What’s your background, and why did you decide to do the SQE?

I am a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with over 11 years of post-qualification experience, primarily in civil and criminal litigation amongst other areas of law. I moved to the UK and pursued an LLM in International Law (Conflict, Security, and Human Rights) at the University of Hull, where I graduated with Distinction.

The SQE offered a clear and structured pathway to qualify as a Solicitor of England and Wales, recognising my prior legal experience while testing my competence to practice in a new jurisdiction. I chose the SQE route because it allowed me to build on my existing expertise, transition into the UK legal market, and pursue my long-term goal of practicing law internationally with dual qualifications.

How did you prepare, and what made the biggest difference in your success?

I combined structured study with extensive practice. I used a range of study materials such as Revise SQE but found that Law Drills made the most significant difference. Its question-based format closely mirrored the style and demands of the SQE1 exam. The platform helped me internalise legal principles through constant repetition and identify weak areas that needed reinforcement.

Law Drills turned passive reading into active learning, which was crucial for retaining vast amounts of information. I also created a study timetable that balanced core topics across FLK1 and FLK2, ensuring I covered all areas systematically. Ultimately, the consistent use of Law Drills for practice and revision gave me the confidence and exam technique I needed to pass on my first attempt.

What was the hardest part, and how did you push through it?

The most challenging part of the SQE1 was managing the sheer volume of content across two functionally tested areas, FLK1 and FLK2, while balancing personal commitments. It felt overwhelming at times, especially with topics I hadn’t encountered in my previous jurisdiction, such as business law and UK-specific property rules. I pushed through by staying consistent with my daily routine and breaking topics into manageable chunks.

I also used Law Drills to simulate exam pressure through timed set questions, which helped me build stamina and improve my accuracy under time constraints. By surrounding myself with a support system of fellow candidates and keeping the end goal in mind—qualifying as a solicitor in the UK—this helped me stay focused and motivated during difficult moments.

If you had to do it again, what would you do differently?

If I had to do it again, I would start practicing with SQE-style questions much earlier in my preparation. Initially, I spent a lot of time passively reading and summarising notes, which was helpful but not as effective as active recall and question-based learning. Using platforms like Law Drills from the outset would have improved my confidence and helped me retain information better.

I would also spend more time on the subjects I found less familiar, such as business law, property law and practice and dispute resolution, instead of giving equal time to topics I was already strong in. Looking back, a more strategic approach to weaker subjects and earlier integration of sample MCQs would have made my preparation even smoother.

Any final piece of advice for SQE candidates?

Stay consistent and make active recall the centre of your preparation. Don’t just read but practice. The SQE1 is all about applying knowledge under pressure, so use question-based tools like Law Drills as early and as often as possible. Track your progress, reflect on your mistakes, and make space for breaks to avoid burnout.

If you’re an internationally qualified lawyer, know that your experience is valuable, but also be humble enough to adapt to the UK system and its exam style. Finally, believe in your ability to succeed. With the right tools and mindset, you can pass the SQE1 at first attempt (just like my humble self) and take a big step toward becoming a solicitor in England and Wales.