SQE2 pass rate climbs to 78% in latest October 2025 sitting
updated on 25 February 2026
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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has released the results of part two of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) for the October 2025 sitting, revealing an overall pass rate of 78%. This marks a small jump of 2% from the previous SQE2 results released in July 2025.
The SRA’s statistical report revealed that 1,342 candidates sat the thirteenth round of SQE2 assessment between 30 October and 14 November. SQE2 tests practical legal skills across 16 stations, including 12 written assessments and four oral exercises. Candidates must first pass SQE1 or obtain an exemption before attempting the second stage.
Find out everything you need to know about the SQE and what to expect from the SQE assessments.
While SQE1 pass rates have fluctuated across recent sittings, the latest SQE2 results continue a trend of relatively strong performance since the assessment’s introduction. Candidates who completed the assessment for the first time in the latest sitting performed marginally better compared to the entire cohort of candidates, achieving a 79% pass rate.
However, the SRA’s diversity data continues to show attainment gaps between demographic groups. White candidates recorded an 85% pass rate, while Asian and Black candidates achieved 75% and 63% respectively. Language also appeared to affect outcomes: candidates whose first language is English achieved an 81% pass rate, while those for whom English isn’t a first language recorded a 70% pass rate.
The report also revealed a correlation between academic background and pass rates. Candidates holding a first‑class undergraduate degree achieved an 89% pass rate. This dropped to 77% for those with a 2:1 and 46% for candidates with a 2:2.
Other notable findings from the report relate to qualifying work experience (QWE). Candidates who hadn’t undertaken any QWE achieved a higher pass rate of 84%, compared with 74% among those who had completed QWE. In addition, the report revealed that qualified lawyers – who made up only 4% of the cohort – recorded a 61% pass rate, compared with 80% among candidates who aren’t yet qualified.
