Workshop on SQE2 assessment marking for organisations that are involved in the preparation or training of candidates for SQE2

Dec 4, 2025

The SRA hosted a summit in October 2024 to discuss the University of Exeter’s research into differential outcomes in legal professional assessment. An output of the summit was the development of an action plan involving a variety of stakeholders. One of the actions focused on what can be done to help candidates prepare more effectively for the SQE assessments.

As a result of the action plan, the Kaplan Assessments team would like to invite expressions of interest to participate in a workshop designed to provide a deeper understanding into how SQE2 examiners assess and mark the practical legal skills and competencies of SQE2 candidates, with the aim of better preparing candidates for the SQE2.

Who is the workshop for?

This workshop is designed for organisations such as training providers, universities, and any other entities that prepare candidates for the SQE2 assessment. In the event of oversubscription, attendance may be limited to one or two representatives per organisation.

What will the workshop involve?

During the event, attendees will learn about the approach to evaluating an SQE2 candidate’s performance at the level of a newly qualified solicitor using professional judgment marking. Attendees will have the opportunity to view and mark a pre-recorded mock candidate advocacy performance set in the context of criminal litigation. They will then engage in a facilitated discussion about the marking in small breakout rooms. No prior knowledge of criminal law and practice is needed.

The workshop will be led by the Kaplan Assessments academic team, who are experts in the design and delivery of the SQE2 assessments. Although the interactive part of the session will focus on the marking of a mock candidate’s advocacy performance, the workshop will also explain how the approach is applied to written SQE2 assessments.

When and how will the workshop take place?

There will be one online workshop available on two dates:

  • Thursday, 22 January 2026
  • Tuesday, 27 January 2026

If you would like to attend, please complete our expression of interest form by no later than 4pm on 18 December 2025.

The form will ask you to indicate your availability on both dates. Please note, you will only need to attend one workshop.

Once applications have been received, further details about the workshop will be provided, including the date, specific timings, preparation requirements and the agenda for the session.

Will the content of the workshop be made available?

Information about the content of the workshop will be made available for everyone on the SQE website through an audio podcast. The podcast will summarise the key points from the workshop and provide the opportunity for candidates to grade a mock candidate’s performance in the context of an advocacy assessment. Please note that the podcast will not include details of the attendees or questions raised that can identify them.

What if I have any initial queries?

Further information about the workshop will be provided once applications are received.

For any initial queries, please contact enquiries@sqe.sra.org.uk.