SQE2 July 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 twelfth round of SQE2 assessments ran between 28 July and 7 August. SQE2 comprises 16 stations — 12 written stations and four oral stations — that assess both skills and application of legal knowledge.

Candidates sat one of two oral sittings each covering two consecutive days between 28 July and 31 July. All candidates then sat the same written stations on the same dates (5-7 August). To protect the integrity of the assessments, different oral stations took place on different dates with the oral sittings identified in the table below.

Station Type Sitting 1 Sitting 2
Oral 28 - 29 July 30 -31 July
Written 5 - 7 August

This report includes statistics that provide some simple feedback on the July 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) 959
Pass Rate (all graded) 76%
Candidates (first attempt) 809
Pass Rate (first attempt) 79%

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.


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

120
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90
80
70
60
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40
30
20
10
959 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 1 person scored 81-90
Graph item showing 0 person scored 91-100
Graph item showing 1 people scored 101-110
Graph item showing 0 people scored 111-120
Graph item showing 0 people scored 121-130
Graph item showing 1 people scored 131-140
Graph item showing 1 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 4 people scored 181-190
Graph item showing 1 people scored 191-200
Graph item showing 1 people scored 201-200
Graph item showing 3 people scored 211-220
Graph item showing 5 people scored 221-230
Graph item showing 8 people scored 231-240
Graph item showing 13 people scored 241-250
Graph item showing 22 people scored 251-260
Graph item showing 42 people scored 261-270
Graph item showing 39 people scored 271-280
Graph item showing 56 people scored 281-290
Graph item showing 71 people scored 291-300
Graph item showing 79 people scored 301-310
Graph item showing 47 people scored 311-320
Graph item showing 111 people scored 321-330
Graph item showing 82 people scored 331-340
Graph item showing 90 people scored 341-350
Graph item showing 73 people scored 351-360
Graph item showing 67 people scored 361-370
Graph item showing 44 people scored 371-380
Graph item showing 38 people scored 381-390
Graph item showing 24 people scored 391-400
Graph item showing 14 people scored 401-410
Graph item showing 11 people scored 411-420
Graph item showing 6 people scored 421-430
Graph item showing 3 people scored 431-440
Graph item showing 1 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.

Station Quintile Score Distributions

Y axis showing Station

A-CL
A-DR
CM-B
CM- DR
CM-W
IA-PP
IA-W
LD-B
LD-DR
LD-W
LR-B
LR-CL
LR-PP
LW-B
LW-CL
LW-PP
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 Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures 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 - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Case+Matter - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and 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 and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Int+AttNote - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Dispute Resolution - Criminal Litigation showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Drafting - Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures 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 - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Research - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the bottom fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing-Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures 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 - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the top fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the second fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the third fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing - Property Practice showing the range of scores achieved by the fourth fifth of the candidates
SQE2 Quintile graph for Legal Writing - Property 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
 
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X axis showingSQE 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 scaled 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 17 314 71
Black / Black British 5 302 57
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups 5 327 69
Other ethnic group 5 313 69
White 62 337 85
Prefer not to say 6 315 67
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act 2010?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 10 339 86
No 81 328 78
Prefer not to say 9 329 76
What is your sex?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Female 67 330 81
Male 30 325 74
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 3 326 71
What is your religion or belief?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Buddhist - - -
Christian 28 320 73
Hindu 4 307 63
Jewish - - -
Muslim 9 309 62
Sikh - - -
No religion or belief 45 339 86
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 14 330 79
Which age category are you in?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
16-24 27 334 81
25-34 60 332 82
35-44 9 308 63
45-54 3 290 52
55-64 - - -
65+ - - -
Prefer not to say 1 311 70
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 55 332 80
No, neither of my parents attended university 37 327 78
Do not know / not sure - - -
Prefer not to say 8 313 69
Have you undertaken any Qualifying Work Experience?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 73 330 79
No 27 325 77
Prefer not to say - - -
What is your highest level of education?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
At least an undergraduate degree 97 330 79
Qualifications below degree level - - -
 No formal qualifications - -
Not applicable - - -
Prefer not to say 3 308 71
What was your undergraduate degree classification?
Candidates % Mean  Score Pass Rate %
1st 34 342 87
2:1 50 327 78
2:2 7 300 55
3rd - - -
Commendation - - -
Distinction 2 343 67
Pass - - -
Prefer not to say 1 300 58
Not applicable 6 316 75
Are you a qualified lawyer?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Yes 7 323 72
No 93 329 79
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 39 332 82
State-run or state-funded school - selective on academic, faith or other grounds 15 335 83
Independent or fee-paying school 12 337 82
Independent or fee-paying school, where I received a bursary covering 90% or more of my tuition 1 348 90
Attended school outside the UK 25 322 72
I don't know - - -
Other - - -
Prefer not to say 8 313 72
What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
Professional background 54 335 85
Intermediate background 11 334 80
Working class background 17 319 69
Other background 3 305 58
Prefer not to say 15 319 72
Please state what your first language is
Candidates % Mean Score Pass Rate %
English 79 332 80
Other 21 317 72
 Not applicable - - -
Prefer not to say - - -

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