SQE2 October 2023 Analysis: Insights for All Candidates

Introduction to the SQE2 October 2023 Session

The SQE2 is a critical component in the journey of becoming a solicitor in the UK, assessing practical legal skills and knowledge. The October 2023 session comprised two parts: oral assessments conducted between October 23-26 and written assessments from October 30 to November 2. A total of 642 candidates were graded, with 408 in Sitting 1 and 234 in Sitting 2.

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School Background and Performance

Candidates who attended different types of schools showed varying pass rates and mean scores.

Those who attended state-run or state-funded selective schools on academic, faith, or other grounds had a higher pass rate of 81% and a mean score of 69%. Meanwhile, candidates from independent or fee-paying schools had a pass rate of 69%, with a mean score of 66%. Notably, 33% of the candidates attended school outside the UK, with a pass rate of 60% and a mean score of 65%.

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Household Income and SQE2 Outcomes

The occupation of the main household earner, indicative of socioeconomic background, had a noticeable influence on candidates' results.

Those from a professional background had a pass rate of 71% with a mean score of 67%. In contrast, those from working-class backgrounds had a pass rate of 69% and a mean score of 66%.

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First Language and SQE Success

First language also correlated with performance, where native English speakers had a pass rate of 77% and a mean score of 68%, compared to 60% pass rate and 64% mean score for those with a different first language.

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Work Experience and Educational Attainment

Candidates with qualifying work experience had a higher pass rate (73%) than those without (65%).

Furthermore, individuals with at least an undergraduate degree had a 71% pass rate, while those with no formal qualifications had a significantly lower pass rate of 48%.

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Undergraduate Degree Classification

The classification of candidates' undergraduate degrees also correlated with their SQE2 outcomes.

Those with a first-class degree had the highest pass rate at 89%, while those with a lower second-class (2:2) had a pass rate of 49%.

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Professional Qualifications

Being a qualified lawyer seemed to impact the outcomes less, with qualified lawyers having a pass rate of 49% compared to 80% for non-lawyers.

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Demographics and SQE2 Performance

Gender, religion, and age also played roles in the performance.

Females had a higher pass rate (73%) than males (64%).

Candidates with no religion or belief had the highest pass rate (87%).

The age group of 16-24 had the highest pass rate (87%).

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Parental Education and Candidate Performance

Candidates with at least one parent who attended university had a slightly lower pass rate (69%) compared to those whose parents did not attend university (71%).

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Ethnicity, Disability, and SQE2 Results

The SRA's data collection on diversity is aimed at understanding how candidates from various socio-economic and demographic backgrounds perform. This aligns with the ethos of creating an SQE that is equitable and accessible to all.

Ethnicity and self-identification with a disability under the Equality Act 2010 were also considered. White candidates had the highest pass rate (81%), while Black/Black British candidates had the lowest (24%).

Candidates without a disability had a pass rate of 70%, in contrast to 74% for those with a disability.

In this session, the diversity of candidates was quite broad, encompassing different school backgrounds, household incomes, first languages, and levels of education.

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Conclusion on SQE2 Results 2023

The analysis of the SQE2 October 2023 session reveals significant insights into how various factors such as educational background, work experience, and demographic characteristics influence candidate performance. It underscores the need for targeted support and resources to bridge performance gaps among candidates from diverse backgrounds. This comprehensive overview not only serves as a valuable resource for future candidates to better prepare for the SQE but also highlights areas for potential improvement in legal education and training to foster a more inclusive and equitable profession.