SQE assessment topics

The SQE assesses both legal knowledge and practical legal skills through two assessments: SQE1 and SQE2.

This page gives an overview of the topics covered in each assessment. For full details, see the assessment specifications.


SQE1: Functioning Legal Knowledge

SQE1 tests your ability to apply legal knowledge in practical scenarios. It’s made up of two assessments — FLK1 and FLK2 — and is taken over two days. Each part is assessed by single best answer multiple-choice questions.

Ethics and professional conduct are assessed pervasively across both FLK1 and FLK2.

FLK1 subject areas:

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

FLK2 subject areas:

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

To pass SQE1, you must achieve the pass mark for both FLK1 and FLK2. All subject areas are compulsory.

All aspects of the SQE1 assessment are compulsory.

View the SQE1 assessment specification


SQE2: Practical Legal Skills and Knowledge

SQE2 assesses your legal skills in both oral and written tasks across five half-days. Ethics and professional conduct are assessed pervasively throughout SQE2.

Skills assessed

  • Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
  • Advocacy
  • Case and matter analysis
  • Legal research
  • Legal writing
  • Legal drafting

Practice areas:

  • Criminal Litigation (including advising clients at the police station)
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Property Practice
  • Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
  • Business organisations rules and procedures (including money laundering and financial services).

View the SQE2 assessment specification

Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more

Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more about Have you passed the SQE?