SQE: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Solicitors Qualifying Examination - (But Were Afraid to Ask) - June 2019

Sep 26, 2026

Overview of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) proposal and implementation for June 2019, covering what is known so far, practice preparation readiness, and delivery models. Details SQE Stage 1 and Stage 2 structure, including assessment formats, skills components, practice contexts, admission expectations, and a transition timeline across 2019–2025. Includes key questions on transition timing, SQE 2 scheduling, induction impact, assessment design (modified Angoff, Kaplan/Pearson Vue), and pilot feedback, plus graduate solicitor apprenticeship pathways with options and practical challenges and solutions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

The SQE – what do we know so far?

Getting ready for practice – will the SQE be enough?

Possible programmes and delivery models

Solicitor apprenticeships (including graduate entry options)

Points to consider

Q&A

SQE: The SRA's Proposal

No longer any definition of a Qualifying Law Degree

SQE Stage 1 (assessments and subjects)

SQE Stage 2 (assessments and practice contexts)

Admission and implementation timeline (2019–2025)

Key questions and assessment approach

Assessment provider and MCQ format

Pass mark approach (Modified Angoff)

SQE pilots and legal services board application

Lessons from the Bar, challenges, and solutions

Graduate entry solicitor apprenticeships

SQE: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SOLICITORS QUALIFYING EXAMINATION*(*BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK) MORETTE JACKSON DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JUNE 2019 In this morning’s session… • The SQE – what do we know so far? • Getting ready for practice – will the SQE be enough? • Possible programmes and delivery models • Solicitor apprenticeships- including graduate entry options • Points to consider • Q&A SQE: The SRA's Proposal No longer any definition of a Qualifying Law Degree GRADUATES SOLICITOR APPRENTICES FOREIGN QUALIFIED LAWYERS No prescribed non-law conversion course |

No prescribed preparation course

| | --- | | SQE STAGE 1
• Legal Research and Writing
• Principles of Prof. Conduct, Public and Administrative Law and Legal Systems of E&W
• Dispute Res. in Contract and Tort
• Property Law and Practice
• Commercial and Corporate Law and Practice
• Criminal Law and Practice
• Wills and Admin of Estatesand Trusts | 3 x MCQ assessments 1 x skills assessment Expected that SQE1 will be sat before qualifying work experience Must pass all of SQE1 before attempting SQE2 SQE2 is taken during/following qualifying work experience SQE STAGE 2 • Client Interviewing • Advocacy/Persuasive Oral Comm • Case and Matter Analysis • Legal Research and Written Advice • Legal Drafting Practice contexts • Criminal Practice • Dispute Resolution • Property • Wills & Admin of Estates and Property • Commercial and Corporate Practice 10 assessments 5 skills x 2 practice contexts ADMISSION SQE Implementation Timeline 2019 2020 2021 Any candidate starting a law degree, GDL, LPC or training contract before this date can choose to continue on the existing regime 2022 2023 2024 2025 2032 From this date: 1. All QLTS candidates who have not yet passed QLTS 1 2. All apprentices; and 3. Anyone starting a law degree or non-law conversion course must follow SQE Key questions generated by the proposed change: • When to transition to SQE? Incremental transition or ‘big bang’? • When should trainees take SQE 2? • What is the impact on trainee induction and ongoing development programmes? 4 What do we know so far? • Assessment Provider? Kaplan using Pearson Vue centres • What type of MCQs will be used? Single Best Answer questions (SBAs) with 5 options . These give candidates 5 alternative answers from which they must choose the best answer . • What will the pass mark for SQE 1 and 2 be? No set pass marks – to be based on professional judgement of solicitor examiners . • A panel of solicitors looks at each question to judge how many just competent newly qualified solicitors (out of 10) would have got the question right. (Modified Angoff) . • SQE Pilots – feedback? • Application to Legal Services Board-2020 Masters’programmes incorporating SQE1 and SQE2 preparation SQE1 Content SQE 1 Exam SQE2 and Additional Content ULaw Exams SQE2 Exam Option 2 Years’ Qualifying Work Experience Programme modules are indicative only and could be delivered using a variety of delivery models. Lessons from the Bar… • The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) has had centralised MCQ assessments for some papers since 2010 CHALLENGES û There was no pilot before the first assessments û Law schools did not set the assessments û Use of practitioners to set assessments led to overly high standards and assessing of obscure topics û Wide syllabus and not being able to cover all in teaching û Higher fail rate SOLUTIONS ü SRA is running SQE pilots in 2019 before launching in 2021 ü BSB now includes law schools in design ü Clearer instructions to students that not every aspect of the syllabus can be covered in class – pre and consolidation reading ü ULaw developed practice MCQs to support students and introduced tech to allow students to self-test on breadth and depth of the syllabus ü H

FAQs

What are the main stages and assessment components of SQE?

SQE Stage 1 includes 3 x MCQ assessments and an expected skills assessment, covering specified legal subjects. SQE Stage 2 focuses on client interviewing, advocacy/oral communication, case and matter analysis, legal research and written advice, and legal drafting, with multiple assessments across practice contexts.

When does the transition to SQE happen and who must follow it?

A timeline is outlined from 2019 through 2025, with candidates able to continue under the existing regime if they started earlier than the transition date. From the later date, all QLTS candidates not yet passed QLTS 1, all apprentices, and anyone starting a law degree or non-law conversion course must follow SQE.

How will SQE 1 MCQs be designed and how is passing determined?

The document notes Kaplan using Pearson Vue centres and single best answer questions with five options. Pass marks are not set in advance; they are based on professional judgement using a Modified Angoff approach with a panel estimating how many competent newly qualified solicitors would answer correctly.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by MrHarris58