SQE Update - June 2025

In this bulletin, find out about the latest SQE2 results, confirming qualifying work experience, the new SQE reasonable adjustments form and our bulletin feedback survey. You can also book for our latest webinar on the options available for studying for the SQE.

Help shape the future of this bulletin!

Your feedback is vital in improving our SQE Update bulletin and making sure it reflects the news and information you want to see. Whether you're an aspiring solicitor, already a solicitor or an educator, your voice matters. The survey will only take you a few minutes to complete and is open until Friday 11 July.

Complete the survey now

SQE2 January 2025 results

Results for the SQE2 sitting in January 2025 have now been published and 1,134 candidates received their results. Of these, 940 candidates sat SQE2 for the first time with a pass rate of 77%. The overall pass rate, including those who were resitting, was 75%.

Introduced for SQE2 in the January sitting, candidates will see their mark expressed as a scaled score out of 500, where the pass mark will always be set at 300. This has been used in SQE1 since January 2024. In addition to this, candidates will continue to see their overall mark expressed as a percentage.

Read the full results statistical report.

SQE2 results guidance

Following the introduction of scaled scores for SQE2, mentioned above, Kaplan has published information to help candidates understand what's included in their results.

The key sections on the results page include an overview, the detailed breakdown of marks and some additional information. It continues to provide a breakdown of results by assessment station.

You can also view a video offering a quick explanation of how candidates can access their results page and how it looks.

Take a look at the SQE2 results guidance.

New SQE reasonable adjustments form

Kaplan has updated the reasonable adjustment process and application form this week. The changes will help improve the experience for candidates applying for a reasonable adjustment and includes:

• a new application form which guides candidates with targeted questions
• a single application for both SQE1 and SQE2 assessments
• reasonable adjustment plans covering up a two-year period, rather than for each booking window
• improvements to the candidate account so they can easily view the status of their applications, their agreed adjustments and the expiry date.

The changes only apply to candidates making a new request for a reasonable adjustment. For those who have already submitted a request, no action is need as their application is currently being processed. 

Learn more about the new process.

Law firms partnerships with law schools – take our survey

We want to work with employers and law schools to address the causes of differential outcomes in legal professional assessments identified in our recent research. As part of this, we are inviting those involved with the recruitment and development of legal talent to take part in a short survey.

Please tell us about any schemes and partnerships, whether formal or informal, your organisation has with law schools that support undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Our short survey should take around 15 minutes to complete. Your insights – whether your organisation currently runs such schemes or not – will help us understand what works, any barriers you face and explore opportunities for further collaboration. 

Responses to the survey will not be published. This survey is for firms and other employers. We will survey law schools separately.

Take our survey now.

Sitting the SQE in 2026

All the exam sitting dates for 2026 are now available on the SQE assessment website. Don't forget, to sit any of the SQE assessments, a candidate will first need to register, which involves:

• creating an account and activating it
• getting their ID validated
• completing the pre-booking questions, including the diversity survey.

Take a look at the dates and find out more about registering.

Confirming qualifying work experience

All solicitors are eligible to confirm an SQE candidate's period of qualifying work experience. Even if you haven't been involved in approving training before, you might be asked to do this. It is an important regulatory step, and solicitors must be satisfied through their own knowledge of the candidate or their organisation's processes that the period of QWE being claimed has been undertaken.

Find out what you are being asked to confirm.

SQE assessment exemption finder for qualified lawyers

To help qualified lawyers find out whether a SQE2 exemption is available for their qualification, we have a useful exemption finder on our website. Simply look up a jurisdiction, select a qualification and find out the specific information need about what you will need to do.

Take a look at the exemption finder.

SQE Conference highlights – read our blog

If you couldn't join us for our conference, you can now read a blog from Policy Manager, Richard Willaims showcasing the key topics covered around qualifying work experience (QWE).

Find out about:

• Shoosmiths and Vodaphone Group approaches to managing and providing QWE.
• the learnings from a solicitor who took the SQE route and his approach to logging QWE
• the valuable insight offered from an SRA policy expert about QWE requirements and confirmation.

Read Richard's blog.

You can also watch all recordings on demand. 

Sitting the SQE assessments in Welsh

Candidates can now sit all SQE assessment in the Welsh language. If a candidate intends to take either SQE1 or SQE2 in Welsh, they will need to give advance notice to be able to do so.

Find out the advance notice deadlines.

Get involved 

Studying for the SQE: key insights from aspiring and qualified solicitors

When: Wednesday 25 June, 13.00

Where: YouTube

Our latest free webinar offers key insights from aspiring and qualified solicitors. Hear personal experiences about the options available to candidates when preparing for the assessments, including self-study, courses and practice questions.

Book now.