QLTS and what to expect on assessment days:
Impact of COVID-19 on QLTS July and August assessments (MCT and OSCE)
We are continuously reviewing the ever evolving situation with the outbreak of the COVID-19 (coronavirus). Currently, the July and August assessments are going ahead as planned. The health and safety of candidates and staff is paramount and we will closely monitor this situation and follow advice and guidelines released by the Government and Public Health England. We will keep candidates updated in the event that there are further developments.
Candidates are advised to consult the government website for the country in which they are scheduled to test for further information on COVID-19. For candidates sitting in the UK the website may be found here. Please also see the updated information on the Pearson VUE website.
On 10 May 2020 the UK government announced that it will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border. This was followed by a further announcement on 22 May 2020:
- The Government will require all international arrivals to supply their contact and accommodation information
- The Government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days on arrival into the UK. Where international travellers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the Government.
All journeys within the Common Travel Area (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) will be exempt from these measures.
These measures will be introduced on 8 June 2020 and will be reviewed at three-week intervals.
For more information, please read the UK Government’s announcement on new public health measures for all UK arrivals.
Kaplan QLTS Communications Update
Due to remote working we have been unable to receive any hard copy post since 20th March 2020.
All communications to Kaplan QLTS will need to be done via email at qlts@kaplan.com.
EU Referendum
The Solicitors Regulation Authority will require solicitors of England and Wales to continue to have a working knowledge of EU law in order to be able to advise clients in the short and medium term. Until specifically stated otherwise, QLTS candidates will be assessed on EU law as set out in SRA Day One Outcome A1.
Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) Transitional Arrangements
After the Solicitors' Qualifying Examination is introduced, the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will continue to be available for one year for those QLTS candidates who have taken and passed the QLTS Multiple Choice Test (MCT) prior to the SQE introduction date.
If you have not passed the MCT prior to the SQE introduction date you will need to complete the SQE in order to qualify.
For further information on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination and the arrangements for Qualified Lawyers see https://www.sra.org.uk/
Training & Kaplan QLTS
Kaplan is the authorised assessment provider for the SRA and accordingly Kaplan is not authorised to provide training courses preparing candidates to attempt the QLTS. Kaplan has recently become aware some candidates have been contacted by an entity purporting to be Kaplan QLTS offering training courses. Such person(s) are not associated with Kaplan. Both the SRA and Kaplan would ask candidates to refer all such communications to them for investigation.
Important – Upcoming Deadlines
July 2020 MCT – Booking with Pearson VUE Deadline: 17:00 UK Time on 27th May 2020. The booking window is currently open.
Candidates must have registered with Kaplan QLTS by the registration deadline in order to be able to book a place on the MCT.
July 2020 OSCE – Booking with Kaplan QLTS Deadline: 17:00 UK Time on 17th June 2020.
Please note bookings for QLTS exams are not finalised until full payment has been made.
Booking for QLTS assessments
You are advised to book early to secure a place on all QLTS assessments, and in any case well before the booking deadline. Places are limited and candidates who wait until close to the booking deadline risk finding that the assessment is already full. Payment must be made in full to secure a booking.
Breaches of Assessment Regulations
All candidates for QLTS assessments are required to acknowledge that the content of each assessment is confidential and that they will not disclose or discuss any of the content to any other party. It has come to our attention that candidates are breaching this regulation and thereby committing an assessment offence by discussing past assessments with Training Providers. Please note that the SRA regard any deliberate assessment offence as a potential character and suitability issue which could lead to a candidate being refused admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. If you are asked by a Training Provider or anybody else to provide information about QLTS assessments you have sat we would ask that you report this matter to both Kaplan and the SRA for investigation.