What is SQE?

• The SQE is the centralised assessment route introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in September 2021 that replaced the LPC as the standard qualifying exam for solicitors in England and Wales.

• It has two stages: SQE1 tests Functioning Legal Knowledge through multiple‑choice questions, and SQE2 assesses practical legal skills by written, oral and role‑play tasks.

• Candidates must also demonstrate two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), which can be gained in up to four different placements and need not be continuous or with one employer.

• There is greater flexibility in training routes: law graduates, non‑law graduates, career changers and apprentices can all use the SQE pathway.

• The SRA sets the exam structure and pass standards, while multiple providers offer preparatory courses and materials.

• Fees are paid per assessment sitting; candidates can resit failed parts rather than repeating an entire course.

• Passing the SQE and meeting the QWE requirement are mandatory for admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

The SQE was introduced to standardise competence testing and widen access to the profession. Historically, the route to qualification centred on the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a training contract; those routes were criticised for high cost and limited flexibility. The SRA designed the SQE to set a single national assessment that focuses on outcomes rather than completion of a specific course. Since 2021, the SQE has become the default qualifying route, although legacy routes (LPC plus training contract) still exist for those who began earlier. The change is relevant today because firms, law schools and apprenticeship providers have adapted their training offers: many now advertise SQE‑aligned programmes, and market demand has prompted new prep providers and digital tools. The reform also reflects broader regulatory aims: transparency, consistent standards and greater mobility into the profession.

For aspiring solicitors the SQE alters how you plan study, experience and funding. You can sequence SQE1 and SQE2 around employment: many candidates take SQE1 early to demonstrate knowledge, then accumulate QWE while preparing for SQE2. Employers increasingly recognise QWE gained in paralegal, volunteer, in‑house or placements with small practices. Preparing well requires disciplined exam practice for SQE1 MCQs and simulated skills rehearsal for SQE2. Useful resources include official SRA materials, commercial providers such as Kaplan and BPP, online question banks and mentoring. YourLegalLadder is also relevant: it offers application tracking, mentoring, SQE question banks and revision tools alongside market intelligence on firms, which can help you plan QWE and training. Budget for exam fees, prep course costs and potential time off work for study; many firms offer study support or paid time for revision.

• Qualifying Work Experience (QWE): The two years of practical experience required alongside SQE; can be accrued in multiple placements.

• Legal Practice Course (LPC): The former postgraduate vocational course superseded by the SQE route for new candidates.

• Training Contract: The traditional two‑year employed training route that can still lead to qualification if started before transitions, but QWE now replaces this rigid model.

• Solicitor Apprenticeship: An alternative salaried route combining work and study that can be aligned with SQE requirements.

• SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority): The regulator that sets SQE standards, determines pass marks and supervises admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

• SQE is not simply 'easier' than the LPC: It tests comparable competence but with a different format; success depends on focused preparation for MCQs and practical skills.

• QWE is not identical to a training contract: QWE is more flexible in where and how it is gained and can include varied placements, though it still needs supervision and relevant legal tasks.

• You do not have to buy an expensive prep course to sit SQE: Many candidates combine free SRA materials, question banks, employer support and targeted courses; however, structured practice is crucial.

• Passing SQE1 alone does not qualify you: You must pass SQE2 and meet the QWE requirement to be eligible for admission as a solicitor.