The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has recently announced the specific examination dates for SQE1 and SQE2 assessments for 2025-2026. This comprehensive timetable announcement covers the complete examination schedule for the next two years, including registration opening dates, booking deadlines, and results publication dates. This article provides a detailed breakdown of this essential information to help candidates plan their preparation effectively.
Important Notice
SQE examination registrations continue to increase, with intense competition for available seats. We strongly recommend that candidates plan ahead and book their examination slots as early as possible after registration opens to secure their preferred examination dates. Please note that booking deadlines are typically around 5 weeks before the examination date.
SQE Overview
The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is the unified assessment system for solicitor qualification in England and Wales, implemented from September 2021. The SQE consists of two stages:
- SQE1: Tests functioning legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions, divided into FLK1 and FLK2 assessments
- SQE2: Tests practical legal skills through oral and written assessments
It's important to note that candidates can only register for SQE2 after passing SQE1, or obtaining full exemptions from SQE1 as granted by the SRA.
SQE1 Examination Schedule 2025-2026
SQE1 examinations are held twice yearly, scheduled for January and July. Below is the detailed schedule for 2025-2026:
| Examination Period | Registration Opens | Booking Deadline | Examinable Law Cut-off Date | Results Publication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January 2025 FLK1: 13-17 January FLK2: 20-24 January |
Closed | Closed | 13 September 2024 | 11 March 2025 |
|
July 2025 FLK1: 14-18 July FLK2: 21-25 July |
24 March 2025 | 22 May 2025 | 14 March 2025 | 10 September 2025 |
|
January 2026 FLK1: 12-16 January FLK2: 19-23 January |
TBC | TBC | 12 September 2025 | TBC |
|
July 2026 FLK1: 13-17 July FLK2: 20-24 July |
TBC | TBC | 13 March 2026 | TBC |
Note: The examinable law and practice cut-off date refers to the date up to which legal and regulatory changes will be included in the examination content. Changes after this date will not be covered in the examination.
SQE2 Examination Schedule 2025-2026
SQE2 examinations are held four times yearly, scheduled for January, April, July, and October. Oral assessments take place at venues in Birmingham, Cardiff, London, and Manchester, whilst written assessments are conducted at Pearson VUE centres across the UK and globally. Below is the detailed schedule for 2025-2026:
| Examination Period | Oral Assessment Dates | Written Assessment Dates | Registration Opens/Closes | Examinable Law Cut-off Date | Results Publication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 30-31 January | - | Closed | 30 September 2024 | 28 May 2025 |
| April 2025 |
Session 1: 28-29 April Session 2: 30 April-1 May Session 3: 13-14 May Session 4: 15-16 May |
6-8 May |
Opens: 28 January 2025 Closes: 20 March 2025 |
28 December 2024 | 27 August 2025 |
| July 2025 |
Session 1: 28-29 July Session 2: 30-31 July |
5-7 August |
Opens: 22 April 2025 Closes: 17 June 2025 |
28 March 2025 | 19 November 2025 |
| October 2025 |
Session 1: 30-31 October Session 2: 11-12 November Session 3: 13-14 November |
4-6 November | TBC | 30 June 2025 | 24 February 2026 |
| January 2026 |
Session 1: 3-4 February Session 2: 5-6 February |
27-29 January | TBC | 27 September 2025 | TBC |
| April 2026 |
Session 1: 5-6 May Session 2: 7-8 May Session 3: 12-13 May Session 4: 14-15 May |
28-30 April | TBC | 28 December 2025 | TBC |
Note: For oral assessments, candidates only need to attend one session and can select their preferred session during registration (subject to availability).
Key SQE Information
Registration and Results
- SQE1 and SQE2 registration typically closes approximately 5 weeks before the examination date
- SQE1 results are published 5-6 weeks after the examination, usually before the next SQE2 registration window closes
- SQE2 results are published 14-18 weeks after the examination, meaning SQE2 resits have a minimum 6-month interval
- The SRA opens additional SQE2 places when SQE1 results are published, specifically for candidates who have just passed SQE1 to register for the next SQE2 examination (subject to availability)
Examination Schedule Patterns
- SQE1 has two annual sittings: January and July
- SQE2 has four annual sittings: January, April, July, and October
- SQE1 is typically scheduled in the third week of the month
- SQE2 is typically scheduled in the final week of the month
- The SRA currently has no plans to add additional SQE1 examination sessions but continues to monitor demand
Important Note
SQE examinations have time limits: candidates have 6 years from their first SQE attempt to complete both SQE1 and SQE2. During this period, each stage allows a maximum of 3 attempts. Please plan your examination schedule carefully.
SQE2 Special Arrangements
- As candidate numbers increase, SQE2 examination windows are expected to continue for at least 3 weeks, potentially extending to 4-5 weeks
- The order of oral and written assessments is not fixed; in any examination window, written assessments may be scheduled before or after oral assessments
- Candidates only need to attend one oral assessment session and can select their preferred session during registration based on availability
Preparation Recommendations
Based on the examination schedule, we offer the following preparation advice for candidates:
- Plan Ahead - Use the published examination dates to plan your study time and preparation schedule effectively.
- Monitor Registration Dates - Set reminders to ensure you don't miss examination registration windows, particularly for popular examination periods which often reach capacity quickly.
- Consider SQE1 to SQE2 Timing - If you plan to take SQE2 immediately after passing SQE1, consider the relationship between results publication dates and registration deadlines.
- Note Legal Changes Cut-off Dates - Ensure your study materials cover all content changes up to the examinable law cut-off date.
- Consider Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) Timing - Arranging some practical work experience between SQE1 and SQE2 may help improve practical skills.
Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales requires three key elements: passing both SQE1 and SQE2 examinations, completing two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), and meeting the SRA's character and suitability requirements. Careful planning of the timing and sequence of these three elements is crucial for your career development.
How CELE SQE Can Help You
As a specialist SQE preparation platform, CELE SQE provides enhanced, targeted preparation services based on the latest examination schedule:
- Customised study plans tailored to different examination dates
- Comprehensively updated study materials ensuring coverage of all content up to the examinable law cut-off dates
- Targeted preparation strategies specific to each examination sitting
- Mock examinations aligned with actual examination schedules
- Registration reminders and support services
Expert Advice
Based on our experience, we recommend that candidates allow at least 3-6 months of preparation time before taking SQE1, and at least 2-4 months before taking SQE2. This ensures sufficient time to understand the examination content and complete necessary practice.
