What is the SQE?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the centralised assessment that all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales must pass to qualify. Introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in September 2021, the SQE replaced the previous routes to qualification (the Legal Practice Course and training contract model) with a single, standardised assessment.
The SQE consists of two stages: SQE1 (Functioning Legal Knowledge) and SQE2(Practical Legal Skills). Candidates must pass both stages and complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) to be admitted as a solicitor.
💡 Key Takeaway
The SQE replaced the LPC and GDL as the route to qualification. SQE1 tests legal knowledge through MCQs, while SQE2 tests practical legal skills. Both require different preparation strategies.
SQE1: Functioning Legal Knowledge
SQE1 tests your knowledge of the core areas of law through multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It is divided into two assessments, each lasting approximately 5 hours:
FLK1 — Assessment 1
| Subject Area | Approximate Weighting | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Business Law and Practice | High | Company law, partnership, business structures, insolvency |
| Dispute Resolution | High | Civil litigation, ADR, court procedures, evidence |
| Contract Law | Medium | Formation, terms, vitiating factors, remedies |
| Tort Law | Medium | Negligence, occupiers' liability, nuisance |
| Constitutional and Administrative Law | Medium | Parliamentary sovereignty, judicial review, human rights |
| Legal System of England and Wales | Low | Court structure, sources of law, statutory interpretation |
FLK2 — Assessment 2
| Subject Area | Approximate Weighting | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Property Practice | High | Conveyancing, land registration, leases, co-ownership |
| Wills and Administration of Estates | High | Validity of wills, intestacy, personal representatives |
| Solicitors Accounts | Medium | SRA Accounts Rules, client money, bookkeeping |
| Land Law | Medium | Estates, interests, registration, mortgages |
| Trusts | Medium | Express trusts, resulting trusts, constructive trusts |
| Criminal Law and Practice | Medium | Offences, defences, criminal procedure, sentencing |
SQE1 Question Format
SQE1 questions are single best answer MCQs. Each question presents a factual scenario followed by five possible answers, of which only one is the "best" answer. The questions are designed to test application of law to facts, not just knowledge recall. This means you need to understand how legal principles work in practice, not just memorise definitions.
Tip: SQE1 questions often include plausible distractors. Read all five options carefully before selecting your answer. The "best" answer may not be the first correct-sounding option.
SQE2: Practical Legal Skills
SQE2 tests five practical legal skills through a series of written and oral assessments:
| Skill | Assessment Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Client Interviewing | Oral — role-play with standardised client | 25 minutes |
| Advocacy/Persuasive Oral Communication | Oral — present legal argument | 15 minutes |
| Case and Matter Analysis | Written — analyse documents and advise | 60 minutes |
| Legal Research | Written — research and apply law | 60 minutes |
| Legal Writing | Written — draft letter/document | 45 minutes |
📝 Exam Tip
SQE1 questions are designed to test application, not just recall. Many questions present a scenario and ask you to identify the correct legal outcome. Practise with scenario-based MCQs rather than just reading textbooks.
SQE2 is assessed across five practice contexts: Criminal Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Property Practice, Wills and Administration, and Business Law. You will face scenarios from multiple contexts across the assessments.
Study Strategies for SQE1
1. Build a Strong Foundation First
Before diving into SQE-specific preparation, ensure you have a solid understanding of the core legal principles. If you have completed a qualifying law degree (QLD) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), you will already have this foundation. If not, you may need to spend additional time on the substantive law before focusing on exam technique.
2. Practice Questions Relentlessly
The single most effective study strategy for SQE1 is practising MCQs. The SQE1 format rewards application over recall, so you need to train your brain to analyse scenarios quickly and identify the correct legal principle. Aim to complete at least 2,000–3,000 practice questions before the exam.
LexIQ's quiz generator can create unlimited practice questions across all SQE1 subject areas, with instant feedback and explanations for each answer.
3. Use Spaced Repetition
The SQE1 syllabus is vast. Spaced repetition — reviewing material at increasing intervals — is the most efficient way to commit large volumes of information to long-term memory. Create flashcards for key cases, statutory provisions, and legal principles, and review them daily using a spaced repetition system.
4. Focus on High-Weighting Areas
Not all subjects carry equal weight. Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Property Practice, and Wills carry the highest weightings. Allocate your study time accordingly — while you need to cover all areas, spending disproportionate time on low-weighting topics is inefficient.
5. Understand the SRA's Assessment Specification
The SRA publishes a detailed Assessment Specification that lists every topic that can be examined. Use this as your study checklist. If a topic is not in the specification, it will not be examined. If it is in the specification, you need to know it.
Study Strategies for SQE2
1. Practise Under Timed Conditions
SQE2 is heavily time-pressured. The written assessments give you limited time to read, analyse, and produce a response. Practice writing legal letters, case analyses, and research memos within the allocated time from early in your preparation.
2. Master the Oral Skills
Client interviewing and advocacy require practice with a partner or tutor. Record yourself, review your performance, and focus on: active listening, clear communication, appropriate questioning technique, and structured legal argument.
3. Know the Practice Contexts
SQE2 scenarios are drawn from real practice. Familiarise yourself with the procedural aspects of each practice context — court forms, time limits, standard letters, and professional conduct obligations.
SQE Exam Dates and Costs
The SQE is offered multiple times per year at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and internationally. As of 2026:
- SQE1 cost: approximately £1,798 per sitting
- SQE2 cost: approximately £2,766 per sitting
- Exam windows: SQE1 is offered in January, April, July, and October; SQE2 in April and October
- Results: typically released 6–8 weeks after the assessment
⚠️ Common Mistake
Many candidates underestimate the breadth of SQE1. It covers all Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) areas in two assessments. Don't leave any topic unrevised — even areas you find difficult will have questions.
Check the SRA website for the most current dates and fees, as these are updated annually.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too late — Most successful candidates prepare for 4–6 months for SQE1. Do not underestimate the breadth of the syllabus.
- Relying only on reading — Passive reading is the least effective study method. Active recall (practice questions, flashcards) is far more efficient.
- Ignoring professional conduct — Ethics and professional conduct questions appear throughout both SQE1 and SQE2. The SRA Principles and Code of Conduct are essential knowledge.
- Neglecting exam technique — Knowing the law is necessary but not sufficient. You must also know how to apply it under exam conditions.
- Not using the full range of resources — Combine textbooks, practice questions, flashcards, study groups, and AI tools like LexIQ for the most effective preparation.
How LexIQ Helps with SQE Preparation
LexIQ is designed to complement your SQE preparation with AI-powered tools:
- Quiz Generator — Generate unlimited practice MCQs on any SQE1 subject at beginner, intermediate, or advanced difficulty
- Flashcards — Convert quiz questions into spaced repetition flashcards for efficient long-term retention
- Essay Marking — Get AI feedback on practice essays and written exercises for SQE2 preparation
- AI Tutor (Lexi) — Ask questions about any legal topic and receive detailed explanations with case references
- Progress Tracking — Monitor your performance across subjects to identify weak areas