SQE Exam Structure: Everything You Need to Know

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) replaced the LPC and GDL as the route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. It consists of two separate assessments — SQE1 and SQE2 — which test different things in different formats.

This article covers the full structure of both assessments: how many questions, how long, what format, how marking works, what the pass mark looks like, and what is changing from January 2027.

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SQE1 Structure

SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) — your understanding of the substantive law that solicitors are expected to know.

Format

SQE1 is a multiple-choice assessment. Every question is a single best answer question: you are given a scenario and four options (A, B, C, D) and must select the best answer. There is no negative marking.

Papers

SQE1 is split into two papers:

FLK1 covers:

• Business Law and Practice
• Dispute Resolution
• Contract
• Tort
• The Legal System of England and Wales
• Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services

FLK2 covers:

• Property Practice
• Wills and the Administration of Estates
• Solicitors Accounts
• Land Law
• Trusts
• Criminal Law and Practice

Questions and timing (current)

Questions and timing (from January 2027)

The SRA has confirmed that from the January 2027 sitting, SQE1 will reduce from 360 to 340 questions in total, with questions grouped within specific FLK sessions rather than randomised across the full syllabus. The duration of each paper stays the same.

The papers are sat on separate days. There is no requirement to sit both papers in the same sitting window.

Marking and pass mark

SQE1 uses a criterion-referenced standard setting process run by Kaplan on behalf of the SRA. The pass mark is not fixed — it is set independently for each sitting based on the assessed difficulty of the questions. Candidates do not receive a numerical score. They receive a pass or fail, along with a breakdown showing their performance across each subject area relative to the pass standard.

The pass rate for SQE1 across all sittings to date has been approximately 53–56%.

Sitting windows

SQE1 is offered multiple times a year. The main windows are January, April, and July, though the schedule varies. Each sitting window has a fixed registration deadline.

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SQE2 Structure

SQE2 tests practical legal skills. Where SQE1 asks whether you know the law, SQE2 asks whether you can apply it in realistic professional scenarios.

Format

SQE2 consists of 16 assessments, delivered across two sitting days. They are split between written and oral formats.

Written assessments (12 total):

• Legal research and writing
• Legal drafting
• Legal advice (written)
• Case and matter analysis

Oral assessments (4 total):

• Client interview
• Advocacy (court or tribunal presentation)

Practice areas covered

The 16 assessments cover five practice areas:

1. Criminal litigation
2. Dispute resolution
3. Property practice
4. Wills, trusts and estates
5. Business organisations, rules and procedures

Each skill is assessed across multiple practice areas. You will not know in advance exactly which scenario will be set in each assessment — only the skill type and broad practice area.

Timing

Each written assessment runs for approximately 45 minutes. Oral assessments are shorter, typically 15–20 minutes including preparation time. The full SQE2 assessment is spread across two consecutive days.

Marking

SQE2 assessments are marked by trained solicitor assessors. Each assessment is marked against a detailed mark scheme. As with SQE1, the pass mark is criterion-referenced rather than fixed.

The pass rate for SQE2 is significantly higher than SQE1, running at approximately 83–86% across recent sittings. Most candidates find SQE2 more manageable than SQE1, though the oral assessments catch some candidates off guard.

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How SQE1 and SQE2 Relate to Each Other

You must pass SQE1 before you can sit SQE2. There is no requirement to sit them close together in time — some candidates pass SQE1 early in their training and sit SQE2 after completing qualifying work experience.

Neither assessment expires. A pass in SQE1 remains valid indefinitely.

To qualify as a solicitor you must:

1. Pass SQE1
2. Pass SQE2
3. Complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
4. Meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements

You can complete QWE before, during, or after the SQE assessments. The order is flexible as long as all requirements are met before applying for admission.

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SQE1 vs SQE2: Key Structural Differences

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Common Questions About SQE Structure

Can I sit SQE1 and SQE2 in the same sitting window?

No. SQE1 must be passed before SQE2 can be attempted. They are sat in separate windows.

Do I need to pass both FLK1 and FLK2 in the same sitting?

No. FLK1 and FLK2 can be sat and passed in different sittings. However, both must be passed to complete SQE1.

Is there a time limit on how long I can take to pass the SQE?

There is no formal time limit on completing the SQE. However, the SRA has the ability to introduce one in future. At present, a pass in either paper does not expire.

How many attempts do I get?

There is no formal limit on the number of attempts. Candidates can resit as many times as needed, paying the assessment fee each time.

What are the SQE exam fees?

The SRA sets the assessment fees. From September 2026, the fees are:

• SQE1 (both papers): £2,006 (or £1,003 per paper if sat separately)
• SQE2: £3,086

For a full breakdown, see our SQE costs and fees guide.

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Preparing for the SQE Exam Structure

Understanding the structure is the starting point. For most self-study candidates preparing for SQE1, the key preparation challenge is the volume of MCQ practice needed across the full FLK syllabus.

For SQE2, the challenge is adapting to the time pressure of each individual assessment and practising skills you may not have used in a formal context before — particularly advocacy and client interviews.

Resources that cover both:

• Best SQE1 mock exams and practice questions
• Best SQE2 mock exams
• Free SQE revision timetable generator
• SQE self-study complete guide
• SQE1 vs SQE2: key differences explained

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Related:

• What Is the SQE? Full guide
• SQE1 Changes From January 2027
• SQE Exam Dates 2026–2027
• SQE Pass Rates by Sitting
• How Long Does It Take to Pass the SQE?