The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has published a four-year review of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, providing a substantial dataset on candidate demographics, pass rates, and performance trends since the SQE replaced traditional qualification routes. The review reports changes in the profile of SQE candidates, including higher representation from some minority ethnic backgrounds and from candidates who identify as coming from less-privileged socio-economic circumstances.
Since 2021, nearly 20,000 candidates have taken and passed stage 1 of the assessment (SQE 1: 66.1% pass rate) and nearly 11,000 have passed stage 2 (SQE 2, 84.5% pass rate). However, the SRA recognises there is still more to do around the preparedness of candidates, uneven quality of qualifying work experience, and employer confidence in the new route to qualification.
The regulator reports comparatively strong outcomes for solicitor apprentices and for candidates receiving reasonable adjustments, including neurodivergent candidates. These findings are presented as evidence that the framework can support different pathways into the profession while maintaining similar assessment standards under SQE