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Solicitors exam to be shortened

16 September 2026
Issue: 8177 / Categories: Career Clinic
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The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), Part 1 is to contain fewer questions from January, after candidates complained of feeling ‘rushed’ and ‘pressurised’

The changes, announced this week, will bring the total number of multiple-choice questions from 360 to 340. Questions will also be grouped differently to make the exam less ‘challenging’. Candidates will have the same amount of time, two hours 33 minutes, and ethics and professional conduct will continue to be tested across all subject areas.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said the changes ‘signal SRA’s commitment to enhance confidence in the SQE’ and preserve ‘the reliability, rigour and consistency of the examination.

‘Developed through engagement with candidates, Kaplan, employers, training providers and the wider profession, they are informed by assessment data, candidate feedback and continued evaluation of how the assessment operates in practice’. 

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