SQE2 Prep

The SQE2 is a closed-book exam and comprises 4 oral exams and 12 written legal skills assessments. The oral assessments are tested in person in the UK and are spread over two halfdays, whereas the written assessments are conducted online from anywhere in the world, with 4 written assessments per day over 3 halfdays. 

You will be assessed on 6 legal skills:  

• Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis (oral) 

• Advocacy (oral) 

• Case and matter analysis (written) 

• Legal research (written) 

• Legal writing (written) 

• Legal drafting (written) 

These legal skills are assessed in the following practice areas:

Criminal litigation (including advising clients at the police station), dispute resolution, property practice, wills and intestacy, probate administration and practice, and business organisations, rules and procedures (including money laundering and financial services). 

Ethics and professional conduct are examined pervasively throughout the SQE2 assessment. Questions involving taxation may arise in Property Practice, Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice, and Business organisations, rules and procedures. 

When are the SQE2 exams and how long do I wait for the results?

There are 4 exam periods every year: in January, April, July and October. The waiting time for the results is between 14-18 weeks after the assessment. 

Read more about the SQE2 exam here. 

The BARBRI SQE2 Prep course is fully inclusive of all course materials, but you’ll need to book and pay for the assessment separately, through the SRA website.

From April 2025, the fees in total for 2025/2026 are: 

• £2,974 (previously £2,902 for 2024/25)

These will apply to anyone taking SQE2 in October 2025 and subsequent assessments. All fees are VAT exempt. 

You need to book the written and oral assessments together. 

Both the 20-week and 10-week prep course options contain the exact same materials and support, they just differ in the amount of time you have available to get through the whole course. 

Focused 20-Week Course:

The Focused 20-week course is suited to candidates who have sat and passed SQE1, or LPC graduates who are exempt from SQE1, and who are looking for the most flexible option to study for the SQE2 exam. The course requires 10-12 hours of study per week. 

Accelerated 10-Week Course:

The Accelerated 10-week course is the fastest way to qualify and is suitable to those who have passed the SQE1, or LPC graduates who are exempt from SQE1, and who can commit to an accelerated pace of study with weekly assignment submissions. 

Exemptions from the SQE2 assessments are available to qualified lawyers from certain international jurisdictions. Some exemptions are automatically granted, for others, you would need to show proof of two years of legal work experience. Upon application to be admitted, you will also need to satisfy the SRA’s English language requirements. 

To apply for an exemption, you will need to create a mySRA account and start an application for exemption. Further information about exemptions available to qualified lawyers can be found on the SRA website. You can also download our step-by-step exemptions checklist helping you to apply for an exemption. 

You can sign up to join a BARBRI SQE2 Prep course at any time, however we strongly advise you to wait for your SQE1 exam results. Please ensure you thoroughly read the terms and conditions before enrolling, particularly clause 11, as you will be liable to a £999 transfer fee if you are unsuccessful in your SQE1 and we have to put your SQE2 Prep course on hold. Read more about it here.  

We don’t require you to have taken our SQE1 Prep course or a course from another provider. However, note that the SRA requires you to pass the SQE1 before you can take the SQE2 assessment.