When exam day arrives, knowing the law is necessary but not sufficient – you also need a smart strategy for tackling SQE1's demanding format.

The exam consists of single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs) delivered on a computer, in two long sessions per day. 

You'll face 180 questions in each Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) paper, with time split into two halves (90 questions in 2 hours 33 minutes, followed by a break, then another 90 questions in 2 hours 33).

In total, SQE1 is about a 10-hour marathon over two days. It's a true test of your mental stamina.

Knowing the content is only half the battle – you also need to master exam technique for SQE1's multiple-choice format. The SQE exam is long and mentally taxing. The following strategies will help you approach the questions efficiently, manage your time, and avoid common traps on exam day.

Pacing Yourself

Time is tight in SQE1 – roughly 1 minute and 42 seconds per question on average. This means you cannot afford to spend too long on any single question. From the moment the SQE exam starts, keep an eye on the clock and pace yourself. 

A useful guideline is to check your progress every so often; for example, aim to complete about 20 questions in 30 minutes. If, after 30 minutes, you find you've done only 15 questions, you need to speed up slightly; if you've raced through 30, you might slow down a touch to avoid careless mistakes. The key is to maintain a steady rhythm.

One approach is to divide the number of questions by time to set checkpoints, jotting down target times on your exam whiteboard. A top scorer mentioned writing time targets (e.g., "Q30 by 10:30 am, Q60 by 11:20 am...") to stay on track. 

If you find you're behind at a checkpoint, gently increase your speed a little – perhaps spend 5-10 seconds less per question moving forward to catch up. But do not panic; remember some questions might be shorter/easier and take less than 1.7 minutes, giving you a buffer for longer ones.

Using the Flag Function

The SQE1 interface has a flagging function – use it. You can mark questions that you found difficult or weren't sure about, and if time permits, at the end of the section, you can return to review them (just be careful to manage the time so that you do get that review opportunity).

One candidate described a helpful system: she split her erasable whiteboard into two columns – one to note down question numbers she had "no idea" about, and another for those where she had narrowed it down to 2 or 3 options. 

She would answer everything systematically, then, if time remained after reaching the last question, she first revisited the ones with 2–3 options (where a second look could improve her odds) and only if extra time remained would she consider the ones she had no clue on. 

This kind of approach ensures that every question gets at least an attempt, and your time is spent where it can have the most impact.

Don't Get Stuck

Don’t get stuck: if a question is taking too long, it’s usually better to make your best guess and move on, rather than agonising and wasting precious minutes.

If you’re stuck on a question after, say, 2 minutes, make your best guess, flag it, and move on. You can come back if time permits.

It’s better to give a reasonable shot to all 180 questions than to spend 5-6 minutes on a single brain-teaser and then rush through the last 10 questions with 30 seconds each.

As the SRA advises, you don’t need to get every question right to pass (pass marks have been around 55-60%), so skipping a truly baffling question and returning later is fine.

Using the Break Wisely

Each 180-question exam is split into two sessions of 90 questions with a break in between. On the break, do what you need to refresh: eat something light, drink water, use the restroom, and most importantly, reset your mind. 

Don't dwell on the first 90 questions during your break – dwelling can increase anxiety. Instead, treat it as half-time in a game: even if the first half went poorly, you can recover in the second. Conversely, if the first half went well, stay focused – overconfidence can trip you in the next session.

Deep breathing exercises or a short walk (if allowed) can help clear your head. Also, be mindful of the time – return promptly to start the next session; being late could cut into your exam time.

Maintaining Focus and Stamina

Five hours of answering questions is intense. Mental fatigue can set in, especially on Day 2 (FLK2) after doing FLK1 the previous week. Build endurance by doing full-length practice tests in the lead-up to the exam. 

During the real exam, if you notice your concentration dipping (eyes blurring, reading the same sentence thrice), pause for 10 seconds: close your eyes, stretch your neck or hands under the desk, take a deep breath. This micro-break can help reset your focus.

You are allowed to flag questions, so sometimes it might be strategic to skip a particularly long scenario and come back to it when your mind is fresher, rather than slog through it when you're exhausted. Use your best judgment.

Last-Minute Review Strategy

In the final minutes, if you review flagged questions, trust your preparation. Unless you have a clear reason to change an answer (new information from another question, or a sudden realisation of a rule), avoid changing answers just because "it might be wrong." 

First instincts are often correct, and random changes can do more harm than good.

If you're truly unsure even after a second look, it's often better to stick with your first guess. Only change if you're convinced the initial choice was incorrect. 

Manage the last few minutes to ensure you answer every question. If you find yourself with a little extra time, quickly review any questions where you were torn between two answers, but do it systematically.