14/05/2026
This is an opportunity to reflect on how students experience the SQE in practice, particularly alongside work, financial pressure and high expectations.
At The College of Legal Practice, students have been very clear with us about where pressure arises in SQE1. They’ve told us that:
🔹SQE1 exam days are too long and too intense, and that question sequencing and randomisation add unnecessary barriers to performance
🔹the booking process can feel clumsy, while the high costs of exam fees, resits, travel and accommodation create additional pressures, particularly for self‑funding, time‑limited students with fewer financial buffers
The College’s CEO, Giles Proctor, agrees: “The SQE1 exam is now widely perceived as challenging, with significant concerns being raised about time pressure, question style and fairness.”
These insights align with research from and the National Junior Lawyers Division which highlights increasing mental health pressures facing junior lawyers in high‑pressure working environments, where long hours and limited flexibility are common.
What makes a difference for these individuals is how they are supported within their firm. As Giles explains, “The support provided by firms and training providers is invaluable and helps to lessen the stresses of SQE study.”
We see this first-hand through the strong support provided by our partner firms, including regular pastoral check-ins, advocacy for protected study time, and a clear understanding of the pressures of studying for the SQE. A coordinated, tripartite approach between employers, education providers and students can make all the difference.
For firms, the takeaway is clear: many pressure points are predictable, and working practices matter. Awareness of exam timelines, realistic workload planning, and informed, supportive supervision can help reduce pressure and support wellbeing within SQE programmes.
