The SQE: Is it fit for purpose?

Sol Barton

The SQE replaced the previous system, which generally required aspiring solicitors to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) before undertaking a training contract. One of the core aims of the change was to introduce a single national assessment to ensure that all candidates are measured against the same standards regardless of where they studied or trained. Under the previous system, assessment methods and standards varied between institutions, leading to concerns about consistency and fairness. The SQE was therefore designed to establish a more transparent and standardized qualification process.

SQE2 itself focuses on practical legal skills through a series of 16 assessment stations, including written and oral exercises. Unlike SQE1, which primarily tests functioning legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions, SQE2 assesses the application of legal knowledge in realistic professional contexts. The relatively strong performance of candidates may indicate that the assessment is succeeding in measuring practical competence rather than only testing academic knowledge. This aligns with one of the SRA’s objectives of ensuring newly qualified solicitors possess the skills necessary for legal practice.

However, despite the apparent success of the standardized system in establishing a common assessment framework, the results continue to reveal significant attainment gaps between different groups of candidates. These disparities raise important questions about whether standardization alone is sufficient to promote equality of opportunity.

Ethnic Groups

One of the most striking findings concerns differences in pass rates across ethnic groups. White candidates achieved an 88% pass rate, compared with 66% for Asian candidates and 53% for Black candidates.

Such disparities have persisted throughout multiple SQE sittings and mirror concerns that existed under the previous LPC system. While the SQE was intended to create a fairer and more objective route to qualification, the continued existence of substantial attainment gaps suggests that broader structural issues may still be influencing outcomes. Factors such as differences in educational opportunities, access to preparation resources, socioeconomic background and workplace support may continue to affect performance despite the introduction of a standardized assessment.

Language Background

Language background also appears to influence outcomes significantly. Candidates whose first language is English achieved an 84% pass rate, while those whose first language is not English recorded a 61% pass rate.

The SQE requires candidates to demonstrate complex legal reasoning, advocacy, and written communication skills, all of which depend heavily on language proficiency. Although a professional legal qualification must necessarily test communication skills, these results suggest that non-native English speakers may face additional challenges within the examination process. Consequently, while the SQE may provide a uniform assessment standard, equal treatment does not necessarily produce equal outcomes.

Academic Backgrounds

The data also reveal a clear relationship between prior academic achievement and SQE2 success. Candidates holding a first-class degree achieved a pass rate of 92%, compared with 81% for those with a 2:1 and 53% for candidates with a 2:2.

This suggests that academic ability remains a strong predictor of success even within a practical skills assessment. Supporters of the SQE may argue that this demonstrates the robustness of the examination, as stronger academic performers continue to excel. Critics, however, may question whether the system adequately supports candidates from less traditional educational backgrounds, particularly given the SQE’s stated objective of widening access to the profession.

Age Differences

Age-related differences are also evident. Candidates aged 16–24 achieved an 88% pass rate, compared with 81% among candidates aged 25–34.

Younger candidates may benefit from more recent academic study and familiarity with examination techniques. Conversely, older candidates may be balancing employment, family responsibilities, or career changes alongside exam preparation. The flexibility of the SQE route, particularly through the introduction of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), was intended to benefit non-traditional candidates. Nevertheless, the data suggest that some challenges remain for those entering the profession later in life.

Conclusion

Overall, the latest SQE2 results indicate that the new qualification system is achieving several of its key objectives. The examination provides a consistent national standard, and the high overall pass rate suggests that candidates who reach SQE2 are generally well prepared for practice.

However, the continuing disparities in outcomes across ethnicity, language background, educational attainment, and age demonstrate that standardization alone cannot eliminate underlying inequalities. While the SQE has undoubtedly transformed solicitor qualification by creating a more uniform assessment process, the legal profession and regulators will continue to face the challenge of ensuring that the system is not only rigorous and consistent but also genuinely accessible and equitable for all aspiring solicitors.

References:

Szaniszlo, J. (2026) Latest SQE2 pass rate rises to 80%. Legal Cheek, 22 May. Available at: https://www.legalcheek.com/2026/05/latest-sqe2-pass-rate-rises-to-80/ (Accessed: 9 June 2026).

Dimitrov, D. (2026) SQE2 pass rate climbs once again to 80% in latest January 2026 sitting. LawCareers.Net, 22 May. Available at: https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/News/SQE2-pass-rate-climbs-once-again-to-80-in-latest-January-2026-sitting-22052026 (Accessed: 9 June 2026).