QLTS MCT Preparation Courses

Important Note: the MCT will no longer be offered in the future. Candidates should now take SQE1 to qualify as English solicitors. This page is presented for information purposes only. 

We have invaluable insight and extensive experience in preparing lawyers for the MCT. The last MCT exam was offered in  July 2021, which was the 22nd round our MCT course ran since the introduction of the QLTS in 2011.

The MCT (Multiple Choice Test) is the first of two assessments you must pass in order to complete the QLTS scheme. The MCT consists of 180 multiple choice questions, divided into two hours and 45 minutes periods of morning and afternoon sessions, each with 90 questions (180 questions in 5 hours and 30 minutes in total). The MCT is a computer-based test delivered worldwide. You must first pass the MCT before attempting the practical assessment, the OSCE.

The MCT is not just another standard examination – there is no specific or pre-determined pass mark. The pass mark is determined by a ‘Standard Setting Panel’ convened by the SRA. Based on the individual questions on the paper, the panel decides what score differentiates somebody who can be considered to have just reached the standard of a newly qualified solicitor in England and Wales from somebody who has not reached this standard.

In addition, the syllabus is vast and covers many subject areas of the English law. That means you must meet rigorous and robust criteria in order to pass the MCT, which requires early preparation to develop both your breadth of legal knowledge across the practice areas as well deepen your understanding in each practice area.

You don’t want to spend your time on sourcing information and working out what you need to know, as well as ensuring it is up-to-date and accurate. You’ll want to save time by hitting the ground running with the key information immediately accessible and easily digestible so you can focus your efforts on preparing for exactly what the SRA requires.

QLTS School’s MCT preparation course is designed to build a strong foundation in the legal concepts essential for success in the MCT assessment. Our course has been designed and developed specifically for the MCT assessment by experienced tutors, who thoroughly understand the SRA requirements and have collectively produced our MCT preparation course.

We have trained thousands of candidates for the MCT since the introduction of the QLTS in 2011. We know what works and what doesn’t, and will ensure you benefit from our extensive knowledge and experience in helping lawyers like you pass the MCT. You will come to the examination centre with confidence and preparation, no stress and unexpected surprises.

The overall pass rates on the MCT have traditionally been low, ranging from 56% to 60%.

A comprehensive and independent research conducted a few years ago by ICF International (NASDAQ:ICFI) examined and validated the results of QLTS School’s candidates on the MCT assessments over three consecutive sittings.

QLTS School’s preparation course for the MCT includes the following:

• 11 comprehensive textbooks in a hard copy format sent to you by special courier – the books weigh over 2,000 pages in total, and cover all areas of practice required by the SRA in Outcomes A1-A11: The English Legal System & European Union Law, Constitutional Law & Judicial Review, Professional Conduct & Solicitors’  Accounts, Financial Services, Money Laundering & Taxation, Property Law, Contract Law, Torts, Criminal Law, Equity & Trusts, Business Law, and Human Rights
• MCT Video Library of over 100 online tutorials with professional presentations, spanning 35 hours of lectures, available to watch on your computer, iPad, iPhone or Android devices (see a preview below)

• QLTS Course Handbook explaining the fundamentals of the QLTS assessments, structure of the course programme, suggested study guide and test administration procedures, protocols and policies
• 2,500+ digital flash cards – short questions and answers on each of the topics covered by the syllabus. The flash cards are organised in accordance with the specific topics for each Outcome, so you can focus only on the areas of difficulty and not rehash material you are already comfortable with. The digital flash cards will help you master the technical elements which can easily be forgotten given the large volume of the content, and to reinforce your knowledge before you attempt the mock tests

• Revision notes summarising the key points and main legal principles on each subject. You could also use the documents to add your own notes, highlight text and make annotations

• 1,500+ multiple choice practice questions, each with five possible answers and a detailed solution, covering all the areas of practice required by the SRA for the MCT assessment
• 15 mock tests (90 questions each) that will enable you to test your progress and simulate a real test, with intermingled questions and a time limit similar to the formal test – view a demo of a 20-question MCT sample test (opens in a new window)

• Free periodic updates for the course materials sent to you by email. So if you are not sure when you will be taking the MCT, you can still start your preparation right away and get updates to the course materials on a regular basis

• Two hours of tutor support – our tutors will answer any questions you may have about the material during your studies. The communication with the tutors will be made by email, Skype or a phone call, as may be required (MCT Premium Course package only)

• Personal and private consultation with a senior MCT tutor to identify your knowledge, experience, time commitment and study needs. You will then receive a personalised initial study plan, tailor-made just for you to get you started quickly and smoothly and guide you in your preparation (MCT Premium Course package only)

• Networking opportunities with other examinees

• Study wherever and whenever you want – 24/7 – and benefit the ongoing support of our customer service team.

