The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is a challenging qualification assessment governed by strict regulations. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is dedicated to ensuring equal conditions for all lawyers, regardless of their background or origin. For candidates with disabilities or other conditions that may pose additional challenges during the exam, applying for SQE reasonable adjustments might seem daunting. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, securing these adjustments is entirely achievable.
No matter if you’re studying for SQE1 or SQE2, our expert resources are designed to support you throughout your preparation:
Types of reasonable adjustments available
The SRA aims to ensure that no one is disadvantaged, so when it comes to sitting the SQE, reasonable adjustments may apply based on the evidence submitted by the candidate. Such adjustments are applied on a case-by-case basis.
As dyslexia is very well recognised in the UK, domestic candidates should be very familiar with the adjustments available and the respective procedures to request them. However, this process may be more challenging to navigate for overseas candidates, most of whom are foreign-qualified lawyers, as these candidates might not experience the same level of awareness of and accommodations for this condition in their home country compared to the UK. In this article, we will focus primarily on this category.
Faces of dyslexia and SQE
One of the conditions which may qualify for reasonable adjustments is dyslexia, a learning disorder that is mostly characterised by severe learning difficulties in reading, spelling and writing associated with problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words. As a result, people with dyslexia may face difficulties with phonological processing, working memory, processing speed, and the automatic development of skills.
All these things make it difficult for people with dyslexia to perform activities which may seem easy and ordinary for others.
Although dyslexia can affect cognitive areas such as memory, processing speed and time management, this does not mean that people with this condition have poor intellectual abilities – on the contrary; they may even have exceptional strengths. But a lack of the above-mentioned skills and qualities inevitably leaves these people at a substantial disadvantage in standard exam conditions compared to others.
This is especially relevant for the competitive and comparative SQE1 and SQE2 exams, where time limits are strictly imposed for each and every component assessment.
Studies show that at least 10% of the population has dyslexia, which is usually first discovered at school age. This disability can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or age. However, many people don’t realise that they have this condition until adulthood, or not at all. The reasons for this include a lack of awareness and education about the disorder, or growing up in an environment with zero tolerance for some of the effects, such as poor spelling.
Regulation and recognition
Unlike in the UK, where dyslexia is covered by the Equality Act 2010 and employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for dyslexic staff members in the workplace, in mainland Europe, most countries do not have the same national awareness or protection for workers or students with learning disabilities. While there are no specific laws in Europe on workplace dyslexia, general provisions are stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and an EU directive on equal treatment in employment which prohibit the discrimination of people with disabilities and oblige employers to provide necessary accommodations. The situation is better in the US, where dyslexia is formally recognised at federal level with nearly all states having adopted specific laws addressing dyslexia. Only three states have no specific laws in relation to dyslexia: Hawaii, Idaho and Vermont.
Although foreign lawyers qualifying in the UK may not be accustomed to treating dyslexia as a disability, the UK approach established in the Equality Act 2010 strictly mandates that employers make suitable adjustments to workplaces if disabled people so require. Moreover, adjustment practices may also apply to other conditions that are not considered a disability e.g. physical conditions.
Other conditions which may qualify for reasonable adjustments
The SRA recognises a wide range of other conditions and disabilities for which a number of adjustments may be granted. This list includes, but is not limited to: visual and/or hearing impairments, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, arthritis, chronic pain, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hypoglycaemia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or tendonitis.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is also important to note that the SRA has indicated that it is willing to accommodate other conditions which may not be defined as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, within reason. If you have any of the above-mentioned conditions or any other condition which may affect your ability to sit the SQE under the standard assessment methods, it is worth submitting a request to see what accommodations may be made to help you.
How to request SQE reasonable adjustments?
What, then, are the practical steps that foreign lawyers or students need to take to apply for reasonable adjustments when sitting the SQE?
(i) Evidence in support: make sure that you meet the SRA specific requirements
For dyslexia and other learning disabilities, those who reside in the UK may find a list of approved specialist assessors on the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee website (https://www.sasc.org.uk/), and a list of approved psychologists on the Health & Care Professions Council website https://www.hcpc-uk.org/. Some difficulty may arise, however, when you reside overseas and have to submit the respective evidence from your home jurisdiction.
Be aware that you cannot provide evidence from just any specialist who might consult you in your country e.g. your doctor (general practitioner, GP). The SRA has specific requirements with regard to the disability assessors when it comes to assessing learning disabilities. They can be specialist teachers who are certified to assess specific learning difficulties or practising chartered or educational psychologists. So, first make sure that your assessor from back home will be recognised by the assessment provider.
For other conditions or disabilities, evidence can be provided by a suitably qualified professional with expertise in the condition, such as your GP, occupational therapist, or other healthcare professional.
The assessor should then produce a report, which should include:
- the nature of the disability;
- its effect on the ability of the disabled person to perform in the assessment; and
- the requested reasonable adjustments for the candidate and how these adjustments will address the candidate’s needs.
The report must be provided in English (or in Welsh for candidates sitting the SQE in Welsh). If your assessor provides a report in your native language, it must be submitted along with a certified translation.
