Reading the Question Carefully

SQE1's MCQs are single best answer questions – meaning all options might be plausible to some degree, but one is better or more correct than the others. This requires a particular way of reading and answering questions.

Read the question stem carefully. Pay attention to exactly what is being asked. Is it asking for what the solicitor should do next (a common format), or the most likely legal outcome, or perhaps which principle applies? Understanding the call of the question will guide your thinking.

Also look out for words like NOT, EXCEPT, or BEST, which can turn a question on its head. For example, a question might ask "All of the following are true except…" – if you miss that, you'll pick a wrong answer. Reading carefully upfront can prevent costly mistakes.

Recognising Patterns

SQE1 MCQs typically present a fact pattern ("the stem") followed by a direct question. Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked. Identify the area of law as you read. If the stem is long, some candidates prefer to read the question (last sentence) first before reading the full scenario. 

This can help you zero in on relevant facts when you read the scenario. Decide which approach works for you in practice – but in any case, read all details given, as examiners often include red herrings or key nuances (dates, amounts, relationships) that determine the correct answer.

Under time pressure, a major trap is misreading the call of the question or key facts. Train yourself to slow down for the 5-10 seconds needed to really parse the question. Watch out for negatives (e.g., "Which of the following is NOT...") and compound questions (e.g., "Which TWO of the following..." – though SQE1 usually asks for one best answer, it's good practice in case a question is framed oddly). 

If you realise later you misread a question, try to correct it if time permits. Many "silly" mistakes can be avoided by careful reading.

Predicting the Answer

Try to recall the relevant law or principle before looking at the options. After reading the scenario and question, pause and think, "What do I know about this?" If the question describes a contract formation scenario, for instance, recall the rules on offers, invitations to treat, etc., in your mind. 

This way, when you move to the answer choices, you have an idea of what you're looking for (or what the correct answer should roughly say), which helps you spot it and not be tricked by distractors.

Once you understand the question, try to formulate an answer in your head. This is a check against being misled by attractive wrong options. For example, if the question is "What is the next step the solicitor should take in this litigation scenario?" think of the civil procedure step from memory. Then see which option matches.

The Elimination Strategy

​​If you've followed the earlier strategy and successfully predicted the correct answer before looking at the options, this next step may not be necessary.

But when you're faced with more challenging questions where the correct answer isn't immediately obvious, elimination becomes especially useful.

As you go through the five options, cross out those you are confident are incorrect. Often, you can immediately eliminate one or two choices because they misstate the law (e.g., an answer might claim something clearly false, like "a company cannot be a beneficiary of a trust" – if you know that's legally wrong, eliminate it). 

By removing distractors, you narrow your field of contenders and reduce confusion.

Systematically rule out answers you know are wrong. This improves your odds if you need to guess and helps prevent second-guessing. One top scorer described making a quick table on their erasable whiteboard with columns for A, B, C, D, E and crossing out eliminated options. 

You might not have time to do a detailed table for all 180 questions, but certainly use your scratch paper or whiteboard to jot down letters or notes if it helps. 

If an answer choice contradicts a known rule (e.g., says the Court of Appeal is not bound by Supreme Court decisions, which is false), eliminate it. With practice, you'll often be able to strike out 2 or 3 options quickly, making it easier to focus on the remaining contenders.

Finding the Best Answer

With (ideally) 2 or 3 options left, decide which one most directly and correctly answers the question. This is where understanding nuance is important. Remember, because it's "single best answer," an incorrect option might not be entirely off-base – it might just be incomplete or less appropriate.

For example, suppose a question asks what advice to give a client in a certain situation, and two answer choices contain two different legal arguments the client could make. Both arguments might be legally valid, but perhaps one is stronger or addresses the core issue better. You have to pick the one that is more appropriate given the facts.

Or, in an ethics scenario, options might include various actions a solicitor "could" take – but perhaps only one action both resolves the issue and aligns with the SRA Principles (making it the best answer). If more than one answer seems correct, compare them side by side for subtle differences. One might have a limitation ("Do X after obtaining client consent" vs "Do X immediately" – maybe consent is the crucial piece). Look for those nuances.

Use the facts provided in the question to guide you: often, every detail in the scenario is there for a reason. If Option A would only be correct if a certain fact were present (but it's not present), whereas Option B fits all the given facts, then Option B is the better answer.

Sometimes you'll read all five options and think, "In a way, they all could be right." 

This is intentional. In such cases, re-focus on the key issue in the scenario. Ask, "What is the core problem to solve here?" Then find the option that addresses that core problem directly. The other options, while not outright wrong, likely address tangential issues or make assumptions.