Rectifying the January 2024 SQE1 Assessment Results: An Update from the SRA and Kaplan

This morning, we attended a significant meeting with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), where pivotal updates regarding the January 2024 SQE1 assessments were disclosed. Here’s a detailed overview of the key points discussed:

Kaplan, the examining body, has reissued the results for the January 2024 SQE1 assessments due to an identified error. This correction has led to a notable change for 175 candidates who were initially informed that they had not passed FLK1 and/or FLK2 (two components of SQE1) but have now been confirmed as successful.

The correction does not affect the overall pass/fail outcome for the remaining 6,451 candidates who undertook the assessments. Nevertheless, a subset of candidates may notice alterations in their scores and/or quintile allocations. Quintiles categorize candidates into five groups based on their performance, with the top 20% falling into the top quintile and so forth.

All 6,626 candidates who participated in the January SQE1 assessments have been contacted by Kaplan, and revised results have been communicated to each individual.

The error in the initial results, which candidates received on March 14th, stemmed from Kaplan’s failure to round scores at the appropriate stage of the results process as outlined in the SQE’s published policy.

The presentation format of results for January’s SQE1 was unique—candidates were provided with a standardized score out of 500 instead of a percentage mark. The oversight occurred during the implementation of this new format and solely impacted the January 2024 results, with no retrospective influence on previous SQE assessments. Kaplan identified the error during routine checks conducted within the appeals period.

Zoe Robinson, Managing Director of Kaplan SQE, expressed deep regret and issued an apology to affected candidates, emphasizing Kaplan’s commitment to rectifying the situation. As a gesture of goodwill, a £250 payment is being offered to candidates incorrectly informed of their assessment failure, acknowledging the distress caused by this matter. Furthermore, individual candidates facing specific losses due to this error are encouraged to reach out to Kaplan’s Candidate Services Team, where each case will be reviewed individually. A dedicated email address (SQE1Jan24@kaplan.co.uk) has been established for this purpose.

Paul Philip, Chief Executive at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, conveyed sincere disappointment and apologized to affected candidates on behalf of the SRA. He emphasized the immediate priority of rectifying the error swiftly and ensuring that candidates’ concerns and repercussions are duly acknowledged and addressed.

This update underscores the collaborative efforts of Kaplan and the SRA in swiftly correcting the January 2024 SQE1 assessment results and providing necessary support to affected candidates. Transparency, accountability, and remediation remain paramount in ensuring the integrity of the assessment process and upholding candidates’ trust in the qualification route for solicitors. We will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as they unfold.