Question 1

What is the SQE1?

Accepted Answer

SQE1 is the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, the assessment everyone qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales must pass (unless exempt). It tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) — your ability to apply the law a newly qualified solicitor would be expected to know to realistic client situations. It is a computer-based, closed-book test of single best answer multiple choice questions, taken at a Pearson VUE test centre.

Question 2

What subjects are in SQE1, and what is the difference between FLK1 and FLK2?

Accepted Answer

SQE1 is split into two assessments. FLK1 covers Business Law and Practice; Dispute Resolution; Contract; Tort; the Legal System of England and Wales, Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law; and Legal Services. FLK2 covers Property Practice; Wills and the Administration of Estates; Solicitors Accounts; Land Law; Trusts; Criminal Liability; and Criminal Law and Practice. Ethics and professional conduct are examined pervasively across both papers.

Question 3

How many questions is SQE1 and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

SQE1 has 360 single best answer questions in total — 180 in FLK1 and 180 in FLK2, sat on two separate days. Each paper is split into two sessions of 2 hours 33 minutes with 90 questions per session, giving you on average about 1.7 minutes per question.

Question 4

What is the SQE1 pass mark?

Accepted Answer

The SRA does not publish a fixed pass mark. The Assessment Board sets the pass mark for each sitting, taking into account the difficulty of that sitting's questions, so the standard stays consistent over time. You must pass both FLK1 and FLK2 to pass SQE1. Treat any fixed percentage you see quoted online with caution; a sensible preparation target is to be scoring comfortably and consistently above the mid-60s in realistic practice.

Question 5

When are the SQE1 exam dates in 2026 and 2027?

Accepted Answer

SQE1 is offered twice a year, typically in January and July, with booking windows that open several months in advance. Always confirm the exact assessment and booking dates on the SRA's SQE website before planning your revision, as the schedule and deadlines are set by the SRA and Kaplan.

Question 6

How much does SQE1 cost?

Accepted Answer

For SQE1 assessments taken up to September 2026 the fee is £1,934 (£967 for FLK1 and £967 for FLK2). From September 2026 the fee rises to £2,006 (£1,003 per paper). Retaking a single paper costs the per-paper fee. These are the SRA's assessment fees only; any preparation course or materials are charged separately. Check the SRA site for current fees.

Question 7

How hard is SQE1 and what is the pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The challenge of SQE1 is less about any single question and more about breadth: 13 subjects examined by applied, scenario-based questions under strict time pressure. The SRA publishes pass rates in its SQE reports, and they vary by sitting and by candidate background. Consistent timed practice across every subject is what moves your score.

Question 8

How many practice questions should I do for SQE1?

Accepted Answer

Most successful candidates work through a very large volume of practice — commonly 1,500 to 2,000+ single best answer questions across FLK1 and FLK2 — always reviewing the questions they get wrong and understanding why. Quality of review matters more than raw volume: a smaller set worked through carefully, with the reasoning understood, beats thousands skimmed.

Question 9

How long should I revise for SQE1?

Accepted Answer

There is no single answer, but many candidates give themselves several months of structured preparation alongside other commitments, front-loading the heavier subjects and using spaced repetition and regular timed mocks. Splitting the syllabus into manageable topics and testing yourself early and often is more effective than passive re-reading.

Question 10

What are single best answer questions?

Accepted Answer

A single best answer (SBA) question gives you a realistic factual scenario, a short specific question, and five plausible options of which one is the single best answer. They test application, not recall: more than one option may look arguable, but only one is correct on the law applied to the facts. Learning to read the facts carefully and eliminate the near-misses is a skill in itself.

Question 11

Do I need a law degree to sit SQE1?

Accepted Answer

No. You need a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification, but you do not need a law degree or the old GDL. You will, however, need to have learned the SQE1 content, which is why structured preparation and a large bank of practice questions matter so much for non-law and law graduates alike.

Question 12

Where can I practise SQE1 questions for free?

Accepted Answer

Right here on PrepSuite. You can start with free SQE1 practice questions covering FLK1 and FLK2, each with a full explanation of why the right answer is right and the others are wrong, then unlock the full bank of exam-style questions and mocks when you are ready.

Resitting a paper costs £1,003.
This is how you pass first time.

What you actually get

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Resitting a paper costs £1,003. This is how you pass first time.

What you actually get

How it works

Choose your access

Resitting a paper costs £1,003.
This is how you pass first time.