The truth about SQE2 April 2024 results: What the stats don’t tell you

Candidates who ‘did not’ undertake any qualifying work experience (QWE) before sitting the SQE2 in April 2024 achieved a better pass rate than those who had – but what does this mean? 

Although it might suggest to some that QWE is not helpful in passing SQE2, the answer is not this clear cut. The statistics without context are potentially misleading – applying aggregate numbers to individual circumstances rarely works without context, so it’s important to address this confusion and delve into what these statistics truly mean. 

Understanding the stats 

Firstly, it’s important to note that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) take their statistics from a question asked of candidates “Have you undertaken any qualifying work experience?”.  Candidates are not asked about the type, length, number of practice areas or skills that they have been able to develop during their QWE. 

Many candidates we’ve spoken to via Access Law Clinic are unaware that QWE is broader than the old Training Contract and automatically assume the answer is ‘no’ when in fact they have relevant experience. As a result, it’s difficult to truly see the extent to which QWE might impact SQE2 results, and whether the point at which you start accruing QWE in your SQE journey might support or hinder you. 

It’s also important to remember that the SQE1 and SQE2 exams are designed to be taken as a whole. Therefore, those exempt from SQE1 who have already satisfied the QWE requirement might struggle with the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) component of SQE2, skewing the statistics. For example, although an LPC can help and provides exemptions, it is not a direct substitute for the FLK you will gain when doing SQE1, possibly making the SQE2 examination much more difficult. This can be seen in previous results where candidates passed the skills element but failed the knowledge element of SQE2. 

Moreover, previous SRA reports indicate that doing the SQE2 soon after SQE1* is preferable as the knowledge remains fresh, so those taking a long time out between exams whilst completing their QWE may see their FLK fade away, making it harder to pass the exams.   

QWE as an addition to SQE1 knowledge 

When completing your QWE, you are likely to cover specific areas of law that will undoubtedly provide you with significant skills practice. However, it is unlikely to cover all the necessary practice areas to provide you with the same level of FLK that an SQE1 preparation course will give you. 

So, whilst QWE may support you through your SQE2 exams, it needs to be used in addition to the FLK you gain from completing SQE1. This means that SQE1 timing remains crucial to ensure FLK is fresh during SQE2, regardless of QWE. 

Exemptions and preparation 

Exemptions from SQE1 can save time and money but come with their own risks. Without proper preparation in FLK (contained in SQE1), you might excel in the practical element of SQE2 but not do well enough in the legal knowledge component, potentially leading to a fail. This shows that it is essential to cover FLK content even if you are exempt. 

This is why it’s so important to find the right training provider and before enrolling, check their coverage of FLK in SQE2, especially if you have exemptions.** 

Approaches to study 

Full-time study offers advantages in focus, time and energy, but applying knowledge in real-world contexts can help it ‘stick’ better for many learners. As a result, working in law whilst studying can really help, and can also mean that those doing QWE alongside their studies may sometimes benefit if they prefer this style of learning.

However, the caveat is that part-time studying requires a very different approach to preparation and organisation of life commitments. Part-time learners simply will not have the time, headspace and energy that they may have had when they were full-time students at university. 

So, if you are working and accumulating your QWE whilst studying for the SQE, make sure you choose your training provider carefully, ensuring they are specialists in working with people who are studying and working in law at the same time.*** Providers that understand these differing commitments will be hugely beneficial to part-time learners, allowing for a flexible approach to teaching and studying that is much needed for those working at the same time. 

We also know that the firm’s support helps greatly. We see better and faster success across all of our qualifications when employers support with time and encouragement as well as offering workloads that are relevant to the courses. Sometimes, simply talking to your employer about the syllabus and working with them to find work that relates to what you are studying can make a huge difference in your success, and many employers will be willing to help make these adjustments.  

Finding success in SQE2 

While aggregate statistics can provide a general guide, there is always more to what you see. Seek advice from tutors, colleagues and fellow learners and tailor your approach to your studies based on your personal learning style and circumstances. 

The SQE2 remains a challenging assessment influenced by various factors. As such, success rates cannot be solely defined by the level of QWE attained. Use statistics as a guide for approaching your studies but prioritise your own personal strategies with supportive preparation courses and a study method that works for you and your personal circumstances. 

*To support this, we have designed our SQE1+2 Complete Prep for Law Graduates course to enable simultaneous study SQE1 and SQE2 content allowing for the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments to be taken in back-to-back assessment sitting windows. 

** We are supporting those with LPC exemptions to escape the Training Contract gamble by undertaking QWE plus the SQE2 instead. Our SQE1+2 Complete Prep for LPC Graduates course enables study of the FLK content alongside the SQE2 course. . 

*** When you visit our website, you may see the tagline ‘By Lawyers, for Lawyers’. This may seem like a small detail but when you read our learner testimonials, you will almost certainly see why this is so important. With Law Training Centre you never need to worry about being taught by someone who has never practised what they teach. Our tutors all have first-hand experience, which means you don’t just learn what you need to qualify, but also what will prepare you for the job you will eventually be hired for.