QLTT - The Test

CLT offers three sittings of the test each year. These are all held in central London in March (spring), July(summer) and November (autumn). Courses and distance learning courses will be available in advance of these test dates to prepare candidates to sit the tests.

The four Heads of the QLTT are:
Head I:Property3 hours and 30 minutes (reading time)
Head II:Litigation3 hours and 30 minutes (reading time)
Head III:Professional Conduct & Accounts3 hours and 15 minutes (reading time)
Head IV:Principles of Common LawIndividual Time Slots up to 1 hour


The aim of the test is to assess the “aptitude” of the candidate and is limited to the professional knowledge of the candidate. The test aims to assess the ability of the candidate to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales.

To pass the test candidates should be able to:
  • Identify problems arising from factual circumstances presented in question papers and deal appropriately with them
  • Explain the reasons for their answers and support their reasoning by reference to authorities including statutes, cases and practice rules
  • Where the test paper contains documents and/or forms, interpret completed documents or forms and discuss their legal and practical applications


THE TEST

The test consists of four Heads, three written and one oral. Candidates are required to pass each Head which that Candidate’s Certificate of Eligibility states are the subjects which that candidate is required to pass.

The four Heads are:
Head I – Property:Conveyancing Wills, Probate and Administration
Head II – Litigation:Legal System Civil Litigation Criminal Litigation
Head III - Professional Conduct & Accounts:Professional Conduct Accounts
Financial Services & Money Laundering
Head IV – Oral Head:Principles of Common Law


The three written Heads will be tested by way of written examinations and the oral Head will be tested by way of oral examination on pre-prepared scenarios.

Examinations:

Examinations will require a candidate to demonstrate:
  • An ability to solve legal problems in a practical context
  • A clear understanding of substantive legal knowledge
  • An ability to apply substantive legal knowledge to practical problems
  • An ability to deliver appropriate solutions to legal problems


Oral Examinations:

Oral Examinations will require a candidate to demonstrate:
  • Knowledge and understanding of the principles of the common law and the manner in which they apply in practice
  • A working knowledge of the legal system
  • A working knowledge of the principles of statutes and substantive law
  • Competence in the English Language


The Written Standards of Each Head

The Assessments on the QLTT will be written and set in accordance with the Written Standards laid down by the Law Society.

Candidates are required to pass each Head which that Candidate’s Certificate of Eligibility states are the subjects which that candidate is required to pass. Their performance in a Head may not be compensated by their performance in any other Head.

Head I – Property
The test is of three hours duration. An equal number of marks is allocated to Part A and Part B. Candidates are expected to answer questions on both parts of the test. Subject to regulation 2.1(v), the pass mark for the examinations is 50%
Head II Litigation; Civil or Criminal
The test is three hours with thirty minutes reading time. Subject to regulation 2.1(v), the pass mark for the examination is 50%.

Head III – Professional Conduct and Accounts
The test is three hours with fifteen minutes reading time. It is divided into two parts. Part 1 comprises of Professional Conduct, Financial Services and Money Laundering where 60% of marks are available.  Part 2 is Accounts where 40% of marks are available. Candidates must pass both parts of the paper. Candidates must attempt all questions covering each of the four areas in both parts. The pass mark for the test is 50%
Head IV– The Oral Head – Principles of Common Law
The assessment is thirty minutes with thirty minutes reading time. It focuses on a topic or topics which are selected in advance and notified to the candidate.
The purposes of the test are to test the candidate’s understanding of the principles of the common law and also linguistic competence. Subject to regulation 2.1(v), the pass mark for the test is 50%.