What Is the SQE1 Pass Rate in 2025?
The SQE1 pass rate in 2025 varied significantly between the two assessment windows. In January 2025, 56% of candidates passed SQE1 overall, with first-time candidates achieving a 60% pass rate. However, the July 2025 sitting saw the overall SQE1 pass rate plummet to just 41% — the lowest since the Solicitors Qualifying Examination was introduced in November 2021.
Of the 5,851 candidates who completed both FLK1 and FLK2 in July 2025, fewer than half walked away with a pass. For the 4,736 first-time candidates, the pass rate was 46%. The 1,160 resitting candidates — representing 19% of the cohort, the highest proportion of resitters recorded to date — fared considerably worse.
These SQE1 results have prompted widespread calls for a review of the examination, with the SRA itself announcing a forthcoming technical review of how SQE1 is structured and delivered.
So, is SQE1 hard? The data speaks for itself. But understanding why pass rates look the way they do — and what separates those who pass from those who don't — is the key to making sure you end up on the right side of the statistics.
SQE1 Pass Rates: Full Historical Data (2021–2025)
To understand where things stand today, it helps to look at how SQE1 pass rates have evolved since the exam's inception. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of every SQE1 sitting from November 2021 through July 2025, based on official SRA SQE results.
| Sitting | Candidates | Overall Pass Rate | FLK1 Pass Rate | FLK2 Pass Rate | First-Time Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2021 | 1,073 | 53% | 67% | 54% | ~53% |
| July 2022 | 1,829 | 53% | 64% | 55% | ~55% |
| January 2023 | ~2,500 | 51% | 57% | 56% | ~53% |
| July 2023 | ~3,500 | 53% | ~58% | ~55% | 56% |
| January 2024 | ~5,000 | 56% | 63% | 61% | 59% |
| July 2024 | ~5,200 | 44% | 55% | 50% | 48% |
| January 2025 | 6,782 | 56% | 64% | 61% | 60% |
| July 2025 | 5,851 | 41% | 51% | 48% | 46% |
Key Trends in the Data
Several patterns are immediately apparent:
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Candidate numbers have grown dramatically. The first SQE1 cohort in November 2021 had just over 1,000 candidates. By January 2025, that figure had surpassed 6,700. More candidates sitting the exam means a wider range of preparedness levels.
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January sittings consistently outperform July sittings. January pass rates have hovered between 51% and 56%, while July sittings have ranged from 41% to 53%. This pattern has held across every year since 2023.
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The overall trend is downward. Despite a brief recovery in January 2024 and January 2025, the July sittings show a clear decline: 53% (2022) → 53% (2023) → 44% (2024) → 41% (2025).
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The SQE1 difficulty appears to be increasing, or at least the candidate pool is becoming less prepared on average, as the exam grows in popularity.
FLK1 vs FLK2 Pass Rate: Which Paper Is Harder?
SQE1 consists of two Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments — FLK1 and FLK2 — each containing 180 multiple-choice questions sat on separate days. Historically, FLK1 has a higher pass rate than FLK2 in almost every sitting.
FLK1 Pass Rate Trends
- November 2021: 67%
- July 2022: 64%
- January 2023: 57%
- January 2024: 63%
- July 2024: 55%
- January 2025: 64%
- July 2025: 51%
FLK2 Pass Rate Trends
- November 2021: 54%
- July 2022: 55%
- January 2023: 56%
- January 2024: 61%
- July 2024: 50%
- January 2025: 61%
- July 2025: 48%
The gap between FLK1 and FLK2 varies, but FLK2 is generally considered the tougher paper. FLK2 covers subjects such as property law, wills and estates, solicitors' accounts, and land law — areas where candidates tend to have less prior exposure. If you're building a study plan, it's worth giving FLK2 subjects additional attention. Our study notes cover all 13 SQE1 subjects in depth, with particular focus on the areas candidates find most challenging.
SQE1 First-Time Pass Rate vs Resit Pass Rate
One of the starkest findings in the SRA's data is the gulf between first-time and resit candidate performance. This is arguably the most important statistic for anyone planning their SQE1 preparation.
First-Time Candidate Pass Rates
Across all sittings since the SQE launched, first-time pass rates have ranged from 46% to 60%:
- January 2024: 59%
- July 2024: 48%
- January 2025: 60%
- July 2025: 46%
Resit Candidate Pass Rates
Resit pass rates paint a very different picture. According to SRA data:
- January 2024: ~16%
- July 2024: ~20%
- January 2025: estimated ~25%
- July 2025: estimated ~20%
This means that roughly 4 out of 5 resitting candidates fail again. The SQE1 resit pass rate is consistently 30–40 percentage points below the first-time rate.
