Key facts
- Each FLK paper allows three attempts in total within six years of your first SQE assessment; if you passed one paper, you resit only the other.
- In July 2026, 42% of the 6,315 candidates who completed both parts of SQE1 passed, and 1,303 were resitting one or both parts (SRA, 29 September 2026).
- Resitting one FLK paper costs £1,003 (check the official website); the SQE1 fee for both papers is £2,006 (check the official website).
- The next sittings start with FLK1 on 11–15 January 2027 (check the official website) and 12–16 July 2027 (check the official website).
- Mitigating circumstances claims and appeals follow SRA policies; check their time limits as soon as you have your result.
What happens after you fail SQE1?
Failing SQE1 is hard news, and it is common: in July 2026, 42% of the candidates who completed both parts passed, and 1,303 of them were already resitting. You have three attempts at each FLK paper in total within six years of your first SQE assessment, and if you passed one paper you resit only the other. (SRA, 29 September 2026) (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)
If you are reading this on results day, the rules can wait a few days. A fail describes one sitting under one set of conditions. It does not decide whether you will be a good solicitor, and nothing on this page needs settling today.
What should you do in the first week?
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Nothing about the exam. Tell one person you trust. | The NHS advises talking to someone and not doing everything at once. (NHS, stress) |
| Days 3–4 | Note the mark for each paper, the attempts used and the date of your first SQE assessment. | Your remaining attempts and time depend on them. |
| Day 5 | Ask whether illness or an incident at the centre affected the sitting. | Claims and appeals follow SRA policies; check their time limits. |
| Days 6–7 | Tell your employer or sponsor, if any, and ask about their policy. Then choose a sitting. | Firms handle fails differently. |
How many attempts do you have left?
You need the pass mark in each of FLK1 and FLK2. A first fail leaves two further attempts at that paper, within six years of your first SQE assessment – a period that also covers SQE2. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)
| Your position | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Passed one paper, failed the other | Resit only the failed paper. You cannot resit a passed paper to raise your mark. |
| Failed both papers | Retake both in the same assessment window. |
| Third fail of the same paper | Wait until the six-year period expires before reapplying; previous passes do not carry forward. |
| Exceptional circumstances | You can apply to the SRA to extend the six-year period. The SRA decides. |
Source: (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations) More detail: SQE1 resits, attempts and time limits.
Can you appeal or claim mitigating circumstances?
Mitigating circumstances are a mistake or irregularity in how the assessment was run, evidence of bias, or illness or other personal circumstances beyond your reasonable control that materially and adversely affect your marks or performance. Claims follow the SQE Mitigating Circumstances Policy. A first stage appeal is possible on three grounds only: mitigating circumstances that could not be put before the Assessment Board before its decision, a decision that involved material irregularity or was manifestly unreasonable or irrational, or a disputed finding of malpractice or improper conduct. Appeals are made in writing under the SQE Appeals Policy. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)
The regulations set no time limit for claims or appeals, so read both policies on the SRA’s SQE website this week. If you sat while unwell, the Fit to Sit declaration matters: by signing it you stated that you knew of no reason why your performance would be adversely affected, or why you might later claim mitigating circumstances. (SRA, SQE Assessment Regulations)
What went wrong, and what should change?
The SRA notes that July sittings typically have a higher proportion of resitters, who generally have lower pass rates than first-time sitters. (SRA, 29 September 2026) A resit is not easier by default: change how you prepare, not only how long.
| What you noticed | Likely gap | What to change |
|---|---|---|
| You ran short of time or rushed the last questions | Pace | Timed sets at the SQE1 average of about 1.8 minutes a question (SRA, SQE1 sample questions); rehearse with the exam pace calculator. |
| You knew the topic but chose a wrong option | Applying the rule to the facts | Note the decisive fact and why each other option fails (see single best answer questions). |
| Whole topics felt new | Coverage | Plan hours for every blueprint subject (SRA, SQE1 Annex 4) in the FLK revision planner. |
| You knew it in spring and lost it by the exam | Retention | Short reviews at growing intervals (see spaced repetition). |
| Illness, poor sleep or stress on the day | Conditions | Check the mitigating circumstances policy; plan the assessment days as carefully as the revision. |
Check ethics in every error log: Ethics and Professional Conduct runs through both papers and, with money laundering, can make up to 20% of the questions. (SRA, SQE1 Annex 4)
Should you resit in the next sitting or the one after?
