July SQE2 booking changes for candidates

The booking process for the July 2024 SQE2 will operate in a different way for candidates. Following feedback from candidates and training providers, we are making changes to support candidates who wish to sit the July SQE2 assessment. We are aiming to provide a quicker and simpler way for candidates to book a seat. We will use a short on-line seat reservation form so that we can reserve candidates a seat and there will be no queueing process to complete this. We also hope to reduce the questions about bookings posed to training providers and employers that support their candidates.

Updated process

• SQE prebooking steps. Candidates who wish to sit July SQE2 should complete their pre-booking steps by 5pm (UK time) on 19 April. If you do not complete these steps we will not be able to reserve you a seat. However, candidates that are waiting for their January SQE2 results and find that they want to resit SQE2 in July, should complete their pre-booking steps when they receive their results (see below).
• Seat reservation form. We will email all those candidates who are eligible to take the July SQE2 a seat reservation form at approximately 6pm (UK time) on 24 April. The form will remain open until 5pm (UK time) on Tuesday, 30 April. It will contain full instructions and only take only a few minutes to complete. It will ask you to confirm if you want to sit the SQE2 in July and information on your preferred assessment locations. You must complete the form if you want us to reserve you a seat for the July SQE2. There is no queuing system to complete the form but we will adopt a process of allocating seats on a first come first served basis - i.e. in the order in which we receive completed forms. You will receive confirmation of submission of your form by email. If you do not intend to sit the July SQE2 assessment you do not need to complete the form.
• Booking window. To facilitate the administration of this, we will pause bookings at the start of the booking window from 24 April up to and including 15 May.
• Completing your booking. Once the booking window re-opens at 10am (UK time) on 16 May you can see the seat reserved for you in your candidate account and we will ask you to make payment to complete your booking. You will have until 5pm (UK time) on 20 May to make payment. You do not need to accept the seat. If you do not take any further action or do not make payment by 5pm on 20 May your reservation will lapse. Once you have secured your seat by making payment, you can reschedule your booking via your candidate account up until 5pm (UK time) on 19 June if you find a seat you feel is more suitable. But you will need to make payment to secure your seat first before you can reschedule.
• Booking window closure. The booking window will remain open until 5pm (UK time) on 19 June, if you want to make your own booking between 16 May-19 June. You can use the self-service booking system as usual via your candidate account if you want to book a seat (subject to availability). We will update the Timings page of the website to reflect these changes.

Our aim. We will endeavour to allocate a seat to every candidate that completes the seat reservation form. The seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. There will be no queueing process to complete the registration form and no need for you to manually search for a convenient test centre location. We believe that these changes to the booking process will provide a quicker and simpler way for candidates to book a seat and we will assess the impact of this new approach and seek feedback from stakeholders.

Candidates that require a reasonable adjustment for July SQE2. Candidates that intend to sit the July SQE2 with a reasonable adjustment plan should also complete the form, even if you have already been engaging with our Equality & Quality team. You will not need to submit any supporting documents as part of the form. Candidates that require reasonable adjustments will be asked to follow the normal pre-booking steps in their portal to make their application.

Process for candidates waiting for their January SQE2 results

The seat reservation process will not apply to you. If you find that you need to resit SQE2 and you wish to do so in July, you will be able to book on-line as soon as you have completed your prebooking steps after you receive your January SQE2 results. Results are due to be released on 29 May.