Hi, I’m an India qualified lawyer and I sat the SQE (my first attempt) in July. It didn’t go so well.
I’m coming to London next month and I plan to apply for TC/VS. If i failed my SQE attempt for which i self-studied, how would this impact any potential offers?
Will I be rejected at the application stage itself? Or will I only have to reveal this to the firm should an offer be made?
Hi!
I'm sorry to hear that your first attempt didn't go as you'd hoped, and I can understand why you'd be concerned about how this might affect your TC/VS applications.
I think this is likely to vary quite significantly between firms, as they'll each have their own policies around SQE attempts and qualification requirements. For example, some firms may expect candidates to pass the SQE on their first attempt (as they expect this from future trainees they are funding), while others may take a more case-by-case approach and consider the circumstances behind a failed attempt.
I therefore wouldn't assume that a failed first attempt will automatically mean you are rejected at the application stage, but equally, I wouldn't assume that you only need to disclose it once an offer is made. It will depend on the firm's specific requirements and what they ask for during the application process, and a lot of firms have a dedicated SQE section on their application form where you might need to disclose this.
I would recommend checking each firm's published SQE/qualification requirements carefully and, where it isn't clear, contacting the graduate recruitment team directly. They should be able to confirm whether a previous SQE attempt affects your eligibility and when you need to disclose it.
Try not to let the result discourage you from applying more generally though. One unsuccessful attempt doesn't necessarily define the strength of your overall application, especially given the nature of the SQE exams and how challenging they are.
Best of luck with your applications and your move to London!
