| SQE1 | National pass rate (first sitters) | BPP pass rate (first-sit) | BPP added value |
| July 2024 | 48% | 74% | +26% |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | 59% | 79% | +20% |
| January 2023 | 54% | 73% | +19% |
SQE Pass Rate
Preparing to take the SQE? Read our guide on the SQE pass rates to get a better understanding of how the SQE pass rates stack up, how the exam is marked, and preparation tips.
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What are the SQE exams?
The SQE, or Solicitors Qualifying Examinations, are the assessments required to pass when training to become a solicitor.
The SQE assessments require an in-depth understanding of a range of legal principles and will test your knowledge and application of legal and ethical concepts. The SQE is split into two parts, SQE1 and SQE2 and both will need to be passed to qualify.
SQE1
SQE1 tests your application of legal principles, known as Functional Legal Knowledge (FLK). It consists of two computer-based multiple-choice tests with 180 questions each, FLK1 and FLK2.
The exam tests understanding of the foundational law subjects and core legal practice areas including business law, dispute resolution, the English and Welsh legal system, as well as non-business knowledge like property land law and criminal law.
SQE2
SQE2 consists of 16 written and oral tasks, and 14 hours of assessments, that examine your knowledge across a range of legal skills. The assessments include simulations of client and solicitor interactions as well as cases and court-based scenarios. The assessments take place over six days in total, with the oral and written tests taking 2.5 days and 3.5 days to complete respectively.
SQE2 assesses a range of practical legal skills across five practice areas: property practice, wills and intestacy plus probate administration and practice, criminal legislation, dispute resolution and business organisation rules and procedures.
SQE pass rate
The SQE is developing a reputation as being hard to pass. They are considerably harder than the previous Legal Practice Course route and set a high standard for exam results and professional conduct. The SQE exam dates occur a few times a year, giving candidates a chance to retake the assessment.
In 2023, just 51% of candidates who took the SQE 1 passed. This increased in January 2024, with 56% of candidates passing the SQE1.
However, our SQE pass rates are consistently and significantly above that national average.
| SQE2 | National pass rate (first sitters) | BPP pass rate (first-sit) | BPP added value |
| July 2024 | 77% | 98% |
+21% |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | 81% | 93% | +12% |
| July 2023 | 82% | 99% | +17% |
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How did BPP help you prepare for the SQE?
From leading resources to a huge bank of MCQs, and AI that identifies what you need to do to pass SQE, our students share how BPP helped them to prepare for the SQE challenge.
Why is the SQE difficult to pass?
In comparison to the previous LPC route, the SQE is undeniably more difficult. However, the LPC was not designed for candidates to start working as a newly qualified solicitor immediately. The SQE is, so it is intentionally more thorough.
SQE1
It is easy to dismiss the preparation required for SQE1 when you hear it is a multiple-choice exam. It is difficult, however, as all the answers are plausible. It requires you to have the legal knowledge to identify which answer is the most suitable for each particular situation provided.
SQE2
Candidates taking SQE2 must demonstrate their oral legal skills to an assessor role-playing as their client, as well as 12 written legal skills assessments. The exam requires a strong ability to apply their knowledge in a practical context. However, SQE2 has a higher pass rate than SQE1, likely because of the required and attained legal knowledge of SQE1 beforehand.Preparing to take the SQE
Many people manage to pass the SQE the first time. So, to give yourself your best chance ensure you maintain structure and routine with your studying. You will be able to find practice SQE papers online. Take a look at the SQE exam dates beforehand to help you map out your goals and targets. Having the foresight to choose courses that suit your existing knowledge base and your time commitments will also go a long way to ensuring that you have the best possible preparation.
If your undergraduate degree was not in law, then consider completing a law conversion course as an in-depth understanding of the legal landscape and ethical implications is vital to pass.
It may also be a good idea to begin your qualifying work experience (QWE) before sitting your SQE2. This will allow you to gain vital practical experience that you can apply to your preparation and exam.
How is the SQE marked?
The SQE assesses candidates on their understanding and application of ethics in legal practice. Through the SQE, the Solicitors Regulation Authority aims to produce solicitors who are skilled and knowledgeable whilst upholding strict professional and ethical conduct.
Each exam on the SQE1 is marked with a ‘raw score’ out of 180, however, the passing grade is determined using a scaled system to maintain fair comparisons and to accommodate variations in paper difficulty. The raw score is converted into a scaled score out of 500 with a pass mark set at 300.
SQE2 is marked evenly across its 16 assessments and is graded on how the candidates apply their legal knowledge.
Final thoughts
The SQE is a difficult assessment by design, and it creates technically skilled and morally upstanding solicitors. If you’re preparing for the SQE, BPP offers a range of SQE courses to get you set for your exams.
The BPP difference
There are several reasons why BPP’s pass rates are so much higher than the national average. Key among them is the fact that we’ve embedded more than 50 years' worth of experience in preparing students to sit centralised assessments into our SQE preparation courses
We’ve baked that experience into all the tools we use to help people prepare for the SQE. These tools include:
MCQ practice app Access an extensive bank of SQE MCQs, anytime, anywhere. From knowledge check questions to assessment-style MCQs, you’ll embed the knowledge and be prepared for the rigorous exams.
BPP AdaptOur unique, AI powered learning platform flexes as you develop – identifying your strengths and areas for improvement, so you can focus your revision on key areas and go into the exam feeling confident.
Teaching that mirrors life in practiceExperience realistic case studies and online learning platforms, designed to simulate life in practice. You’ll learn to integrate and contextualise the knowledge you learn and its application in the real-world.
SQExpert tutorsOur tutors are qualified lawyers who bring their real-world experience and expertise into the classroom. Not only will you develop the knowledge, you’ll learn the context, helping you better understand the high-stakes exam questions.
Multi-disciplinary support teamYou’re not on your own while preparing for the SQE. From SQExperts to 1-2-1s with a dedicated personal tutor, and mental health and wellbeing support – you’ve got an entire team backing you.
Looking to learn?
Take a look at the BPP’s SQE courses, and find out more about how to become a solicitor.
FAQs
Around half the candidates that attempt the SQE1 fail. In January 2024 the pass rate for SQE1 was 56%. SQE2 generally has a higher pass rate, in January 2024 the pass rate was 73%.