Preliminary examination
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).
- Learn more about the 2026 Preliminary Examination Syllabus
- Order Past Exam Papers
- Contacts for Preliminary Examination preparatory courses and tuition
The March 2026 Preliminary Examination will be held at an examination centre in Dublin.
Tuesday 24 March 2026
10.00am – 1.00pm USE OF ENGLISH
Wednesday 25 March 2026
10.00am – 1.00pm IRISH GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Thursday 26 March 2026
10.00am – 11.30am GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
While the Law Society aims to keep changes to published examination timetables to a minimum, the need to make such changes does occasionally arise. Please check our website (www.lawsociety.ie) closer to the date of your examination to confirm the dates, times and venues.
Applications for March 2026 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 to be paid by EFT
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on or before 24 March 2026. The fee 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 27 April 2026.
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 €154 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