MCQ Exam Technique: How to Answer Single Best Answer Questions

Go SQE1 Team24 February 202610 min read

Question marks on paper crafts — Photo by Leeloo The First on Pexels

Introduction

The SQE1 exam uses a specific question format: single best answer (SBA) questions with five options. This format is different from traditional four-option MCQs, and it demands a particular approach. Understanding how to tackle SBA questions effectively is a skill in itself — one that can be developed through practice and applied consistently on exam day.

This guide explains the SBA format as used in SQE1, offers a systematic method for approaching each question, covers time management strategies for a five-hour exam, and identifies the common mistakes that cost candidates marks.

Understanding the SQE1 Format

Single Best Answer Explained

In SQE1, each question presents a scenario followed by a question stem and five answer options labelled A to E. You must select the single best answer. This is an important distinction from a "correct answer" format.

In a single best answer question:

Multiple options may contain an element of truth. An option might state the law correctly in general but not be the best answer in the specific context of the scenario.
The best answer is the most accurate, complete, and relevant response to the specific question asked about the specific facts presented.
There is no partial credit. You either select the best answer or you do not.
There is no negative marking. You are never penalised for guessing.

This format tests depth of understanding and the ability to discriminate between similar legal positions. It is not enough to know the law — you must be able to apply it precisely to the facts and identify which of several plausible-sounding options is the best.

The Anatomy of an SQE1 Question

A typical SQE1 question has three parts:

The scenario (stem): A paragraph or two describing a factual situation, usually involving a client or legal issue. This contains the facts you need to answer the question.
The question (lead-in): A specific question about the scenario, such as "What is the most appropriate advice to give the client?" or "Which of the following best describes the legal position?"
The options (A to E): Five possible answers. Typically, one or two are clearly wrong, two are plausible but flawed, and one is the best answer.

Some questions are standalone, while others appear in clusters of two to three questions based on a common scenario.

A Systematic Approach to SBA Questions

Developing a consistent method for tackling each question reduces errors and speeds you up. Here is a five-step approach that works for most candidates.

Step 1: Read the Scenario Carefully

Read the full scenario before looking at the options. Pay attention to:

Key facts: Names, dates, amounts, relationships, and any specific legal documents mentioned
Qualifying words: "Always", "never", "most likely", "least", "except", "best" — these words change what the question is asking
The jurisdiction: SQE1 tests the law of England and Wales. If a scenario mentions a different jurisdiction, that detail is there for a reason
What the client wants: The question often asks what advice you would give. Understanding the client's objective helps you identify the relevant area of law

Step 2: Identify the Legal Issue

Before looking at the options, try to identify what area of law the question is testing and what the likely answer should be. This prevents you from being swayed by cleverly worded distractors. Ask yourself:

What area of law is engaged? (Contract? Tort? Criminal? Property?)
What is the legal test or rule that applies?
What is the likely outcome when that test or rule is applied to these facts?

Even a rough idea of the correct answer before you see the options puts you in a stronger position.

Step 3: Eliminate Clearly Wrong Options

Go through the options and eliminate any that are clearly incorrect. In most SQE1 questions, you can eliminate at least one or two options quickly. Common reasons to eliminate:

The law is stated incorrectly. The option misstates a legal rule, reverses the burden of proof, or attributes a rule to the wrong statute.
The option is irrelevant to the scenario. It discusses an area of law that does not apply to the facts presented.
The option reaches the wrong conclusion on the facts. Even if the legal principle is correct, the option applies it incorrectly to the specific scenario.

Eliminating wrong options narrows your choice and increases your probability of selecting the best answer, even if you are not entirely certain.

Step 4: Compare the Remaining Options

After elimination, you will typically be left with two or three plausible options. Compare them carefully:

Which is the most complete? An option that identifies the correct rule and applies it to the facts is better than one that states only the rule.
Which is the most precise? An option that identifies the specific statutory provision or legal test is usually better than a vague or general statement.
Which answers the specific question asked? Re-read the lead-in. If the question asks for the "best advice to the client", an option explaining the law in general terms is weaker than one that gives practical advice.
Which fits the facts most closely? The best answer will address the specific facts in the scenario, not a generalised version of the situation.

