SQE1 in January 2026: Your 12-Week Roadmap to Success

Sitting SQE1 this coming January might feel like a race against time — but with focus, structure, and smart planning, it’s absolutely doable.

Below is a guide to help you cover everything you need between now and exam day.

1. Know the Key Dates & Logistics

First, get your calendar in order.

• The January 2026 SQE1 examination windows are:

  
  

  • FLK1: 12–16 January 2026

  • FLK2: 19–23 January 2026 SQEWebsite+2Revise SQE+2

  
  

• Booking opens via your SQE account on 5 November 2025 at 10am, and closes on 12 November 2025 at 5pm. Seats are limited, so act quickly when booking opens. SQEWebsite

  
  

• You must choose your test centre (UK or international) through Pearson VUE locations — availability and timings vary. SQEWebsite

  
  

• Also, be aware of the “law & practice cut-off date,” i.e. the date beyond which new legal or regulatory changes will not be examinable. For January 2026, that cut-off is 12 September 2025. SQEWebsite+2FQPS Academy - SQE Prep Course Provider+2

  
  

Mark all these in your planner immediately — missing booking or cut-off deadlines can derail everything.

2. Map Out a Backward Study Plan

Because your time is compressed, you must work backwards from exam day.

(a) Split Into Phases

• Phase 1: Core Learning & Build-up (Weeks 1–8)Cover all substantive topics (contracts, tort, criminal law, property, trusts, business law, etc.) and ethics. Use the SQE Assessment Specification to guide what’s examinable. Brigittes FLK+2Barbri+2

  
  

• Phase 2: Practice & Application (Weeks 9–12)Dive into multiple-choice exam style questions, timed mocks, and drills. Practice answering under timed conditions.

  
  

• Phase 3: Final Review & Consolidation (Final 2–3 weeks)Focus on weak areas, run through full mocks, revisit flagged questions, and cement memory via flashcards and quick drills.

  
  

(b) Time-Blocking & Daily Targets

Set fixed study blocks each day (e.g. mornings, evenings). Dedicate 5–6 days per week if you can. Many candidates report spending 25–35+ hours weekly as exam nears. Brigittes FLK+1

Use time-blocking to isolate subjects (e.g. Monday = Contracts & Tort; Tuesday = Criminal & Property, etc.). Rotate subjects to build interleaving. Brigittes FLK

(c) Prioritize According to Weighting

Use the SQE assessment specification to see how much weight each topic carries.

Focus first on high-weight areas, but don’t neglect weaker topics entirely. Brigittes FLK+1

3. Use Smart Tools & Techniques

(a) Practice Under Timed Conditions

SQE1 is multiple-choice, and speed matters. Candidates suggest:

• Aim for ~10 questions every 15 minutes. Revise SQE

• Use the “flagging” tool to mark tough questions and return later. Revise SQE

• Trust your first instinct more often, rather than overthinking. Revise SQE

• Resist the urge to overread. Focus on functioning legal knowledge and exam-relevant rules. The Corporate Law Academy+1

(b) Active Recall & Spaced Repetition

From day one, create flashcards (Anki or physical) for legal definitions, key tests, exceptions, rules.

Review in spaced intervals. Many successful candidates also used sticky notes, mind maps and diagrams to visualize relationships among topics. The Corporate Law Academy+2Brigittes FLK+2

(c) Broad Exposure + Mixed Practice

Don’t silo subjects too long. Mix questions on different topics to replicate exam switching. One Reddit user put it well:

“Everything needs to get memorised. The SQE tests the most niche things … you really need to zoom in on details.” Reddit

Also, advice shared by candidates: focus on breadth over depth, since the exam tests many topics superficially. Reddit

(d) Use Mocks & Review Properly

Schedule full-length mock exams (FLK1 & FLK2 style) every 2–3 weeks, then weekly in the last phase. After each mock:

1. Review every incorrect question (or flagged)

2. Understand why the distractors were wrong

3. Summarise the legal point in your own words, add to flashcards

4. Maintain Your Edge: Wellness, Accountability & Momentum

• Stay consistent — a little each day is better than cramming.

• Accountability — form a study group or partner, or use self-testing with friends.

• Rest & breaks — schedule short breaks to avoid burnout.

• Physical health — good sleep, nutrition, and exercise can’t be overlooked.

• Mindset — keep your goal in view. Remind yourself why you’re doing this.

5. Practical Tips in the Final Stretch

• In the last week, avoid introducing new material. Focus on high-yield topics and reinforcing memory.

• In exam days, pace yourself. If stuck on a question, flag it and move on. Don’t let one question eat your time.

• Use exam strategies: eliminate obviously wrong options early, read carefully, and manage time per question.

• Before exam day, verify your venue, travel plan (if needed), and what you need to bring (ID, etc.).

  
  

12-week SQE1 Study Plan

This plan assumes ~25–30 study hours per week (4–5 hrs./day, 6 days a week).

Week	Focus & Subjects	Key Tasks / Targets
1–2	Foundations & High-Weight Areas - Contract Law - Tort Law - Business Law & Practice - Ethics (start early)	• Read core materials and create flashcards. • Begin 20–30 mixed MCQs daily. • 1 mini-mock (90 min) end of Week 2.
3–4	Property & Crime - Property Law & Practice - Criminal Law & Practice - Wills & Administration (intro)	• Continue daily ethics review. • Question bank practice on all topics covered so far. • One 90-min mini-mock each week.
5–6	Complete Syllabus - Trusts - Dispute Resolution - Solicitors Accounts & Professional Conduct	• Finish first full pass of syllabus. • Daily spaced-repetition flashcards. • 30–50 timed questions 3× per week.
7	Integration & Mixed Practice	• Mixed-subject MCQ sets every day. • Identify weakest areas from analytics. • Full-length FLK1-style mock at week’s end.
8	Targeted Reinforcement	• Re-read weakest topics. • Full-length FLK2-style mock mid-week. • Two daily 60-min timed drills.
9	Exam Simulation	• Alternate full-day mocks (FLK1 one day, FLK2 next). • Next day: deep review of every wrong/flagged question. • Refine quick-reference notes.
10	High-Yield Review	• Heavy flashcard work on ethics & cross-topic issues. • Daily 30-question warm-ups. • Full mock mid-week.
11	Fine-Tuning	• Short subject “power hours” for final weak spots. • Two final full mocks. • Confirm exam logistics (Pearson VUE booking, ID, travel).
12	Taper & Exam Readiness	• No new material. • Light flashcard review & one last mini-mock early in the week. • Prioritise rest, sleep, and mental preparation.

Daily Template (you can adjust as needed):

Morning (2 hrs): New/targeted topic study

Midday (1.5 hrs.): Timed question practice

Afternoon (1–2 hrs.): Review mistakes & update flashcards

Evening (30 min): Spaced-repetition review

Final Thoughts

Preparing for SQE1 in January on a shortened timeline is intense—but entirely possible if you start decisively, plan strategically, and stick to disciplined execution.

The keys are: mapping a reverse study plan, using practice under exam conditions, active recall, and consistent review. I wish you all the best in your preparations and exams!