We attended the SRA’s SQE Virtual Conference 2025 last week and have put together this recap:
What’s new:
- SQE1 sample question bank expanded: Now 170 real (retired) exam questions are available, with more to come later this year. These are all incorporated into the Future Solicitor materials, with analysis and explanation. We will continue to explain and incorporate new ones as they are released.
- SQE2 example materials: Watch ‘clearly passing’ performances in advocacy and client interviewing, complete with accompanying answer notes. We will be circulating the materials shortly and incorporating them with explanations into our SQE2 materials.
- Candidate numbers are increasing: Over 14,000 people sat at least one SQE assessment in (although their stats were only for 2023).
- Mitigating Circumstances guidance clarified: Only events affecting your actual performance on the day (not preparation time) will be accepted. Candidates are reminded to take the “fit to sit” declaration seriously.
- Booking experience has improved: Thanks to a new form-based seat reservation system.
- Differential outcomes remain a concern: With the SRA convening diversity forums to address ethnicity-based performance disparities.
- Access to funding is expanding: The Access and Reinvestment Fund will support organisations helping candidates cover SQE entry fees.
- SQE in Welsh is ready: But take-up is low due to a lack of prep courses in the language.
- Assessment literacy is critical: The SRA flagged the need for candidates to better understand exam processes, standards, and technicalities—not just the law.
There were also some important points on Qualifying Work Experience:
- Who can sign off? A solicitor outside your organisation can confirm your QWE—if they’ve reviewed your work and received feedback from your supervisor.
- Clarification on what counts: QWE must involve legal services that engage some of the Statement of Solicitor Competence (not all).
- You don’t need to cover all four organisations, and retrospective sign-off is allowed.
- Employers can’t deny sign-off due to “lack of competence” — because competence is assessed by passing the SQE, not by the firm.
We hope this is helpful and wish you the best of luck with your exam preparation.
SRA’s SQE Virtual Conference:
SQE Three years on: Lessons and reflections
Practical solutions to improve candidate experience