SQE1 July 2026 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 July 2026 SQE1 assessments and their performance. The table below shows the number of candidates, the passing 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) 6688 7105 6315
Candidates who did not sit* 9 48 55
Candidates (Graded) 6679 7057 6260
Pass Rate (Graded) 50% 50% 42%
Candidates (First attempt only) 5122 5093 5012
Pass Rate (First attempt only) 54% 52% 47%

*Candidates who used an attempt but did not sit one of the assessments (with no mitigating circumstances). These candidates are no longer included in the pass rates and statistics within this report.

Descriptive Statistics

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


Score Distribution Chart

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 Scaled Score Distribution

Y axis showing Frequency

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
6679 candidates
Pass mark = 300
Graph item showing 1 person 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 2 people scored 81-90
Graph item showing 1 person scored 91-100
Graph item showing 8 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 11 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 16 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 31 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 60 people scored 141-150
Graph item showing 70 people scored 151-160
Graph item showing 119 people scored 161-170
Graph item showing 101 people scored 171-180
Graph item showing 113 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 171 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 198 people scored 201-210
Graph item showing 181 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 179 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 229 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 235 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 293 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 284 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 317 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 377 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 437 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 435 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 415 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 477 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 426 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 272 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 330 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 225 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 191 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 130 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 121 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 87 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 66 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 31 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 25 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 10 people scored 441-450
Graph item showing 4 people scored 451-460
Graph item showing 0 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
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500

X axis showingFLK1 Score

FLK2 Scaled Score Distribution

Y axis showing Frequency

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
7057 candidates
Pass mark = 300
Graph item showing 0 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 5 people scored 81-90
Graph item showing 7 people scored 91-100
Graph item showing 16 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 14 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 35 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 52 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 77 people scored 141-150
Graph item showing 80 people scored 151-160
Graph item showing 105 people scored 161-170
Graph item showing 132 people scored 171-180
Graph item showing 210 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 166 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 169 people scored 201-210
Graph item showing 232 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 230 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 230 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 281 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 316 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 287 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 268 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 385 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 365 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 426 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 412 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 457 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 388 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 333 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 323 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 222 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 259 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 145 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 106 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 113 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 69 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 51 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 38 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 31 people scored 441-450
Graph item showing 19 people scored 451-460
Graph item showing 2 people scored 461-470
Graph item showing 1 person 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
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
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
 

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.

FLK1 Practice Areas

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
 

X axis showingScaled Score

FLK2 Practice Areas

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
 

X axis showingScaled 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 is provided in each table for FLK1 and FLK2:

  • Proportion of candidates in each group (Candidates %)
  • Average scaled 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 (rows in grey). The 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 27 280 45 27 273 42 27 38
Black / Black British 9 265 35 9 263 33 9 28
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups 5 300 57 5 297 54 5 51
Other ethnic group 6 281 46 6 275 45 6 39
White 46 312 63 46 312 62 46 57
Prefer not to say 7 295 52 7 287 49 7 45
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 9 298 56 9 295 53 9 49
No 85 295 53 85 291 51 85 47
Prefer not to say 6 303 57 6 298 55 6 51
What is your sex?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Female 65 291 51 65 289 50 65 44
Male 33 304 59 33 298 55 33 52
Other - - - - - - - -
Prefer not to say 2 315 65 2 313 65 2 61
Which age category are you in?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
16-24 39 296 53 39 296 53 39 48
25-34 43 297 56 43 293 53 43 48
35-44 12 291 52 12 283 47 12 42
45-54 4 286 47 4 276 45 4 41
55-64 1 277 36 1 273 31 1 28
65+ - - - - - - - -
Prefer not to say 1 292 50 1 287 49 1 46
What is your religion or belief?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Buddhist 1 300 63 1 294 48 1 47
Christian 28 289 49 28 286 48 28 43
Hindu 5 272 38 5 268 39 5 33
Jewish 1 325 75 1 323 70 1 61
Muslim 12 260 34 12 256 33 12 28
Sikh 2 269 37 2 263 36 2 33
No religion or belief 37 313 64 37 311 62 37 58
Other 1 295 47 1 298 55 1 43
Prefer not to say 13 306 60 13 298 55 13 51
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 93 297 55 92 294 53 93 48
Qualifications below degree level 1 273 39 1 268 31 1 31
 No formal qualifications - - -  -  -  -  -  - 
Not applicable 3 274 46 3 259 38 3 36
Prefer not to say 3 278 42 4 275 39 3 33
What was your undergraduate degree classification?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean  Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
1st 21 328 72 22 330 71 22 66
2:1 45 296 54 45 294 53 45 47
2:2 11 246 26 11 243 25 11 22
3rd 1 227 12 1 218 4 1 4
Commendation - - - - - - - -
Distinction 2 305 59 2 296 61 2 54
Pass 2 272 39 2 260 34 2 31
Prefer not to say 4 283 51 3 271 45 3 39
Not applicable 14 290 52 14 282 47 14 43
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 53 303 59 53 299 56 53 52
No, neither of my parents attended university 35 287 48 35 285 47 35 42
Do not know / not sure 2 266 35 2 269 44 2 33
Prefer not to say 10 290 50 10 286 47 10 42
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 55 302 58 55 298 56 55 52
Intermediate background 12 292 51 12 291 51 12 45
Working class background 16 286 47 16 283 45 16 40
Other background 3 293 48 3 291 50 3 42
Prefer not to say 14 286 48 14 281 44 14 40
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 34 292 51 34 292 52 34 46
State-run or state-funded school - selective on academic, faith or other grounds 12 304 59 12 303 57 12 52
Independent or fee-paying school 10 313 64 11 310 60 11 57
Independent or fee-paying school, where I received a bursary covering 90% or more of my tuition <1 294 46 <1 294 46 <1 38
Attended school outside the UK 33 292 53 32 284 48 33 44
I don't know 1 273 41 1 268 42 1 33
Other <1 294 56 <1 302 61 <1 61
Prefer not to say 10 291 50 10 286 47 9 43
Have you undertaken any Qualifying Work Experience?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes 53 298 56 53 294 53 54 49
No 47 292 51 47 290 50 46 45
Prefer not to say <1 270 45 - - - - -
Are you a qualified lawyer?
FLK1 FLK2
SQE1
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate % Candidates % Pass Rate %
Yes 28 293 54 28 285 49 28 45
No 72 296 54 72 295 53 72 48
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 70 299 55 70 298 54 70 50
Other 30 288 51 30 279 46 30 42
Prefer not to say <1 284 45 <1 273 42 <1 42

Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more

SQE News

Stay up to date with SQE news and important announcements.

News Register for SQE news alerts

Register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE