My SQE1 Revision Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Exam

Preparing for SQE1 is not easy, and I’m sure you’ve heard that from everyone. But as someone who has gone through the process, I can assure you that organising your study approach with a structured plan can make all the difference. That’s where a well-thought-out SQE1 revision checklist comes in—helping you stay on track, manage your time, and ensure you cover every corner of the syllabus.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through the exact revision checklist that worked for me and countless other SQE students. We’ll cover why this approach is useful and how to use it to your advantage, ensuring you’re not just prepared but confident when exam day arrives.

And, if you're looking for an extra resource to kickstart your preparation, I highly recommend checking out our FREE Ultimate SQE Success Checklist Guide, designed to shape your revision strategy and inspire your journey.

Why You Need an SQE1 Revision Checklist

Before we dive into the details, let’s talk about why a revision checklist is essential. The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is different from any other exam you’ve probably taken before. It requires a deep understanding of black letter law, practice law and practical skills, and with so much material to cover, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

A revision checklist will:

• Keep you organised: You’ll know exactly what you’ve covered and what’s left to tackle.

• Maximise efficiency: You’ll use your time wisely, focusing on weak areas and reinforcing key concepts.

• Boost your confidence: Knowing you’ve gone through everything methodically helps calm nerves and builds exam readiness.

Now, let’s break down each step of the revision checklist so you can see how to apply it to your SQE1 preparation.

1. Read the Textbook Chapter

Start by reading through the textbook chapters relevant to your SQE1 practice areas (such as Contract Law, Tort, Criminal Law, etc.).

This is your foundational step. Reading through the chapter provides the basic structure of knowledge you’ll need to build on.

• First Read: Don’t rush—read through the chapter carefully, making sure you understand the major concepts.

• Reinforce by Talking Out Loud: As you read, try speaking your thoughts or explaining concepts to yourself (or a friend, if you're feeling social). This active recall method helps reinforce the information and makes it stick.

2. Write Summarised Lecture and Textbook Notes

After reading, the next step is summarising the content. Create concise, structured notes that you can refer to later.

Writing notes forces you to process and digest the material rather than passively consuming it. This makes revision more effective.

• Condense Information: Avoid copying large chunks of text. Instead, summarise the key points using bullet pointsand try to keep everything short and clear.

• Supplement Lecture Notes: If you’ve attended lectures or watched any additional resources, include these insights to make your notes more comprehensive.

3. Further Summarise into High-Level Revision Notes

Now that you’ve summarised your textbook and lecture notes, condense them even further into high-level revision notes.

This helps you focus on the most critical points and identify the core concepts that will most likely appear in the exam.

• Colour Code Information: Develop a colour-coding system to highlight key points (e.g., red for important cases, blue for legal principles, green for exceptions).

• Key Concepts Only: Focus on critical cases, principles, and processes. Don’t get bogged down in the weeds of every detail—keep it simple and clear.

4. Create Revision Cards Based on the Notes

Create flashcards to reinforce key concepts, definitions, and case law. You can do this on paper or digitally.

Flashcards are excellent for spaced repetition, a proven study technique to improve long-term retention of information.

• Digital or Paper: Choose what works for you. Apps like Quizlet can help create digital flashcards, or you can opt for handwritten cards. If you want a more streamlined approach, consider using Notion to create and track flashcards all in one place—trust me, it’ll save time in the long run.

• Target Key Info: Keep it concise! Write the legal concept on one side and the explanation on the other.

  
  

Tip: I personally use Notion to keep all my study materials organised and recommend checking out our Notion templates to see how easy it is to set up your own revision system.

5. Create a Streamlined Mind Map with Trigger Words

Create mind maps to visually represent the relationships between topics, key concepts, and cases.

Mind maps help break down complex topics into manageable chunks and aid memory.

• Condense Further: Summarise key points into single trigger words or phrases that remind you of larger concepts.

• Draw Relationships: Use lines and arrows to connect concepts to relevant cases and principles.

6. Complete Multiple Choice Quizzes

Test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the topic you’ve just revised.

MCQs mirror the SQE1 exam format, so practicing them early on gets you familiar with how questions are framed and helps identify weak areas.

• Practice Regularly: Take quizzes after completing each topic. Aim for a score of 90% or higher.

• Review Mistakes: If you get a question wrong, make a note of it and revisit the relevant chapter or notes. Don’t just memorise the answer—understand why you got it wrong.

7. Record Final Scores and Revisit Weak Areas

After each quiz or revision session, record your score and identify any areas where your knowledge feels weak.

Keeping track of your performance will help you prioritise topics that need more attention. You’ll build up a revised study plan based on real-time feedback.

• Track Weak Areas: Keep a simple spreadsheet or Notion database to track your quiz scores and highlight the areas where you’re consistently underperforming.

• Scheduled Revisions: Set a date to revisit weaker topics within your study plan, giving yourself time to work on those areas without cramming last minute.

Stay Organised, Stay Disciplined, Stay Confident

The SQE1 is a challenging exam, but with a solid revision checklist like this one, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. By being methodical and structured in your approach, you can cover every aspect of the syllabus, avoid cramming, and feel more confident heading into exam day.

This checklist isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart. With regular reviews, focused practice, and the right study techniques, you’ll feel much more prepared and in control. And don’t forget, if you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to further shape your revision strategy, download our FREE Ultimate SQE Success Checklist Guide for additional tips and resources.

Good luck, and remember—you’ve got this!