When candidates first encounter the SQE, a common reaction is confusion — not about whether they need to pass it, but about what it actually consists of. SQE1 and SQE2 are two entirely different assessments with different formats, different content, and different preparation requirements. Understanding that distinction early is one of the most important things you can do before you start revising.
This guide explains what each stage involves, how they differ, where they fit in the qualification timeline, and what preparation actually looks like for each.
What is the SQE?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the centralised assessment that all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales must pass to qualify. It replaced the Legal Practice Course (LPC) from 2021 onwards and is administered by Kaplan on behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SQE applies to all candidates regardless of their degree background — a law degree is no longer a requirement to qualify, as long as you pass the assessments and complete qualifying work experience.
For a complete overview of the full qualification journey — from degree to admission to the roll — see our guide: What is the SQE?
SQE1: Functioning Legal Knowledge
SQE1 is the first stage of the examination. It tests legal knowledge across 13 subjects through multiple choice questions (MCQ). There are two papers:
- FLK1 — Functioning Legal Knowledge Paper 1: Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract, Tort, the Legal System, Constitutional and Administrative Law, and Legal Services.
- FLK2 — Functioning Legal Knowledge Paper 2: Property Practice, Wills and Intestacy, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, Trusts, and Criminal Law and Practice.
Each paper contains 180 questions, giving 360 questions across the two sittings. The papers are typically sat on consecutive days during a scheduled exam window. SQE1 is marked by Kaplan and results are given as a scaled score. The typical pass mark sits around 56–60%, though this varies by cohort and sitting.
The key thing to understand about SQE1 is that it tests knowledge and application. You are not being asked to draft a contract or interview a client — you are being asked to identify the correct legal answer from four options. That means preparation is fundamentally about building legal knowledge across all 13 subjects and practising the MCQ format intensively.
“SQE1 assesses functioning legal knowledge — candidates must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law across the SQE1 functioning legal knowledge areas.”
— Solicitors Regulation Authority, SQE Assessment Specification
This is exactly where Sqewise is built to help. Our Smart Selector serves questions across all 13 FLK1 and FLK2 topics, weighted to your weakest areas so your practice time is always focused on what matters most. Browse all topics on our SQE1 topics page.
SQE2: Practical Legal Skills
SQE2 is the second stage and tests what you can do rather than what you know. It assesses six practical legal skills across five practice areas (property, wills and intestacy, criminal, civil litigation, and business):
- Client interviewing and attendance notes
- Advocacy and oral presentation
- Case and matter analysis
- Legal research and written advice
- Legal drafting
- Written advising
SQE2 is assessed over multiple days through a combination of written tasks and oral assessments in front of assessors. You play the role of a solicitor and are assessed on your ability to handle realistic legal scenarios. You must have passed SQE1 before you can sit SQE2.
Preparation for SQE2 looks very different from SQE1. MCQ practice is irrelevant at this stage. Instead, candidates typically work through skills-focused courses offered by SQE preparation providers, practise mock client interviews, draft real legal documents under timed conditions, and develop advocacy techniques. Some candidates do this through their law school’s SQE2 programme; others use independent providers.
SQE1 vs SQE2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | SQE1 | SQE2 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Multiple choice questions | Written and oral assessments |
| Papers / sessions | FLK1 and FLK2 (2 papers) | Multiple assessment days |
| Number of questions | 180 per paper · 360 total | No fixed question count |
| What is tested | Legal knowledge and application | Practical legal skills |
| Typical prep | MCQ practice, revision, mocks | Skills courses, mock interviews, drafting exercises |
| Must pass first? | Yes — before SQE2 | After SQE1 |
| Sqewise covers this? | Yes — fully | No — different prep needed |
Do You Have to Pass SQE1 Before SQE2?
Yes, without exception. The SRA requires candidates to pass SQE1 before they can sit SQE2. There is no way around this — it is a hard prerequisite. If you fail SQE1, you can resit it, but you cannot sit SQE2 until you have a passing SQE1 result. This is one reason why building a solid SQE1 preparation strategy is so important: it is literally the gateway to the rest of the qualification process.
Where Does Qualifying Work Experience Fit?
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) — the two years of practical experience required to qualify — can be completed before, during, or after the SQE assessments. It does not need to be a traditional training contract. Paralegal work, internships, placements, and other supervised roles can all count, as long as they are signed off by a solicitor. This flexibility is one of the most significant changes the SQE introduced compared to the LPC route.
How Should You Prepare?
For SQE1, the most effective preparation combines three things: structured revision of all 13 topics, high-volume MCQ practice weighted to your weak areas, and timed mock exams that replicate the real exam format. Sqewise is built specifically for this. Our Smart Selector identifies where your knowledge is weakest and prioritises those topics. When you feel ready, our practice mode serves questions continuously, and Pro subscribers get access to full 90-question timed mock exams.
For SQE2, you will need a different type of provider — one that focuses on practical skills training, live assessments, and feedback. Many law schools and independent SQE prep providers offer SQE2 programmes.
The most important thing is to start SQE1 preparation early, be systematic across all 13 topics, and take full mocks to identify gaps before the real exam. Start practising today on Sqewise — your first 25 questions are free, with no credit card required.