Best SQE1 Question Bank in 2026 — Honest Comparison

Choosing the best SQE1 question bank is the single highest-leverage decision in your prep, because SQE1 is a 360-question single-best-answer exam and timed MCQ practice is the strongest predictor of your score. Below is an honest, vendor-by-vendor comparison of the main options in 2026 — including where Caselaw fits and, just as importantly, where it does not.

Caselaw is not affiliated with or endorsed by the SRA or Kaplan. “SQE” refers to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination and is used descriptively. Prices and inclusions change frequently — always confirm on each provider’s own website before buying.

BARBRI. A full preparation course rather than a standalone bank, with a large question library, adaptive study tools and structured pacing. It is the heavyweight option: comprehensive and well-regarded, but priced as a complete course (typically several thousand pounds). Best for candidates who want everything in one managed programme and have the budget for it. If you only need questions, you are paying for a lot of surrounding content.

University of Law (ULaw). Offers SQE1 preparation courses with substantial question banks and mock assessments, plus the option of in-person and online cohorts. Strong brand recognition with employers and a polished platform. Again, the question bank usually comes bundled inside a larger (and more expensive) course, so it suits candidates who want institutional structure and tutor support over pure self-study.

QLTS School. A long-established SQE/QLTS specialist with a focused question bank and practice assessments. More targeted and often more affordable than the full course providers, with a strong track record. A solid middle option for candidates who want a dedicated bank without committing to a whole programme.

Law Drills and other budget banks. A growing category of lower-cost, questions-only platforms aimed squarely at self-study candidates. These trade tutor support and structure for price, and quality varies — check sample questions and rationales carefully before subscribing, because a bank is only as good as the explanations behind its answers.

Caselaw — the affordable self-study option. Caselaw is not a full SQE course and does not pretend to be. It is a self-study platform built around an SQE1 question engine, spaced-repetition flashcards, past papers with model answers, and a large library of AI-generated case briefs you can drill cases from. It is aimed at candidates who already have (or are pairing it with) substantive notes and want affordable, high-volume practice rather than a managed course with tutor contact. If you need structured teaching, live classes, or hand-holding, a full provider above will serve you better. If you are a disciplined self-studier on a budget, that is exactly who Caselaw is for. See our SQE pricing for current plans.

How to choose. Decide first whether you need a course or just a bank. If you are self-funding and self-disciplined, a focused bank plus your own notes is far cheaper and often just as effective. If you want structure, accountability and tutor access, pay for a full provider. Whatever you pick, judge it on three things: (1) the quality of the answer rationales, not just question count; (2) whether questions are genuine single-best-answer style with five options; and (3) realistic timed-mock functionality.

Use a bank the right way. A question bank is a diagnostic tool, not a textbook. Do questions, read every rationale (including for the options you got right), log the topics you keep missing, then go back to your notes on those topics before re-testing. Our how to revise for SQE1 guide sets out this loop in detail, and our FLK1 and FLK2 topic guides tell you which subjects carry the most questions. Start drilling on the SQE1 revision hub.