SQE2 Pass Rates: 3 Characteristics That May Put You at a Disadvantage

Understanding SQE2 pass rates is crucial for every aspiring solicitor. Whether you’re just starting your preparation or have faced an unsuccessful attempt – analysing SQE2 results and statistics will give you valuable exam insights. With only three opportunities to pass the SQE2, grasping the trends in SQE2 pass rates can prevent wasted time, money, and potential career setbacks.

This article is not for LPC graduates; their challenges are slightly more specific, and we have a dedicated guide SQE for LPC. Instead, this analysis is for all other candidate groups, particularly non-native English speakers, whether based in the UK or abroad, and those trying to understand the factors that could be quietly working against them in this high-stakes exam and impacting SQE2 pass rates.

1. Age – Older candidates face unique time-pressure and processing challenges.
2. Work experience and legal qualifications – Surprisingly, practical experience and foreign qualifications do not always translate into better SQE2 pass rates.
3. English language proficiency – The most objective factor, directly affecting both written and oral assessments and thus SQE2 pass rates.

SQE2 Training
SQE2 Mocks
Retake SQE

Free SQE2 Results Analysis – Start Here

If you’ve already attempted SQE2, follow these steps to get a free results review with our SQE2 tutoring solicitors, aimed at improving your future SQE2 pass rates:

1. Complete the SQE2 Resit Form – Share your SRA results and sitting details.
2. Receive a personalised review – Get expert feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Book a SQE2 Diagnostic Mock (optional) – Simulate the exam to pinpoint gaps and create a tailored resit strategy to boost your SQE2 pass rates.

1. Experience & Qualifications: Unexpected Trends in SQE2 Pass Rates

One of the most unexpected insights in the SRA’s SQE2 results is how work experience and existing legal qualifications affect performance – and not in the way most candidates would expect when considering SQE2 pass rates. Interestingly, while qualified lawyers may be exempt from the SQE2, statistics show they tend to underperform if they do sit the exam.

In a practical, skills-based exam like SQE2, it’s easy to assume that those with years of legal experience or foreign qualifications would have a clear advantage. But the statistics tell a different story about SQE2 pass rates:

For qualified lawyers (QL) — often foreign-qualified solicitors, barristers, or attorneys at law – the same trend appears:

*It is important to note that qualified lawyers constitute only 7–9% of all candidates, as most now obtain either agreed or individual exemptions from the SQE2. Read more about SQE exemptions.

Why Experience Can Work Against You

The SQE2 uses the Objective Structured Examination (OSCE) format, a methodology praised globally and used in medical licensing exams for decades. While it simulates real-world practice, it is not identical to practice – and that’s where many experienced candidates struggle, impacting their SQE2 pass rates.

Key reasons for SQE2 failure include:

• Practice habits vs exam specifics – ingrained practical patterns can clash with exam marking criteria;
• Jumping to conclusions – missing required steps costs marks;
• Academic sharpness fades – black-letter knowledge weakens with time;
• Underestimating exam technique – overconfidence often leads to insufficient mock practice, affecting SQE2 pass rates.
• Practical overcomplication – does not work with standardised exams, especially those that require you to ‘tick the boxes’.
• Knowledge decay between SQE1 and SQE2 – SQE2 doesn’t offer multiple-choice prompts, so recall and accurate application are critical.

Solutions to Help Experienced Lawyers Succeed in SQE2

If you’re an experienced or qualified candidate, the solution is not to abandon your strengths, but to retrain your approach to align with what SQE2 actually tests and improve your SQE2 pass rates:

• Expose yourself to real exam practice early – Especially if you are a foreign-qualified lawyer, the way law is practised in your jurisdiction may be very different from England and Wales. This means you not only need to develop new skills and habits, but also unlearn old ones that may work against you in the SQE2 environment, hindering your SQE2 pass rates.
• Work with SQE2-qualified coaches who share your background – Choose coaches who have successfully passed SQE2 themselves, ideally with similar legal or jurisdictional experience. This ensures the guidance you receive is grounded in practical, proven strategies for better SQE2 pass rates.
• Avoid delaying your SQE2 attempt – The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to maintain clarity between legal systems, particularly if you come from a civil law background. Over time, your familiarity with English law weakens, and the risk of confusion between the two systems increases, potentially lowering your SQE2 pass rates.

Creating the exam is very different from taking it – even those who design the assessments are not necessarily equipped to perform under actual exam conditions. Success in SQE2 requires far more than legal knowledge: you need to manage time pressures, navigate the digital interface efficiently, and adapt under stress – for example, when a simulated client suddenly becomes emotional during an interview. Learning from those who have experienced these conditions first-hand ensures your preparation reflects the realities of the exam and boosts your SQE2 pass rates.

2. Age: The Predictable SQE2 Disadvantage Affecting Pass Rates

The impact of age on SQE2 results and SQE2 pass rates is a more expected finding, but no less important to understand.

Reading And Processing

Research confirms that processing speed and reading fluency gradually decline with age – cognitive abilities especially important for exams like SQE2 and impacting SQE2 pass rates. A study published in the 2023 GEM Report by UNESCO highlights this trend: “Reading speed continues to increase up to school-leaving age and starts to decline slowly around age 40, dropping by about 10% by age 70 (Brysbaert, 2019).” So, while a 10% decline in reading speed may seem modest, the broader reduction in processing speed – paired with stress and other objective factors e.g. language fluency – can have more significant impact on the candidates’ performance.

