SQE1 January 2024 Statistical Report

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a single rigorous assessment for all aspiring solicitors. It consists of two parts: SQE1, which tests candidates' functioning legal knowledge and SQE2 which tests candidates' practical legal skills and knowledge.

This report includes statistics that provide some simple feedback on the January 2024 SQE1 assessments and their performance. The table below shows the number of candidates, the passing scaled score, and the overall pass rate for FLK1 and FLK2. It also shows the number of candidates who sat both parts of SQE1 and their pass rate.

Statistic FLK1 FLK2 SQE1
Passing Score 300 300 -
Candidates (All) 6204 6476 6061
Pass Rate (All) 63% 61% 56%
Candidates (First attempt only) 5613 5605 5580
Pass rate (First attempt only) 66% 63% 59%

Descriptive Statistics

The following table shows the average (mean) score, the standard deviation, median, minimum score, maximum score and range of observed scores for FLK1 and FLK2.

Statistic FLK1 FLK2
Mean  310.0 305.3
SD 63.1 70.1
Median 318 313
Min  0 0
Max  463 462
Range 463 462

Score Distribution Charts

The following charts show the distribution of scores for FLK1 and FLK2, with a red line showing the passing score required for each assessment.

FLK1 Score Distribution

Y axis showing Frequency

500
450
400
350
300
250
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150
100
50
6204 candidates
Pass mark = 300
Graph item showing 10 people scored 0-10
Graph item showing 0 people scored 11-20
Graph item showing 0 people scored 21-30
Graph item showing 0 people scored 31-40
Graph item showing 0 people scored 41-50
Graph item showing 0 people scored 51-60
Graph item showing 0 people scored 61-70
Graph item showing 0 people scored 71-80
Graph item showing 1 person scored 81-90
Graph item showing 1 person scored 91-100
Graph item showing 3 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 9 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 11 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 26 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 29 people scored 141-150
Graph item showing 30 people scored 151-160
Graph item showing 52 people scored 161-170
Graph item showing 68 people scored 171-180
Graph item showing 47 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 94 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 85 people scored 201-200
Graph item showing 109 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 159 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 162 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 104 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 262 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 243 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 272 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 283 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 371 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 419 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 393 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 369 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 478 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 364 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 397 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 337 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 354 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 182 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 170 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 136 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 96 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 42 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 21 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 12 people scored 441-450
Graph item showing 2 people scored 451-460
Graph item showing 1 person scored 461-470
Graph item showing 0 people scored 471-480
Graph item showing 0 people scored 481-490
Graph item showing 0 people scored 491-500
A red line showing the passing score required for each assessment
 
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X axis showingFLK1 Score (%)

FLK2 Score Distribution

Y axis showing Frequency

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
6476 candidates
Pass mark = 300
Graph item showing 39 people scored 0-10
Graph item showing 0 people scored 11-20
Graph item showing 0 people scored 21-30
Graph item showing 0 people scored 31-40
Graph item showing 0 people scored 41-50
Graph item showing 0 people scored 51-60
Graph item showing 0 people scored 61-70
Graph item showing 0 people scored 71-80
Graph item showing 3 people scored 81-90
Graph item showing 5 people scored 91-100
Graph item showing 2 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 12 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 16 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 29 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 46 people scored 141-150
Graph item showing 37 people scored 151-160
Graph item showing 68 people scored 161-170
Graph item showing 67 people scored 171-180
Graph item showing 110 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 91 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 115 people scored 201-200
Graph item showing 129 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 128 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 232 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 224 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 172 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 198 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 310 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 314 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 404 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 333 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 386 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 524 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 355 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 402 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 308 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 306 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 263 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 249 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 212 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 143 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 105 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 82 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 28 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 17 people scored 441-450
Graph item showing 10 people scored 451-460
Graph item showing 2 people scored 461-470
Graph item showing 0 people scored 471-480
Graph item showing 0 people scored 481-490
Graph item showing 0 people scored 491-500
A red line showing the passing score required for each assessment
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450
500

X axis showingFLK2 Score (%)

Score Quintile Chart

This chart shows the quintile score ranges for FLK1 and FLK2, with a minimum possible score of 0 and a maximum possible score of 500. A fifth of candidates fall within each quintile, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of candidates
 
FLK1
FLK2
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
Quintile graph showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates

Graph key showingQuintile

  • Graph key showing how Q1is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q2is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q3is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q4is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q5is represented in the graph
 
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X axis showingScaled Score (%)

Performance by Practice Area

These charts show the scores for the different practice areas within FLK1 and FLK2, with a minimum possible score of 0 and a maximum possible score of 500. A fifth of candidates fall within each quintile, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of candidates.

This chart show the scores for different practice areas within FLK1.

Y axis showing Practice area

BLP
DR
CL
.
T
LSys
LSrv
E
FLK1 Quintile graph for Business Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Business Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Business Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Business Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Business Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Contract Law showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Contract Law showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Contract Law showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Contract Law showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Contract Law showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Tort showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Tort showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Tort showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Tort showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Tort showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal System showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal System showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal System showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal System showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal System showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal Services showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal Services showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal Services showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal Services showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Legal Services showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK1 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates

Graph key showingQuintile

  • Graph key showing how Q1 is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q2is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q3is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q4is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q5is represented in the graph
 
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450
500

X axis showingScaled Score (%)

This chart show the scores for different practice areas within FLK2.

