SQE1 prep compared
How the main ways to prepare for SQE1 stack up — the big courses, the question banks, and self-study — so you can spend on what you actually need.
There are really two kinds of SQE1 prep
The first is a full preparation course — taught content, materials and mocks, run by providers like BARBRI, BPP and the University of Law. These give structure and support, and they cost several thousand pounds.
The second is self-study with practice — the SRA's own materials, revision guides, and a question bank to drill single-best-answer questions at exam pace. This route costs a fraction as much and works well for disciplined candidates. Both prepare you for the same exam.
The options at a glance
| Provider | Type | Approx. cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBRI | Full prep course | from £2,999 (SQE1); £5,499 SQE1+2 | Structured course, materials, mocks |
| BPP | Full prep course | ~£6,000–£7,000 | Structured course; SQE1+2 bundles cost more |
| University of Law | Full prep course | ~£6,000–£7,000+ | Structured course, manuals, app questions |
| Revise SQE | Books + mocks | ~£18 a book / £40 a mock (£70 both) | Revision guides and practice assessments |
| Law Drills | Question bank | £195 both papers, to a sitting | Large bank of practice MCQs |
| PASS-SQE / Kinnu | Question-bank apps | Subscription | Large MCQ banks on mobile |
| Lawdojo | Trainer + AI tutor | £99 one payment, to 22 January 2027 | Question bank, readiness check, AI tutor, free mock |
Prices are approximate and change — check each provider for current pricing. Listed to help you compare types, not as exact quotes.
Who should pay for a full course
A course earns its cost if you want taught structure, you learn better with deadlines and support, or you are on a training-contract or sponsored route that funds it. There is no shame in buying structure — for some people it is the difference between finishing and drifting.
Who can self-study
If you are disciplined, comfortable reading the law yourself, and watching your budget, you can prepare for SQE1 with free SRA materials, a good revision guide, and a question bank — for tens of pounds rather than thousands. What you need most is honest practice at exam pace and a clear read on your weak areas.
Where Lawdojo fits
Lawdojo is a trainer, not a full course. It gives you a question bank across the whole syllabus, an honest readiness estimate benchmarked against the official pass standard and cohort average, and an AI tutor on every question — for £99 one payment, with access to 22 January 2027. A 30-day option is £39. Use it on its own for self-study, or alongside a course to get your exam-pace reps in. There is a free mock to start.
Try a real SQE1 question
This question is taken from the bank. Answer it to see the worked reasoning and the tutor. You do not need to sign up to try it.
A private company registered in England and Wales has six members and 1,000 issued shares of GBP1 each. Its two share classes carry different numbers of votes, but every issued share gives a right to attend and vote at general meetings. It holds no treasury shares, and neither class is traded on a regulated market. The articles set the percentage for short-notice consent at 95%. The directors propose a general meeting on 3 September 2026 to consider an ordinary resolution authorising an allotment. Notice is hand-delivered to each member on 1 September. Four members expressly agree to the shorter notice; they hold 920 shares carrying 1,920 of the 2,000 votes. The other two members decline to consent. Is that consent sufficient to call the meeting on short notice?
Practise at the real standard
Whatever prep you choose, 58% did not pass SQE1 in July 2026. Start by finding out exactly where you stand.
Complete includes
- ✓An AI tutor on every question. The tutor already knows the correct answer
- ✓5 full timed mock papers, plus unlimited drilling — no daily cap
- ✓The whole 2,263-question bank, with worked answers and references, all 137 topics
- ✓Your weak-spot map: exactly where you’re losing marks
One payment, nothing recurring. The 25-question diagnostic is free with no card.
Common questions
Do you need a prep course to pass SQE1?
No. A full course is one route, and it suits people who want structure, taught content, or a sponsored pathway. Many candidates pass by self-studying with the SRA materials, good revision guides, and a strong question bank to practise at exam pace.
What is the cheapest way to prepare for SQE1?
Self-study: the SRA publishes free sample questions and the assessment specification, which you can pair with affordable revision guides and a question bank. A question bank costs tens of pounds, once, against several thousand for a full course.
Are the big SQE1 courses worth it?
They can be, if you want structured teaching, in-person support, or you are on a sponsored or training-contract route that funds them. If you are a disciplined self-studier, the same exam can be prepared for at a fraction of the cost.
How does Lawdojo fit alongside these?
Lawdojo is a trainer, not a full course. It gives you a question bank, an honest readiness estimate, and an AI tutor on every question — to use on its own for self-study, or alongside a course or revision guides for exam-pace practice.
Sources: provider websites and published SQE prep pricing as at mid-2026; the SRA's official SQE site for free sample materials and the assessment specification. Figures are approximate and subject to change.