The next sittings are in January 2027 (FLK1 11–15 January 2027 (check the official website), FLK2 18–22 January 2027 (check the official website)) and July 2027 (FLK1 12–16 July 2027 (check the official website), FLK2 19–23 July 2027 (check the official website)). Check each booking window on the SRA’s SQE website.
| Lean towards the next sitting if … | Lean towards the one after if … |
|---|---|
| your marks were close to the pass mark of 300 out of 500 | your marks were well below 300, or whole subjects need re-learning |
| the gap is mainly pace or exam technique | the gap is knowledge across several subjects |
| you resit one paper | you retake both papers |
| weeks until the paper × hours you can study each week cover the work | work, care or health leave little time before the next sitting |
| your employer’s timetable needs it and gives you time to prepare | you are down to your last attempt at a paper |
Results show an overall mark out of 500, with the pass mark always at 300. (SRA, 1 April 2025) The study-time budget calculator shows how many hours your week really has.
Resitting one paper costs £1,003 (check the official website); the SQE1 fee for both papers is £2,006 (check the official website). The solicitor qualification cost calculator adds resits to your total. Each sitting examines the law as it stands four calendar months before its first assessment, so update your notes. (SRA, SQE1 Assessment Specification)
What does a four-week restart plan look like?
| Week | Focus | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnose | List weak topics by paper and subject; take the free SQE1 quick test as a baseline. |
| 2 | Weakest subject | Due reviews first each day, then new learning that starts with a question. |
| 3 | Second-weakest subject, first timed set | 40 questions in 72 minutes; review every error and lucky guess. |
| 4 | First full session | 85 questions in 2 hours 33 minutes, as in the exam (SRA, SQE1 sample questions); then fix your weekly rhythm. |
After week 4, follow the phases in our SQE1 study plan and the FLK revision planner.
What should you tell your employer?
If a training contract, a job offer or sponsorship depends on SQE1, talk to your employer early. Firms handle fails differently: in 2024 some large firms were reported to allow and fund resits, while others withdrew training contract offers from trainees who failed SQE1 at the first attempt. (LawCareers.Net, firms’ approaches to SQE retakes (secondary source))
- Read your offer letter, contract and any study policy first.
- Ask in writing: may you resit, and when? Who pays? Is there study leave? Does your start date change?
- Qualifying work experience can be gained before, during or after the SQE assessments, so legal work now may still count. (SRA, qualifying work experience) See what counts as QWE.
Firm policies, deferral and repayment clauses are covered in more detail in training contracts and failing SQE1. This is general information, not legal advice. If an offer is withdrawn, get advice on your own position.
How do you look after yourself while you regroup?
Disappointment, shame or anger after a fail are understandable, especially when friends passed. The NHS suggests talking to a friend, family member or health professional, not focusing on things you cannot change, and not using alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve stress. (NHS, stress) Mute group chats until you want to see other people’s results, and keep one fixed thing each week that has nothing to do with law.
When should you get support?
- Your GP: if you are struggling to cope with stress, or the things you are trying are not helping. (NHS, stress)
- LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector: free, confidential support by phone and online chat (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) and by email, for people who work in the legal profession, including paralegals in training. (LawCare, helpline, chat and email support)
- Urgent help: call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe. NHS 111 can tell you where to get urgent help, and Samaritans are on 116 123. (NHS, urgent help for mental health) (NHS, stress)
Common mistakes after an SQE1 fail
- Booking the next sitting on results day, before you know what went wrong.
- Repeating the same plan with more hours.
