Essential Advice for Neurodivergent Students Preparing for SQE1

Last Update: 23 July 2024


Neurodiversity is a strength in the legal profession. If you're neurodivergent—which includes individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other conditions—your unique way of thinking can be a powerful asset as you pursue your goal of becoming a solicitor, especially when tackling the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).


Understanding the Challenges and Leveraging Your Strengths


The SQE, like any significant examination, presents challenges. However, these challenges often align with the remarkable strengths that come with neurodiversity:


  • Attention to Detail: You might excel at spotting nuances in case studies and identifying complex legal issues that others miss.
  • Memory and Recall: Many neurodivergent individuals have exceptional memory capabilities, which can be invaluable when revising legal concepts and during exams.
  • Logical and Creative Thinking: Your ability to think both logically and creatively can lead to innovative problem-solving approaches, making you a valuable asset to any law firm.
  • Deep Focus: If you have a profound interest in a specific area of law, your passion can drive deep learning and expertise in your chosen field.

While these strengths are significant, it's also important to acknowledge and prepare for potential challenges:


Support and Reasonable Adjustments


Recognising the diverse needs of candidates, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) offers several reasonable adjustments for the SQE, including:


  • Extended time and additional breaks
  • Access to separate, quieter exam rooms
  • Provision of readers and recorders
  • Use of assistive technologies (e.g., JAWS screen reading software, Zoomtext)
  • Availability of colored overlays to aid reading

These adjustments are not merely concessions; they're essential tools that level the playing field, allowing candidates to showcase their true abilities. It's crucial to understand that seeking and utilizing these supports is not a sign of weakness, but rather a strategic approach to maximizing your performance.


While these accommodations are valuable, there's always room for improvement. The SRA could consider enhancing its support for neurodivergent candidates in several ways:


  • Diversifying Assessment Methods: The current SQE1 format, which relies heavily on memory-based multiple-choice questions, may not fully capture the diverse strengths of neurodivergent individuals. Introducing a variety of question types could allow candidates with different thinking styles to better demonstrate their capabilities.
  • Data-Driven Improvements: By collecting and analyzing comprehensive data on exam performance across different groups, including neurodivergent individuals, the SRA and course providers could gain valuable insights. This information could help identify any disproportionate impacts of the current exam format and inform future improvements to the SQE.
  • Continuous Refinement: Regular review and adjustment of support measures, based on candidate feedback and emerging best practices in inclusive assessment, could further enhance the exam experience for all.

By implementing these suggestions, the SRA has the opportunity to create an even more inclusive and equitable path to qualification as a solicitor. Such changes would not only benefit neurodivergent individuals but could potentially improve the overall quality and fairness of the assessment for all candidates.


Remember, advocating for these improvements is part of your journey. Your experiences and insights can contribute to positive change in the legal profession, making it more accessible and diverse for future generations of solicitors.