How Long to Study for Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2)
A complete week-by-week study plan for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) (Very Hard difficulty, SQE1 53%, SQE2 80% (January 2026 sittings, all candidates) pass rate).
12
Weeks
14
Hrs/Week
170
Total Hours
SQE1 53%, SQE2 80% (January 2026 sittings, all candidates)
Pass Rate
10-12 hours this week
- Read the SQE1 assessment specification in full and split the subjects between FLK1 and FLK2
- Note the law cut-off date for your window: four calendar months before the first assessment
- Work the SRA sample single best answer questions untimed to learn the question shape
- Read the assessment regulations section on attempts and the six-year window
- Build a revision tracker with one row per subject and one column per week
12-14 hours this week
- Cover formation, parties, terms and vitiating factors
- Learn the exclusion clause and unfair terms rules as a decision tree
- Cover discharge and the full remedies list including specific performance
- Write out five misrepresentation and mistake scenarios and resolve each
- Answer 60 timed single best answer questions on contract
12-14 hours this week
- Cover negligence, duty, breach, causation and remoteness
- Cover defences, vicarious liability and occupiers liability
- Cover product liability and private and public nuisance
- Draw one flowchart that runs from duty to quantum
- Answer 60 timed questions mixing contract and tort
13-15 hours this week
- Map the civil claim from pre-action conduct to enforcement on one page
- Learn the limitation periods and service deadlines as a table
- Cover interim applications, case management tracks and directions
- Cover disclosure, evidence, costs and Part 36 offers
- Answer 60 timed questions and mark every procedural error you make
13-15 hours this week
- Compare sole trader, partnership, LLP and company across liability, tax and governance
- Cover incorporation, share capital, and directors duties
- Cover partnership authority and decision-making
- Cover corporate and personal insolvency and the order of priority
- Answer 60 timed questions on business organisations
14-16 hours this week
- Cover income tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, VAT and inheritance tax in a business setting
- Cover court hierarchy, precedent and statutory interpretation
- Cover separation of powers, the rule of law and the Human Rights Act 1998
- Cover the SRA regulatory role and funding options for legal services
- Sit a full timed FLK1 mock of 90 questions in 153 minutes
13-15 hours this week
- Cover nature of land, title to land, co-ownership and proprietary rights
- Cover investigation of registered and unregistered freehold title
- Cover pre-contract searches, enquiries and the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol
- Cover exchange, pre-completion, completion and post-completion steps in order
- Answer 60 timed questions on land law and freehold practice
13-15 hours this week
- Cover the structure and content of a lease and the main leasehold covenants
- Cover grant, assignment, underletting and licences to assign or underlet
- Cover termination of a lease and security of tenure under a business lease
- Cover the statutory definition of development, building regulations and enforcement
- Cover SDLT in England, Land Transaction Tax in Wales, VAT and capital gains tax on property
14-16 hours this week
- Cover validity, alteration, revocation and interpretation of wills
- Learn the intestacy rules and property passing outside the estate as a worked example
- Cover grants of representation and the administration process
- Cover inheritance tax and tax during the administration period
- Cover express trusts, resulting trusts, trusts of the family home and trustee liability
14-16 hours this week
- Work double entry ledger entries until client and business account postings are automatic
- Cover client money, interest, reconciliation and breaches of the SRA Accounts Rules
- Cover the elements of each specified criminal offence
- Cover general defences, partial defences, parties and inchoate offences
- Answer 60 timed questions on accounts and criminal law
14-16 hours this week
- Cover police station advice, suspect rights and identification procedures
- Cover PACE 1984 interview procedure and advising on answering questions
- Cover bail, first hearings, plea before venue, allocation and sentencing
- Cover appeals and youth court procedure
- Work through the SRA Principles and Code of Conduct and write ten ethics scenarios with resolutions
16-18 hours this week
- Sit a full timed FLK2 mock of 180 questions across two 153-minute sessions
- Rebuild flashcards only for the topics you got wrong in both mocks
- Re-answer every question you flagged and explain aloud why the other four options fail
- Read the SQE2 assessment specification and the assessment criteria for all six station types
- Practise one handwritten attendance note in 25 minutes and one 30-minute legal writing task
Duration: 18 weeks
Hours/week: 10 hours
Daily: ~2 hours on weeknights
Weekends: 3-4 hours Saturday + Sunday
Study during lunch breaks and commute time. Use weekends for deeper study sessions and practice tests.
Duration: 24 weeks
Hours/week: 7 hours
Saturday: 4-5 hours of focused study
Sunday: 3-4 hours of practice tests
Longer timeline but sustainable. Review flashcards on weeknights for 15-20 minutes to maintain retention.
How long does it take to study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2)?
Plan for 12 weeks of dedicated study at 14 hours per week (170 total hours). If studying while working full-time, extend to 18 weeks.
Can I pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) in 2 weeks?
It's unlikely for most candidates. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) is rated "Very Hard" difficulty and typically requires 12 weeks of preparation. Rushing increases your risk of failing and paying the exam fee again.
How many hours a day should I study for Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2)?
Aim for 3-4 hours per day on weekdays. Quality matters more than quantity, use active recall and practice tests rather than passive reading.
Is Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) hard to pass?
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) is rated "Very Hard" difficulty with a pass rate of SQE1 53%, SQE2 80% (January 2026 sittings, all candidates). Significant preparation is essential.
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