SQE1 Exam: Structure, Topics and Revision Tips for 2027

SQE1 Exam Overview

The SQE1 exam is the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the assessment route introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. Candidates normally need to pass SQE1 before they can sit SQE2, unless an exemption applies.

The SQE1 exam comprises two assessments, FLK1 and FLK2, which are sat on two non-consecutive days. Each assessment consists of two sessions lasting 2 hours and 33 minutes, with 90 single best answer questions in each session and a break between the sessions. Across both assessments, candidates answer a total of 360 questions. Together, FLK1 and FLK2 test functioning legal knowledge (FLK), each covering a distinct set of core legal subjects.

Topics Covered in SQE1 Exams

SQE FLK1 Topics:

Business Law and Practice
Dispute Resolution
Contract
Tort
Legal System of England and Wales
Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law
Legal Services

SQE FLK2 Topics:

Property Law and Practice
Wills and the Administration of Estates
Solicitors Accounts
Land Law
Trusts Law
Criminal Law and Practice

Pervasive Topics

Ethics and professional conduct are pervasive topics, assessed throughout both FLK1 and FLK2 rather than as standalone subjects. Money laundering is also assessed within FLK1.

Candidates must pass both FLK1 and FLK2 to pass the SQE1 exam overall before progressing to SQE2 (unless exempt).

Study Approaches and SQE Preparation

Self-Study vs. SQE Prep Course

Self-study is possible, but the SQE1 is a difficult exam to approach without at least some guided materials or a structured SQE preparation course. Although the SRA’s Assessment Specification sets out the knowledge and skills that may be assessed, many candidates choose to supplement it with textbooks, revision notes, practice questions or a preparation course to support their learning.

Comparing SQE1 with Undergraduate Studies

Many candidates find the SQE1 more demanding than undergraduate law exams, largely because of the breadth of legal knowledge assessed, the application of that knowledge to practical scenarios and the time pressure of the examination. Its format differs significantly from the essays and problem questions commonly encountered during an undergraduate law degree.

A disciplined approach, with set working hours, weekly and daily to-do lists and time-blocking, makes the workload considerably more manageable.

Financial Aspects and Working Part-Time

SQE Funding:

Some firms provide grants for living expenses and cover exam fees.

See here for more information about SQE funding options.

Part-Time Work:

Balancing a part-time job while studying for the SQE1 is feasible with effective time management. For example, some candidates balance work or caring responsibilities while preparing for the SQE1 by following a structured study timetable.

SQE1 Exam Preparation

Establish a Daily Study Schedule for SQE1

Don’t underestimate the intensity of the SQE1 or the extensive volume of information it covers. Setting an early study schedule, and sticking to it, is key to a first-time pass. The exam is closed book, and with an average of approximately 1 minute and 42 seconds per question, being properly prepared is essential.

Consider the use of Time-Blocking

Allocating specific periods each day exclusively to study can significantly improve focus and productivity. This keeps other commitments from encroaching on your study time, builds a disciplined routine and reinforces your commitment to your study plan.

Become familiar with the SQE Assessment Specification

Check the SQE Assessment Specification right from the outset. Doing so early helps you identify how much weight each core legal subject carries, something many candidates overlook. Some students find it useful to structure their learning around the specification, then supplement it with course materials and their own notes on each section.

Annex Four is particularly useful, as it shows the approximate percentage range of questions allocated to each subject classification in FLK1 and FLK2. These ranges can help candidates understand the balance of the assessment, although all examinable areas remain important.

Note-Taking and Flashcards

Effective note-taking from your course materials, and building flashcards from early on, is one of the most valuable habits you can develop. Splitting your SQE notes and flashcard decks into manageable chunks makes thorough revision far more achievable, and a structured approach using spaced repetition helps information stick. Some students prefer traditional multi-coloured paper flashcards, while others use digital spaced repetition platforms such as Anki or Quizlet. The best approach is usually the one you can use consistently throughout your revision.

The quality of your flashcards matters as much as the quantity. A flashcard that simply copies a paragraph from a textbook is much less useful than one that tests a single, precise point, phrased as a question you have to answer rather than read. Reviewing and rewriting weaker cards as you go, rather than leaving them until later, tends to save considerable time closer to the exam.

Develop Exam Technique Early

Given the tight time constraints of the SQE1, it’s essential to develop your exam technique from the outset rather than leaving it until the final weeks. With an average of approximately 1 minute and 42 seconds per question, practising under timed conditions from early in your revision helps build confidence, accuracy and speed. Working through practice questions and mock exams under exam conditions also helps you get used to the SQE1’s single best answer format, where more than one option may look correct but only one is the best answer on the facts given.

Understanding the nuances in question wording, such as the implications of words like “must,” “always,” “never” and “may,” is equally important. Some candidates find it useful to read the answer options before the scenario, while others prefer to read the scenario first. During practice, it is worth experimenting to determine which approach works best for you. It’s also worth planning practical details ahead of exam day itself: arriving at the venue in good time, bringing the identification you’re asked for, and reading and following the exam instructions carefully all reduce avoidable stress on the day. If you get stuck on a question, flagging it and moving on is usually a better use of your limited time than dwelling on it.

Balancing Revision and Breaks

Taking regular breaks helps prevent burnout and keeps your revision effective over the months of preparation the SQE1 demands. Protecting your sleep and eating properly through your revision period matters just as much as the hours you put in at your desk, particularly in the final few weeks before the exam.

Brigitte's FLK: Your Partner in SQE1 Revision

Online Revision and Tutoring

Brigitte’s FLK is an online platform dedicated to supporting candidates preparing for the SQE. Since 2017, we have supported aspiring solicitors by providing supplementary SQE revision resources and tutoring. Whether you’re studying independently or alongside a prep course such as BARBRI, BPP or ULaw, our platform regularly updates its SQE notes, practice questions and tutorials, offering comprehensive revision support for your SQE1 preparation and, later, your SQE2 study.

Flexible and Accessible Learning

Our supplementary revision materials let you revise for the SQE1 exam at your own convenience, from anywhere in the world, without the cost of classroom lessons or travel to a study venue.

Final Words of Encouragement

This guide covers the essentials of SQE1 exam structure, topics and preparation, along with the study methods and exam strategies that tend to separate a comfortable pass from a stressful one. For further questions, or a more detailed look at the SQE1 exam, feel free to reach out. You can also learn more about the SQE1 here.

Good luck to everyone preparing for or about to sit the SQE1 exam. Your dedication and hard work now are exactly what it takes to pass SQE1 and take the next step towards qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.