Step 5: Select and Move On

Once you have identified the best answer, select it and move on. Do not second-guess yourself unless you have a clear reason to change your answer (such as realising you misread a key fact). Research on test-taking behaviour consistently shows that candidates who change answers without a concrete reason tend to change correct answers to incorrect ones more often than the reverse.

If you cannot confidently identify the best answer after this process, select your best guess, flag the question, and move on. Return to it later if time permits.

Time Management

The Maths

Each SQE1 paper consists of 180 questions in approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes (320 minutes), split into two sessions. This gives you roughly 1 minute and 47 seconds per question.

In practice, the distribution is uneven:

Quick questions (30 to 60 seconds): Questions testing straightforward recall or simple application of a well-known rule. These "bank" time for harder questions.
Standard questions (1 to 2 minutes): Scenario-based questions requiring you to read, identify the issue, and select the best answer.
Complex questions (2 to 4 minutes): Questions with lengthy scenarios, detailed calculations, or subtle distinctions between options. These are the questions you may need to flag and return to.

Pacing Strategies

Set checkpoints. Check the clock after every 30 questions. You should aim to complete approximately 30 questions every 53 minutes. If you are falling behind, speed up on the questions you find straightforward.

Do not get stuck. If a question is taking more than three minutes, flag it and move on. Getting stuck on a single question can cost you multiple easier marks later in the paper. You can always return to flagged questions.

Leave five to ten minutes at the end. Use this time to return to flagged questions and ensure you have answered every question. There is no negative marking, so a guess is always better than a blank.

Use the break wisely. Each paper is split into two sessions with a break. Use the break to rest, hydrate, and reset mentally. Do not try to revise during the break — your brain needs the downtime.

Building Pace Through Practice

You cannot develop exam pace by reading about it. The only way to build speed and endurance is through timed practice. As part of your preparation, you should:

Start untimed. In the early stages of revision, answer questions without a time limit to focus on accuracy and understanding.
Introduce time pressure gradually. Once you are comfortable with the subject matter, begin timing yourself. Start with 2 minutes per question and work down to 1 minute 47 seconds.
Complete full mock papers. Before the exam, complete at least two full 180-question papers under exact exam conditions. This builds the stamina needed for a five-hour session.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Misreading the Question

The most common mistake in MCQ exams is failing to read the question carefully. This includes:

Missing negative words: Questions containing "not", "except", "least likely", or "incorrect" are asking for the opposite of what you might expect. Underline or circle these words when you spot them.
Misidentifying what is being asked: A question that asks "What should the solicitor do next?" requires a procedural answer, not a statement of the substantive law.
Ignoring key facts: The correct answer often depends on a specific factual detail — a date, an amount, a relationship, or a particular document. Missing that detail leads to the wrong answer.

Choosing a Correct Answer Instead of the Best Answer

This is the trap that the SBA format is specifically designed to set. You may see an option that states the law correctly, but it is not the best answer to the specific question about the specific facts. Train yourself to compare options and select the most complete, precise, and relevant one.

Changing Answers Without Reason

The temptation to change an answer is strong, particularly when you return to a flagged question. Unless you have identified a specific reason to change — such as realising you misread a fact or remembered a legal rule you had forgotten — stick with your original answer. Studies consistently show that first instincts based on genuine study are correct more often than changed answers.

Running Out of Time

Candidates who spend too long on difficult questions at the start of the paper often find themselves rushing through the final section, where they make careless errors on questions they would normally answer correctly. Discipline yourself to flag and move on.

Not Answering Every Question

There is no negative marking in SQE1. Leaving a question blank guarantees zero marks. A random guess gives you a 20% chance. Always answer every question, even if you have no idea.

Practising Effectively

Research confirms that practice testing is the single most effective study method. Here is how to make the most of your practice:

Practise with five-option questions. Standard four-option MCQs are not the same as SQE1 SBA questions. Train with the format you will face in the exam.

Review every question, not just incorrect ones. When you get a question right, make sure you got it right for the right reason. If you selected the correct answer by luck or by eliminating other options without understanding why, you may not get it right next time.

Track your performance by subject. Identify which subjects and topics you find most difficult and allocate additional study time accordingly.

Practise under timed conditions. Once you are confident in the subject matter, simulate exam conditions regularly. Timed practice is the only way to build the pace and stamina you need.

Start Practising Today

MCQ exam technique is a skill that improves with practice. The more SQE1-style questions you answer, the more comfortable you become with the format, the faster you work, and the better your results.