SQE1 pass rate: the latest figures
The SQE1 pass rate fell to a record low in July 2025. Here is what the SRA reported, why the numbers are moving, and how to make sure you land on the right side of them.
The numbers
| Sitting | First-attempt pass | Overall pass |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 60% | 56% |
| July 2025 | 46% | 41% (record low) |
According to the SRA, the July 2025 sitting produced the lowest pass rate since the SQE began, alongside the highest proportion of resitting candidates yet — around 19%. More than 30,000 candidates have now sat the SQE across 50 countries since it launched in November 2021.
Why the pass rate is what it is
SQE1 is standard-set. The pass mark is fixed for each sitting against a consistent competence standard, so you cannot aim at a set percentage in advance — you have to be ready against the standard itself. The assessment is broad, covering 137 areas of functioning legal knowledge across two papers, and it rewards candidates who are solid everywhere rather than strong in a few subjects.
What this means for you
A falling pass rate is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to know where you stand before you book. The candidates who pass are the ones who have practised at the real standard and pace, found their weak areas early, and closed them. Walking in hoping is how the 59% who did not pass in July 2025 walked in.
How to be on the right side of it
- Practise single-best-answer questions at real exam pace, not just by reading notes.
- Cover the whole syllabus — both papers, all 137 areas — because the exam does.
- Track your readiness honestly, so you book when the data says you are ready, not when you hope you are.
Common questions
What is the SQE1 pass rate?
In the most recent sitting (July 2025) the SRA reported an overall pass rate of 41% and a first-attempt pass rate of 46% — the lowest since the exam began. The January 2025 sitting was higher, at 56% overall.
Is there a fixed pass mark for SQE1?
No. SQE1 is standard-set, so the pass mark is decided for each sitting based on the difficulty of that paper. There is no fixed percentage you can aim at in advance, which is why practising at the real standard matters.
Why is the SQE1 pass rate falling?
Each sitting is standard-set to a consistent competence level, and the July 2025 results showed both a record-low pass rate and the highest share of resitting candidates yet. The exam is demanding and broad, and candidates who pass tend to be the ones who arrive genuinely ready across the whole syllabus.
Can you resit SQE1?
Yes. Candidates can resit, and a growing share do — about 19% of the July 2025 cohort were resitters. You are allowed a limited number of attempts within a set period, so it is worth being ready before you book.
Sources: SRA SQE1 results; Legal Cheek, October 2025. Figures as reported by the SRA for the January and July 2025 sittings.