What This Means for You
The message is clear: your best chance of passing SQE1 is on your first attempt. Resitting is not only expensive (the combined FLK1 and FLK2 fee is several hundred pounds) but statistically much harder to pass. Investing properly in preparation before your first sitting is far more cost-effective — and far less stressful — than planning to "have a go" and resit if needed.
If you are resitting, the data suggests you need to fundamentally change your approach. Simply revisiting the same materials is unlikely to yield different results. A structured programme of practice questions and timed mock exams can help identify and close the specific gaps in your knowledge.
Course Provider vs Self-Study: What the Data Shows
The SRA has not yet published official provider-level pass rates, despite promising to do so by late 2023. The Legal Services Board gave the SRA a red rating for this failure, and a compulsory candidate survey was introduced in March 2026 to improve data collection. Official figures are expected later in 2026.
In the meantime, what we do know is revealing:
Structured Preparation Makes a Significant Difference
Candidates who follow a structured preparation programme — whether through a course provider or a well-organised self-study plan — consistently outperform those who take an ad hoc approach. The key factors that correlate with higher pass rates are:
- Completing a high volume of practice questions. Candidates who work through thousands of practice questions develop the pattern recognition and exam technique needed to handle SQE1's demanding format.
- Taking multiple mock exams under timed conditions. This is perhaps the single most important predictor of success. Candidates who complete 25 or more mock tests achieve a 94% pass rate — more than double the national average.
- Using active recall and spaced repetition. Passive reading of textbooks is far less effective than actively testing yourself. Tools like flashcards that use spaced repetition help cement knowledge in long-term memory.
Self-Study Can Work — With the Right Resources
Self-study candidates can absolutely pass SQE1, but they need access to high-quality, exam-focused materials. The candidates who struggle are typically those who rely solely on academic textbooks or free online resources without a clear study structure. Having a comprehensive question bank, detailed study notes, and realistic mock exams is what bridges the gap between self-study and a formal course.
Why Are SQE1 Pass Rates Declining?
The downward trend in SQE1 pass rates — particularly in the July sittings — has become a major talking point in the legal profession. Several factors are contributing:
1. Growing Candidate Numbers With Varying Preparedness
As the SQE has become the sole route to qualification (replacing the LPC and GDL pathway), candidate numbers have surged. Not all candidates arrive equally prepared. Some sit the exam without completing a formal preparation course, while others underestimate the volume and depth of knowledge required.
2. Increasing Proportion of Resitters
The July 2025 cohort included 19% resitting candidates — the highest proportion ever. Since resitters pass at significantly lower rates (around 20%), their growing share of the candidate pool mechanically drags down the overall pass rate.
3. Exam Format and Time Pressure
Candidates consistently report that the sheer volume of questions — 180 per paper, answered in a single day — combined with the application-based format is extremely demanding. Even well-prepared candidates can struggle to demonstrate their knowledge under such intense time pressure.
4. The July Sitting Effect
January sittings have consistently higher pass rates than July sittings. This may reflect the fact that January candidates have had a longer period since graduating to prepare, or that July candidates include a larger number of those retaking after a January failure.
5. Demographic and Socioeconomic Disparities
The SRA's own reports acknowledge persistent gaps in pass rates between different demographic groups. Candidates from certain backgrounds may face additional barriers in accessing high-quality preparation resources, which affects outcomes.
How to Be in the Passing Group: Actionable Strategies
Given that fewer than half of all SQE1 candidates pass, you need to be strategic and disciplined in your preparation. Here is what the data and successful candidates tell us works.
Start Early and Create a Structured Study Plan
SQE1 covers 13 subjects across 142 topics. You cannot cram this volume of material in a few weeks. Most successful candidates study for 3–6 months, covering all subjects systematically. Our study notes are organised by subject and topic, making it straightforward to build a revision timetable.
Prioritise Practice Questions Over Passive Reading
Reading notes and textbooks is necessary but not sufficient. The SQE1 tests application of knowledge to scenarios, not rote recall. The only way to develop this skill is through extensive practice. Aim to complete at least 2,000–3,000 practice questions before your exam. Our platform offers 3,500+ practice questions covering every SQE1 topic, with detailed explanations for each answer.
