How Many Questions Per Topic in SQE1 in 2025?

SQE1 comprises 360 multiple choice questions split equally between two papers (FLK1 and FLK2), with 180 questions each. Each question equals one mark, yielding 360 total possible points across 12 Functioning Legal Knowledge areas.

Question Distribution by Paper

FLK1 (Commercial Law Focus)

Major subjects receive 20-29 questions each (11-16%):

Business Law and Practice: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Contract Law: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Tort Law: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Dispute Resolution: 20-29 questions (11-16%)

Smaller subjects get 10-14 questions (6-8%):

Legal System of England and Wales: 10-14 questions (6-8%)
Constitutional and Administrative Law: 10-14 questions (6-8%)

Ethics and Professional Conduct: 18-36 questions (10-20%), embedded throughout rather than standalone. Money laundering questions appear exclusively in FLK1.

FLK2 (Private Client Focus)

Major subjects receive 20-29 questions each (11-16%):

Property Practice: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Land Law: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Wills and Administration of Estates: 20-29 questions (11-16%)
Trusts Law: 20-29 questions (11-16%)

Smaller subjects get 10-15 questions (6-8%):

Criminal Law: 10-15 questions (6-8%)
Criminal Practice: 10-15 questions (6-8%)

Ethics and Professional Conduct: 18-36 questions (10-20%), with ethics principles integrated throughout all subjects.

Study Time Allocation Strategy

Candidates should allocate roughly 45% of study time to FLK1, 45% to FLK2, and 10% to dedicated ethics preparation. Within each paper, major subjects should receive approximately 18% of that paper’s study time, while foundational subjects warrant 14%.

Key Considerations

The SRA confirms question distribution varies between sittings within specified ranges—exact counts are not guaranteed. Candidates should prepare for ranges rather than exact counts.

The 2025 SRA Assessment Specification confirmed no structural changes to the 360-question format or 12-topic framework.