SQE Exam Dates 2026: Every Deadline You Need to Know
Last updated: 31 March 2026
Upcoming deadlines
Exam Sitting Registration deadline Status SQE1 July 2026 22 May 2026 Open now SQE2 April 2026 20 March 2026 Closed SQE2 July 2026 TBC ~May/June 2026 Watch MySRA SQE2 October 2026 TBC ~Aug 2026 Watch MySRA SQE1 January 2027 TBC ~Dec 2026 Watch MySRA
The single most important thing to know
SQE1 runs TWICE per year only - January and July.
SQE2 runs FOUR times per year - January, April, July, and October.
Many candidates believe SQE1 has quarterly sittings. It does not. Missing a SQE1 window means a 6-month wait and up to £1,934 in additional fees.
SQE1 exam dates 2026
SQE1 is taken at Pearson VUE test centres across England, Wales, and internationally. Two papers, both sat in the same assessment window:
- FLK1 - 180 multiple-choice questions, approximately 5 hours
- FLK2 - 180 multiple-choice questions, approximately 5 hours
You must sit both papers in the same sitting. You cannot split them across different windows unless you are resitting a single paper.
January 2026 - complete
Dates: 26-30 January 2026 Results: Published 31 March 2026 - see our analysis of the results
July 2026 - registration open now
Dates: 13-24 July 2026 Registration deadline: 22 May 2026 - roughly 7 weeks away Results: Approximately 8 September 2026 Fees: £1,934 (both papers) | £967 (single paper resit)
Book early. London Pearson VUE centres fill first and fastest. If you want a central London slot, register as soon as possible after 1 April - do not wait until May.
Test centre cities include: London - Manchester - Birmingham - Leeds - Bristol - Newcastle - Cardiff - Edinburgh - and international centres
SQE1 fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Full sitting (FLK1 + FLK2) | £1,934 |
| Single paper resit (one paper only) | £967 |
If you passed FLK1 but failed FLK2, you resit only FLK2 at £967 - not the full fee. Many candidates do not realise this.
SQE2 exam dates 2026
SQE2 is a practical skills assessment administered by Kaplan at dedicated assessment centres in four UK cities: Birmingham, Leeds, London, and Manchester. It tests 16 legal skills across written and oral tasks over 5 half-days.
Unlike SQE1, SQE2 runs four times per year - but each sitting has limited places. Kaplan centres are smaller than Pearson VUE networks. Book early.
April 2026 - registration closed
Dates: 28-30 April 2026 Registration closed: 20 March 2026 Results: Approximately 30 June 2026
If you missed this window, the next opportunity is July 2026.
July 2026 - next sitting
Approximate dates: July 2026 (exact dates TBC - check MySRA) Registration deadline: Approximately May/June 2026 (TBC) Results: Approximately September 2026
October 2026
Approximate dates: October 2026 (TBC) Registration deadline: Approximately August 2026 (TBC) Results: Approximately December 2026
SQE2 fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Full sitting (all 16 assessments) | £2,974 |
| Partial resit (fewer than 16) | Prorated - contact SRA |
If you partially pass SQE2, you only resit the assessments you failed. The fee is proportionate to the number of assessments remaining.
How to book
All SQE registrations go through the MySRA portal at sra.org.uk. The process is the same for SQE1 and SQE2:
Step 1 - MySRA account Create or log in to your MySRA account. First-time candidates must complete a character and suitability declaration. Allow 2-4 weeks for approval - start this well before any deadline.
Step 2 - Register for your sitting Navigate to SQE assessments, select your exam, and choose your sitting date.
Step 3 - Choose your centre For SQE1: select a Pearson VUE test centre. For SQE2: choose from Birmingham, Leeds, London, or Manchester.
Step 4 - Pay Full payment is required at booking. No instalment plans. No refunds except in exceptional circumstances (see below).
Step 5 - Confirmation You will receive email confirmation immediately. An admission notice with your exact exam time, centre address, and ID requirements arrives approximately 2-3 weeks before your exam.
ID on exam day: Bring valid photo ID (passport, UK photocard driving licence, or EEA national identity card). The name must exactly match your booking. The SRA has turned candidates away for name mismatches.
