SQE Passing Tip #6: Should I Do Another 4,000 MCQs Before the Actual SQE1 Exam?
As the SQE1 exam approaches, many candidates start to panic. They look at their revision progress and wonder whether they should squeeze in another 4,000 multiple-choice questions before exam day. It is easy to understand why. The SQE1 syllabus is vast, and the pressure to leave no stone unturned can be overwhelming.
At first glance, the idea seems sensible. More questions must mean better preparation, right?
Not necessarily.
In fact, trying to complete another 4,000 MCQs in the final weeks before the SQE1 may be one of the most counter-productive decisions you can make.
The Myth That More Questions Always Equal Better Results
Many large SQE providers promote enormous question banks containing 3,000, 4,000, or even more questions. The sheer volume can be impressive and may help justify a high course fee. Candidates often assume that if a provider offers more questions, it must provide better preparation.
However, passing SQE1 is not about collecting completed questions. It is about developing the ability to identify legal issues quickly, apply legal principles accurately, and select the best answer under exam conditions. Completing thousands of additional questions does not automatically improve those skills.
If you are simply working through questions as quickly as possible to increase your total count, you may be creating the illusion of progress rather than genuine improvement. Being busy is not the same as being effective.
Quantity Can Lead to Mental Fatigue
The final weeks before SQE1 are not only about knowledge acquisition. They are also about managing your physical and mental energy. Many candidates are balancing revision alongside full-time employment, family commitments, or university studies. Their time and attention are already stretched.
Attempting another 4,000 questions on top of everything else can be exhausting. When fatigue sets in, concentration inevitably drops. Candidates start missing issues they would normally spot, make mistakes they would not usually make, and become frustrated by fluctuating scores. Rather than feeling increasingly prepared, they often feel overwhelmed and discouraged.
This can create a vicious cycle. A candidate sees a disappointing score, decides to do even more questions, becomes even more tired, and performs even worse. The problem is no longer a lack of knowledge. It is a lack of mental freshness.
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Not All Questions Are Created Equal
There is another point that candidates should consider. Many question writers at large providers are undoubtedly excellent lawyers, academics, and legal educators. However, some may never have sat the SQE1 examination themselves.
As a result, certain questions can occasionally feel overly academic, excessively theoretical, or influenced by older examination styles.
This does not mean such questions have no value. They certainly do. However, candidates should be careful about assuming that more questions automatically mean better preparation. What matters is the quality, accuracy, and relevance of the questions being practised.
Mastery Beats Volume
A candidate who has completed 5,000 questions with only a superficial understanding is not necessarily in a stronger position than a candidate who has thoroughly mastered 600 high-quality questions. In many cases, the second candidate may actually be better prepared.
The reason is simple. Mastery creates confidence. By revisiting the same concepts repeatedly, candidates begin to recognise recurring patterns and common legal principles. They understand not only why the correct answer is right but also why the alternative options are wrong. This deeper level of understanding is often what separates strong candidates from those who are merely familiar with the material.
The goal should not be to see as many questions as possible. The goal should be to become exceptionally good at answering the questions that matter.
Focus on Accuracy Rather Than Volume
Instead of asking yourself, “How many more questions can I complete before the exam?”, consider asking a different question: “How accurately can I answer the questions I have already studied?”
For many candidates, reviewing mistakes, revisiting weak topics, and strengthening legal reasoning will provide far greater value than rushing through thousands of additional questions. The most productive revision often comes from analysing why an answer was wrong and ensuring that the same mistake is not repeated.
A candidate consistently scoring 70% on a carefully selected set of high-quality questions is often in a much stronger position than someone who has completed thousands of questions but continues to achieve inconsistent results. Accuracy matters more than volume because accuracy reflects understanding.
A Smarter Approach
Having passed SQE1 with a high score in 2024 after 16 years of legal practice, I learned an important lesson about exam preparation. Success comes from focused preparation, not endless preparation.
That is why I believe candidates should concentrate on mastering a carefully selected collection of highly relevant questions rather than trying to race through thousands more before exam day. In my experience, a well-designed set of 600 questions that accurately reflects the exam is far more valuable than a much larger collection that is only partially relevant.
If you have access to 600 high-quality questions, know them thoroughly. Review your mistakes, understand every answer, identify recurring themes, and refine your exam technique. By the time you consistently achieve around 70% accuracy, you will likely have developed the knowledge and judgement needed for success.
The final weeks before SQE1 should be about sharpening your knowledge, building confidence, and preserving your energy. You do not need another 4,000 questions. What you need is a clear mind, a focused strategy, and a deep understanding of the law you have already learned.
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