Interviewer: Hello everyone, today we have Taha, one of our successful graduates who’s now a solicitor admitted to the roll of solicitors of England and Wales. Congratulations on passing the SQE exam, Taha!
Taha: Thank you very much. I initially did a degree in business and management at Aston University, graduating back in 2017. I currently work for a firm specialising in second-hand clothing, where I handle various aspects like accounts, marketing, and management. However, when the Covid-19 happened, I came back to Tanzania. During this time, I had the opportunity to spend some time at a law firm, which sparked my interest in the field. Despite never envisioning myself going back to education, I found myself drawn to the idea of pursuing law. Upon researching the best pathways to become a solicitor in the UK, I stumbled upon the SQE route, which seemed like a quicker and more efficient path.
Interviewer: Oh that’s great. So, it’s recognised in Tanzania.
Taha: The law in Tanzania says that if you’re qualified in England, you’re eligible for admission to the bar in Tanzania.
Interviewer: How hard is the Tanzanian bar exam as against the SQE?
Taha: The main prerequisite is that you need a law degree. Then, you have to attend law school for a year to become an advocate.
Interviewer: Just to be clear, you studied in the UK, so you have a law degree?
Taha: I don’t have a law degree; my background is in business, with a degree from the UK.
Interviewer: So, you basically had to study the law from scratch.
Taha: Yes. I started with the SQE1 assessment.
Interviewer: How long did it take you to prepare for SQE1?
Taha: It took me a good eight months for SQE1. I did it part-time at first, but for the last four months, I went full-time. I put everything else on hold to focus on studying for SQE1.
Interviewer: You had to pretty focus on the studies. Could you combine it with the actual practice or any kind of other work?
Taha: At first, I did some work experience, but for the last four months, I solely concentrated on passing the SQE exams. I went to England for about two months to study without any distractions, and I’m glad I passed SQE1 on my first attempt.
Interviewer: How was your SQE2 experience? How difficult is the SQE2 exam as against SQE1?
Taha: I’d say that SQE1 is a different ball game compared to SQE2. SQE1 consists of multiple-choice questions. Yes, it requires a lot of hard work, and there are many aspects one must consider. Particularly for someone coming from a non-law background, it can be quite difficult to grasp. Initially, I aimed to complete SQE2 within four months of finishing SQE1, but I reconsidered because I realised its depth and feasibility weren’t aligning with my timeline. So, instead of sitting the exam in April 2022, I rescheduled it for October 2022.
Interviewer: It’s not that crucial delay. Well done on your preparation. What do you consider the most important aspect of preparation?
Taha: Doing as many SQE2 mock sessions as possible. It’s not just about theory; it’s about practical application. Additionally, since it’s a skill-based exam, it’s crucial to focus on improving those SQE skills alongside theoretical knowledge. That’s why I sought out additional assistance, particularly for honing my advocacy and client interview skills. I found the Academy of Smart Lawyers to be immensely helpful in this regard.
Interviewer: It was like last-moment preparation, right?
Taha: At that time, there were very few providers available, and since the exam was still new, there wasn’t a lot of information online. That’s when I began searching for SQE2 providers, and I stumbled upon the Academy of Smart Lawyers. You offered more practice, which was exactly what I needed. It was quite last-minute because I was struggling towards the end. I felt like I was missing something crucial, and I knew I needed that extra edge to help me pass my exams.
Interviewer: So, when you handled a few advocacies, interviews, and attendance notes, how did you find it? Was it as difficult as the exam, less difficult, or more difficult?
Taha: Many tend to underestimate these skills. They might think, “Oh, it’s just an interview. I’ll be fine.” But I’ve learned that’s not the case. When I did SQE2 mocks, the feedback surprised me. The ideas I thought were irrelevant and turned out to be crucial. The skill set I thought was least important became vital. I applied those lessons in the exam, and it made a significant difference.
Interviewer: So, you essentially prepared on your own or with another training provider, and then booked a few mock sessions with us, correct?
Taha: I initially utilised [training provider] for the material. However, I felt the need for additional practice and support. Despite it being quite late in my preparation process, I sought assistance from the Academy of Smart Lawyers. You provided the targeted help I needed, especially in areas where I was weak such as SQE advocacy and interview skills. Despite the proximity to the exam, the Academy helped me refine these areas, making my preparation more effective.
Interviewer: Because you need to have some interaction.
Taha: Especially if it’s your first time attempting it. You might have some experience from work, but what’s required in the exam could be quite different. Plus, it’s all about the attention to detail. Those small nuances matter a lot. Even if you miss the big picture, getting those details right can still earn you marks, a fact many overlook.
Interviewer: So, what you’re saying is that even last-minute preparation can make a significant difference, correct?
Taha: Absolutely. It’s during those critical moments that you need to ensure you have all the crucial information at your fingertips. The SQE marking criteria are quite stringent, so it’s essential to make sure you’ve covered all the necessary elements accurately.
Interviewer: Thank you for your feedback, Taha. We wish you a successful legal career.
Taha: Thank you for your support. I’d like to encourage everyone to use the resources at the Academy of Smart Lawyers for their studies, to ensure success in both SQE1 and SQE2.
