January 2026 SQE1

If you want to sit SQE1 in January 2026, please read the information below which relates to you. This information is relevant for all first time sitters and resitters.

All timings refer to UK time.

Reserving a seat if you wish to sit January SQE1

1. Preparing to reserve your seat

You must complete your pre-booking steps before you are able to reserve a seat.

Key steps

  • Register for the SQE on the My SQE Overview page
  • Verify your ID
  • Complete the pre-booking steps, including the Monitoring and Maximising Diversity Survey and the question about reasonable adjustments. Completing the section on reasonable adjustments is how you make a request for adjustments.

You must complete these steps otherwise you will not receive a seat reservation form.

2. Reserving your seat

SQE seats are reserved by completing a seat reservation form.

Key dates

  • 15/09/2025 - Seat reservation forms will be sent to your registered SQE email address from 6pm
  • 18/09/2025 - The deadline for completing the seat reservation form is 5pm

Candidates who have requested reasonable adjustments or intend to request reasonable adjustments must also complete the reservation form.

Dates of the assessment can be found on the Assessment dates and booking windows page.

3. Paying for your seat

Key dates

Please pay for your seat once you receive an email request for payment.

  • 13/10/2025 (10am) to 04/11/2025 (5pm) - During this period, requests for payment will be sent by email to your registered SQE email address.

Candidates that have not received or accepted their reasonable adjustment proposal will receive the email payment request after they have accepted their proposal. This may be after 04/11/2025.

On receipt of your email, login to your SQE account and make payment for your assessment.  (Note: candidates with reasonable adjustments must currently contact us to make payment).

You must pay within 48 hours of receiving the email otherwise your seat will be cancelled. This includes candidates with reasonable adjustments.

4. Rescheduling your seat

If you have booked a seat, there is a period of time when you can reschedule.

Key dates

  • 05/11/2025 - Rescheduling is available from 10am
  • 12/11/2025 - The deadline for rescheduling your assessment is 5pm

You can reschedule your seat into another location, subject to availability, via the Bookings page in your SQE account.

Candidates with reasonable adjustments should contact equality.quality@sqe.sra.org.uk.

How to book if you did not complete a seat reservation form

Key dates

You will not use this method if you complete a seat reservation form (see above).

  • 05/11/2025 - Candidate account opens for online bookings at 10am.
  • 12/11/2025 - Candidate account closes for online bookings at 5pm.

A limited number of seats will be available to book directly via the Bookings page in your SQE account. Seats are subject to availability.

We strongly recommend that you complete a seat reservation form to make a booking (see above).  

Candidates with reasonable adjustments must not book via the candidate account. You must complete the Reasonable Adjustment section of the pre-booking steps.

There is more information on the Reasonable adjustments page.

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?