Which prep provider's questions are most like the real exam?
Author: Joe Nicklin & An Nguyen
Last updated: 13 November 2024
There are lot of prep providers out there creating mock questions for SQE candidates. Unsurprisingly, a common question we see is "whose questions are most similar to the actual SQE exam?"
To help you out, we've compiled and analysed hundreds of direct quotes to give you an insight into how each providers practice questions compare.
Feedback from students on each provider's practice questions
SRA (Official Sample Questions)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority offers free sample questions. While useful as a starting point, many candidates find these questions significantly easier than the actual SQE - with students scoring avg 12% lower on the actual exam vs the SRA sample questions - potentially giving a misleading impression of the exam’s difficulty.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“SRA free sample questions: These are so easy compared to the actual exam to the point where it’s a bit of a joke that the SRA releases them. I got 80-90% in both papers and got significantly lower than this in the actual exam. A few of the questions were similar in style to the real thing, to be fair, but it's rare. It’s important to keep this in mind and not get complacent if you score highly on these.”
“The SRA sample questions seemed easier [to the exam].”
“did the SRA sample mocks (much easier than real exam)”
“Also, don’t get sucked in by the SRA sample questions they issue - they were far easier than the actual questions on the day.”
“SRA practice questions are not particularly reflective - do questions from a mix of sources if you can.”
“The SRA sample papers are deceptively easy - don't believe they are like the real thing.”
"These are so easy compared to the actual exam to the point where its a bit of a joke that the SRA release them. I got 80-90% in both papers and got significantly lower than this in the actual exam. A few of the questions were similar in style to the real thing to be fair, but it's rare. It’s important to keep this in mind and not get complacent if you score highly on these."
Revise SQE
Revise SQE’s question bank is well-regarded for helping candidates get accustomed to the SQE’s format. Many users find Revise SQE questions to be quite similar to the exam, though some report they are marginally easier.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“ReviseSQE books were pretty representative of the exam; if you’re scoring in the 60s, you’re likely in a good place.”
“ReviseSQE books and mocks: … their two mock exam books were incredibly useful. I think the questions in these had a similar(ish) style to the actual SQE1.”
“A couple of days before the exam I did the ReviseSQE books and got 79% in FLK1 and 72% in FLK2. These scores are pretty representative I would say - if you are getting 50%, you're likely to fail, you should be getting 60% here as a 'first attempt' (i.e. don't look at the ReviseSQE material until you're ready to do the exam).”
"I think the real exams are slightly easier than the QLTS mocks and Revise SQE mocks."
"the 'Revise SQE' mock exams are, in my view, the closest to the actual exam questions."
Barbri
Barbri’s question bank is structured but generally perceived as easier than the actual SQE. Many candidates reported high scores on Barbri mocks that didn’t fully reflect their real exam results, leading some to seek additional resources for better exam preparation.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“Barbri’s mocks felt too easy compared to the real SQE; they gave a false sense of security.”
“Scoring high on Barbri mocks didn’t fully reflect real exam difficulty; I used other question banks to fill the gap.”
“Barbri’s mocks were easier than the exam (I was scoring 80-90% on Barbri and then scored 68% and 71% on the real deal)."
“The Barbri questions are easier than the actual SQE questions. I wouldn’t say the difference is massive but it isn’t insignificant.”
“Their mocks are a bit easier than the real thing, however they still prepare you well in terms of how to approach questions.”
“I found their mocks easier than the real thing but only slightly.”
“Their mocks are easier than the real exam but are quite effective in terms of showing you where you are”
“The Barbri course is RIDICULOUSLY easy compared to the exam, there were topics on the exam we didn’t even cover, and the questions are far too simple.”
ULaw
ULaw’s practice questions are often praised for closely resembling the SQE’s format and difficulty. Candidates reported similar scores on ULaw mocks and the actual SQE, finding the question style realistic and balanced.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“ULaw’s questions are the most similar to the actual exam in my opinion.”
“By the end, I was consistently getting ~80% in tests on the ULaw question bank, which matched my real exam scores fairly closely.”
“I sat SQE1 in Jan 24 and think ULaw’s questions are good preparation. My average score in the six weeks before my exams was ~83% for both FLKs and I got 81% in both real exams.”
