Kinnu

Kinnu is an online SQE study platform challenging the typical SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exams) providers. Founded in 2021 by three entrepreneurs with backgrounds in finance, computer science, mechanical engineering, and a shared passion for learning, the company has since raised over £8 million from investors including Monzo, Anthropic, and Slack. Its mission is to use advanced learning technology to help to facilitate learning for budding lawyers.

Kinnu is online-only and can be accessed via desktop or by using its mobile app, which is available to use offline, so there’s an inherent flexibility in the product, marking it out from traditional law schools.

Kinnu’s philosophy is that active recall is key to success in the SQE, and it believes that MCQs should be utilised immediately. Rather than offer video lectures, it focuses on pre-made flashcards, study notes and a large bank of MCQs, all geared at helping candidates pass SQE1 on their first attempt.

Kinnu’s library of over 4,000 smart flashcards are powered by what it terms its ‘Memory Shield technology’, a system designed to help learned information from fading over time. It revolves around spaced repetition – a method that involves revisiting information at the exact moment it’s likely to be forgotten. Less remembered flashcards will appear most often, while those remembered frequently are shown less to strengthen long term memory and boost recall.

The platform provides over 350 study notes that break down topics into clear, manageable sections. They’re written, says Kinnu, to be understood quickly, without jargon or unnecessary detail, with each study note designed to show how ideas relate to one another. This helps users build a mental map of the topic rather than just memorise isolated facts, the company asserts.

Kinnu’s question bank contains more than 3,000 MCQs which are constructed through AI and human review. Students report that they are well-made and length and difficulty are consistent with questions likely to be seen on the SQE exam. The question bank also features detailed explanations as to why an answer is correct or incorrect. The amount of MCQs a user can do in one sitting is entirely optional.

Kinnu also has a part of its offering known as LaraAI, an SQE AI model trained directly on UK legislation, court procedure, SRA guidelines, and leading SQE revision materials. LaraAI provides explanations when users are stuck, breaking down complex topics, linking case studies to relevant law, and clarifying why an answer is right or wrong. It can also generate summaries, flashcards, and practice questions tailored to each user’s level.

Looking ahead, Kinnu is preparing to launch PrepScore, a tool they describe as “revolutionary” in the SQE space. PrepScore measures a candidate’s ability relative to the wider cohort by analysing actual performance, adjusting for question difficulty, and comparing results with other Kinnu users. The aim of this is to remove uncertainty around exam readiness and give candidates a clear indication of when they are prepared to sit the SQE.

The platform is also developing enhanced performance analysis tools that identify patterns in a learner’s mistakes. For example, it may highlight repeated over generalisation in a Tort subtopic or recurring errors in tax calculations, helping budding lawyers to pinpoint and improve specific weaknesses. Although users can already track their progress across each module and topic, this added layer of analysis will highlight patterns within specific sub topics, making it easier to spot recurring strengths and weaknesses.

Also on the horizon are mocks and mini-mocks which can be utilised alongside the platforms current offering. The mini-mocks will, Kinnu says, give users a quick, targeted way to assess their strengths and weaknesses without the time commitment of a full mock, making regular diagnostic practice easier to fit in.

The platform currently offers a £48 monthly subscription and 7-day free trial, with additional payment packages expected to be introduced soon. While Kinnu does not yet offer SQE2 preparation, these courses are expected to launch later in 2026.