The latest round of results for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination 2 (SQE2) marks another milestone in the trajectory of England and Wales’ newest route to qualification. The overall pass rate has climbed to 83% in the April 2026 sitting, up from 80% in January 2026 and from 78% in the preceding October/November 2025 rounds. This consistent upward trend, documented in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) newly released statistical report, signals a maturing assessment that is becoming more predictable for candidates — but it also reveals stark and persistent disparities that the profession cannot afford to ignore.
Some 2,966 candidates were graded in the April assessment, which ran between 28 April and 15 May. First‑time takers performed even more strongly: 85% of the 2,763 candidates sitting SQE2 for the first time passed. That figure reinforces a pattern seen across earlier sittings, where first‑time success rates have consistently outstripped the overall average, suggesting that candidates who prepare adequately and understand the exam’s structure tend to perform well on their initial attempt.
A Closer Look at the 83% Pass Rate: What Is Driving the Uptrend?
The SQE2 pass rate has risen steadily from 78% in late 2025 to 80% in early 2026 and now 83%. Several factors likely underpin this improvement. First, the SRA and assessment providers have accumulated more data on candidate performance, enabling them to refine the exam’s calibration and ensure it fairly measures competence. Second, the growing ecosystem of preparatory courses, mocks, and study materials — many created in response to feedback from earlier cohorts — has made it easier for candidates to understand the exam’s demands. Third, a self‑selection effect may be at work: as the SQE becomes the established pathway for solicitors, more candidates are taking the time to prepare thoroughly before sitting.
The SRA’s statistical report does not break down pass rates by preparation method, but anecdotal evidence from law schools and training providers indicates that candidates who complete structured SQE2 preparation programmes see significantly higher success rates. The upward drift in the pass rate should therefore be interpreted as a positive sign for the qualification’s credibility: it suggests that the exam is not an arbitrary hurdle but a standard that can be met with appropriate study and practice.
The First‑Timer Advantage: 85% Pass Rate Among New Candidates
The distinction between first‑time and repeat candidates is one of the most revealing data points in the report. Among the 2,763 first‑time test takers, 85% passed, whereas the pass rate for repeat candidates was considerably lower. This gap is typical for high‑stakes professional exams — the anxiety and potential knowledge gaps that lead to an initial failure can compound when a candidate sits again. However, the SRA does not publish a separate pass rate for repeaters in this report, so the exact figure is not available for comparison.
What is clear is that the first‑time pass rate is now approaching the levels seen in the later stages of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) era, when around 90% of traineeships candidates passed the Professional Skills Course assessments. That convergence suggests the SQE2 is achieving its goal of being a rigorous but fair test of the day‑one competence expected of a newly qualified solicitor.
Degree Classification and SQE2 Performance: A Stark Gradient
One of the most predictable yet sobering correlations in the data is the relationship between undergraduate degree classification and SQE2 pass rate. Candidates who achieved a First‑class honours degree passed at a rate of 92%. That figure dropped to 83% for those with a 2:1 and fell sharply to just 40% for those with a 2:2. The pattern is not surprising — academic attainment is a strong indicator of the study skills and intellectual discipline needed to navigate a demanding exam like SQE2. Yet the 40% pass rate for 2:2 holders is a worrying signal for diversity, given that candidates from lower socio‑economic backgrounds and certain ethnic groups are statistically more likely to achieve a 2:2 or lower.
The SRA does not prescribe a minimum degree classification for taking the SQE, and the exam is designed to test competence rather than academic ability. Nevertheless, the data suggests that degree result remains a powerful proxy for exam performance. For aspiring solicitors with a 2:2 or lower, the message is clear: they must invest additional time in targeted SQE preparation, potentially including formal courses, extra practice, and mentoring. Law schools and training providers may need to offer specific support programmes for this group to prevent the qualification pathway from being effectively closed off by undergraduate grades.
The QWE Paradox: Why Did Candidates Without Work Experience Perform Better?
