How to Tackle SQE 1 questions
Between FLK 1 and FLK 2 over two days, you will answer 360 SQE 1 questions. So how to tackle SQE 1 questions?
The below is question 15 from SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge FLK1 sample questions released by the SRA
Question 15
How to Tackle SQE 1 Questions
Step 1: Read the question
Question 15 asks “What method of statutory interpretation has the judge used?”
In your mind start thinking:
- Topic = Legal System of England & Wales
- Sub Topic = Statutory Interpretation
Step 2: Read the facts above the question
Question 15’s facts (paraphrased) are around a trial and the judge is looking at a particular section of a statute. When using the natural ordinary meaning of the words the result is absurd. Therefore the judge interprets the words in a different way as to not reach an absurd result.
In your mind start thinking about what the answer will be.
Would you agree this sounds like the Golden Rule?
In this case, Golden Rule seems like an obvious choice. In other questions, it may not, therefore, don’t rush and automatically select the obvious choice. Review the other answer choices. We do not want to be caught out because we need the single “best” answer.
Step 3: Read the answer choices and pick the single best answer
If you are not sure start by eliminating the wrong choices.
A, B, and D are statutory interpretation rules while C, and E are aids to interpretation. Therefore, we can eliminate C, and E.
A. Literal Rule: Give words their ordinary meaning even if it yields an absurd result.
B. Mischief Rule: Looks at what problem the statute was designed to remedy and adapts the words of the statute to achieve this result.
D. Golden Rule: When an ordinary meaning gives an absurd result, courts may use a different meaning of the word.
We earlier (in step 2) thought about The Golden Rule.
Therefore, select answer choice D. The Golden Rule is the correct answer.
Remember the nuances
Not every question will be simple similar to Question 15. Expect some questions to be easier and some to be more difficult. Adjust the above three steps to your style.
In some cases reading the question will not yield any information. For example, if the question reads “Which of the following best explains what the solicitor should do next?” you cannot start thinking about the topic and subtopic just yet.
That question could appear in a number of topics. In this case move on to step 2: read the facts above and then step 3: review the answer choices and pick the single best answer.
Remember eliminating the wrong answers first may reduce the pressure. It might be easier to pick one from two possibilities than one from five possibilities.
Practice in exam day conditions
Get into the habit of taking practice quiz/ tests in exam day conditions. In SQE 1 – Time Per Question I shared aiming for 10 questions every 15 mins and during practice quiz/ tests not to review your notes.
