About Sihle
"I did a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with UNISA, which I completed in June 2024. Following the completion of my degree, I registered for Gawie le Roux's second intake of the 400-hour Practical Vocational Training (PVT) programme. I am currently enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Auditing."
Background
Sihle was a top achiever at our recent awards ceremony for alumni who excelled in the LPC exams.
On Gawie le Roux's Attorneys' admission exam courses
"The Attorneys’ admission exam courses were invaluable in my preparation. The courses are specifically designed to help you pass the exams. The material provided was relevant, up-to-date, and focused; without these courses, I would likely have spent more time on unnecessary topics instead of concentrating on what was essential for success.
Attending the live lectures also played a crucial role. They helped me clarify areas I hadn’t fully grasped. Working through the questions in real time with Johan for Papers 2 and 4, in particular, boosted my confidence and highlighted where I was going wrong so I could improve before the actual exams."
Taking an alternative route
"When I completed my LLB in June 2024, I had not yet secured articles and was unsure how to use the remainder of the year productively. Fortunately, GLR offered a 400-hour PVT programme starting in August and ending just before year-end. One of the key factors influencing my decision was the programme’s flexibility; its online format meant I could continue even if my circumstances changed.
I decided to register for that intake as a way to gain an understanding of the practical side of legal practice while waiting to secure articles. This approach allowed me to strengthen my skills and better prepare myself for the transition into articles.
When I started the PVT programme, I was not thinking about the admission exams. However, upon completing it, I became eligible to sit for the exams. At that point, I felt I had nothing to lose and decided to give them a try."
"Having passed the exams, I am now fortunate in the sense that when the opportunity to complete articles arises, I can fully immerse myself in the experience without the added pressure of preparing for exams."
On facing challenges
"The challenge I faced was convincing myself that the PVT programme and the preparation courses would be enough to prepare me for the exams. The admission exams are commonly the last step before admission and are designed to test competency and readiness to enter practice, which is usually gained after many months of practical experience consisting of drafting and regular court attendance. Because of this lack of practical exposure, I had to rely heavily on the examples provided in the course material and gain a thorough understanding of the court rules to bridge the gap."
Sihle's study tips for the CBE
- "Start preparing early, there’s a lot of content to cover. I was fortunate that I had just completed four months of the PVT programme, which served as a solid foundation. When I got my exam preparation material in January, I could focus on areas I wasn’t as confident on.
- Create a structured and realistic study schedule and try your best to stick to it. Consistency and discipline are key. With that being said, life still happens, and your best will look different each day. Be kind to yourself if a day doesn’t go as planned.
- Mindset goes a long way, so block out the negativity. It’s true, the competency-based exams are not easy, but with proper preparation, it’s possible to pass them.
- From January until I wrote the exams, I had a screenshot of results from a candidate who had passed all four exams as my screensaver, and every time I picked up my phone, I was reminded that I wasn’t attempting the impossible."
What's next?
"As I am currently studying forensic auditing, I intend to combine this with my legal training to play an impactful role in combating commercial crime."