'QLTS Geek is a fantastic app for revising the OSCE syllabus. In my opinion, it covers almost all the key topics you need to know for the exam. It does that in a very systematic manner, often going back to basic concepts from the MCT syllabus, making sure you don't miss a beat. Kaplan QLTS is the sole authorised exam assessment provider. The actual multiple choice exam is a computer-based assessment administered by PearsonVue. Please note that, as the assessment provider, Kaplan QLTS is not authorised to provide QLTS preparation courses.
In the early stages of your preparation for the QLTS you may be asking yourself whether you need to sign up for one of the specialised courses offered by various educational institutions in the UK. Personally, I have met successful candidates from both camps – those who relied on the materials offered by the well-established course providers and those who studied themselves from the books – and don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question.
The SRA Day One Outcomes are often so broadly formulated that unsurprisingly many candidates (myself included) feel safer if they prepare with a recognised school which you expect to teach you exactly what you need to know to pass the exam. This statement turns out to be only partly true as none of the courses I am aware of describes itself as exhaustive, so get ready to buy all the same textbooks you would be getting without a course. The other pain is that even the cheaper courses come at a significant cost which is particularly relevant for the self-funded candidates.
Price comparison
Here's a comparison of the prices offered by the four largest QLTS course providers.
All prices and other details are up-to-date as at beginning of November 2016. Follow the links below to check the information on the relevant providers' websites for any changes. BPP and QLTS Advantage prices as advertised online have been increased by 20% to take account of VAT. The others chose not to provide this info until you proceed to payment, so beware of a potential 20% tax on top of the quoted fees!
Provider | MCT | OSCE* | Website |
QLTS School | £990 (basic) £1,290 (advanced) £1,590 (premium) | £1,590 (basic) £1,990 (advanced) £2,390 (premium) | http://www.qlts.co.uk/course-overview/packages |
BPP | £2,640 PLUS £360 for online mock tests | £2,640 | http://www.bpp.com/professional-qualifications-course-details/d/professional-qualifications/QLTS/5589 |
QLTS Advantage | $1,704 | $2,520 (basic) $3,180 (plus) | http://www.qltsadvantage.com/course.aspx#FEES |
BCPC Colledge | £450 (basic) £850 (full) | £1,250 | http://www.b-c-p-s.com/qlts |
*If you purchase the OSCE course from the same provider, most offer a discount.
Most courses are online based and include access to Lexis Library and Westlaw. The price ranges reflect the difference in packages and amount of additional online video materials you will have access to as well as any tutor support offered by the provider. You should follow the links above to find out more about what exactly is included in the price.
NB: There have recently been reports of the candidates claiming their money back for the Advance MCT Course offered by the BCPC College. Candidates claimed that they did not receive complete study materials and were not given 'life support' as advertised. If you had any experience (good or bad) with this or any other provider, please leave a comment below or email me on lawyerinconversion@gmail.com.
Choosing the right course for you
If you have made up your mind that you want to take one of these courses, here are a few tips which will help you make the right choice:
Provider | MCT | OSCE* | Website |
QLTS School | £990 (basic) £1,290 (advanced) £1,590 (premium) | £1,590 (basic) £1,990 (advanced) £2,390 (premium) | http://www.qlts.co.uk/course-overview/packages |
BPP | £2,640 PLUS £360 for online mock tests | £2,640 | http://www.bpp.com/professional-qualifications-course-details/d/professional-qualifications/QLTS/5589 |
QLTS Advantage | $1,704 | $2,520 (basic) $3,180 (plus) | http://www.qltsadvantage.com/course.aspx#FEES |
BCPC Colledge | £450 (basic) £850 (full) | £1,250 | http://www.b-c-p-s.com/qlts |
*If you purchase the OSCE course from the same provider, most offer a discount.
Most courses are online based and include access to Lexis Library and Westlaw. The price ranges reflect the difference in packages and amount of additional online video materials you will have access to as well as any tutor support offered by the provider. You should follow the links above to find out more about what exactly is included in the price.
NB: There have recently been reports of the candidates claiming their money back for the Advance MCT Course offered by the BCPC College. Candidates claimed that they did not receive complete study materials and were not given 'life support' as advertised. If you had any experience (good or bad) with this or any other provider, please leave a comment below or email me on lawyerinconversion@gmail.com.
Choosing the right course for you
If you have made up your mind that you want to take one of these courses, here are a few tips which will help you make the right choice:
- What do I need to look for in a course?
Practice is everything. Even the cheapest of these courses is significantly more expensive than any number of textbooks you can find in a bookstore. The 'added value' these courses can offer lies almost exclusively in the banks of MCT-styled questions and sample exercises for the OSCE. Before purchasing a course, make sure that it includes multiple choice questions for self-practice on all 11 areas covered by the MCT. The same goes for the OSCE where your course (if it's a good one) should give you a better idea of the format of the exam and what to expect.
The other thing you will want to make sure your course includes is access to Lexis Library and Westlaw. I recently got in touch with both and enquired about the 'reduced fee' promised to all candidates on the Kaplan website. Lexis came back with an eye-popping £350 for 30 days of access! Still waiting for a response from Westlaw.
- Do I need a tutor?
I am often asked if one needs a tutor to pass the OSCE at the first attempt. A short answer to this question is no, having a tutor is not a prerequisite. Yet, there's no single study process that works for everyone without exception and if you feel that having access to a real person out there to guide you through the study process, monitor your progress and check your answers is essential, you may consider getting a tutor.
Tutors usually come at an extra price with the premium packages offered the QLTS course providers. Alternatively, they are professionals with background in educational or law who are self-employed or simply moonlighting (there are plenty of websites that offer law tutors – I don't intend to advertise them here).
Over the last couple of years I have heard all too many unhappy stories from the tutors not being reachable for weeks, to insisting on the candidate purchasing extra courses, to giving advice which was outright wrong and contradicted what the candidate was told by the Kaplan staff on the day of the exam. Somewhat unexpectedly, many of these stories came from people who purchased premium packages from the better known (and the more expensive) schools out there, so a big name does not seem to guarantee quality in this case.
If you've decided you need a tutor, do your research properly. Try to find out as much as you can about the exact person who will be working with you before you commit yourself to anything. Sift through online reviews (don't simply rely on those a school chose to post on its website) and seek out other candidates who worked with him or her for feedback.
- I don't want to spend a lot of money on the MCT course. Can I just purchase MCT questions online?
Several websites appear to sell mock MCT questions. Beware that a few candidates have recently complained online that they have not been provided with the questions they thought they had paid for on lawquestionbank.com.
- How early on should I sign up for a course?
The combination of the demands of your work and other commitments, your legal background, fluency in English and numerous other factors makes each candidate unique. So there is no single magic timeline that works for everyone.
Qlts Providers Llc
The longer you allow yourself to prepare, the better. If you come from a non-common law jurisdiction, allocate at least 3 months for the MCT prep. If you cannot study regularly, you are likely to need more time. In the run-up to the exam do as many mock tests as possible. Analyse the questions where you made mistakes – this may be the best form of revision available for the MCT!
The OSCE is an even tougher cookie and my advice is to sign up for it as soon as you've got your MCT results. If you have no prior knowledge of English law, other than that from the MCT, you'll want to schedule at the very minimum 2-3 weeks per each of the five areas of law you will be tested on (business law, property, probate, civil litigation and criminal litigation). This includes the time you'll spend revising and practicing sample exercises.
As usual, I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any feedback (good or bad) on a particular QLTS course provider, please share it below or email me on lawyerinconversion@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you!
Qlts Tuition Providers
Your Lawyer in Conversion