SQE1 changes from January 2027
The SRA announced on 10 September 2026 that SQE1 gets shorter and more structured from the January 2027 sitting. The syllabus does not change; the shape of the exam does.
What changes
| Until July 2026 | From January 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions per FLK | 180 | 170 |
| Questions per session | 90 | 85 |
| Questions in SQE1 | 360 | 340 |
| Time per session | 2 h 33 min | 2 h 33 min (unchanged) |
| Subjects in a session | Any subject from that FLK | A fixed group of subjects |
With the same time and five fewer questions, you get about 1 minute 48 seconds per question instead of 1 minute 42.
Which subjects are in which session
| Session | Subjects |
|---|---|
| FLK1 · session 1 | Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Legal Services |
| FLK1 · session 2 | Contract, Tort, Legal System and Constitutional, Administrative and EU Law |
| FLK2 · session 1 | Wills and the Administration of Estates, Trusts, Land Law, Solicitors Accounts (in the context of wills) |
| FLK2 · session 2 | Property Practice, Criminal Law and Practice, Solicitors Accounts (in the context of property) |
Within a session the questions are still randomised across its subjects. Ethics and professional conduct remain pervasive.
What it means for your preparation
- Revise by session, not only by FLK. On the day of FLK1 session 1 you only need business, litigation and professional conduct in your head.
- Solicitors Accounts appears twice. Learn the rules once, then practise them on probate files and on conveyancing files.
- Resitters sit the new format too. If you are retaking FLK1 or FLK2 in January 2027, the session grouping applies to you.
Questions
When do the SQE1 changes start?
From the January 2027 sitting (FLK1 11–15 January, FLK2 18–22 January 2027).
Is SQE1 easier from 2027?
It is shorter, not easier: the syllabus and the standard are unchanged. You get slightly more time per question and fewer subjects to switch between in each session.
Has the syllabus changed?
No. The SRA has said the assessment specification of subjects is unaffected; only the number of questions and their grouping by session change.
Exam rules, fees and dates come from the SRA and change over time — sqe.sra.org.uk is authoritative. Last reviewed October 2026.