PSRAS Written Examination — Complete Guide

Prepare for the first stage of PSRAS accreditation: verified format, exemptions, examination topics, SRA competence areas, open-book rules, and a structured study plan.

Last updated: 5 June 2026 · Author: Robert Cashman, Duty Solicitor & Higher Court Advocate

Check your exemption before booking

PSRA 2025 lists specific written-exam exemptions (LPC, BPTC, solicitors, barristers, specified CILEX qualifications). A law degree or SQE pass alone does not automatically exempt you — confirm with the Legal Aid Agency if unsure (Datalaw advises LAA contact).

What is the written exam?

The written examination assesses your understanding of the representative's role at the police station, criminal law, evidence, practice, and procedure (Datalaw). It must be passed before Part A portfolio cases begin (Datalaw) and before DSCC probationary registration (PSRA 2025). You are assessed against the SRA Standards of competence.

Where it sits in PSRAS

Written exam (this guide) — or prove exemption
Part A portfolio — four case studies; probationary PIN application
Part B portfolio — five case studies (probationary)
Critical Incidents Test — final role-play (Part B and CIT in either order once probationary)

Exemptions

Automatic exemptions (PSRA 2025)

Qualified solicitors
Barristers
LPC completers
BPTC / Bar Professional Training Course completers
CILEX Fellows or Members who passed Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law including Criminal Law and Litigation papers

Not exempt (PSRA 2025)

Individuals who have only passed the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) — PSRA 2025 states no exemption for "Solicitors Qualifying Exemption" alone
Paralegals without LPC/BPTC/CILEX criminal litigation papers
Law degrees without LPC/BPTC/SQE qualification as solicitor

How to confirm

Contact the Legal Aid Agency if unsure (Datalaw advises LAA confirmation)
Provide exemption evidence to your assessment organisation before skipping the written stage

Assessment format

Duration

Two hours (Datalaw published format)

Questions

Five questions set; answer any four (25 marks each). A fifth answer is not marked

Pass mark

At least 50% overall (50 marks out of 100)

Sitting

Monthly sittings — dates on provider timetable (Datalaw / Cardiff)

Examination topics

Datalaw lists six major areas — questions draw from any combination:

Substantive criminal law

Elements of common offences encountered at custody: theft, assault, public order, drugs, motoring. Identify defences and evidential issues at a practical level.

Study: Common Offences Guide; Blackstone's Police Operational Handbook; legislation.gov.uk offence sections

Treatment of persons in custody

PACE Code C — detention, reviews, welfare, appropriate adults, medical treatment, rest periods, custody record.

Study: PACE Code C (2023); site /PACE guide

Conduct of police interviews

Caution, right to silence, adverse inference (CJPOA ss.34–38), prepared statements, representative interventions, Code C interview standards.

Study: Interview Under Caution guide; CJPOA; CPS adverse inferences guidance

Evidential significance of facts and silence

What matters for advice: disclosed facts, missing disclosure, inferences, identification evidence, confessions, hearsay basics at station stage.

Study: Police Disclosure Guide; CPIA disclosure duties overview

Police powers outside the station

Stop and search (Code A), arrest (s.24 PACE, Code G), entry/search powers relevant to initial detention context.

Study: PACE ss.1–24; Codes A and G

The criminal process

From arrest through charge, bail/RUI, mode of trial, first appearance — enough to advise at the station and explain next steps.