The multiple choice practice questions, flash cards, video library, mock tests, revision notes and updates for the course materials are accessible through our MCT Online Training System. You will be provided with a unique username and password to login. The textbooks will be delivered to you in days.

The MCT Video Library is an affordable, effective and enjoyable learning tool to prepare for the MCT assessment. It makes your preparation for the MCT much faster and more convenient, with 100+ video tutorials which guide you from day one of your studies all the way through to test day.

The MCT Video Library is based on our proven, straightforward and professionally written textbooks that helped hundreds of lawyers from all around the world to pass the MCT on the first attempt.

To pass the MCT, you need to demonstrate that you are able to apply the knowledge of the core areas to the standard of a newly qualified solicitor.

You are required by the SRA to apply fundamental legal principles to realistic fact patterns, not esoteric topics or the ability to cite cases or isolated facts, and find a single best answer of five alternatives.

If you sat a multiple choice test in the past, you most likely appreciate that practising and attempting as many exam questions as possible is the key to your success.

You need to familiarise yourself with the format and type of questions the examiner uses in the actual test, as well as the content and the timed conditions under which the test is administered.

While knowledge can be acquired by reading through the MCT textbooks, our MCT Question Bank and MCT mock tests offer you the opportunity to apply your knowledge by attempting thousands of sample questions, ensuring you are fully-prepared for the formal MCT assessment, and mock tests in a similar format under timed conditions, so that you can develop the exam technique required to identify issues quickly in the questions and arrive at the correct answer.

Many of our former candidates who have successfully passed the QLTS assessments on their first attempt, mentioned that the Question Bank and MCT mock tests had been the most beneficial and crucial part in their preparation and the best method of study. Our candidates have also mentioned that most of the questions in the formal MCT itself were very similar to the questions they practised in our Question Bank and 15 mock tests!

Our database, comprising nearly 3,000 questions in total, is therefore an invaluable and unique resource that will help you succeed in the MCT assessment.

We strongly recommend that you watch some of the video interviews we had with nearly 100 of our successful candidates on our Success Stories section and learn more about their experiences in preparing for the QLTS assessments. Take their advice very seriously. Make sure to practise as many MCT questions as possible before you take the actual assessment.

QLTS School offers three course packages for the MCT assessment:

MCT Basic – recommended if you have lower work commitments, need minimal materials to prepare and are therefore able to spend most of your days preparing for the assessment. You will have access to 5 MCT mock tests (with 90 questions each).

MCT Advantage – recommended if you work full-time and have limited time in which to prepare. This package includes access to the full suite of the 15 MCT mock tests, which give you the chance to gradually build up your knowledge, skills, speed and confidence at answering questions.

You will also have access to the MCT Video Library, which can shorten your preparation time considerably. While the videos are not intended to fully cover each and every aspect of the SRA Outcomes as comprehensively detailed in the textbooks, they are an ideal complement to the textbooks, providing you with another means of absorbing information and developing a good and solid knowledge of the subjects tested in the MCT assessment.

MCT Premium – whatever your work commitments are, whether you work full-time, part-time or currently unemployed, this package is for you if you wish to have a dedicated and personalised support throughout your studies. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, following which one of our MCT senior tutors will conduct an over the phone (Skype or GoToMeeting are also an option) consultation with you and prepare a customised study plan that will suit your needs and personal circumstances. Our tutor will also answer any question you may have during your preparation about the materials through the 2-hour tutor support service. The MCT Premium Course package also includes access to the full 15 MCT mock tests and to the MCT Video Library.

The fees for each of the three MCT course packages are as follows (delivery is free within the UK, £50 to Europe and the US and £90 to other destinations):