complexity: "their textbooks are unnecessarily complex and over filled"
Overwhelming content volume: "I've heard they have excellent mocks but personally I thought what's the point of having good mocks if I won't understand the material in this first place. The sheer size of the books itself would've made me anxious"
Unnecessary difficulty: "It felt QLTS MCQs are too complicated, probably unnecessarily"
No guarantee of success: One student who completed all 30 mocks twice with solid marks still failed
The decision ultimately depends on your learning style and capacity for handling complex, voluminous materials. Students who prefer structured, concise content often opt for alternatives, while those comfortable with extensive preparation may find value in QLTS School's comprehensive approach.
Can I try QLTS mocks for free?
QLTS School offers free sample materials that include a complete 90-question SQE1 mock exam, allowing candidates to experience their question style and difficulty before purchasing. This single free mock represents 10% of the Basic course content or 3.3% of the Advantage/Premium content, helping students evaluate whether QLTS School's challenging approach suits their preparation needs.
Available free resources include:
Full SQE1 mock test: One complete 90-question FLK1 practice exam (via AllAboutLaw)
Practice questions: 50 FLK1 and 50 FLK2 sample questions
Digital flashcards: Limited selection from their full set
Video previews: Sample lectures and demonstrations
Textbook excerpts: Preview chapters from course materials
The free mock exam follows the same format as paid versions, including timed conditions and detailed answer explanations. This provides genuine insight into QLTS School's teaching methodology and question difficulty, helping candidates make informed decisions about course enrollment.
How do I access free QLTS mock samples?
Accessing QLTS School's free samples is straightforward through their official website. The registration process takes less than two minutes, and you can begin practising immediately. No credit card or payment information is required for free access.
Here's the step-by-step process:
Visit QLTS School's website at www.qlts.com
Navigate to the "Free Sample Material" section (usually in the main menu)
There may be a registration form
Access materials directly through your browser - no downloads required
The free mock includes the same detailed explanations as paid versions, allowing you to assess both question quality and teaching effectiveness before making any financial commitment.
What's the QLTS mock pass rate?
QLTS School publishes data showing correlation between mock exam completion and pass rates, though these figures should be interpreted carefully. Their statistics demonstrate a clear relationship between the number of mocks completed and success rates, with dramatic improvements for students completing 25+ practice exams.
QLTS School's reported pass rate data by mock completion:
1 mock completed: 50% pass rate
4 mocks completed: 58% pass rate
10 mocks completed: 62% pass rate (Basic course maximum)
17 mocks completed: 64% pass rate
23 mocks completed: 67% pass rate
28 mocks completed: 91% pass rate
30 mocks completed: 100% pass rate (Advantage/Premium course maximum)
National average: 53% pass rate for all SQE1 candidates
The data shows particularly dramatic improvements beyond 25 mocks, jumping from 67% at 23 mocks to 91% at 28 mocks. This creates questions for Basic course students who only receive 10 mocks and achieve a 62% pass rate according to QLTS data - only marginally better than the 53% national average.
It's crucial to note that correlation doesn't equal causation. Students who complete 25-30 mock exams from any provider demonstrate exceptional dedication and preparation commitment. These highly motivated candidates would likely achieve strong results regardless of their chosen preparation method. Additionally, students investing £2,499-£2,999 for 30 mocks may have advantages like employer support or more study time.
One particularly telling review stated: "I cannot overstate how 'prepared' I was by qlts' standards. I did all 30 mocks, many of them twice (consistently getting solid marks), read all books and revision notes twice and ran through the practice questions and flash cards multiple times - so I really thought I was ready." This student noted that what they studied wasn't really examined, highlighting that extensive mock completion doesn't guarantee the exam will match your preparation focus.
How much do QLTS mocks cost?
QLTS mocks cannot be purchased separately - they're only available as part of QLTS School's complete course packages. The number of mocks included varies significantly by course level, with Basic students receiving just 10 mocks while Advantage and Premium students get 30. This creates a substantial price difference per mock.
Course pricing breakdown:
Basic Course: £1,999 for 10 mocks (£199.90 per mock)
Advantage Course: £2,499 for 30 mocks (£83.30 per mock)
Premium Course: £2,999 for 30 mocks (£99.97 per mock)
The pricing structure heavily favours higher-tier courses - Basic students pay nearly £200 per mock exam, making it extremely expensive for limited practice material. In comparison, Advantage students pay less than half that rate while accessing three times as many mocks. This pricing strategy appears designed to push students toward more expensive packages.
For context:
Basic course offers poor value at £199.90 per mock
Many competitors offer individual mocks for £20-£50
The jump from 10 to 30 mocks makes Advantage course more economical
No option exists to purchase additional mocks for Basic students
Payment plans may be available but don't reduce total cost
The integrated pricing model and limited Basic course mocks create a difficult choice for budget-conscious students who want access to QLTS School's challenging practice exams.
What do students say about QLTS mocks?
Student feedback on QLTS mocks is notably mixed, with experiences ranging from high praise to significant frustration. The most consistent theme is that the mocks are considerably harder than the actual SQE1 exam, which some students appreciate as thorough preparation while others find unnecessarily demoralising. Students express particular concerns about the value proposition and complexity of materials.
Positive feedback highlights:
"Yeah the QLTS mocks are gold, really helped!"
"I used QLTS and passed comfortably - quintile 1 and 2, I would definitely recommend them"
"the questions are really really like the real thing and the mocks are invaluable"
"The mocks are what u what with QLTS! I did them twice and used the mocks as a learning tool"
Concerned feedback includes:
"their textbooks are unnecessarily complex and over filled"
"It felt QLTS MCQs are too complicated, probably unnecessarily"
"QLTS MCQs are much more complicated than real tests"
Students frequently note the complexity and volume of QLTS materials, with many preferring to use their summary notes rather than full textbooks. The consensus appears to be that while the mocks are valuable practice, the supporting materials can be overwhelming and unnecessarily complicated for many learners.