- Treating a previous raw pass mark as the target: the pass mark is set for each paper in each sitting. (SRA, SQE1 sample questions)
- Going quiet with your employer until the next result.
What this means for you
Take a few days, then gather the facts and check the policies if something went wrong. Choose the sitting your weeks and hours can support, change the method where the table points, and start with the free quick test. Our SQE1 course tracks accuracy by subject as you rebuild.
What this page covers
- Last updated
- Based on
- SRA SQE Assessment Regulations; SRA results of July 2026; NHS and LawCare pages; one dated secondary source on firm policies
- Includes
- Attempts and the six-year period, mitigating circumstances and appeal grounds, choosing a resit sitting, a restart plan, talking to an employer, support
- Not included
- Time limits in the SRA’s policies, booking windows, legal or medical advice
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you fail SQE1?
You resit the paper you failed, or both if you failed both, within your remaining attempts and the six-year period that started with your first SQE assessment. A passed paper stays passed and cannot be resat to raise the mark.
How many times can you fail SQE1?
Each FLK paper allows three attempts in total. After a third fail of the same paper you must wait until the six-year period expires before reapplying, and previous passes do not carry forward.
How much does an SQE1 resit cost?
Resitting one FLK paper costs £1,003 (check the official website). The SQE1 fee for both papers is £2,006 (check the official website).
Can you appeal an SQE1 result?
Only on the grounds in the SRA SQE Assessment Regulations: mitigating circumstances that could not be put before the Assessment Board before its decision, a decision that involved material irregularity or was manifestly unreasonable or irrational, or a disputed finding of malpractice or improper conduct. Appeals are made in writing under the SQE Appeals Policy.
Should you resit SQE1 in the next sitting?
Lean towards it if your marks were close to 300 out of 500, the gap is mainly pace or technique, and your weeks and weekly hours cover the work. If whole subjects need re-learning or you are down to your last attempt, the sitting after may be the better choice.
Will a firm withdraw a training contract after an SQE1 fail?
It depends on the firm. In 2024 some large firms were reported to allow and fund resits while others withdrew offers after a first-attempt fail. Read your contract and ask your employer in writing how its policy works.
Related tools and pages
Sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SRA SQE Assessment Regulations (regulations 3–7, 9–13 and 15). Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SQE1 pass rates up slightly year-on-year for July sittings (29 September 2026). Accessed 24 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SQE1 January 2025 results published (1 April 2025). Accessed 24 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SQE1 sample questions. Accessed 21 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SQE1 Annex 4 – Functioning Legal Knowledge blueprint. Accessed 25 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: SQE1 Assessment Specification (applicable for assessments from 1 September 2026). Accessed 25 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: Qualifying work experience (26 January 2024). Accessed 25 October 2026.
- LawCareers.Net, Law Business Research (careers news, secondary source): Magic circle firms have differing approaches to SQE retakes (3 April 2024). Accessed 30 October 2026.
- NHS (nhs.uk): Stress – symptoms, things you can try, and when to get help (GP, NHS talking therapies, NHS 111, Samaritans) (6 March 2026). Accessed 30 October 2026.
- LawCare (mental health charity for the legal sector): Helpline, online chat and email support for anyone in the legal community. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- NHS (nhs.uk): Where to get urgent help for mental health (26 April 2023). Accessed 30 October 2026.
- SQE1 Prep, sqe1prep.co.uk (preparation website, secondary source): SQE Cost 2026/27: £2,006 SQE1, £3,086 SQE2, Total to Qualify (20 September 2026). Accessed 30 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: Reports find SQE to be robust with improvements made (including SQE fees for 2026/27) (21 April 2026). Accessed 25 October 2026.
- BPP University (training provider, secondary source): SQE exam dates 2027. Accessed 24 October 2026.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority: Assessment dates published for 2027 assessments (5 December 2025).
High Performer Certs is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and it is not authorised or accredited by the SRA or the SQE assessment provider. The SQE and SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAMINATION trade marks are the property of and are used under licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.