SRA: SQE1 Pass Rate July 2026 Falls to 42% Amid Re-Sitter Surge

• The SQE1 pass rate for the July 2026 sitting was 42% for candidates attempting both parts of the exam.
• This represents a decrease from the 53% pass rate in January 2026 but is slightly higher than the 41% low in July 2025.
• First-time candidates in July 2026 achieved a 47% pass rate, an increase from 46% in July 2025.
• Both FLK1 and FLK2 components of SQE1 recorded a 50% pass rate for all candidates in July 2026.
• The SRA attributes lower July pass rates to a higher proportion of re-sitting candidates and differences in training routes.

Law firms and legal educators must consider these SQE1 statistics July 2026 when formulating recruitment strategies for new solicitors and evaluating the efficacy of current training programs.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has released the latest Solicitors Qualifying Examination results, indicating a significant challenge for aspiring solicitors. For the July 2026 sitting of SQE1, only 42% of candidates who attempted both components successfully passed. This figure represents a notable decline from the 53% pass rate recorded in January 2026, although it is marginally higher than the 41% low observed in July 2025.

A total of 6,315 candidates undertook both parts of SQE1 in the recent July assessment. Among these, 5,012 were first-time sitters, who collectively achieved a slightly better pass rate of 47%. This marks a modest improvement for first-time candidates compared to the 46% pass rate they achieved in July of the previous year. The remaining 1,303 candidates were re-sitting one or both sections of the examination.

A deeper analysis of the SQE1 statistics July 2026 reveals specific trends within the examination components. Both Functioning Legal Knowledge 1 (FLK1) and Functioning Legal Knowledge 2 (FLK2) recorded a 50% pass rate across all candidates for the July sitting. The SRA highlighted that the July cohort included the highest proportion of re-sitting candidates ever recorded for an SQE1 assessment, with 23.4% of FLK1 candidates and 27.8% of FLK2 candidates being re-sitters.

The SRA has consistently observed that January sittings typically yield pass rates 10 to 15 percentage points higher than those in July over the past three years. This recurring SRA SQE1 pass rate drop in July is attributed to various factors, including differences in candidates' training routes and the higher concentration of re-sitters during this period. The regulator also noted that candidates who are re-sitting the examination generally achieve lower pass rates compared to those taking it for the first time.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority maintains that there is no pre-determined pass mark for the SQE1, with the threshold for success being set independently for each paper to account for varying levels of difficulty. Crucially, the SRA asserts that the standard candidates are required to meet remains consistent across all sittings, ensuring fairness and integrity in the assessment process.

These persistent low SQE1 pass rate July 2026 figures, particularly the recurring SRA SQE1 pass rate drop in summer sittings, carry significant implications for the legal profession. Law firms and legal educators must consider these SQE1 statistics July 2026 when formulating recruitment strategies for new solicitors and evaluating the efficacy of current training programs. The trend suggests ongoing challenges for individuals entering the profession and could impact the future supply of qualified lawyers. The SRA recently announced minor adjustments to the assessment, including a reduction in the number of SQE1 questions, following feedback from students who felt the exam was 'rushed'. These changes are effective from the January 2027 sitting.

Law firms and legal educators should note the continued low pass rates for SQE1, particularly in July sittings, when planning recruitment strategies for new solicitors and evaluating the effectiveness of current training programs. This trend indicates ongoing challenges for candidates entering the profession and may impact the future supply of qualified lawyers.

Source: Original reporting via Legal Cheek