Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) Pass Rate 2026
Complete analysis of Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.
Pass Rate
Difficulty Verdict
Very Difficult
Recommended Study Time
12-20+ weeks
Typical Attempts
2-3 attempts common
Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) has one of the toughest pass rates at SQE1 53%, SQE2 80% (January 2026 sittings, all candidates). This is a very hard-difficulty exam from Solicitors Regulation Authority (delivered by Kaplan SQE) that requires deep, practical knowledge — not just memorization. Most successful candidates invest months of dedicated study and often have years of hands-on experience. At £5,092 (SQE1 £2,006 + SQE2 £3,086 from September 2026) per attempt, failing is costly. The certification is valid for Does not expire, but both parts must be passed within six years of your first attempt, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.
Top Reasons Candidates Fail Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2):
Do This for Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2)
- Book FLK1 and FLK2 in the same sitting, because the SRA requires both in one window unless you hold an exemption
- Drill single best answer questions to 1 minute 42 seconds each, the real pace of 90 questions in 153 minutes
- Treat ethics as pervasive; it is examined across both FLK papers and every SQE2 station without being flagged
- Learn the law as it stood four calendar months before the first assessment in your window, the SRA cut-off date
Avoid This
- Writing practice essays without timing yourself
- Memorizing rules without learning how to apply them to fact patterns
- Ignoring the state-specific portion of the bar exam
- Not taking full-length simulated exams under real conditions
Ready to Beat the Odds?
Get our complete Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 and SQE2) study guide with practice questions.