Y axis showing Practice area

E
PP
WI
LL
TL
CLi
CLP
FLK2 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Ethics showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Wills & Intestacy showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Wills & Intestacy showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Wills & Intestacy showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Wills & Intestacy showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Wills & Intestacy showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Land Law showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Land Law showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Land Law showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Land Law showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Land Law showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Trust Law showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Trust Law showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Trust Law showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Trust Law showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Trust Law showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Liability showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Liability showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Liability showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Liability showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Liability showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
FLK2 Quintile graph for Criminal Law & Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates

Graph key showingQuintile

  • Graph key showing how Q1 is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q2is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q3is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q4is represented in the graph
  • Graph key showing how Q5is represented in the graph
 
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500

X axis showingScore (%)

Pass Rates

The SRA collects diversity and socio-economic data to help understand how candidates with different characteristics and backgrounds perform in the assessments. The data categories are consistent with data collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Social Mobility Commission.

Based on responses to the online diversity survey, completed ahead of assessment registration, the following is provided in each table for FLK1 and FLK2:

  • Proportion of candidates in each group (Candidates %)
  • Average score within each group (Mean Score)
  • Pass rate for each group (Pass Rate %)

The proportion of candidates along with the pass rate is also provided for SQE1.

These tables provide data for the first attempt candidates, with data not reported for groups with fewer than 10 candidates. Performance of all candidates, including resitting candidates, will be presented in the SQE Annual Report.

What is your ethnic group?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Asian / Asian British 28 301 59 28 291 54 28 51
Black / Black British 6 284 49 6 278 43 6 39
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups 5 314 65 5 309 63 5 57
Other ethnic group 6 290 50 6 281 47 6 42
White 49 328 75 49 327 73 49 69
Prefer not to say 6 310 64 6 302 59 6 56
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act 2010?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes 8 317 68 8 311 64 8 58
No 86 313 66 86 308 63 86 59
Prefer not to say 6 320 70 6 314 68 6 63
What is your sex?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Female 63 308 63 63 306 61 63 56
Male 35 323 72 35 314 67 35 64
Other - - - - - - - -
Prefer not to say 2 322 69 2 311 65 2 62
Which age category are you in?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
16-24 50 316 67 50 316 66 50 62
25-34 38 314 68 38 306 63 38 58
35-44 9 305 61 9 290 53 9 50
45-54 2 291 56 2 270 44 2 43
55-64 <1 264 42 <1 243 33 <1 33
65+ - - - - - - - -
Prefer not to say 1 312 66 1 305 62 1 60
What is your religion or belief?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Buddhist 1 312 65 1 303 58 1 53
Christian 29 309 63 29 305 60 29 55
Hindu 4 287 51 4 273 48 4 44
Jewish 1 331 84 1 328 79 1 79
Muslim 10 275 41 10 268 39 10 35
Sikh 281  47  283  49  44 
No religion or belief 40 329 76 40 326 73 40 69
Other 1 306 62 1 305 60 1 50
Prefer not to say 13 319 69 13 309 64 13 61
What is your highest level of education?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean  Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
At least an undergraduate degree 94 315 67 94 310 64 94 60
Qualifications below degree level 1 297 57 1 284 54 1 48
 No formal qualifications - -
Not applicable 2 277 51 2 265 31 2 30
Prefer not to say 3 306 68 3 298 61 3 57
What was your undergraduate degree classification?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean  Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
1st 27 344 82 27 343 82 27 78
2:1 46 310 64 46 307 62 46 57
2:2 8 260 33 8 248 30 8 26
3rd <1 225 17 <1 203 4 <1 4
Commendation <1 294 56 <1 294 61 <1 50
Distinction 2 317 70 2 299 61 2 60
Pass 2 279 46 1 259 40 1 36
Prefer not to say 3 300 59 3 286 52 3 48
Not applicable 12 308 67 13 296 57 13 54
Did either of your parents attend university by the time you were 18?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes, one or more of my parents attended university 57 322 71 57 317 68 57 64
No, neither of my parents attended university 32 303 59 32 299 57 32 52
Do not know / not sure 2 279 47 2 267 40 2 33
Prefer not to say 9 310 65 9 301 60 9 57
What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Professional background 58 321 70 58 317 67 58 63
Intermediate background 11 304 60 11 298 59 11 54
Working class background 12 306 60 12 300 59 12 54
Other background 3 300 59 3 293 55 3 48
Prefer not to say 16 303 61 16 296 55 16 52
What type of school did you attend for the most time between the ages of 11 and 16?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
State-run or state-funded school - non-selective 29 312 65 29 310 65 29 59
State-run or state-funded school - selective on academic, faith or other grounds 15 318 67 14 314 65 14 61
Independent or fee-paying school 14 328 73 14 329 73 14 68
Independent or fee-paying school, where I received a bursary covering 90% or more of my tuition 1 333 83 1 325 76 1 74
Attended school outside the UK 32 309 64 32 299 58 32 54
I don't know 1 277 54 1 282 38 1 38
Other <1 310 64 <1 307 64 <1 57
Prefer not to say 8 309 66 9 300 60 9 56
Have you undertaken any Qualifying Work Experience?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes 36 308 63 36 299 58 36 54
No 61 317 68 61 315 66 61 62
Prefer not to say 3 309 66 3 301 58 3 53
Are you a qualified lawyer?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes 25 309 66 25 295 56 25 53
No 75 316 67 75 314 66 75 61
Prefer not to say - - - - - - - -
Please state what your first language is:
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
English 66 318 69 66 317 68 66 63
Other 26 306 61 26 293 55 26 51
 Not applicable  8 305  62  294  53  50 
Prefer not to say - - - - - - - -

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