The Grading System in the SQE: Understanding Assessment Criteria
As the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is set to replace the current Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) and Legal Practice Course (LPC), it is important for aspiring solicitors to understand the grading system and assessment criteria of the SQE. The grading system is crucial in determining whether a candidate has met the required standards to be deemed competent as a solicitor. In this blog post, we will explore the different elements of the grading system and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the assessment criteria.
The Grading System
The SQE is split into two stages, namely SQE 1 and SQE 2. Each of these stages has its own grading system. Let’s dive deeper into each stage:
SQE 1 Grading System
SQE 1 consists of two assessments, the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessment and the Practical Legal Skills (PLS) assessment. Each assessment is graded separately.
The FLK assessment is an objective multiple-choice question (MCQ) test that examines a candidate’s understanding of legal principles. It consists of 360 questions and is divided into two parts. The first part, FLK1, covers topics such as constitutional and administrative law, contract law, criminal law, and property law. The second part, FLK2, focuses on topics like equity and trusts, EU law, land law, and tort law.
The grading for the FLK assessment is as follows:
- Competent: The candidate has demonstrated a good understanding of the legal principles and has answered a satisfactory number of questions correctly.
- Not yet competent: The candidate has not demonstrated a sufficient understanding of the legal principles and has answered an unsatisfactory number of questions correctly.
It is crucial to prepare for the FLK assessment thoroughly to increase your chances of achieving a competent grade. To aid in your preparation, you can take advantage of SQE 1 Practice Exam Questions to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
On the other hand, the PLS assessment aims to evaluate a candidate’s practical legal skills and is divided into two parts: client interviewing and advocacy/persuasive oral communication.
The grading for the PLS assessment is as follows:
- Competent: The candidate has demonstrated effective practical legal skills, applying appropriate communication techniques, and providing relevant advice or information.
- Not yet competent: The candidate has failed to demonstrate effective practical legal skills, lacking appropriate communication techniques or providing irrelevant advice or information.
Considering the importance of practical legal skills in the legal profession, it is vital to prepare adequately for the PLS assessment. Practice Mocks FLK1 and FLK2 can be helpful in enhancing your skills and familiarizing yourself with the assessment format.
Now that we have covered the grading system for SQE 1, let’s move on to SQE 2.
SQE 2 Grading System
SQE 2 focuses on assessing a candidate’s ability to apply their legal knowledge and skills in a realistic legal context. This stage consists of a range of assessments, including written and oral exercises, as well as a case and transactional analysis assessment.
The grading for SQE 2 is as follows:
- Competent: The candidate has displayed a high level of competence in applying legal knowledge and skills in a realistic legal context.
- Not yet competent: The candidate has not demonstrated a sufficient level of competence in applying legal knowledge and skills in a realistic legal context.
For successful preparation for SQE 2, enrolling in SQE 2 Preparation Courses can significantly enhance your chances of achieving a competent grade. These courses are designed to provide you with comprehensive guidance and training for the various assessments in SQE 2.
Conclusion
Understanding the grading system and assessment criteria of the SQE is essential for aspiring solicitors. Adequate preparation and familiarity with the assessment formats are key to achieving competent grades. To enhance your preparation, make use of SQE 1 Practice Exam Questions and Practice Mocks FLK1 FLK2 to test your knowledge and improve your skills. Additionally, enrolling in SQE 2 Preparation Courses will provide you with the necessary guidance for the assessments in SQE 2. Stay focused, work hard, and you’ll be on your way to success in the SQE exams!
For further information about SQE exam dates, please refer to SRA SQE Exam Dates.