Other cognitive skills experience even steeper declines. For instance, research shows that processing speed tends to drop substantially in middle age, particularly affecting tasks like coding or symbol search – common markers in neuropsychological tests. These declines are measurable and occur well before old age. (Front. Aging Neurosci., 22 March 2017 Sec. Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior Volume 9 – 2017 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00062).

This is a very relevant consideration for SQE2, especially in the legal research tasks, where candidates must navigate huge digital bundles quickly, locate key information under time pressure, and present clear, structured responses.

Computer Skills

Beyond processing speed and reading fluency, computer proficiency is another critical factor, particularly in the context of SQE2’s digitally formatted written assessments. Based on our experience training SQE2 and QLTS OSCE candidates for nearly a decade, we’ve observed a noticeable performance gap starting around age 45 – typically among those born in the early 1980s or earlier, when computers were far less common in education and professional training.

Experimental data indicates that mental fatigue affects typing speed more in middle-aged adults than in younger adults. While both groups slow down over time, older participants take longer pauses between keystrokes, especially during sustained tasks. This highlights how fatigue and lower digital familiarity can impact real-world test performance. (Front. Psychol., 05 July 2018 Sec. Performance Science Volume 9 – 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01113).

The issue can be significantly compounded by a lack of general computer skills, such as slower navigation of software, unfamiliarity with shortcuts, or less efficient handling of digital tools under time pressure. These findings are highly relevant to SQE2’s format, where candidates must navigate case files, draft responses, and manage video‑based interviews, all while typing rapidly under time pressure.

Furthermore, the concept of “digital immigrants” – people born before 1983 – underlines the digital divide that persists today. People born before widespread digital adoption often struggle more with navigating software interfaces and multitasking effectively in screen-based assessments, which can negatively affect their SQE2 pass rates.

Practical Solutions for SQE2 Candidates Over 35

If you fall into this age group, a more tailored and intensive preparation strategy is essential to close the digital and speed gaps that can impact your results and improve your SQE2 pass rates. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Increase one-to-one mock training – Work closely with experienced coaches who have themselves passed SQE2. This ensures you’re guided by someone who understands the realities of the exam and can help you avoid common pitfalls, thus boosting your SQE2 pass rates.
2. Focus on written assessments – Dedicate extra effort to tasks like Client Interview and Advocacy (CMA) and legal research, which are heavily dependent on typing speed, efficient navigation, and structured digital work. Improving these skills will directly impact your SQE2 pass rates.
3. Practise using the right digital tools – Run your mocks on platforms or software similar to the actual exam environment. Familiarity with the interface will reduce stress and improve efficiency, contributing to higher SQE2 pass rates.

At the Academy of Smart Lawyers, we offer all the required features, including our own SUPERexam platform, which we developed while training candidates for the exam needs. We are those who did pass the exam ourselves.

C. Language Barrier: Native vs Non-Native Speakers

The third and most objective disadvantage is English language proficiency. Unlike SQE1, which focuses on reading comprehension, SQE2 assesses your ability to read, listen, speak, and write. This is why those who are actually exempt from the SQE2 often have to pass a language test or use alternative means to prove their language proficiency. The impact on SQE2 pass rates is significant, as the following table illustrates:

This characteristic requires a separate article for analysis and more in-depth research, including on the comparative scoring as this all is very new for us in relation to SQE2 pass rates.

Solutions for Non-Native Speakers to Improve SQE2 Pass Rates

Having coached aspiring solicitors since early 2018 – starting with the QLTS OSCE, the predecessor of SQE2 – we’ve developed a number of tips and techniques to help non-native speakers perform more efficiently in the exam. However, it’s important to recognise that these strategies have their limits: true improvement in language proficiency takes time. To significantly impact your SQE2 pass rates, consider:

1. Start your preparation as early as possible – even if you passed SQE1 with excellent results, SQE2’s demands are very different and require more time to build confidence and fluency. Early preparation directly supports higher SQE2 pass rates.
2. Enhance Specific Language Skills – It may be a good idea to attend a special English language course for those whose language may really need to be improved, including specific training to enhance skills like speed reading, academic writing, and similar.
3. Invest in additional training for oral assessments – SQE2 interviews and advocacy are particularly challenging for non-native speakers. This is even more crucial if you are a foreign-qualified lawyer, as you may also need to unlearn habits that don’t align with the practice in England and Wales. Targeted oral training is vital for boosting SQE2 pass rates in these demanding sections

With targeted coaching, steady practice, and a realistic timeline, non-native speakers can significantly improve their performance and reduce the language gap in SQE2, ultimately increasing their SQE2 pass rates.

Final Thoughts: Improving Your SQE2 Pass Rates

The SQE2 is a demanding exam, and the statistics make it clear that age, experience, and language proficiency may create measurable disadvantages that affect SQE2 pass rates. The good news is that these challenges can be overcome with the right preparation strategy, focused training, and consistent practice.

If you’ve failed an attempt or are feeling uncertain about your readiness for the next sitting, don’t risk repeating the same mistakes. Complete the below SQE2 Resit Form and book a one-to-one diagnostic call with our tutoring solicitor. Share your results in advance, and we’ll help you build a personalised strategy to boost your confidence and give you the best chance of improving your performance – and your SQE2 pass rate – in your next sitting.

Use the calendar below to book a free call with our experts and receive tailored advice 📞