The SRA allows for different adjustments depending on each person’s circumstances, for example:
- additional time for certain assessments in the SQE exam;
- additional breaks in the assessments;
- enlarged or coloured assessment materials;
- the use of a computer or laptop for handwritten elements of the assessments;
- separation from other candidates;
- permission to have food or take medicine during the SQE assessments.
You may not necessarily be granted all of these adjustments, but possibly one or more depending on your specific case. For example, when it comes to dyslexia, you may expect to receive additional time.
(ii) SQE Reasonable Adjustments: Application and Timing
If you have a disability, long-term medical condition, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you may be entitled to SQE1 and SQE2 reasonable adjustments. These are practical changes designed to ensure you are not placed at a substantial disadvantage under the Equality Act 2010.
Common examples include:
- extra time (often relevant for SQE with dyslexia),
- rest breaks,
- use of assistive technology,
- separate rooms,
- ergonomic arrangements.
However, the timing and process for applying have changed, and candidates must now plan more carefully. Importantly, there are currently two policies in operation, depending on when your assessment takes place.
Reasonable Adjustments Policy 1: Assessments Taken Before 1 October 2026
For sittings before 1 October 2026, the previous reasonable adjustment framework applies.
Under this approach:
- You must register and activate your SQE account.
- You submit a Reasonable Adjustments Application via the SQE portal.
- If you do not yet have supporting medical or psychological evidence, you may submit the request first and upload documents later.
- The application is reviewed by Kaplan’s Equality and Quality team.
- The decision is issued through your SQE account.
If you disagree with the proposed adjustments, you may:
- discuss the matter with Kaplan’s Equality and Quality team, and
- appeal to the SRA if agreement is not reached.
The SRA aims to issue appeal decisions within 10 working days. If upheld, revised adjustments are confirmed shortly afterwards.
⇲ Official reference (pre-October 2026 Reasonable adjustments policy
⚖️ Important: Requests must be submitted before booking your SQE assessments. If you apply after the exam registration deadline, the SRA may not be able to implement your adjustments in time, meaning you may need to postpone your exam.
Reasonable Adjustments Policy 1: Assessments Taken From 1 October 2026 Onwards
For assessments taken from 1 October 2026, the application process has changed in a significant way.
Candidates must now have their reasonable adjustments approved before submitting their seat reservation form.
Previously, elements of the request could be handled later in the booking process. Under the new approach, approval must be secured earlier.
This may seem administrative, but in practice it affects planning. Applying for SQE1 and SQE2 reasonable adjustments, particularly in cases such as SQE with dyslexia, often requires:
- updated educational psychologist reports,
- medical evidence,
- confirmation of prior academic support,
- formal diagnostic documentation.
Securing such evidence can take time – especially for candidates balancing work, study and financial commitments.
The legal test remains the same: whether you would be placed at a “substantial disadvantage” without adjustments. The Equality Act framework has not changed. What has changed is the timing pressure. Under the new system, candidates should:
- begin discussions with medical professionals early,
- request updated reports well in advance,
- submit applications significantly earlier than before,
- avoid waiting until close to the booking window.
⇲ Official reference (From 1 October 2026 Reasonable adjustments policy)
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Start early: Contact your disability assessor well in advance so they can prepare your evidence.
- Provide context: Your assessor may need detailed information about SQE1 and SQE2 or general guidelines for foreign candidates, especially if English is not your first language. This information is available on the SRA website, and you can translate it if needed.
- Submit through your SQE account: Once your report is ready, upload your evidence and submit the request through your account. Kaplan’s Equality and Quality team will review your application and notify you of the outcome via your SQE portal.
What Kind of Adjustments Are Offered?
- Extra time or rest breaks
- Assistive technology (screen readers, magnifiers, coloured overlays)
- Separate or quiet rooms
- Alternative formats or modified materials
These accommodations are designed to remove unnecessary barriers – not to offer unfair advantages – and are a legal right under the Equality Act 2010.
If You Disagree with the Outcome
If the adjustments offered seem inappropriate, you can first raise the issue with Kaplan’s Equality and Quality team. If you are unable to reach a solution, you may appeal to the SRA, providing further evidence and explaining why the decision is not suitable. You should receive a final decision within 10 working days, and if the appeal is successful, the revised adjustments will be issued within five days.
The reasonable adjustments policy reflects the SRA’s commitment to equal access and fair treatment for all candidates sitting the SQE exams. Whether you’re a domestic or international lawyer, it’s essential to understand and utilise this support if applicable.
SQE With Dyslexia: Why Early Planning Matters
Candidates sitting the SQE with dyslexia often require:
- additional reading time,
- modified font or screen settings,
- text-to-speech tools,
- structured rest breaks.
Because SQE1 involves multiple-choice assessments under strict timing conditions, and SQE2 includes written skills stations with heavy reading demands, supporting evidence must be robust and up to date.
With the earlier approval requirement (from October 2026 onwards), delays in obtaining reports may directly affect your ability to book your preferred sitting.
This makes forward planning essential.
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