What happens if your assessment is disrupted

We work hard to ensure every assessment runs smoothly. While the vast majority of SQE candidates complete their assessments without interruption, we recognise that issues can sometimes arise.

This page explains Assessment Delivery Disruptions, and sets out what you can expect from us if you are affected.

What is an Assessment Delivery Disruption?

An Assessment Delivery Disruption (ADD) is a formal status declared by Kaplan SQE. It applies when an issue prevents an assessment day from starting or being completed.

While we plan extensively to avoid them, the delivery of digital and oral assessments is complex. Disruptions can be caused by:

• Technical failures: Server issues, hardware malfunctions, or station failures that cannot be restarted.
• Infrastructure failures: Loss of electricity, water, or broadband at a centre.
• External events: Extreme weather forcing a centre to close.

What happens on the day?

1. Attempting to resolve the issue

Our immediate priority is to resolve the issue so your assessment can proceed. You may be asked to wait up to 90 minutes while we investigate and attempt a fix.

2. If the issue cannot be resolved

If we cannot resolve the issue within approximately 90 minutes, the assessment will likely be cancelled for the day. Test centre staff will advise you to leave the centre.

We aim to contact you within two hours of the incident to outline the next steps. Please check your email for instructions from our Candidate Services Team.

Rescheduling your assessment

If we declare an ADD, our priority is to reschedule your assessment as soon as possible.

Timing: We aim to confirm a new date within 24 hours. Ideally, the rescheduled assessment will take place within 2-3 days of the original date, subject to your existing scheduled assessments.

Test centre availability: While we may sometimes be able to reschedule your assessment for the same day, this depends on seat availability. Test centre staff will advise if this is possible, prior to you leaving the test centre.

Recommendation: We strongly recommend where possible keeping the days immediately following your assessment window free in case rescheduling is necessary.

If you cannot make the rescheduled date, please contact the Candidate Services Team. We will attempt to find a suitable alternative, though this is subject to test centre availability.

Your options

When we declare an ADD in line with the descriptions above, your options depend on whether you have already started the assessment and which assessment you are sitting.

Scenario A: You have NOT attempted any part of the assessment

If you were not able to start your assessment, you will have the following options:

• Sit the rescheduled assessment: If you are able to attend the new date and are fit to do so.
• Decline the rescheduled assessment: Your assessment will be cancelled, the attempt will be discounted (it will not count as one of your three attempts), and you will receive a full refund.

SQE1 split option

• If your FLK1 is unable to start: You may choose to sit the rescheduled assessment or accept a refund for FLK1 (discounting the attempt). You will proceed to sit FLK2.
• If your FLK2 is unable to start: You may choose to sit the rescheduled assessment or accept a refund for FLK2 (discounting the attempt) while retaining your result for FLK1 i.e. your FLK1 attempt and result will count.

Note: As SQE2 is a single assessment, it cannot be split. If you decline the rescheduled option following an ADD, and have completed one or more of the 16 stations, you will be required to take all 16 stations again at a later sitting.

Scenario B: You HAVE attempted part of the assessment

If you started the assessment but the assessment was disrupted and an ADD was declared, you have all the options listed in Scenario A, plus one additional option, where available:

• Have your assessment marked: You can choose to have the assessment that you completed marked.

If you pass, the mark stands.

If you fail, the attempt is discounted, and you will still receive a full refund.

Whether your assessment can be marked depends on the circumstances of the disruption. Our Candidate Services Team will confirm to you if this is possible.

Note: SQE2 results take between 14-16 weeks.