Perhaps the most eye‑catching finding in the SRA’s April 2026 data concerns qualifying work experience (QWE). Among first‑attempt candidates, those who had not undertaken any QWE recorded a 90% pass rate, compared with 73% among those who had. At first glance, this seems counter‑intuitive. QWE is intended to give candidates practical exposure to legal work and is a mandatory component of the SQE pathway. Why would candidates without QWE outperform those with it?
Several explanations are plausible. First, candidates who have not yet completed QWE may be full‑time students or recent graduates who have focused exclusively on exam preparation. Having at least two eighteen‑month windows of full‑time study without the distractions of work commitments would naturally lead to better exam performance. Second, some candidates may undertake QWE in roles that are not directly aligned with the skills tested in SQE2 — for example, paralegal work in a niche area of law or administrative tasks that do not involve the practical legal skills assessed by the exam, such as client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, and legal research. Third, the 73% pass rate among candidates with QWE might include a proportion who attempted the exam while still completing their work experience, thereby splitting their time and energy.
It is also possible that the SRA’s data on QWE does not capture the quality or relevance of the experience. A candidate who completes a structured training programme in a law firm with dedicated supervision will gain very different preparation from one who undertakes voluntary work experience at a high street practice without formal guidance. The SRA’s statistical report does not differentiate between types of QWE, so the raw numbers must be interpreted with caution.
Nevertheless, the data does not suggest that QWE is detrimental to SQE2 success. Rather, it highlights that the timing of QWE relative to exam sitting matters. Candidates who postpone QWE until after the exam may have more time to focus on study, while those who attempt to juggle both simultaneously may face a penalty. The optimal strategy, according to this data, appears to be completing substantive exam preparation first, then integrating QWE as a separate phase — though this runs counter to the SRA’s expectation that QWE is integrated throughout the qualification journey.
What Is the SQE2 and How Does It Differ From SQE1?
For readers unfamiliar with the structure, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination is the two‑part assessment introduced by the SRA to replace the previous LPC and Training Contract system. SQE1 tests functional legal knowledge through multiple‑choice questions and written assessments. SQE2 tests the practical application of that knowledge through exercises that simulate real‑world legal tasks: client interview and attendance note, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal research, legal writing, and drafting. Candidates must pass both stages and complete two years of QWE (or an equivalent period of recognised training) to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.
The April 2026 sitting of SQE2 was the fourth full administration since the exam was launched. The pass rate has stabilised after some fluctuation in earlier sittings, which saw rates of 77% in the second sitting and 79% in the third. The current 83% represents the highest pass rate to date, but the SRA has emphasised that it does not target a specific pass rate; rather, the rate reflects candidates’ performance against the competence standard.
Ethnic Disparities Persist: A Gap That Refuses to Close
Despite the overall improvement in pass rates, the SRA’s data continues to show significant disparities across ethnic groups. White candidates and those from mixed or multiple ethnic groups both achieved an 88% pass rate in the April 2026 sitting. By contrast, the pass rate for Asian or Asian British candidates was 82%, and for Black or Black British candidates it was just 67%.
These figures are broadly consistent with patterns seen in the earlier sittings of both SQE1 and SQE2, as well as with long‑standing disparities in the Legal Practice Course and in bar professional training. The gap between White and Black candidates — 21 percentage points — is particularly concerning. While the SRA has acknowledged the disparity and committed to researching its root causes, the data alone does not explain why the gap persists. Possible factors include differences in access to high‑quality preparatory resources, variation in the type or duration of QWE, the impact of socioeconomic background on study time, and even unconscious bias in the marking of written and oral exercises — though the SRA uses anonymised marking where possible.
The SRA’s statistical report does not break down pass rates by ethnicity and other intersecting variables such as degree classification or QWE, which would help identify whether the disparity is driven by factors that the SRA can influence. For now, the 67% pass rate for Black candidates stands as a stark reminder that the SQE, for all its virtues as a standardised assessment, is not yet delivering equitable outcomes. The legal profession, which has set ambitious targets for racial diversity, must urgently examine the barriers that Black candidates face and invest in targeted support.
