SQE1 FAQ
SQE1 questions, answered
Fees, format, dates and preparation for SQE1, with a link to the official source wherever we quote the SRA.
The SQE1 exam
What is SQE1?
SQE1 is the first of the two stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, which you pass to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. It tests functioning legal knowledge in two papers, FLK1 and FLK2, made up of single-best-answer multiple-choice questions.
What is tested in FLK1 and FLK2?
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, and criminal law and practice. Professional ethics can come up in any question.
How many questions are there from January 2027?
340 in total across FLK1 and FLK2, down from 360. Each session covers a set group of subjects, questions within a session are still in random order, and the time allowed does not change.
Source: SRA, Changes to SQE1, checked 24 September 2026
How much does SQE1 cost to sit?
£2,006 for both papers if you book to sit SQE1 from October 2026 onwards. It was £1,934 before that. Preparation costs are separate.
Source: SRA, SQE update April 2026, checked 24 September 2026
When and where can I sit SQE1?
SQE1 runs twice a year, in January and July, at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and in many other countries. The SRA publishes the exact dates, booking deadlines and centre lists.
Are there official SQE1 practice questions?
Yes. The SRA publishes free sample questions for FLK1 and FLK2. They are a good first look at the style, but too few to prepare with on their own.
Do I need a law degree to sit SQE1?
No. You do not need a degree of any kind to sit SQE1 or SQE2. To be admitted as a solicitor you need a degree in any subject, or an equivalent qualification, so a law degree is not required.
Source: SRA, SQE questions and answers, checked 24 September 2026
Can international students sit SQE1?
Yes. SQE1 is sat at test centres in the UK and in many other countries. If your degree is from outside the UK, the SRA's checker confirms whether it is equivalent to a UK degree.
Source: SRA, Check and validate your qualification, checked 24 September 2026
I'm already a lawyer in another country. Can I skip SQE1?
Almost never. The SRA says it has granted only one SQE1 exemption since 2021. An SQE2 exemption is a separate application with its own conditions, and qualified lawyers do not need qualifying work experience.
Source: SRA, Applying for an SQE1 exemption, checked 24 September 2026
Preparing for SQE1
How many hours do I need to study for SQE1?
Most candidates who work full time need somewhere between 300 and 400 hours across FLK1 and FLK2, spread over three to six months. Lawyers who already practise often sit at the lower end.
How much does SQE1 preparation cost?
Full courses from the large providers cost from about £2,000 to £7,100. Question banks and online platforms cost from about £25 to £50 a month. The exam fee is on top.
Do I need to take a full SQE1 course?
No. The SRA does not require any preparation course. Some candidates take a full course and use a platform like SQE Cracker for practice and revision. Others prepare on their own with study materials, a large question bank and timed mocks.
Source: SRA, SQE training options, checked 24 September 2026
When should I start studying for the January 2027 sitting?
Divide the hours you need by the hours you can study each week, then count back from the exam. At 20 hours a week, 300 hours takes about 15 weeks; at 10 hours a week, about 30 weeks.
About SQE Cracker
What do I get in the free preview?
The free preview is there to help you get a real feel for the product. You can open one topic pack per subject, take one mock exam, and use a capped monthly amount of AI tutor access before deciding whether to upgrade.
What's the difference between Self-Study and the Guided Plan?
Self-Study is the full platform: every multimodal topic pack, 11,000+ SQE-style questions, mocks, the live AI law tutor, smart notes, flashcards, and revision tools, billed as a subscription you can cancel. Guided is a one-time payment for two SQE1 sittings of that same platform, plus a human coach: 20 hours of 1-1 mentoring, online tutoring, and a weekly plan they build and update with you. No subscription and no renewal.
How does the coaching actually work?
After you buy, you get a Calendly link in your welcome email to book a kick-off with your coach. In that meeting you agree how to use the 20 hours and they set your first weekly plan. Calls are held on Google Meet. Coaching is arranged with you directly from there, not automated, and sits on top of the same study platform as Self-Study. Access starts at purchase and runs through the end of your second included SQE1 sitting.
Can I use SQE Cracker alongside another course provider?
Absolutely. Many candidates use SQE Cracker as their primary practice and revision tool alongside a course elsewhere. The MCQ bank, mock exams, and silent killer topic bank complement any existing study setup. Some candidates use us instead. That choice is entirely yours.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. No lock-in, no hidden fees. Cancel whenever you need to.