Comparing mock exam performance vs real exam performance for SQE1
Author: An Nguyen & Joe Nicklin
Last updated: 24th March 2025
Everyone wants to know - how do mock exams compare vs the real thing?
The SRA don't release past papers, so different prep providers take it upon themselves to create mock exams to get their students fit and ready for exam day
We've collated, reviewed, analysed and synthesised dozens and dozens of data points on candidate performance in their mock exams vs their real exam performance, and are bringing this to you below in the breakdown below.
The tl/dr - prep with as many mocks as you can, and definitely do the QLTS paper (free), ReviseSQE (affordable) and SRA (free)
Summary of Mock exam performance vs. Actual exam performance for SQE1
QLTS
Summary: Students performed significantly better in the actual exam by 5% to 22% vs their QLTS mock score. The average gain in the real exam is 14.5%
Notes: These scores are mostly based on student performance in the free QLTS mock exam vs the real exam.
Barbri
Summary: Many students who took Barbri mocks reported scoring lower on the actual exam, with drops ranging from -15% to -2%, with an average decrease of -9.1%
Notes: This is based on a good number of data points. Barbri does not release free or separate mocks, so these scores are likely from people who have signed up for a Barbri prep course.
Revise SQE
Summary: Students who used Revise SQE mock exams tended to get higher scores on the actual SQE1 exam, with gains typically between -5% and +10%, and an average gain of +2.7%
Notes: Because this mock is popular and affordable, we have a good number of data points here. Students using these mocks come from a wide range of backgrounds and many are using different prep providers as well.
SRA Sample Papers
Summary: The SRA sample papers appeared to be particularly easy, with students often scoring lower on the actual exam by about -5% to -20%, with an average drop of -12% vs the SRA sample paper
Notes: This seems to be the general consensus, but the range of reported differences in scores is wide from -25% to +2% suggesting very mixed views on just 'how easy' the SRA sample papers are vs the real thing. Also note, that the SRA added additional questions to their sample papers in Dec 2024 that are reported to the more representative of the real exam.
ULaw
Summary: ULaw mock exam users generally saw lower scores on the actual exam, with declines between -15% and -5%, and an average decline of -8% vs the ULaw mocks
Notes: We don’t have many data points here, so take this with a grain of salt
BPP
Summary: BPP mock exam users saw small but consistently lower scores in their actual SQE1 scores, typically between -10% and -2% with an average drop of -4.5% vs the BPP mock exams
Notes: We don’t have many data points here, so take this with a grain of salt
The summary
So what should I do? Simple - prep with as many mocks as you can. And definitely do the QLTS paper (free), ReviseSQE (affordable) and SRA (free)
Now you know as much as we do. We'll update this piece of research as we collect more data and after each exam sitting.
