What is the SQE?
Who is the SQE for?
Costs and fees
Case studies
Dates and locations
Assessment information
The assessment day
Results and resits
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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. SQE2 can only be taken if a candidate has passed SQE1 or is exempt from it.
The third round of SQE2 assessments ran between 25 April and 11 May 2023. SQE2 comprises 16 stations 1 — 12 written stations and four oral stations — that assess both skills and application of legal knowledge.
Candidates sat one of three oral sittings covering two consecutive days between 25 April and 5 May and then all candidates sat the same written stations on the same dates (9-11 May). To protect the integrity of the assessments, different oral stations took place on different dates with the sittings identified below.
This report includes statistics that provide feedback on the assessments and their performance.
SQE2 has a single pass mark for the overall 16 station assessment. There may be different pass marks between sittings due to the oral stations being different. There is no pass mark for an individual station or for all of the oral stations or written stations. Find out more about how the SQE2 is marked.
The table below shows the number of candidates, the pass mark, and the pass rate for each sitting, as well as the overall pass rate.
The following table shows the average (mean) score, the standard deviation, median score, minimum score, maximum score, and range of observed scores for SQE2 Sitting 1.
Y axis showing Frequency
X axis showingSQE2 Score (%)
This chart shows the total scores for Sitting 1 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
Graph key showingQuintile
X axis showingSQE Score (%)
This chart shows the 16 station scores for Sitting 1 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
Y axis showing Station
X axis showing SQE Score (%)
The following table shows the average (mean) score, the standard deviation, median score, minimum score, maximum score and range of observed scores for SQE2 Sitting 2.
This chart shows the total scores for Sitting 2 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
This chart shows the 16 station scores for Sitting 2 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
X axis showingStation Score (%)
The following table shows the average (mean) score, the standard deviation, median score, minimum score, maximum score and range of observed scores for SQE2 Sitting 3.
This chart shows the total scores for Sitting 3 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
This chart shows the 16 station scores for Sitting 3 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
This chart shows the total scores for Sitting 4 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
This chart shows the 16 station scores for Sitting 4 divided into quintiles. Each quintile shows the range of scores achieved by a fifth of the candidates, with Q1 showing the top fifth and Q5 showing the bottom fifth of scores.
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 the responses provided in the online diversity survey completed ahead of registering for the assessment, the following is provided in each table:
These tables provide data for candidates taking SQE2 as a first attempt. Data is not reported for groups with fewer than 10 candidates. Performance data from all candidates, including resitting candidates, will be presented in the SQE Annual Report.
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Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.