The pass mark for SQE1 is 300 out of 500 (so 60%) for FLK1, and the same for FLK2.
There are 360 questions across both FLK1 and FLK2 (so 180 for each).
The 500 available points for each FLK are distributed over the 180 questions for each exam. So if the points were to be distributed evenly over the 180 questions, then each question would have about 2.8 points:
In other words, there are 360 questions. 60% of the number of questions (the pass mark) would be 216 questions answered correctly, were they to have equal scoring.
However, there is an important caveat: it is possible for each of the questions to receive a different score. In other words, depending on the difficulty of each question, the examiners assign different scores to it. On this basis, the magic number of ‘216 answered correctly’ could move up or down depending on the score given to the answers you get right. The marks overall are adjusted at the end to achieve the correct distribution into the difficulty scale.
The SRA refers to this as the Modified Angoff method. It involves a panel of qualified solicitors considering, for any one SQE exam question: “How many out of ten solicitors at ‘Day One’ of their practice would answer this question correctly?” Based on their opinion, the scoring for that SQE question may be adjusted accordingly.
In other words, you could get less than the equivalent of one mark for an easy question, and more than one mark for a difficult question. ‘Scales’ are applied for the various difficulties, resulting in a ‘scaled score’.
Pre-January 2024, the pass mark itself was not fixed, but rather varied for each exam, depending on the difficulty of the exam questions. This system was so complicated that even the SRA’s SQE assessment provider, Kaplan, was confused by it. They issued incorrect SQE1 exam results for the January 2024 sitting, with the wrong results sent to candidates on 14th March 2024. The results had to be re‑issued in mid‑April 2024. 175 candidates had been wrongly told they had failed at least one part of SQE1, when they had actually passed.
Since then, the system has been simplified in one respect, insofar as there has since been a ‘fixed’ pass mark for SQE1 of 300, continuing to date:
So the pass mark for the January 2025 SQE1 exams will be 300, out of 500, i.e. 60%, subject to the caveat that individual questions may be given different score ratings depending on their difficulty and adjusted overall.