SQE2 January 2025 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. SQE2 can only be taken if a candidate has passed SQE1 or is exempt from it.

The tenth round of SQE2 assessments ran between 30 January and 13 February. SQE2 comprises 16 stations — 12 written stations and four oral stations — that assess both skills and application of legal knowledge.

Candidates sat one of three oral sittings each covering two consecutive days between 30 January and 7 February. All candidates then sat the same written stations on the same dates 11-13 February. To protect the integrity of the assessments, different oral stations took place on different dates with the sittings identified below.

Station Type Sitting 1 Sitting 2 Sitting 3
Oral 30 - 31 January 4 - 5 February 6- 7 February
Written 11 - 13 February

This report includes statistics that provide some simple feedback on the January 2025 SQE2 assessment and the performance.

SQE2 has a single pass mark for the overall 16 station assessment. 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 passing score and the pass rate for this SQE2.

Statistic Overall
Pass Mark 300
Candidates (all graded) 1134
Pass Rate (all graded) 75%
Candidates (first attempt) 940
Pass Rate (first attempt) 77%

Descriptive Statistics

The following table shows the average (mean) score, the standard deviation, median score, minimum score, maximum score and range of observed scaled scores for this SQE2.

Statistic Overall
Mean  329.3
SD 46.1
Median 331
Min  187
Max  438
Range 251

Score Distribution Chart

The following chart shows the distribution of scaled scores for this SQE2, with a red line showing the passing score required.

SQE2 Scaled Score Distribution

Y axis showing Frequency

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100
80
60
40
20
1134 candidates
Pass mark = 300
Graph item showing 0 people scored 0-10
Graph item showing 0 people scored 11-20
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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 0 person scored 81-90
Graph item showing 0 person scored 91-100
Graph item showing 0 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 0 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 0 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 0 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 0 people scored 141-150
Graph item showing 0 people scored 151-160
Graph item showing 0 people scored 161-170
Graph item showing 0 people scored 171-180
Graph item showing 2 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 2 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 4 people scored 201-200
Graph item showing 2 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 8 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 16 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 13 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 17 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 48 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 60 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 65 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 84 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 102 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 52 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 91 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 92 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 81 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 90 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 72 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 59 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 59 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 42 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 29 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 23 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 11 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 10 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 0 people scored 441-450
Graph item showing 0 people scored 451-460
Graph item showing 0 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 showingSQE2 Score

Total Score Quintile Chart

This chart shows the quintile scaled score ranges for the total SQE2 scores. 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.

 
 
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 showingSQE2 Scaled Score

Station Score Quintile Chart

This chart shows the quintile scaled score ranges for the 16 SQE2 stations scores. 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.

SQE2 Practice Areas

Y axis showing Station

A-CL
A-DR
CM-B
CM-DR
CM-PP
IA-PP
IA-W
LD-B
LD-DR
LD-PP
LR-B
LR-CL
LR-W
LW-B
LW-CL
LW-W
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Advocacy - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Dispute Resolution showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting-Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Wills showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Wills 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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X axis showingSatation Scaled Score

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 are provided in each table:

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

These tables provide data for candidates taking SQE2 as a first attempt. Data is not reported for groups with fewer than 10 candidates. The performance of all candidates, including resitting candidates, will be presented in the SQE Annual Report.

What is your ethnic group
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Asian / Asian British 18 318 68
Black / Black British 4 300 50
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups 7 345 83
Other ethnic group 5 315 57
White 59 342 84
Prefer not to say 7 326 69
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act 2010?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 11 334 80
No 78 334 77
Prefer not to say 11 332 76
What is your sex?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Female 65 334 78
Male 32 333 77
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 3 326 65
What is your religion or belief?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Buddhist - - -
Christian 24 325 72
Hindu 3 329 83
Jewish 1 361 100
Muslim 9 304 51
Sikh 1 317 75
No religion or belief 46 346 86
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 16 330 74
Which age category are you in?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
16-24 34 347 85
25-34 58 329 75
35-44 6 312 58
45-54 - - -
55-64 - - -
65+ - - -
Prefer not to say 2 318 65
Did either of your parents attend university by the time you were 18?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes, one or both of my parents attended university 59 337 79
No, neither of my parents attended university 31 331 76
Do not know / not sure 1 314 46
Prefer not to say 9 327 76
Have you undertaken any Qualifying Work Experience?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 61 329 75
No 39 341 81
Prefer not to say - - -
What is your highest level of education?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
At least an undergraduate degree 95 334 78
Qualifications below degree level - - -
 No formal qualifications - -
Not applicable - - -
Prefer not to say 5 326 74
What was your undergraduate degree classification?
Candidates % Mean  Score Pass Rate %
1st 36 349 84
2:1 49 330 78
2:2 5 289 39
3rd - - -
Commendation - - -
Distinction - - -
Pass - - -
Prefer not to say 1 307 54
Not applicable 9 321 73
Are you a qualified lawyer?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 7 319 77
No 93 335 77
Prefer not to say - - -
What type of school did you attend for the most time between the ages of 11 and 16?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
State-run or state-funded school - non-selective 35 339 81
State-run or state-funded school - selective on academic, faith or other grounds 14 329 75
Independent or fee-paying school 15 347 85
Independent or fee-paying school, where I received a bursary covering 90% or more of my tuition 1 348 73
Attended school outside the UK 25 324 70
I don't know - - -
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 10 324 72
What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Professional background 57 338 80
Intermediate background 10 328 75
Working class background 15 327 73
Other background 3 338 70
Prefer not to say 15 325 73
Please state what your first language is
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
English 77 339 81
Other 23 315 64
 Not applicable - - -
Prefer not to say - - -

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Ready to register for the SQE?

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Have you passed the SQE?

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