How to register for the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.
How to verify your ID and what you need to provide.
What the survey is, and what it covers.
If you need help or assistance to sit your assessments.
If you are a qualified lawyer, you may be eligible for an exemption.
How to book the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.
Find out how and when to book your SQE assessments.
Upcoming assessment dates, booking windows, and test centre locations.
Find out how you can take the SQE assessments in Welsh.
Everything you need to know about sitting the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.
The assessment specification for both FLK1 and FLK2, including annexes and sample questions.
The specification for the written and oral assessments, including annexes and sample questions.
What to expect on the assessment days and how to claim mitigating circumstances.
How to get your results, how assessments are marked, how to resit an assessment, or make an appeal.
What to expect when you get your results, and how to resit any assessments.
Read and download SQE reports.
Learn about what the SQE is, who it's for and how much it costs.
Find out what the SQE is and how it works.
Find out who's eligible to take the SQE, including exemptions.
Find out how much the SQE will cost and how you can pay for it.
Find out what candidates say about their experience of the SQE.
Due to inactivity, and for security reasons, you will be automatically logged out of your SQE account in 1 minute.
Press ’continue’ to stay logged in.
The monitoring and maximising diversity survey has been updated. Please return to the survey to reconfirm your answers and complete the new section at the end.
You must do this to remain eligible for the SQE. You will not be able to book your next assessment until you have updated your answers.
This page offers quick answers and links to further information to help you prepare for your assessments. How you approach your preparation is up to you and will depend on your experience and learning preferences.
Open all
SQE1 is the first part of the SQE. It tests a candidate's functioning legal knowledge (FLK) and their ability to apply it in practical scenarios. It is computer based and consists of two parts, FLK1 and FLK2. Candidates must pass SQE1 (or have an exemption) before attempting SQE2.
Learn more about SQE1
Single best answer multiple choice questions. You must choose the correct answer from five options. There is only one correct answer.
Learn more about SQE1 single best answer questions
SQE1 takes place over two non-consecutive days, with one FLK on each day.
Each FLK has 180 questions and is split into two sessions. There are 90 questions to answer in each session and you have 2 hours 33 minutes in each session. There is a break between the sessions.
What to expect on SQE1 assessment days
The SQE1 assessment specification provides detailed information on what will be tested, at what level and the method of assessment. In particular, FLK1 and FLK2 provide the detail of the legal knowledge that is assessed.
Learn more about the SQE assessment topics
There is a percentage range or "blueprint" indicating the proportion of questions candidates could be asked in each subject area in FLK1 and FLK2. It may be helpful for candidates to review this as part of their revision.
Read Annex 4 of the SQE1 Assessment Specification
Ethics and Professional Conduct will be examined pervasively across the two assessments and can be examined across all subject areas. In any SQE1 sitting (FLK1 and FLK2), Ethics and Professional Conduct (and money laundering questions) can make up to 20% of the questions assessed (money laundering questions being assessed in FLK1 only).
Candidates should be able to apply the fundamental legal principles and rules appropriately and effectively at the level required of a competent newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales (Level 3 of the Threshold Standard).
See more detail in the Functioning Legal Knowledge of the SQE1 Assessment Specification
We have a number of sample questions which candidates can review and attempt. The sample questions are designed to illustrate the type of questions you can expect on the FLK1 and FLK2 assessments.
Learn more about the SQE1 sample questions
You can get an understanding of the SQE1 assessment platform before sitting the assessment by accessing a demonstration of it.
Access a demonstration of the SQE1 platform
SQE1 marking is automated. Each correct answer will score a mark of 1. All other responses will be awarded a score of 0. There is no negative marking.
Learn more about Marking SQE1
There is a scaled score to pass which is set at 300 out of 500. However, there is no pre-determined passmark. The passmark is based on the level of difficulty of each assessment. Each FLK has its own passmark or number of correct answers needed to achieve the scaled score of 300 or above.
Learn more about Setting the passmark for SQE1
Watch the video How the passmark for SQE1 is set
SQE2 is the second part of the SQE. It assesses practical legal skills and application of legal knowledge, through written and oral skills based exams. SQE2 is treated as one assessment consisting of 16 assessment stations; four oral and twelve written. You need to have passed SQE1 (or have an exemption) before taking SQE2.
Learn more in the SQE2 Assessments overview
Learn more in Assessments in SQE2
SQE2 oral legal skills assessments will take place over two consecutive half days. You will take a total of four oral legal skills assessments.
Learn more about SQE2 oral assessments and the order in which they are taken
SQE2 written assessments take place over three consecutive half-days. You will take a total of 12 written legal skills assessments.
Learn more about the SQE2 written assessments and the order in which they are taken
Ethics and Professional Conduct are core parts of SQE2. Questions on Ethics and Professional Conduct are pervasive throughout SQE2. Ethics and Professional Conduct issues will not be flagged and candidates will need to identify any ethical and professional conduct issues and exercise judgment to resolve them honestly and with integrity.
Read more on Ethics and professional conduct in Annex 1- Functioning Legal Knowledge for SQE2
Candidates will be tested at level 3 of the Threshold Standard, i.e. that of the newly qualified solicitor, as set out in Annex 2 of the SQE2 assessment specification.
Learn more by reviewing the FAQ: What do I need to do to prepare?
Yes. The SQE2 sample questions are designed to give you an understanding of (1) the format, content, and level of the assessments (2) the range of tasks that may be set, and (3) how your performance is assessed.
Try the SQE2 sample questions
You can get an understanding of the SQE2 written assessment platform before sitting the assessment by accessing a demonstration of it.
Access a demonstration of the platform
Learn more about SQE2 written assessments copy and paste functionality
Solicitors qualified in England and Wales and professionally trained actors assessors use their professional judgement to mark your assessment.
Learn more about the marking of SQE2
As with SQE1, there is a scaled score to pass which is set at 300 out of 500. Overall SQE2 pass marks are calculated using the station scores for each group of candidates who sit the same assessment and, as such, there is no pre-determined passmark. The passmark is based on the written and oral questions which have been attempted and can vary depending on the difficulty of the assessment.
Watch the video that provides more detailed guidance on your SQE2 results
Read more about setting the SQE2 passmarks
We have some candidate case studies which have been written by candidates to help you when preparing to take the SQE. There are also other resources
Read the candidate case studies
Review the SRA webinar on insights on studying for the SQE
We have some information on steps you could take to help if you are feeling under pressure or apprehensive about taking the SQE.
Read the article on Managing the pressure
You are free to take the assessments in the sitting you want to, but you should consider if you are ready to take them. Also, you may want to consult your employer or learning provider if appropriate.
Check the SQE assessment dates
There is information available if you are considering using a training or learning provider, including organisations that prepare practice questions. It includes information on the key considerations before deciding on a provider.
Read the resources on choosing an SQE training provider
See which training providers offer SQE preparation
If you have a disability under the Equality Act 2010, or another condition that affects your ability to take the assessments, you may be eligible for reasonable adjustments. We have prepared information that explains the process, what reasonable adjustments may be available and how we will support you.
Access a range of reasonable adjustments information
We have information about what happens on the day of an assessment for both SQE1 and SQE2. This is helpful to read in good time before sitting your assessment.
What to expect on the day of SQE1
What to expect on the day of SQE2
The purpose of the SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy is to prevent a candidate or other party obtaining an unfair advantage. It is not fair on other candidates for someone to share information about the assessment questions. This guidance includes information on what behaviour is permitted by candidates and what would constitute a breach.
Learn more about candidate confidentiality
Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.
Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.