A simple method for the SQE1 question style, and the traps that catch prepared people.
How the questions are built
Each question has a scenario, a call (the actual question) and five options. Often more than one option is partly true. Only one is the best answer to the question being asked. That is the skill being tested.
A method that works
- Read the call first, so you know what you are looking for.
- Read the facts and name the issue in a few words.
- Predict the answer before you look at the options.
- Read all five options, even if the first one matches.
- Cross out options that are wrong law, true but irrelevant, or that do not answer the call.
- Choose, flag it if you are unsure, and move on.
The usual traps
- An option that states the law correctly but answers a different question.
- Absolute words like always and never. The law rarely works that way.
- Facts you add yourself. Use only what the question gives you.
- Dates, deadlines and who did what first. Slow down for these.
Pace
Work out your average time per question from the SRA's published timings, and practise to it. If you are stuck, make your best choice, flag the question and keep going. A question you leave for later costs you nothing. A question that eats five minutes costs you two others.
Before your course
You do not need to grind through question banks yet. Use questions to check the topics you have covered, and to get used to the style. The SRA publishes sample questions on its SQE website, and some course providers offer free ones too.
Try this now
Take three practice questions. For each, write your predicted answer before you look at the options. See how often your prediction is in the list.
Check yourself
Answer each one out loud before you open it.
What should you read first in a single best answer question?
The call, meaning the actual question, so you know what you are looking for.
What should you do when you are stuck on a question?
Choose your best answer, flag it and move on. Come back if there is time.
An original summary written for Head Start from the SRA specification and the law. Check the detail against your course materials. This is not legal advice.