Are You Ready to Sit SQE1? How to Assess Your Readiness

“Am I ready to sit SQE1?” is one of the most common questions candidates ask in the lead-up to an assessment sitting, particularly for those preparing for the January SQE1 exam. If this is something you are currently grappling with, you are far from alone.

The reality is that readiness for SQE1 often feels elusive, even for well-prepared candidates. Below are some considerations that may help you approach this question more calmly and constructively.

Feeling unready is normal

In practice, very few candidates feel fully ready when they sit SQE1. The breadth of functional legal knowledge tested means there will almost always be areas that feel less secure. Wanting more time does not necessarily indicate a lack of preparation; it is a common response to a demanding and high-stakes assessment.

Address doubts before they undermine confidence

A persistent concern that you are not ready can be counterproductive during the final stages of preparation, when confidence and execution matter most. Rather than allowing this feeling to linger, it is important to address it rationally and turn it into something actionable.

Identify gaps in a structured way

One effective approach is to sit down and identify, as specifically as possible, the topics you do not yet feel comfortable with. These are often easy to spot. If you use flashcards, they may be the cards you repeatedly skip or answer incorrectly. If you revise from notes, they are often the sections you struggle to recall or explain clearly.

Focus final preparation where it matters most

Once you have identified these weaker areas, list them and use the remaining preparation time to focus on consolidating them. Targeted revision is often more effective at this stage than broad, unfocused review. Taking this approach can also help restore confidence, as you can see yourself actively addressing the areas that concern you most.

Final thoughts

Readiness for SQE1 is not about knowing everything perfectly. It is about being sufficiently prepared, having a clear strategy, and trusting the work you have done. Turning uncertainty into a structured plan can make a meaningful difference to how you approach the exam.