Quick Answer
The SQE2 has two assessments: oral (4 stations × 15 min) and written (9 tasks across legal research, writing, drafting, case analysis). Cost is £2,422, run by Kaplan in 2026 (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct sittings). No fixed pass mark — psychometric scoring per station/topic. First-attempt pass rate ~75-85% (SRA, 2026).
Data last verified September 2026 from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the SQE2 Assessment Specification.
Eligibility
- Prior: Pass SQE1 first (SRA, 2026).
- Degree: Not required but recommended for prep.
- QWE: 2 years of qualifying work experience required for admission — can be completed before or after SQE2.
Test format
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Oral stations | 4 × 15 min: interview, advocacy, attendance note, case presentation |
| Written tasks | 9 × 60-90 min: 3 research, 3 writing, 2 drafting, 1 case analysis |
| Total duration | 2 days (typically) |
| Pass mark | Cut score per station/topic (psychometric) |
| Cost | £2,422 |
Source: SRA SQE2 Assessment Specification (2026).
Sample Q&A (15 questions)
Q1. What is the SQE2 oral assessment?
Four 15-minute stations testing practical legal skills — client interview, advocacy, attendance note, case presentation (SRA, 2026).
Q2. What is the SQE2 written assessment?
Nine written tasks across legal research, writing, drafting, and case analysis (SRA, 2026).
Q3. What areas of law are tested on SQE2?
Property, Wills/Probate, Litigation, Criminal, Business, Solicitors Accounts (SRA, 2026).
Q4. What is the time pressure like on the written tasks?
Each written task is timed 60-90 minutes; many candidates run short on time without focused practice (SRA, 2026).
Q5. What is an attendance note?
A contemporaneous record of a client interview — testing listening and documentation skills (SRA, 2026).
Q6. What is legal research?
Finding and analysing primary law (case, statute) and secondary sources to answer a legal question (SRA, 2026).
Q7. What is legal drafting?
Creating legal documents — contracts, pleadings, witness statements (SRA, 2026).
Q8. What is advocacy?
Making legal submissions before a tribunal or court — usually a 10-15 minute oral task (SRA, 2026).
Q9. What is a case presentation?
Presenting a legal analysis of a case scenario to a senior solicitor (SRA, 2026).
Q10. What is QWE?
Qualifying Work Experience — 2 years (or equivalent full-time) of supervised legal work (SRA, 2026).
Q11. Can I take SQE2 before completing QWE?
Yes — SQE2 can be taken before, during, or after QWE (SRA, 2026).
Q12. How long is SQE2 preparation typically?
3-6 months of focused prep, with most candidates doing 300+ practice questions and 10+ mock oral stations (SRA, 2026).
Q13. Are calculators allowed on SQE2?
No — SQE2 does not include numerical calculations; it focuses on legal analysis and skills (SRA, 2026).
Q14. How are SQE2 results released?
Approximately 10-12 weeks after the assessment (SRA, 2026).
Q15. What happens if I fail SQE2?
You can resit — there is no cap on attempts; each requires a new fee and application (SRA, 2026).
Pass-mark interpretation
SQE2 uses psychometric scoring — the cut score varies per sitting. You must meet or exceed the cut on each station/topic. Failures typically come from inadequate oral skills practice or time-management on written tasks (SRA, 2026).
Where to book
Apply via the SRA portal; Kaplan administers sittings at Pearson VUE Testing Centers and remote-proctored online. Fee: £2,422 (SRA, 2026).
Resources
Use the TutorsBot entrance-exams hub for cross-cluster practice and the SRA publications for the SQE2 Assessment Specification. Recommended prep: BPP/LexisNexis/Wolters Kluwer SQE2 prep courses + mock exams.
UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026
This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting.
A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage; weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.
After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register.
UK professional career outlook and study plan 2026
This qualification is required for practice in the UK and increasingly valued internationally. The General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges publish annual registration data — pass rates and candidate volumes vary by sitting. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) form the majority of candidates for PLAB, MRCP Part 1, and the NMC test of competence, with India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, and Sudan being the largest source countries.
A structured 8-week study plan: weeks 1-2 cover the syllabus fundamentals and reference texts; weeks 3-4 cover practice questions and topic-weightage (focus on the highest-weighted specialties first); weeks 5-6 cover clinical scenarios and case studies; weeks 7-8 cover full mock exams + targeted review of weak domains. Most candidates study 200-400 hours across the 8-week window.
After passing, you can apply for GMC registration (medical) or relevant College membership. Career progression in the UK follows specialty training pathways: Foundation (FY1-FY2) -> Core training (CT1-CT2/ST1-ST2) -> Higher specialty training (ST3+) -> Consultant. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) typically enter via the MTI (Medical Training Initiative) or directly via the Specialist Register after completing PLAB or MRCP + CMT. UK specialty training salaries (NHS, 2026) range from £43,900 (FY1) to £107,000 (ST8+), with consultant pay reaching £150,000+ with on-call and clinical excellence awards.
