Gender Trends in SQE2 Performance: A Comparison Across Six Sittings (2023–2024)

As aspiring solicitors prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), one recurring question is whether exam outcomes differ by gender – and if so, how these differences evolve over time and season. This article explores performance trends for male and female candidates across six SQE2 sittings between 2023 and 2024, using data from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to identify patterns and assess their statistical significance.

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Overview of Gender-Based Pass Rates (2023–2024)

The SRA publishes quarterly reports that include gender-disaggregated pass rates. Here’s a snapshot of the SQE2 pass rates by gender across six exam sittings:

Key Trends:

SQE2 2023: Female candidates consistently outperformed male candidates, with the largest gap in October 2023 (9%).

SQE2 2024: Male candidates slightly outperformed females in April 2024, but the trend reversed again in July and October, where female pass rates rose.

Visualizing the Trends

Trend Analysis via Line Graph:

Both male and female pass rates fluctuated, with a notable dip in October 2023 for both groups – particularly among men.

The gender gap narrowed in 2024, suggesting potential convergence in performance over time.

Statistical Analysis: Are These Differences Meaningful?

To assess whether the observed differences are statistically significant, both t-tests (comparing average pass rates) and chi-square tests (comparing pass/fail outcomes) were applied.

2023 SQE2 Results Summary

T-Test (Pass Rates):

P-Value: 0.4604 ➤ No statistically significant difference in average pass rates between genders.

Chi-Square Test (Pass/Fail):

P-Value: 0.0004 ➤ Significant association between gender and exam outcome, suggesting a gender-linked trend in pass/fail distribution for 2023.

2024 SQE2 Results Summary

T-Test (Pass Rates):

P-Value: 0.6092 ➤ No significant difference in average pass rates.

Chi-Square Test (Pass/Fail):

P-Value: 0.7812 ➤ No significant association between gender and outcome, indicating more parity between male and female candidates.

Interpreting the Trends Over Time

SQE2 2023: Emerging Disparity

Female candidates had a clear edge, particularly in October.

The chi-square result indicates gender did influence pass/fail outcomes.

SQE2 2024: Convergence

Gender differences in pass rates shrank.

No statistically significant gender effect detected, suggesting greater exam parity.

Overall: Temporal Smoothing of Disparities

The six sittings show initial gender disparities tapering off over time.

This could reflect improvements in exam access, preparation equity, or mitigation of gender-related barriers.

Implications for Candidates

For All Candidates: Focus on preparation. Statistical results show no consistent advantage based on gender in 2024.

For Educators and Institutions: The 2023 disparity calls for continued attention to gender equity in exam support systems.

For Researchers: Future studies might explore whether external factors (mentorship, socio-economic background, differing gendered pressure to work after hours as opposed to freedom to study etc.) contribute to fluctuations such as seen in 2023.

Conclusion from Statistical Analysis of Data

Across six SQE2 sittings from 2023 to 2024, female candidates showed higher pass rates in four out of six sittings. However, statistical testing suggests that these differences were not consistently significant, particularly in 2024. The trend points toward a narrowing gender gap – a sign that structural or preparatory changes may be fostering greater fairness in exam outcomes.

As we continue to monitor future SQE cycles, keeping a close eye on demographic trends will be essential in ensuring a level playing field for all aspiring solicitors.

Gendered Work Patterns and Seasonal Performance in the SQE2 Exam

The potential link between seasonal exam performance and gender is complex and multifaceted, shaped by broader social structures around work, care responsibilities, and time use. The performance disparities observed between genders in the SQE2 exam during specific sittings – such as women performing relatively better in July and October, and men performing better in April – invite an exploration of how employment patterns and domestic responsibilities influence study time and exam readiness.

A key factor lies in gendered differences in employment structure. According to the Office for National Statistics, between November 2022 and January 2023, men worked an average of 35.3 hours per week compared to 27.8 hours for women. This gap is reflective of women’s greater likelihood to engage in part-time work, a pattern that persists across sectors. While the overall employment rate for women aged 16 to 64 stood at 72.2% as of June 2024 (YCharts), this statistic does not capture the qualitative differences in the types of employment or the time available for pursuits such as legal exam preparation.

Time-use studies further highlight that employed women spend significantly more time on unpaid household work and caregiving than men (Office for National Statistics). These domestic demands fluctuate seasonally and often intensify during school holidays, when formal childcare options are limited. Anecdotal evidence, although not formally captured in ONS data, suggests that women – particularly those in part-time roles – may align their annual leave with school breaks, such as during July and October. This alignment may afford them more discretionary time for study during these months compared to periods like April, when family routines might be more stable but work demands are not necessarily offset by school holidays.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to work full-time and thus may face more rigid workplace expectations, with fewer opportunities to schedule leave during busy work periods or during months when the SQE2 is administered. This inflexibility could explain the relatively lower male performance in the July and October sittings, while potentially contributing to stronger showings in April, when workplace rhythms might be more predictable post-Q1 reporting cycles, the beginning of the annual financial cycle and before the summer holiday season.

There is limited quantitative data linking productivity directly to specific months or genders. The ONS does not provide disaggregated seasonal productivity figures by gender. However, the broader literature suggests that productivity is highly contextual, impacted by workload, environment, and personal wellbeing. Therefore, while it’s not possible to definitively state that one gender is more productive during a particular season, sociological factors – like the disproportionate burden of care on women and more constrained leave-taking practices among men – could impact study patterns and exam readiness.

In conclusion, while direct causal relationships between seasonal gendered performance in the SQE2 and employment patterns cannot be conclusively drawn from existing data, the intersection of part-time work, caregiving roles, and leave flexibility provides a plausible sociological lens. Women’s ability to leverage school holiday periods for study, and men’s constrained flexibility due to full-time employment norms, may contribute to seasonal performance trends. Future research examining granular leave-taking patterns and their alignment with exam schedules and/or caregiving responsibilities could shed further light on these dynamics and support more equitable exam planning for individual students.

Visual Line Graph Comparisons and Bar Charts

Gender-Based Pass Rates for SQE2 (2023)

Here are the pass rates for male and female candidates in the SQE2 exams across three quarters in 2023:

SQE2 April 2023

Female Candidates: 66% of candidates; pass rate: 82%

Male Candidates: 32% of candidates; pass rate: 78%

Overall Pass Rate: 81%

Source: sqe.sra.org.uk

SQE2 July 2023

Female Candidates: 64% of candidates; pass rate: 83%

Male Candidates: 33% of candidates; pass rate: 81%

Overall Pass Rate: 82%

Source: sqe.sra.org.uksqe.sra.org.uk

SQE2 October 2023

Female Candidates: 58% of candidates; pass rate: 73%

Male Candidates: 37% of candidates; pass rate: 64%

Overall Pass Rate: 70%

Source: sqe.sra.org.uk

2024 SQE2 Pass Rates by Gender

Note Data for other gender categories (e.g., “Other” or “Prefer not to say”) is not addressed in this article. This may the study of a further article on the topic.

Source: sqe.sra.org.uk