Recent low SQE 1 pass rates (2025)

[WillKitchen]

There has been some discussion of the low pass rates with the SQE 1 summer exams in recent weeks. As low as 41%...

https://sqe.sra.org.uk/news-item/2025/10/01/july-2025-sqe1-statistical-report-published#:~:text=Pass%20rates%20for%20SQE1%20overall,(both%20FLK1%20and%20FLK2).

How are people feeling about this?

If you are preparing to sit SQE 1 in summer 2026, are you concerned?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi!

The 41% pass rate is definitely worrying, and it's only seemed to fuel the ongoing debates about 'fixing' the SQE exams - hopefully the SRA will take the feedback on board and make some changes in time. I'm sitting in Jan 2026, so I do take some comfort from the fact that they have generally had higher pass rates. That said, if I need to resit in the summer, it's definitely a concern.

I guess the main takeaway for me is that finding the right study style for yourself is the most important thing. I feel like I went through many different options when I started it a few months ago (e.g. notes, mindmaps, flashcards) and it's really important to find the one that works best, as I feel I wasted time on a few of them.

I am curious to hear what others think - do you think that reforms are likely to happen before 2026, or will it be more of a long-term change?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Hi!

The 41% pass rate is definitely worrying, and it's only seemed to fuel the ongoing debates about 'fixing' the SQE exams - hopefully the SRA will take the feedback on board and make some changes in time. I'm sitting in Jan 2026, so I do take some comfort from the fact that they have generally had higher pass rates. That said, if I need to resit in the summer, it's definitely a concern.

I guess the main takeaway for me is that finding the right study style for yourself is the most important thing. I feel like I went through many different options when I started it a few months ago (e.g. notes, mindmaps, flashcards) and it's really important to find the one that works best, as I feel I wasted time on a few of them.

I am curious to hear what others think - do you think that reforms are likely to happen before 2026, or will it be more of a long-term change?

I am not even convinced there will be any reforms. The view from the SRA seems to be they think none is needed.

I think of more interest to students of the SQE would be the release of the pass rates by prep course provider which had been promised but not yet materialised. It would definitely lead into making choices as to where to study!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I am not even convinced there will be any reforms. The view from the SRA seems to be they think none is needed.

I think of more interest to students of the SQE would be the release of the pass rated by prep course provider which had been promised but not yet materialised. It would definitely lead into making choices as to where to study!

That's a really good point, and I do agree that it doesn't seem like the SRA is in any rush to introduce reforms.

I'm also really curious about the pass rates by provider. It would make such a difference for students trying to decide which prep course to invest in, especially those who are self-funding. I think being transparent in that area would definitely help people make more informed choices about where to study, as there is a lot of uncertainty around it all and many base their opinions on others experiences (which is all they can really do!).