Second-Hand SQE Books (2026/27): Check the Sitting, Edition and Updates
A checklist for buying used SQE books in 2026/27: FLK1 and FLK2 coverage, the January 2027 SQE1 format change, the SRA law cut-off, publisher editions, access codes and complete sets.
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Quick answer: used SQE books are fine for most FLK subject content if the edition is recent. Check it against the SRA's current assessment specification and the law cut-off for your window. Buy practice-question books and mocks as new as you can, especially for January 2027 onwards, when SQE1 moves to 170-question papers in two sessions of 85.
A low price doesn't prove a set covers the law and assessment specification for your sitting. Start with your sitting, then compare editions.
What changes for 2026/27
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SQE1 format | From January 2027, FLK1 and FLK2 are 170 questions each, in two sessions of 85 (was 180) | SRA, September 2026 |
| Subject weighting | The assessment blueprint is unchanged | Same |
| SQE1 dates | January 2027: FLK1 11–15 Jan, FLK2 18–22 Jan. July 2027: FLK1 12–16 Jul, FLK2 19–23 Jul | SRA 2027 dates |
| SQE2 windows | January, April and July 2027 | Same |
| Fees | SQE1 £2,006; SQE2 £3,086, for bookings from October 2026 | SRA, April 2026 |
| Law cut-off | Law in force four calendar months before the first assessment in the window | SRA |
From January 2027, subjects are also split between the two sessions of each FLK paper. Ethics and professional conduct can appear in any session. Books organised by subject still work. Timed mocks built for the old 180-question papers won't match the new format.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| SQE2 assessment fee | £3,086 |
| SQE1 assessment fee | £2,006 |
| Revise SQE SQE1 book bundle (new) | £232.90 |
Start with the SRA, then the publisher
Read the current SRA SQE1 assessment specification and assessment dates. The SRA publishes a law cut-off for each window. Check that date yourself rather than relying on a seller saying the books are "current".
Then find the publisher's page for the exact edition. Look for updates, corrections and statements about which sittings it covers. Revise SQE now labels its books by exam year (its current guides are "for 2027 exams"). University of Law's SQE Manuals reached a 6th edition in September 2026. UBT doesn't certify that any older book is enough for an exam.
Which used books are safest
| Item | Buying an older edition | Why |
|---|---|---|
| FLK1 subject guides (contract, tort, business law, dispute resolution, legal system, constitutional law) | Usually fine one edition old | Core principles move slowly |
| FLK2 property practice and wills guides | Prefer recent | SDLT and inheritance tax figures change with Budgets |
| Solicitors accounts | Usually fine | Rules change rarely; check the specification |
| Practice-question books and mocks | Buy the newest | The format changes from January 2027 |
| SQE2 skills guides | Usually fine | Skills rather than law, but check the underlying law |
Use this checklist for a single book or set
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Assessment | SQE1 or SQE2; FLK1 or FLK2 where relevant |
| Sitting | Your intended window, e.g. January 2027 |
| Edition | Printed edition, publication year or "for 20XX exams" label |
| ISBN | Each volume, not just the box or set |
| Coverage | Subjects included and missing |
| Updates | Publisher corrections or updates for that edition |
| Access | Any online questions or licence you'd have to buy separately |
| Condition | Annotations, missing pages and filled-in exercises |
Browse second-hand SQE books and paper guides. For several volumes, use the Reading List Checker to check which ISBNs are on UBT.
A "complete set" needs a list
Compare the contents with what your course provider requires. A bundle labelled "SQE books" might cover only part of FLK1 or FLK2, or mix editions. Ask for photos of the covers and copyright pages and a list of the volumes. Add the cost of any missing titles when you compare prices. For reference, the full Revise SQE SQE1 bundle lists at £232.90 new, and its FLK1 and FLK2 bundles at £123.30 each.
Don't assume an online question bank comes with physical books. Check the provider's current licence terms. A used book can still be worth buying without a code, as long as you budget for any access you need separately.
Price the edition, not the original purchase
Compare current offers for the same ISBN and condition. Older printings, incomplete sets and annotations all lower the value. What the seller paid for their course isn't a fair comparison for a used book.
If the edition you need isn't available, set a stock alert rather than buying a different edition just because it's in stock. The ISBN checklist covers format and component checks.
After your exam
Describe your edition and volumes accurately when you sell. Passing with a book doesn't prove it suits a later sitting. Our guide to selling SQE books after passing helps you prepare a listing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use second-hand SQE books?
Yes, for most subject content, as long as the edition is recent and you check it against the current SRA assessment specification and the law cut-off date for your window. Practice-question books and mocks are the items most worth buying current.
What is changing in SQE1 from January 2027?
From the January 2027 sitting, FLK1 and FLK2 each have 170 questions rather than 180, split into two sessions of 85. The SRA says the assessment blueprint, meaning the share of questions per subject, has not changed. Older practice books written for 180-question papers will not match the new session format.
How much does the SQE cost in 2026/27?
The SRA's fees for 2026/27 are £2,006 for SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2, £5,092 in total. They apply to bookings from October 2026. Books and prep courses cost extra.
What is the SQE law cut-off date?
The SRA examines the law in force four calendar months before the first assessment date in each window. It publishes the exact cut-off date for each window alongside the assessment dates.
Put the guide into practice
Search second-hand course books by exact ISBN, with buyer protection and tracked delivery on every order.
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