We have updated the SQE Marking and Standard Setting Policy. We have done so to:

• use more consistent and clearer language throughout
• provide more detail on the standard setting process and methods
• add more information on the scaling process for SQE1 and SQE2, and
• change the presentation of the pass mark for SQE1 from a percentage to the number of correctly answered questions required to pass.

These updates are effective immediately and will apply to assessments from and including January 2025.

The updates do not change in any way the standard or content of the SQE.

We encourage all candidates to read the updated policy for full details. A non-exhaustive summary of the key changes is below:

SQE1

• In paragraph 1.1, we have amended the language to make it clear that to pass FLK1 or FLK2 a candidate’s score must be “greater than or equal to the pass mark”, rather than the reference that candidates must “obtain the pass mark”.
• Paragraph 1.2 has been updated to ensure consistency of language when referring to marks and correctly answered questions.
• Paragraph 1.3 has been updated to provide a more chronological explanation as to how the pass mark is derived (i.e. starting with the Assessment Board determining a cut score).
• Paragraphs 1.4 - 1.6 provide a more detailed explanation regarding the standard setting methods and statistical processes that can be used by the Assessment Board in determining a cut score.
• Paragraph 1.7 (previously 1.6) remains largely unchanged and, alongside the new paragraph 1.8, sets out how the cut score is converted into a pass mark. Paragraph 1.8 also explains that the pass mark will be expressed as the number of correctly answered questions, rather than a percentage. This provides a more intuitive method of presenting the pass mark and aligns with the presentation of the results to candidates.
• Paragraph 1.9 has been added to explain the process of arriving at the candidate’s scaled score and to clarify that the process of scaling does not change any candidate’s overall outcome for the assessment. For more information on why we use scaled scores please see the SQE news.

SQE2

This part of the policy remains largely unchanged.

• The wording in some of the paragraphs has had some minor amendments. These are primarily to update the language, such as referring to the individual exercises (e.g. legal research, legal writing etc.) as a “station” or changing references from “assessors” to “examiners”.
• As with SQE1, there have also been some amendments to provide a more chronological explanation as to how the pass mark is derived (i.e. starting with the Assessment Board determining a cut score).
• Finally, a new paragraph 2.13 has been added to explain the process of arriving at the candidate’s individual scaled score. As with SQE1, we have amended the language to make it clear that to pass SQE2 a candidate’s score must be “greater than or equal to the pass mark”, rather than the reference that candidates must “obtain the pass mark”. We have also clarified that the process of scaling does not change any candidate’s overall outcome for the assessment.

The updated policy continues to provide references to authorities for further reading.

More information on scaled scores for SQE2 will be added to the website in the first quarter of 2025.

Learn more: Policies