Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination provides an avenue of entry to Becoming a Solicitor if you do not otherwise qualify for this training by meeting the requirements of the other categories (e.g. you do not hold a degree at level 7).
The Preliminary Examination is held once each year. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on or before the date of the first examination they apply to sit.
The Preliminary Examination consists of three separate papers:
- English
- Irish Government & Politics
- General Knowledge
The pass mark for each paper is 50%. Candidates must pass all three papers in one sitting in order to pass the examination. Candidates are allowed a maximum of three attempts (the original sitting and up to two repeat sittings).
The Preliminary Examination is held once each year. The next sitting will between 25th and 27th March 2025.
Applications for the Preliminary Exam are now closed.
| 2025 Exam Timetable | ||
| Date | Time | Subject |
| 25th March 2025 | 10:00 – 13:00 | Use of English |
| 26th March 2025 | 10:00 – 13:00 | Irish Government & Politics |
| 27th March 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 | General Knowledge |
Requests for refunds, together with supporting medical evidence must be received within 30 days of the examination taking place.
Applications for the March 2025 sitting of the Preliminary Examination are now closed.
An application to sit the Preliminary Examination requires the following:
- Completed application form
- Photo ID – i.e. copy of passport or driving licence
- Examination fee of €470 to be paid by EFT
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on or before 25 March 2025. The fee of €470 is payable after your application has been reviewed.
Examination fees cannot be transferred to another sitting of this examination. A refund of examination fees will only be given to candidates who produce medical evidence (i.e. a medical certificate from a GP or consultant) for non-attendance. No refund will be given if a candidate is present for the examination, regardless of whether any of the examination questions were attempted. Requests for refunds together with supporting medical evidence must be received by 5pm Monday 28 April 2025.
The Law Society offers various supports and reasonable accommodations to encourage sustainable growth and learning. A reasonable accommodation might be any action that helps alleviate a substantial disadvantage.
Reasonable and appropriate accommodations and other such supports are determined on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the individual's certified disability/specific learning difficulty. It is important that a formal and timely application is made for such supports so that the appropriate supports can be identified and provided where necessary.
For further information on the supports and reasonable accommodations available for candidates sitting examinations see Disability Supports & Adapted Arrangements.
Results will be sent to the email provided by candidates on the application formapproximately six weeks after the final examination.
Candidates may apply for a recheck of any failed paper. The recheck application form will be emailed to candidates who have failed an examination.
The recheck application fee is €150 per examination. If a candidate passes an examination following recheck, a refund of the recheck fee for that examination will be issued. Please note that you must pass all three examinations in one sitting in order to pass the Preliminary Examination.
The closing date for receipt of a recheck application is 14 days from the date on which the results are issued.
FE-1 Section
- Telephone: 01 672 4802
- Email: FE1Section@LawSociety.ie.
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