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.
Station Type | Sitting 1 | Sitting 2 |
---|---|---|
Oral | 23-24 October | 25-26 October |
Written | 30 October – 2 November2 |
Statistic | Sitting 1 | Sitting 2 | Overall |
---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark | 62% | 61% | - |
Candidates (all graded) | 408 | 234 | 642 |
Pass Rate (all graded) | 66% | 59% | 64% |
Candidates (first attempt) | 345 | 197 | 542 |
Pass Rate (first attempt) | 71% | 66% | 69% |
School Background and Performance
Candidates who attended different types of schools showed varying pass rates and mean scores.
Which 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 | 27 | 67 | 79 |
State-run or state-funded school - selective on academic, faith or other grounds | 15 | 69 | 81 |
Independent or fee-paying school | 13 | 66 | 69 |
Independent or fee-paying school, where I received a bursary covering 90% or more of my tuition | - | - | - |
Attended school outside the UK | 33 | 65 | 60 |
I don't know | - | - | - |
Other | - | - | - |
Prefer not to say | 12 | 61 | 58 |
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%.
Household Income and SQE2 Outcomes
The occupation of the main household earner, indicative of socioeconomic background, had a noticeable influence on candidates' results.
What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Professional background | 54 | 67 | 71 |
Intermediate background | 11 | 67 | 77 |
Working class background | 12 | 66 | 69 |
Other background | 4 | 65 | 68 |
Prefer not to say | 19 | 62 | 59 |
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%.
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.
Please state what your first language is? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
English | 58 | 68 | 77 |
Other | 28 | 64 | 60 |
Not applicable | 14 | 61 | 53 |
Prefer not to say | - | - | - |
Work Experience and Educational Attainment
Have you undertaken any qualifying work experience? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Yes | 62 | 67 | 73 |
No | 32 | 64 | 65 |
Prefer not to say | 6 | 60 | 47 |
Candidates with qualifying work experience had a higher pass rate (73%) than those without (65%).
What is your highest level of education? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
At least an undergraduate degree | 88 | 67 | 71 |
Qualifications below degree level | - | - | - |
No formal qualifications | - | - | - |
Not applicable | 4 | 56 | 48 |
Prefer not to say | 8 | 60 | 51 |
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%.
Undergraduate Degree Classification
The classification of candidates' undergraduate degrees also correlated with their SQE2 outcomes.
What was the your undergraduate degree classification? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 17 | 73 | 89 |
2:1 | 43 | 68 | 81 |
2:2 | 9 | 60 | 49 |
3rd | - | - | - |
Commendation | - | - | - |
Distinction | 4 | 67 | 60 |
Pass | - | - | - |
Prefer not to say | 7 | 60 | 40 |
Not applicable | 20 | 61 | 56 |
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%.
Professional Qualifications
Are you a qualified lawyer? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Yes | 34 | 62 | 49 |
No | 66 | 68 | 80 |
Prefer not to say | - | - | - |
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.
Demographics and SQE2 Performance
Gender, religion, and age also played roles in the performance.
What is your sex? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Female | 58 | 67 | 73 |
Male | 37 | 64 | 64 |
Other | - | - | - |
Prefer not to say | 5 | 62 | 54 |
Females had a higher pass rate (73%) than males (64%).
Which is your religion or belief? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Buddhist | - | - | - |
Christian | 29 | 65 | 62 |
Hindu | 7 | 67 | 64 |
Jewish | - | - | - |
Muslim | 10 | 60 | 49 |
Sikh | - | - | - |
No religion or belief | 36 | 70 | 87 |
Other | - | - | - |
Prefer not to say | 18 | 62 | 54 |
Candidates with no religion or belief had the highest pass rate (87%).
What age category are you in? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
16 - 24 | 15 | 70 | 87 |
25 - 34 | 58 | 68 | 78 |
35 - 44 | 18 | 61 | 47 |
45 - 54 | 5 | 53 | 12 |
55 - 64 | - | - | - |
65+ | - | - | - |
Prefer not to say | 4 | 58 | 55 |
The age group of 16-24 had the highest pass rate (87%).
Parental Education and Candidate Performance
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 | 54 | 66 | 69 |
No, neither of my parents attended university | 32 | 66 | 71 |
Do not know / not sure | 2 | 66 | 60 |
Prefer not to say | 12 | 63 | 65 |
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%).
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.
What is your ethnic group? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Asian / Asian British | 24 | 65 | 65 |
Black / Black British | 5 | 58 | 24 |
Mixed / multiple ethnic groups | 4 | 65 | 70 |
Other ethnic group | 7 | 61 | 59 |
White | 49 | 69 | 81 |
Prefer not to say | 11 | 61 | 50 |
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%).
Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition in the Equality Act 2010? | Candidates % | Mean Score % | Pass Rate % |
---|---|---|---|
Yes | 9 | 67 | 74 |
No | 84 | 66 | 70 |
Prefer not to say | 7 | 59 | 45 |
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.
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.
Justice is not to be taken by storm. She is to be wooed by slow advances.
SQE2 October 2023 Results FAQs
SQE exemptions provide qualified individuals, such as foreign-qualified lawyers, LPC graduates, and CILEx professionals, an avenue to bypass certain stages of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination process in England and Wales, based on their prior qualifications and experiences.
To apply for an SQE exemption, you'll need to create a mySRA account and, using your SRA number, complete the relevant exemption form. Comprehensive evidence of your qualifications and experiences must be provided. The SRA's decision timeframe can range from 30 to 180 days, depending on the type of exemption.
LPC graduates have the choice to replace the conventional training contract with two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and pass the SQE2 assessments. They aren't required to sit the SQE1 assessments. However, they can also apply for exemptions based on past experiences aligning with the Practice Skills Standards.
CILEx professionals have two main paths: continue with the legal executive equivalent route available until December 2032 or transition into the SQE system. Depending on their qualifications and expertise, they might also be eligible for specific SQE exemptions.
While there's no standard exemption for barristers, they can apply for individual SQE exemptions based on their unique qualifications and substantial legal experience.
The QLTS was the previous system for foreign-qualified lawyers. Those transitioning to SQE should note that QLTS exemptions won't automatically apply to SQE. A new exemption application must be submitted to the SRA, even if they have passed certain QLTS components.
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