How the SQE2 Results Compare With Earlier Sittings
The 83% pass rate in April 2026 is the highest since the exam’s inception. The previous high was 80% in January 2026, which itself was an improvement over 78% in the October/November 2025 sitting. For context, the first full SQE2 sitting in 2024 recorded a pass rate of approximately 75%, meaning the rate has climbed by eight percentage points in less than two years.
This upward trajectory is broadly similar to that seen in SQE1, where pass rates also increased over successive sittings as candidates and educators adapted to the format. However, SQE1 pass rates have consistently been lower than SQE2 — in the range of 50% to 60% — reflecting the difficulty of the multiple‑choice knowledge test. The divergence between the two exams is a reminder that SQE2, despite its practical nature, is not the harder component; rather, it is the component where preparation appears to be more effective in raising scores.
The SRA has noted that it does not compare pass rates across sittings as a measure of difficulty, because each sitting uses a different set of scenarios and exercises. Nonetheless, the consistency of the upward trend across multiple sittings suggests that the assessment is not becoming easier, but that the candidate population is becoming better prepared. This is a positive development for the profession, which needs a steady supply of competent new solicitors.
Practical Implications for Candidates, Law Schools, and Employers
The data from the April 2026 SQE2 sitting carries several actionable implications. For individual candidates, the numbers underscore the importance of degree preparation and the value of a full‑time study window. Candidates with a 2:2 or those from ethnic groups with lower pass rates should consider investing in structured preparation courses and mock exams before their first attempt. The 90% pass rate among first‑timers without QWE suggests that deferring work experience until after the exam may be a sensible strategy for those who can afford to do so — though this may not be feasible for candidates who need to work while studying.
For law schools and training providers, the data points to a need for targeted interventions. Providers should offer specialised support for candidates with lower degree classifications and for Black candidates, such as extra practice sessions, mentoring, and feedback on skills exercises. They should also help candidates understand the optimal sequencing of QWE and exam preparation.
For law firms and other employers who sponsor candidates through the SQE, the data reinforces the importance of ensuring that QWE during the preparation period is genuinely skills‑focused and does not become a distraction from study. Some firms may choose to formalise study leave or provide exam coaching as part of their training programmes.
The SRA itself will need to consider whether the persistence of ethnic disparities and the QWE paradox require adjustments to its guidance or to the assessment design. Publishing more granular data — for example, pass rates by ethnicity and degree classification combined, or by QWE type — would help the profession understand the root causes of these gaps. The SRA has already launched a research project on equality, diversity, and inclusion in the SQE, and the April 2026 results should accelerate that work.
Future Outlook: What to Expect From Upcoming SQE2 Sittings
The next SQE2 sitting is scheduled for July 2026, with results expected in September. Based on the current trajectory, another small increase in the overall pass rate is possible, but the rate may soon plateau as the candidate population reaches a steady state of preparation. The SRA has indicated that it will continue to monitor performance and adjust the exam design if necessary to maintain the standards of competence required for admission to the solicitors’ profession.
Beyond the pass rate, the profession will be watching closely for any narrowing of the ethnic gap, as well as for changes in the QWE finding. If the trend of higher pass rates among candidates without QWE persists, it could prompt a broader debate about the role of work experience in the qualification pathway. Some might argue that QWE should either be integrated into the assessment itself or that the SRA should require a minimum amount of QWE before a candidate can sit SQE2. Others would counter that the current flexibility allows candidates to choose a path that suits their circumstances.
Ultimately, the 83% pass rate in the April 2026 SQE2 sitting is a milestone that reflects genuine progress in candidate preparation and exam calibration. But the numbers also reveal that the road to a truly equitable qualification is long. The profession’s confidence in the SQE depends not only on the pass rate but on the fairness of the outcomes. The SRA, educators, employers, and candidates themselves all have a role to play in ensuring that every aspiring solicitor — regardless of background, degree result, or work‑experience path — has a fair chance to succeed.
