PostsNews

Regulator commissions independent review of SQE 

Avatar photo

By Legal Cheek on

14

Will assess whether new pathway is on track to achieving its objectives

speech bubbles
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has commissioned an independent review to evaluate whether the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is on track to achieving some of its objectives.

In a bulletin this week, the regulator confirmed that IFF, a social and market research agency, will conduct the first independent evaluation of the new pathway since its launch in 2021.

The SRA said that the review will assess whether the SQE is “providing greater assurance of consistent standards at the point of admission” and “encouraging the development of new and diverse pathways to qualification”.

SQE Careers Toolkit: Your ultimate companion in navigating the journey to solicitor qualification

The marketing agency will survey SQE students, employers, and law schools to gather their insights and experiences with the SQE and qualifying work experience (QWE). A small pilot survey launched last month, with a larger survey set to begin in early 2025.

Last month, Legal Cheek reported a slight drop in the SQE2 pass rate to 74%, while in October, the SQE1 pass rate hit an all-time low of 44%.

Earlier this year, Kaplan, the company responsible for administering the SQE, issued an apology after 175 students were mistakenly informed that they had failed parts of their assessments.

14 Comments

Axiom Ouch

We don’t need marketing agencies we need a new regulator – not just because of the sqe debacle

Reply Report comment
(52)(0)

Seb

There seems to be a need for reform. As a law student, it doesn’t fill me with confidence in it’s current state. As a mature student already working in the non law sector I was planning on taking the LPC but this has now gone. I feel unless you’re young, the opportunity to get into law are becoming slim.

Reply Report comment
(24)(0)

Abdul Swaleh

I hear you, bro 👊🏽

Reply Report comment
(2)(1)

M Shoyeb

We no longer want the SRA as regulator as the SRA is beset with controversial practices, alleged incompetence, and unduly harsh enforcement. Concerns include inconsistent decision-making, delays in investigations, disproportionate penalties for minor breaches, and allegations of bias or profit-driven motives.

Reply Report comment
(26)(1)

Anon

The SQE exams, especially the SQE1 is not fit for purpose and in no way reflects how a day one solicitor would perform. They are unrealistic exams when people are working full time, the 44% pass rate reflects that. Only being able to sit it 3 times with a low pass rate is also ridiculous. Hopefully something positive comes from this review.

Reply Report comment
(29)(1)

Anonymous

They’re to make, what was it, £66 million from this round of exams? If that doesn’t scream profit driven, I’m not sure what does. But alas, lawyers clearly can’t run from that stereotype.

Reply Report comment
(22)(0)

Norwegian Wood

Utterly useless. I can’t wait for their ‘independent’ review to announce the SQE is ‘perfect’ and that it’s ‘never been easier’ to qualify.

Profit driven and without shame.

Reply Report comment
(29)(0)

Future Trainee (Hopefully)

As a future trainee (hopefully), I find the SQE system deeply flawed. With only a 33% first-time pass rate, these low results aren’t due to lack of effort—I know talented individuals at top firms who’ve failed and either lost training contracts or just given up on law.

The technology is outdated and the appeals process is costly and lacks transparency – apparently you cannot question the integrity of the marking for SQE2!

SQE1 is a memory test, while SQE2 relies on subjective marking, making the exams feel unfair and near impossible. If reforms are made, compensation is owed to the thousands who lost training contracts or wasted money on this broken system.

Reply Report comment
(10)(0)

Future Trainee (Hopefully)

As a future trainee (hopefully), the SQE system is deeply flawed. With only a 33% first-time pass rate, these low results aren’t due to lack of effort—I know talented individuals at top firms who’ve failed and either lost training contracts or just given up on law completely.

The technology is outdated and the appeals process is costly and lacks transparency – apparently you cannot question the integrity of the marking for SQE2! SQE1 is a memory test, while SQE2 relies on subjective marking, making the exams feel unfair and near impossible.

If reforms are made, compensation is owed to the thousands who lost training contracts or wasted money on this broken system.

Reply Report comment
(4)(0)

Cindy

The system has always been very flawed.

The first system LPC route relied on a Training Contract. Which in itself was difficult to obtain, unless you were heavily ‘ brown-nosing’ or having ‘ relations’ with one of the Partners or Principal of the company.

This route is also not realistic as you would not be expected to have a knowledge base of a solicitor with 5/6 years of experience on the first day.
I think they need to bring in the US system and also bring in an Apprenticeship system, over a four year period. Perhaps a full year spent at college, learning the 7 foundations of law , then from there do ‘ day release’ at college doing academic as well as professional workshops and the remaining four days in the actual real world of work.
The SQE is really not fit for purpose. I don’t think many top lawyers at present would get through it……….and that is in no way a commendation, as the profession at this rate will be losing many fine legal minds.
Ps; Also offer paper based exams, some people older or with disabilities don’t or cannot do 30 w/p/m

Reply Report comment
(5)(0)

Junior Leachman

Let us hold our horses and think carefully and rationally.

We cannot throw the SEQ 1 and SEQ 2 under the bus as yet. It needs time to work.

I suspect that those who are decrying and have their ghost stories about the current SEQ1 and SEQ are not able l to grasp the material.

May remind you folks that this is the big leagues and to stay in the big leagues you have to be performing at that pace.

Therefore, if you cannot manage the heat stay out the kitchen.

Have a good to you all.

Reply Report comment
(0)(23)

Atticus Finch

The fact that you repetitively call it the “SEQ” suggests to me that you have little to no understanding of the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examinations (SQE).

Perhaps before you make a comment you should make yourself informed of the financial and academic difficulties this new system has brought to people of all walks of life. You should look at the last cohort’s pass rate of 44%, the cost of taking the examination itself (approximately £2,000) and that’s not even considering a preparation course which amounts to over £10,000.

This profession has become inaccessible to young people who cannot afford these resources and to those of the more mature demographic who have to balance responsibilities such as looking after children whilst balancing job commitments.

As a trainee solicitor, maybe you should lace up before you judge the race.

Have a good day.

Reply Report comment
(15)(0)

Junior Leachman

I stand to correct my errors from SEQ to SQE1 and SQE2. We all humans and we are subject to human errors. However, I am still standing by my point in saying that we need to give the new system a chance to work. Nb, I have done my research on the financial burden that the SQE places on those who wants to be fully qualified as Solicitor in England and Wales. Nothing is cheap and we should not be crying because this is not a nursery or a play ground, this is the big league, and we must ready to challenge ourselves on the difficult road ahead. I must say that I am challenged by the SQE1 but I do not caved and give up.

Finally, if I had submitted my documents to the courts with any errors, I could apply through Practice Direction Supplements CPR part 17, to have my corrections amended.

Reply Report comment
(0)(12)

Ray

You could amend your mistakes that way but with your spelling and grammar, I wouldn’t worry about that because with your attitude and writing skills you’re not even going to qualify in the first place.

Reply Report comment
(8)(0)

Join the conversation

Related Stories

news SQE Hub

SQE2 pass rate dips slightly to 74%

Over 900 students sat latest exams

Nov 27 2024 8:01am
4
Person sitting online exam
news SQE Hub

‘The low SQE pass rate has me stressing’

One aspiring lawyer is eager to know what the most challenging part is and why

Oct 25 2024 9:22am
55
news SQE Hub

SRA still unable to confirm timeline for revealing SQE provider pass rates

Crucial comparison data was due by the end of 2023

Oct 22 2024 8:53am
17