SQE1 is made up of two separate assessments: Functioning Legal Knowledge 1 (FLK1) and Functioning Legal Knowledge 2 (FLK2). Each paper contains 90 multiple choice questions and lasts 2 hours 33 minutes. In total, SQE1 requires you to answer 180 questions across both papers.
FLK1 and FLK2 Question Count
Each FLK paper has exactly 90 questions. All questions are multiple choice with one correct answer. The papers are sat in separate weeks FLK1 and FLK2 are not on the same day. You can sit both in the same sitting (January or July) or split them across different sittings.
How Long Is SQE1?
Each FLK paper lasts 2 hours 33 minutes (153 minutes). That gives you roughly 1 minute 42 seconds per question. Time pressure is real candidates who haven't practised under timed conditions often find themselves running out of time. This is why doing timed practice is essential, not optional.
What Subjects Are Covered?
FLK1 covers: Contract Law, Tort Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Criminal Law & Practice, and Dispute Resolution. FLK2 covers: Property Law & Practice, Business Law & Practice, Wills & Administration of Estates, Solicitors Accounts, Land Law, and Trusts. All 11 subjects are tested through application-based MCQs drawn from realistic legal scenarios.
How Is SQE1 Scored?
SQE1 is scored on a pass/fail basis. The SRA uses a standard-setting process to determine the pass mark for each sitting it is not a fixed percentage. Results are typically released 8–10 weeks after the sitting. You receive a result for FLK1 and a separate result for FLK2, and you only need to resit the paper you failed.
How Many Questions Do You Need to Get Right?
The SRA does not publish a fixed pass mark in advance. The pass mark is set after each sitting based on the difficulty of that particular paper. Historically, candidates typically need to answer around 56–65% of questions correctly to pass, but this varies. Rather than targeting a specific percentage, focus on building genuine understanding across all 11 modules.
How to Prepare for 90 MCQs Under Time Pressure
The key to managing 90 questions in 2.5 hours is consistent timed practice. Candidates who read and take notes without regularly doing timed MCQs often find the real exam much harder than expected. The recommended approach is: build knowledge through revision cards and notes, then move to daily MCQ practice (30–50 questions), then full timed mocks in the final 4–6 weeks before your sitting.
Free Tester Questions
Jureo offers free tester questions covering SQE1 topics so you can see the question style and platform before committing to a full package. You can access the tester immediately after signing up no payment required.