Withdrawals, refunds, and deferrals
There is no deferral option. The SRA does not allow you to move your booking to a future sitting. If you cannot attend, you must withdraw and rebook - paying the fee again.
Refund timeline:
- More than 6 weeks before: possible partial refund (SRA discretion)
- 4-6 weeks before: limited refund
- Less than 4 weeks before: no refund
- Medical or bereavement emergency: full refund possible with supporting evidence - contact the SRA immediately
Always formally withdraw through MySRA if you cannot attend. Do not simply not show up - unexplained absence may affect your character and suitability record.
Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, learning difficulty, or health condition, you can apply for reasonable adjustments including:
- Extra time (25%, 50%, or 100%)
- Separate exam room
- Rest breaks
- Reader or scribe
Apply at registration, not afterwards. Provide medical or educational evidence. Allow at least 4 weeks for approval. Kaplan and Pearson VUE implement approved adjustments at your centre.
Strategic scheduling: SQE1 to SQE2 pathways
| If you sit SQE1 | Results arrive | Earliest SQE2 | Realistic SQE2 target |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | July or October 2026 |
| July 2026 | ~8 Sept 2026 | October 2026 | January 2027 |
| January 2027 | ~March 2027 | April 2027 | July 2027 |
You do not need SQE1 results before booking SQE2. You can register speculatively and withdraw if needed (subject to refund policy). Candidates who are confident in their SQE1 performance often book SQE2 before results to secure a place - particularly for the popular London centres.
How much preparation time do you need?
| Background | SQE1 prep | SQE2 prep |
|---|---|---|
| Law graduate, full-time study | 4-6 months | 3-4 months |
| Non-law / GDL holder | 9-12 months | 3-4 months |
| Working full-time, part-time study | 12-18 months | 4-6 months |
| Training contract holder | 6 months | 3 months |
Do not rush. A failed sitting costs £967-£2,974 in fees plus months of delay. If you are not consistently scoring above 60% on practice questions, defer to the next sitting. The cost of delay is less than the cost of a failed attempt.
Three planning scenarios
Scenario A: Law graduate targeting qualification by end of 2027
- Now - July 2026: SQE1 preparation + begin QWE as paralegal
- July 2026: Sit SQE1
- September 2026: SQE1 results
- Oct 2026 - Jan 2027: SQE2 preparation (continue QWE)
- January 2027: Sit SQE2
- March 2027: SQE2 results
- Mid-2027: Complete 2 years QWE, apply for admission
Scenario B: Career changer working full-time
- Now - mid-2027: SQE1 part-time study + QWE in current role
- July 2027: Sit SQE1
- 3-4 months later: Sit SQE2
- 2028: Complete QWE, apply for admission
Scenario C: Training contract holder
- TC start (e.g. September 2026): Firm funds SQE prep
- April/July 2027: Sit SQE1
- Oct 2027 / Jan 2028: Sit SQE2
- TC completion: 2-year QWE satisfied, apply for admission
Quick checklist
Right now:
- Set a reminder for SQE1 July 2026 registration deadline: 22 May 2026
- If new to SQE, create a MySRA account and start your character declaration now
- Book SQE1 July 2026 as soon as possible if you are sitting - do not wait until May
Before each sitting:
- Book your preferred test centre early - London fills first
- Apply for reasonable adjustments at registration if needed
- Confirm your admission notice arrives 2-3 weeks before your exam
- Bring valid photo ID with name matching your booking exactly
For SQE2 specifically:
- Confirm you have passed SQE1 before registering
- Check QWE is in progress (2 years required before admission - can run concurrently)
- Choose Kaplan centre: Birmingham, Leeds, London, or Manchester
All dates sourced from SRA and Kaplan official communications. TBC dates will be updated when published - bookmark this page and check MySRA regularly. Urgent booking queries: contactcentre@sra.org.uk
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Written by The Qualified Path Team
The Qualified Path team is dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date guidance for aspiring solicitors. Our content is thoroughly researched and regularly updated to reflect the latest SRA requirements and best practices.
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