Dates and locations

When you can take the SQE and other key dates

For assessment dates, please see the Timings page. It also includes booking and results dates, and the precise cut off date for examinable law and practice.

Learn more: Timings

Locations

SQE1 and SQE2 written assessments

SQE1 and SQE2 written assessments can be taken at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and internationally (booked using your SQE account). We will aim to provide consistent locations for the assessments, however we cannot guarantee which locations will be available until a booking window opens and candidates may need to make arrangements to travel to a test centre in a neighbouring or nearby country if your preferred location is not available. Factors such as our capacity planning, local public holidays and different time zones may mean that an assessment is not offered at some international locations. The exact test centres available will be shown when booking opens for the relevant assessment.

You should check the timing of your assessment when you book. There will be varied start times for SQE1 assessments held in international and some UK test centres.

Cities

We will aim to provide consistent locations for the assessments, but the exact locations are confirmed when a booking window opens. Below is a list of cities where we aim to hold the SQE1 and SQE2 written assessments. However, this is illustrative only, may change, and should not be taken as confirmation that these locations will be available for every assessment window. Test centre locations are subject to availability, capacity planning, and sourcing from Pearson VUE. Please also see the information in relation to specific locations below which may only be available at a particular time of year or not at all. Candidates will see the available test centres when the booking window opens.

Specific locations

The SQE is not available in some locations because the different time zones make it impractical for the assessment to be delivered at a similar time to other time zones in such a way that the local test centres will be open and that the security of the assessment is protected.

*USA, Canada, Central and South America.

The SQE2 written assessment is not available in test centres in the USA, Canada, Central and South America for the foreseeable future. 

Ukraine, Belarus and Russia

Pearson VUE test centres in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia are currently closed. We will therefore not offer the SQE in these countries at present. We will continue to monitor this and update this page should the position change.

Pearson VUE test centres for SQE1 and SQE2 written assessments

Kaplan SQE has partnered with Pearson VUE to provide an international network of test centres, allowing for the greatest possible flexibility when booking SQE1 or SQE2 written assessments. The link below allows you to visit Pearson VUE’s website. It will give you the ability to search where your nearest active SQE test centre is prior to making a booking for an assessment. Please note that you can't book your assessment on Pearson VUE’s website, it is just for information only. You must still book your assessment via your SQE account. Please note that test centre places are subject to availability. You will be able to see which test centres have availability for your assessment when you book your assessment through your candidate account.

The test centre information link may provide directions, parking, wheelchair support or other physical access considerations. Distance (mi/km) is a straight line calculated from the centre point of your search criteria and does not reflect driving distance.

Pearson VUE professional centres in England and Wales comply with the disability access requirements of the Equality Act 2010. The test centres can accommodate a range of alternative arrangements for candidates with special requirements or the need for reasonable adjustments.

The test centre search tool will not be available when bookings close because it only provides information on active Pearson test centres where SQE1 or SQE2 written assessments can be taken.

Over time we will look to provide further and more detailed information about possible locations where you can sit SQE1 or SQE2 written assessments, which will be available to access outside of the booking windows. 

Learn more: Pearson VUE test centre search tool

SQE2 oral assessments

The SQE2 oral assessments are available in Cardiff, London, Manchester, and Birmingham.  Please note that not all locations may be available for all sittings in an assessment window. Candidates that select London as their preferred SQE2 oral assessment location may be allocated any of the London locations. Below are the details of the oral assessment locations and we also have some further general information about the SQE2 oral venues.

Cardiff
Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa
24 26 Newport Rd, Cardiff CF24 0DD

London
Royal College of General Practitioners
30 Euston Square, London NW1 2FB (London, Euston)

Kaplan, Islington
Main Building, 40-44 Holloway Road, Highbury East, London, N7 8JL (London, Islington)

Royal College of Surgeons of England
38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE (London, Holborn)

Manchester
Marriott Manchester Piccadilly Hotel (formerly Macdonald Manchester)
91 London Road, Manchester, M1 2PG
(Note: this is not the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel)

Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
245 Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2HQ

Learn more: Further information about SQE2 oral assessment centres