Study: Criminal Procedure Rules overview; pre-charge bail guidance (PCSC Act 2022)

SRA competence areas

Questions align with these assessment outcomes — read the full standards on the SRA website:

Outcome 1 — Role, ethics, and vulnerable groups at the police station
Outcome 2 — Criminal process from arrest to sentence
Outcome 3 — Common crimes and defences
Outcome 4 — Rules of evidence relevant at custody
Outcome 5 — Police station procedure (detention, disclosure, samples, identification)
Outcome 6 — Interview advice and conduct
Outcome 7 — Professional conduct and contract awareness

6-week study plan

Week 1: PACE Act ss.1–76 and Code C — detention, reviews, consultation, interview

Week 2: CJPOA ss.34–38; caution and adverse inference; read Interview Under Caution guide

Week 3: Code D identification; ss.61–63 samples; Code A stop/search where relevant

Week 4: Substantive offences — work through Common Offences Guide; offence elements flashcards

Week 5: SRA Standards outcomes 1–7 — one outcome per day; write model answers

Week 6: Timed practice: four questions in two hours using open-book materials only as permitted

Open-book rules

Datalaw: open-book — textbooks, printed guidelines, and Datalaw online materials purchased from Datalaw
Materials may be highlighted or underlined but not annotated with written notes added for the exam
Time is limited — do not rely on searching every answer from scratch during the two hours
Cardiff: confirm open-book rules in Cardiff handbook — may differ on permitted materials

Exam day tips

Answer only four questions — identify your strongest four in the first five minutes
Allocate ~30 minutes per question; leave 10 minutes to review
Structure answers: issue → law → application to facts → conclusion
Cite PACE Code paragraphs and statutory sections — shows Content marks
Explain what you would tell the client in plain English, not just black-letter law
Book the exam only when you have a supervising firm lined up — pass starts the clock toward portfolio work

Common pitfalls

Assuming SQE pass alone exempts you — PSRA 2025 does not exempt SQE-only candidates; verify with LAA
Answering all five questions — the fifth is ignored and wastes time
Spending half the exam searching textbooks instead of writing structured answers
Ignoring the rep's practical role — exam tests advising clients, not academic essays
Skipping Code C detention/review rules — high-frequency exam topics
Sitting the exam before securing supervision — you cannot begin Part A until passed (Datalaw)

After you pass

Receive results via email per provider timetable (Datalaw / Cardiff)
Begin Part A portfolio cases only after written pass confirmed (Datalaw)
Submit Part A for assessment; upon pass, supervising solicitor applies for probationary PIN (ADMIN 2)
Resits: check provider regulations for resit fees and caps — do not assume unlimited attempts

FAQs

Must I pass the written exam before the portfolio?+

Yes — Datalaw requires written exam pass before Part A cases begin. PSRA 2025 requires written pass (or exemption) before DSCC probationary registration alongside Part A pass.

What is the pass mark?+

Datalaw: at least 50% overall (four questions × 25 marks). Confirm Cardiff pass rules in their handbook if you assess with Cardiff.

Am I exempt if I have a law degree?+

A law degree alone does not exempt you. Exemptions are listed in PSRA 2025: solicitors, barristers, LPC, BPTC, and specified CILEX qualifications. SQE-only is not listed as exempt.

Am I exempt if I passed SQE 1 and 2?+

PSRA 2025 states there is no exemption for individuals who have passed the "Solicitors Qualifying Exemption" alone. Until you are admitted as a solicitor (or hold LPC/BPTC/CILEX exemption), assume you must sit the written exam — confirm with the LAA.

Is the exam open book?+

Datalaw: yes, with restrictions on annotation. Bring permitted texts; practice timed answers so you do not over-research in the exam room.

How often can I sit?+

Monthly sittings on provider timetables. Resit rules and fees are in provider regulations — download the current timetable.

Does the written exam test the same material as the CIT?+

Both assess against SRA Standards of competence, but the written exam is knowledge/application on paper; the CIT is oral role-play. Written pass is a prerequisite; CIT tests live advice skills.

Portfolio guide

Part A and Part B after written pass

CIT guide

Final role-play assessment

Full PSRAS guide

Complete accreditation roadmap

Find a supervising solicitor

Secure firm support before you start

PACE Codes

Core exam reference

Common Offences Guide

Substantive law revision

Sources & further reading

Links are to official publishers (legislation, gov.uk, CPS, LAA, Sentencing Council). Case law on this site is limited to entries in our verified case-law registry. Always confirm the current version before relying on it in live advice.

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