Exam formats explained
Which SQE format does your sitting use?
The SQE1 format changes from January 2027. Your practice should match the sitting you are actually taking, so every mock on UK SQE Course follows the rules of your target sitting and tells you which format it simulates.
SQE1: 2026 and 2027 formats compared
SQE1 has two Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments (FLK1 and FLK2). Each is taken in sessions of single-best-answer questions.
| Rule | 2026 format (180 questions per FLK)SQE1 July 2026 | January 2027 format (170 questions per FLK)SQE1 January 2027, SQE1 July 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions per FLK assessmentDiffers | 180 | 170 |
| Sessions per FLK assessment | 2 | 2 |
| Questions per sessionDiffers | 90 | 85 |
| Time per sessionDiffers | 2h 33m (153 minutes) | 2h 24m (144 minutes) |
| Average time per questionDiffers | 102 seconds | 101.6 seconds |
| Break between sessions | 1h | 1h |
| Total questions (FLK1 + FLK2)Differs | 360 | 340 |
| Flag questions for review | Yes | Yes |
| Change answers within a session | Yes | Yes |
What changes
- Questions per FLK assessment: 180 → 170 (360 → 340 across FLK1 and FLK2).
- Questions per session: 90 → 85.
- Time per session: 2h 33m → 2h 24m. The average time per question stays about the same, so your pacing practice still applies.
- Our mocks show the format label (for example “January 2027 format (170 questions per FLK)”) before you start, and a mock you have started keeps the rules it began with.
Upcoming SQE1 sittings
SQE1 January 2027
UpcomingJanuary 2027 format (170 questions per FLK)170 questions per FLK in 2 sessions of 85 questions (2h 24m each), with a 1h break.
Exam window 12 Jan 2027 – 19 Jan 2027Results 11 Mar 2027
SQE1 July 2027
UpcomingJanuary 2027 format (170 questions per FLK)170 questions per FLK in 2 sessions of 85 questions (2h 24m each), with a 1h break.
Exam window 20 Jul 2027 – 27 Jul 2027Results 9 Sept 2027
SQE2: practical legal skills
SQE2 assesses practical legal skills in written and oral stations across set practice areas. Our SQE2 tasks and rubric-based feedback are mapped to the structure of your sitting.
Structure for SQE2 January 2027
SQE2 comprises 12 written stations over three days and 4 oral stations over two days. Written skills: case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, legal drafting. Oral skills: client interview with attendance note/legal analysis, and advocacy. Timings are indicative; check the SRA specification for your sitting.
- Written stations
- 12
- Oral stations
- 4
- Written days
- 3
- Oral days
- 2
| Skill | Mode | Stations | Time per station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case and Matter Analysis | Written | 3 | 1h |
| Legal Research | Written | 3 | 1h |
| Legal Writing | Written | 3 | 30m |
| Legal Drafting | Written | 3 | 45m |
| Client Interview | Oral | 2 | 25mfollowed by Attendance Note / Legal Analysis (25m) |
| Advocacy | Oral | 2 | 45m45m preparation first |
Practice areas in scope
- Criminal Litigation (including advising clients at the police station)
- Dispute Resolution
- Property Practice
- Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
- Business organisations, rules and procedures (including money laundering and financial services)
The skills assessed
- Client Interview Oral
- Conduct a structured interview with a client, establishing objectives, facts and next steps.
- Attendance Note / Legal Analysis Written
- Write an attendance note and legal analysis following a client interview.
- Advocacy Oral
- Make a submission or application before a tribunal on a defined matter.
- Case and Matter Analysis Written
- Analyse a matter from the papers and produce written advice or a report.
- Legal Research Written
- Research a legal problem from provided sources and produce a reasoned research note.
- Legal Writing Written
- Write a letter, email or memorandum appropriate to the recipient.
- Legal Drafting Written
- Draft or amend a legal document from instructions and precedents.
Upcoming SQE2 sittings
- SQE2 October 202620 Oct 2026 – 6 Nov 2026 · 12 written + 4 oral
- SQE2 January 202726 Jan 2027 – 12 Feb 2027 · 12 written + 4 oral
- SQE2 April 202720 Apr 2027 – 7 May 2027 · 12 written + 4 oral
- SQE2 July 202713 Jul 2027 – 30 Jul 2027 · 12 written + 4 oral
These summaries help you prepare; they are not the official rules. Always check the Solicitors Regulation Authority's assessment specification and the official booking information for your sitting. Dates shown are UK (Europe/London).
UK SQE Course is an independent SQE preparation provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed or accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Kaplan SQE. We do not register candidates for the SQE and cannot guarantee exam results. Our content is exam preparation, not legal advice. Official SQE information is published by the SRA at sra.org.uk/sqe.