The SRA released their statistical report for the SQE1 sitting in July 2024 earlier this week, which shared the lowest pass rate in the exam's history, with only 44% of candidates passing. This statistic represents a significant drop from previous assessments, where the pass rate normally ranges between 50-55%. Among first-time test-takers, the pass rate was slightly better at 48%. This low level has understandably has distressed may students who have sat or are yet to sit the SQE assessments. In this article we've highlighted the key data from the SRA's latest statistical report.
The SQE1 is composed of two Functioning Legal Knowledge exams (FLK1 and FLK2). These assessments are designed to test aspiring solicitors' knowledge across 13 practice areas, and both saw challenging outcomes in July. You need to pass both FLK1 and FLK2 to pass SQE1 which is why the overall pass rate is lower. The average score for FLK1 was 295.7, while for FLK2, it was slightly lower at 287.2. These results underscore the rigorous nature of the exam, as both FLK1 and FLK2 require a minimum passing score of 300 out of 500.
Pass rates summary
Just over 5000 candidates sat the SQE1 sitting this July and of that, 4168 were sitting for the first time. The overall pass rate sat at just 44% for all candidates however those who sat for the first time did slightly better at 48%. For all candidates FLK1 had a pass rate of 55%, in comparison FLK2 saw just 50% of candidates pass. For those who sat SQE1 for the first time, FLK1 had a pass rate of 57%, and similarly to all candidates FLK2 performed worse with just 52% of candidates passing, indicating that candidates found FLK2 more difficult than FLK1.
Pass rates: diversity & demographics
ETHNICITY
The report highlighted disparities in performance among different demographic groups, that unfortunately are similar to those we have seen through both SQE1 and SQE2 assessments so far. White candidates performed the best, with a pass rate of 57%, 13% higher than the overall pass rate. In comparison 42% for Asian/Asian British candidates passed and only 28% for Black/Black British candidates. Eight percent of candidates preferred not to say and had a pass rate of 44% whilst mixed/multiple ethnic groups did second best at 52%.
SEX
When it comes to the sex of candidates, females made up 63% of candidates yet had a pass rate of only 46%, whilst in comparison, males made up only 35% of candidates but had a higher pass rate of 52%. Only 2% preferred not to say and they had a pass rate equal to men of 52%. These results cannot be taken at face value as there may be several intersectional influences at play and would require further research into possible reasons why there's a disparity between men and women.DISABILITY
Candidates who consider themselves to have a disability make up just 6% of the candidate pool and this did not seem to have had a negative impact on results as those who said yes did better than the average pass rate for this sitting, with 49% passing. Those who prefer not to say made 7% of the candidate pool and did the best, with a pass rate of 53% whilst those who said no had a slightly lower pass rate of 48%. We would be interested in a further breakdown on the types of disabilities. For example, we would like to understand whether neurodiverse students fared better in the exam or worse than other students.
AGE
The data on this report shows that after the age of 34, the pass rates decrease as candidates age, with 55-64 year olds having a pass rate of only 24%. The age range that performed the best were 25 to 34 year olds, with a pass rate of 51%, compared to 48% for 16-24 year olds.
Education and socio-economic factors
Socio-economic factors played a role in the pass rate of candidates, this is both apparent in data directly from the candidate's grades and education as well as their parents.
Candidates who had one or more parents attend university by the time they were 18 passed at a higher rate (53%) compared to those whose parents did not (42%). 92% of candidates stated that they had an undergraduate degree or higher which is unsurprising giving the condition to sit the SQE is to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent, therefore comparing data on education level feels irrelevant as only 1% stated to have an equivalent and 7% stated either not applicable or preferred not to say. However degree classification showed a noticeable difference in pass rates, showing a large difference between each classification.
Those with a 1st class degree showed the highest pass rate with 71% passing a whopping 27% higher than the overall pass rate. There is a sharp decline at each classification level with those gaining a 2:1 having a pass rate of 47%, 2:2 with a low 22% and those with a third with only 18% passing. Similar trends can be seen for those with other classifications.
Lastly, those who attended a state run or funded school had a pass rate of 47% compared to 54% for independent or fee-paying school. 65% of those from an independent or fee-paying school who received a bursary of 90% or more, passed this SQE1 sitting.
Legal Experience
Does having legal experience or your QWE impact your results? Perhaps not as much as one may think. Interestingly the pass rates between those with QWE (50%) and those without (47%) were very similar. Those who preferred not to say had a pass rate of just 38%.
A similar trend can be seen in the pass rates of those who are qualified lawyers (48%) and those who aren’t (49%). Those who preferred not to say however did slightly better at a 50% pass rate.
Summary
The report underscores the need for a continued focus on ensuring equitable opportunities for all aspiring solicitors, regardless of background. The continued disparity in pass rates for different ethnic groups remains one of our biggest concern, and how this is tackled is complex, as outlined by the SRA's report. The report also emphasises that as the profession adapts to the SQE structure, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will likely need to consider ways to support candidates more effectively. On 3 June earlier this year the SRA released a report on the potential causes of differential outcomes by ethnicity in legal professional assessments. This report looks into the potential 'why' behind some of the trends we've seen in this report and other SQE assessment reports.
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