The SQE is the route to qualification for aspiring solicitors, introduced in September 2021 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), replacing the previous Legal Practice Course (LPC) system.
The SQE consists of two parts:
SQE1: Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) – Two assessments with a total of 360 single best answer multiple-choice questions.
SQE2: Practical Legal Skills – 16 written and oral assessments. Assessing six practical legal skills over 14 hours in total.
You will have to pass SQE1 before you are eligible to sit SQE2, unless you have an exemption from the SRA.
You may have three attempts at SQE1 and SQE2, and you have six years from the date of your first sitting of SQE1 (whether or not you pass that sitting) to pass SQE2. If you fail to pass either SQE1 or SQE2 in that time, you will have to wait until that six-year period has elapsed before reapplying.
Qualifying Work Experience – In addition to the above, any candidate will have to undertake two years’ Qualifying Work Experience.
It is important to note that the SQE can be perceived to be a harder set of assessments than the LPC. The reason for this, as explained by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, is that the LPC was designed to prepare candidates for ‘Day One’ of their Training Contract; the SQE, on the other hand, is designed to prepare candidates for ‘Day One’ of being a newly qualified solicitor. Indeed, the SRA have chosen the SQE1 assessment to be ‘closed book’ (ie without permitting use of any materials during the assessment) on the basis that a newly qualified solicitor would know all of the information tested, without having to refer to books or other sources.
With that in mind, and a different style of assessments in place, it is understandable that you may feel nervous or wary of the SQE. This is especially so given that this style of assessment is likely to be different from assessments you will have experienced before.
Successfully passing the SQE requires dedication, systematic preparation, and the right support systems. By following these comprehensive guidelines, utilising appropriate study materials, and maintaining your wellbeing throughout the process, you will be able to approach both SQE1 and SQE2 with confidence.
Remember that this journey to passing the SQE is not just about achieving a qualification – it’s about developing the knowledge, skills, and resilience that will serve you throughout your legal career. The investment you make in thorough preparation will pay dividends not only in your assessment results but in your competence and confidence as a qualified solicitor.
Strategies most likely to lead to SQE success
- Using structured, specification-mapped materials
- Completing extensive practice questions
- Taking mock assessments regularly
- Allowing adequate revision time
Typical pitfalls to avoid
- Underestimating preparation time needed
- Using outdated or non-specification materials
- Focusing on passive reading rather than active practice
- Insufficient mock assessment practice
- Rushing into assessments before feeling confident