SQE Passing Tip #3: Train for Exam Stamina, Not Just Legal Knowledge

Build Mini Breaks into Your Exam Routine

One practical technique is to take very short mental breaks throughout the assessment. You do not need to stop for several minutes. In fact, that would waste valuable time. Instead, consider taking a brief pause after every 10 questions.

For example, after completing Question 10, 20, 30, and so on, stop for 10 to 15 seconds. Relax your shoulders, stretch your neck slightly, and look away from the screen. This small reset can help reduce mental fatigue and maintain concentration throughout the exam.

Many candidates believe they should work continuously without stopping. In reality, a few seconds spent refreshing your mind can improve your performance on the next set of questions.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is another simple but often neglected factor. During a 153-minute assessment, even mild dehydration can affect concentration and alertness.

If permitted by the exam rules, keep water available and take small sips throughout the assessment. Do not wait until you feel thirsty. A few sips every 20 or 30 minutes can help maintain focus and prevent the sluggish feeling that sometimes develops during long exams.

It may sound like a small detail, but exam success is often determined by a combination of small advantages rather than one dramatic factor.

Manage Nervousness Before It Manages You

Even well-prepared candidates sometimes encounter a difficult question that causes panic. They begin wondering whether they have misunderstood the topic or whether they are falling behind. Once anxiety starts to build, it becomes harder to think clearly.

When this happens, take a slow breath and remind yourself that every candidate encounters difficult questions. The SQE is designed to be challenging. One difficult question does not mean you are performing badly overall.

A useful technique is to pause for a few seconds and take two or three slow, controlled breaths. This helps reduce stress and allows you to refocus on the next question rather than dwelling on the previous one.

Don’t Get Stuck

Another common mistake is spending too much time on a single difficult question. Candidates sometimes become trapped between two possible answers and spend several minutes trying to achieve complete certainty.

In most cases, this is not an efficient use of time. If you have carefully analysed the question and narrowed it down to the best option, make your decision and move on. Spending excessive time on one question can create pressure later in the exam and increase anxiety as the clock continues to run.

Remember that every question carries the same number of marks. Protecting your overall performance is usually more important than chasing absolute certainty on one difficult question.

Practise Like It’s the Real Exam

One of the best ways to build stamina is to simulate actual exam conditions during your preparation. Many candidates answer practice questions in short sessions of 10 or 20 questions. While this is useful for learning, it does not prepare you for the demands of a full SQE assessment.

From time to time, complete a full 90-question mock exam under timed conditions. Work for the entire 153 minutes without interruptions. This will help you identify when your concentration starts to decline and allow you to develop strategies for maintaining focus throughout the assessment.

The more familiar the experience feels, the less intimidating the real exam will be.

Final Thoughts

Legal knowledge is essential for SQE success, but it is only part of the equation. The exam requires candidates to maintain concentration, make sound decisions, and manage their energy levels over a demanding 153-minute assessment.

By building stamina during your preparation, taking short breaks every 10 questions, staying hydrated, controlling your breathing when nervous, and practising under realistic exam conditions, you can significantly improve your performance.

Many candidates spend months learning the law. Make sure you also train yourself to stay mentally sharp from the first question to the last. When Question 90 arrives, you want your mind to be just as focused as it was at Question 1.