Stop Re-reading Your Notes: It’s Not Helping

Let's be honest: most of us have defaulted to re-reading lecture notes or skimming through textbooks when prepping for an exam. It feels productive, doesn’t it? Spoiler alert: it’s not. Research shows passive learning methods like re-reading or highlighting have very little impact on long-term retention. According to a 2013 study in Psychological Science, active recall — the process of testing yourself on material — is far more effective for retaining information.

The SQE1 exam, with its 360 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), isn’t testing how well you’ve memorized a textbook. It’s testing how well you can apply legal principles under pressure. If your prep strategy doesn’t include active recall, you’re setting yourself up for trouble.

Active Recall: The SQE1 Prep Superpower

Active recall is simple: you force your brain to retrieve information instead of passively reviewing it. Every time you answer a question from memory, you strengthen neural pathways and make it easier to recall that information later. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about any questions. For SQE1, your practice MCQs need to match the format and difficulty of the real exam.

That’s where a tool like SQE1 Drills can make a difference. It’s designed specifically for SQE1, so every question aligns with the SRA’s assessment specifications. And because the platform adds ~100 new questions daily, you’re never short of fresh material to test yourself. Compare that to static question banks that get stale fast — not ideal when you're prepping for a £1,934 high-stakes exam.

The “Weak Spot” Problem

Here’s another common mistake: focusing too much on what you’re already good at. It feels nice to ace contract law drills, but ignoring your weak areas (hello, Solicitors Accounts) will tank your overall score. SQE1 Drills tackles this head-on with real-time analytics. If your accuracy on Property Law keeps dropping below 60%, the platform flags it as a weak spot. No more guessing where to focus your next session.

Without this kind of feedback, you risk wasting hours on topics you already know — or worse, walking into the exam blind to your gaps.

Simulate Exam Conditions Early

It’s one thing to answer questions piecemeal. It’s another to sit through 180 timed questions in one go. The SQE1 requires stamina and focus, but many candidates don’t start practicing under exam conditions until it’s too late. Why wait? Tools like the Exam Mode in SQE1 Drills help you simulate the pressure of the real thing from day one. You can replicate the exact format — 180 questions, timed, with no pauses. It’s brutal but effective.

This isn't just about building focus. Familiarity with the exam structure can help reduce anxiety. You don’t want your first experience with a 5-hour test to happen on exam day, do you?

The Bottom Line

If you’re serious about passing SQE1, active recall isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of effective exam prep, especially when paired with tools that adapt to your weaknesses and simulate real exam conditions. So, ditch the highlighter. Stop re-watching lectures on 1.5x speed. Start drilling with purpose.

And remember: SQE1 isn’t just about working hard. It’s about working smart.