Take Mock Exams — Lots of Them
This is the single highest-impact activity you can do. Timed mock exams simulate the real exam conditions: the time pressure, the stamina required for 180 questions, and the need to make decisions quickly under uncertainty. As noted above, candidates who complete 25+ mock tests achieve a 94% pass rate. Our mock exams replicate the format and difficulty of the real SQE1, giving you the closest possible rehearsal for exam day.
Use Flashcards for Retention
SQE1 requires you to hold a vast amount of legal knowledge in your head simultaneously. Spaced repetition flashcards are one of the most evidence-backed methods for retaining large volumes of information. Use them daily throughout your preparation period to keep earlier subjects fresh while you study new ones.
Focus Extra Time on FLK2 Subjects
Given that FLK2 consistently has lower pass rates, allocate more revision time to FLK2 subjects: property law, wills and intestacy, solicitors' accounts, land law, and trusts. These are areas where many candidates are weakest, and improvement here can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
Don't Neglect Exam Technique
Knowing the law is only half the battle. You also need to know how to read SQE1 questions efficiently, eliminate wrong answers, manage your time across 180 questions, and avoid common traps. Practising under timed conditions is the best way to develop this.
If You're Resitting, Change Your Approach
If you've already sat SQE1 and didn't pass, resist the temptation to simply "do more of the same." Analyse your performance — which subjects and topics were weakest? Did you run out of time? Were there recurring question types you got wrong? Use this analysis to target your revision specifically at your weaknesses.
SQE1 Pass Rate 2024 vs 2025: A Direct Comparison
For candidates trying to gauge the trend, here's how 2024 and 2025 compare side by side:
| Metric | Jan 2024 | Jul 2024 | Jan 2025 | Jul 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall pass rate | 56% | 44% | 56% | 41% |
| First-time pass rate | 59% | 48% | 60% | 46% |
| FLK1 pass rate | 63% | 55% | 64% | 51% |
| FLK2 pass rate | 61% | 50% | 61% | 48% |
| Resit pass rate | ~16% | ~20% | ~25% | ~20% |
The January sittings in both years are remarkably consistent (56% overall, 59–60% first-time). The July sittings, however, show a clear year-on-year decline, dropping from 44% to 41% overall and from 48% to 46% for first-timers.
Frequently Asked Questions About SQE1 Pass Rates
Is SQE1 hard?
Yes. With an overall pass rate of 41–56% depending on the sitting, SQE1 is a genuinely challenging professional examination. It tests applied legal knowledge across 13 subjects in a high-pressure, time-constrained format. However, candidates who prepare thoroughly and strategically pass at much higher rates — upwards of 90% for those who complete sufficient practice.
What is a good SQE1 score?
The pass mark for SQE1 is set at 300 out of 500 for each of FLK1 and FLK2 (from January 2024 onwards). You need to pass both papers to pass SQE1 overall. There is no publicly available grade banding, so your result is simply pass or fail. Aiming well above the minimum — through consistent practice — gives you the best margin of safety.
When are SQE1 results released?
SRA SQE results are typically released 5–6 weeks after the assessment date. The SRA publishes results on its website, and candidates receive individual results via their mySRA accounts. Statistical reports with detailed pass rate breakdowns follow a few weeks later.
Can I pass SQE1 without a course?
Yes, many candidates pass SQE1 through self-study. The key is having access to comprehensive, exam-focused materials — including extensive practice questions, mock exams, and structured study notes — rather than relying on generic textbooks. What matters most is the quality and volume of your preparation, not whether you attended a formal course.
How many times can I resit SQE1?
You can sit SQE1 a maximum of three times in total. Given the low resit pass rates (around 20%), it is strongly advisable to invest heavily in preparation for your first attempt rather than treating it as a trial run.
Prepare Smarter With SQE1 Prep
The SQE1 pass rate data is clear: candidates who engage in extensive, structured practice dramatically outperform those who don't. With an overall pass rate of just 41% in the most recent sitting, the stakes have never been higher.
At SQE1 Prep, we've built everything you need to be in the passing group:
- 3,500+ practice questions across all 13 subjects and 142 topics, with detailed explanations for every answer — start practising
- Realistic mock exams that mirror the format, timing, and difficulty of the real SQE1 — take a mock exam
- Comprehensive study notes covering every examinable topic in clear, concise language — read the notes
- Spaced repetition flashcards to lock in knowledge and keep it fresh across all subjects — use flashcards
Remember: candidates who complete 25+ mock tests achieve a 94% pass rate. The question isn't whether you can pass SQE1 — it's whether you're willing to put in the right kind of preparation.
View our plans and pricing and start preparing today.