I believe that the international students should first understand how students go about becoming solicitors under the domestic route before thinking of QLTS, because you are expected to have the same knowledge and skill level of a local solicitor who has just qualified (remember "Day-1 Outcomes"). Broadly, they undergo 3 stages: (a) Academic stage (b) Legal Practice Course & (c) Training contract. Click here to know more. But, like elsewhere, they acquire skills and give exams in stages but you are being assessed in all the areas in one go :(
With this understanding, you should be able to assess the difficulty level of QLTS assessments :(( While the SRA may have a case for setting such high standards, international students are bound to find this difficult. And, if you are looking for a short-cut, cake-walk, open-book style of exam like QLTT, the earlier avatar of QLTS, then think twice before you jump...! :((( Further, if you are not from a common law jurisdiction or experienced enough, then think 100 times...!! :((((((
Dont think I am scaring you, but that's how QLTS appears when compared to QLTT. Be that as it may, being an English solicitor has its own merits which may be worth all the grind (some light at the end of the tunnel ??? :) I will continue on this in my next post. Come back for updates...