“ULaw’s questions were realistic and felt similar to the actual SQE format.”
“I found ULaw’s practice questions comprehensive and balanced, not overly tough but a close match to the real thing.”
“ULaw provides more questions (someone told me 1000+) and imo they are the most accurate to the actual SQE1.”
“I thought that the questions you can get from the textbooks (which you can put on the app) were closer to the style and difficulty of the SQE exam”
“I would merit them as indicative of the SQE.”
BPP
BPP offers a question bank that covers foundational topics, although some candidates find the questions simpler than what is needed for the SQE. Issues with question bank depth (i.e. not enough) and alignment with SQE specifications (i.e. they're repurposed from other courses like the GDL and LPC) have also often been raised.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
"In my opinion the issue is the number of questions they provide and their difficulty: there are less questions given than with other providers (50-70ish per subject + 2 mocks of 100qs where a decent proportion of the content was unfortunately recycled) and they are easier in difficulty than the SQE1. To give an indication, I was scoring probably around 10% higher in BPP questions than the actual SQE exam."
“BPP’s questions cover the basics but don’t fully match the depth needed for the SQE.”
“Solid foundation in practice questions but could use more depth to fully simulate the SQE.”
“The actual study materials (workbooks) BPP provide are pretty good and they were tailored to the SQE1 well. The issue was the number and type of questions – there weren't nearly enough to feel comfortable going into the exam and they were easier than other providers.”
“BPP is pretty subpar; seems like every week we have to email about adapt (their question bank) not matching the spec.”
College of Legal Practice (CoLP)
The College of Legal Practice offers practice questions that some users find well-aligned with the SQE. However, others feel the questions are easy compared to the real exam, so mixed reviews on the question bank’s representativeness.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“CoLP’s mock exams mirror the SQE well; their question style and difficulty felt on point.”
“I felt well-prepared with CoLP’s questions, which matched the exam’s standards without overwhelming complexity.”
“I wouldn't recommend CoLP. Their mocks completely miss the mark and are far too easy in comparison to the real exam.”
“My experience of the SQE1 exams was that the practice questions given by CoLP were of a similar style and difficulty.”
QLTS
The QLTS question bank is generally perceived as tougher than the SQE itself. Some find it discouraging while others appreciate this challenge, finding it beneficial for thorough preparation.
Some direct quotes we've come across:
“QLTS mocks are gold; they’re harder than the real exam but invaluable for prep.”
“Scoring around 50% on QLTS mocks translated to 60-70% in the real exam. Definitely tougher but helps you prep well.”
“QLTS practice questions are challenging, sometimes more than necessary, but very close to the real exam.”
“I agree with your comment that QLTS mocks are harder than the actual exam… I think that QLTS mocks are phrased very similarly to the real exam, to the extent that I recognised a few questions in the real exam. I think that the difficult questions on the exam are super similar to QLTS mocks.”
“QLTS’s mocks were much harder than the exam, but you had a better chance of scoring higher.”
“QLTS course on top- the questions are really really like the real thing and the mocks are invaluable”
“QLTS is beyond competition. I am personally with QLTS and their MCQs bank is a gem. Their mocks truly reflect the real SQE1 exam.”
"These are good for practicing, but you have to keep in mind that the questions are very difficult."
"QLTS aren't as recognised as UOL or BPP and their practice questions are too hard (I just did FLK 1 and QLTS were not representative)."
[the] QLTS free sample mocks (only similar to the 'hardest' subset of questions in the SQE)
"I think that QLTS mocks are phrased very similarly to the real exam, to the extent that I recognised a few questions in the real exam. I think that the difficult questions on the exam are super similar to QLTS mocks."
"I think the real exams are slightly easier than the QLTS mocks and Revise SQE mocks."
The summary
In conclusion, each prep provider’s question bank has the pros and cons. While some question banks may feel easier and others more challenging, all play a role in familiarising candidates with the exam’s format, breadth, and question style.
So if you can, use a range of practice questions across multiple providers to build experience, confidence and deepen your understanding.
Ultimately, working through as many mocks and practice questions as possible, is a great way to prepare for exam day.
