SQE Issues

The SQE was first introduced in September 2021. Since then candidates have experienced a number of SQE issues.

Recently, 230 or so students were notified by email stating their booked exam slots had been cancelled. This left students frantically trying to figure out what happened. Unfortunately, it took Kaplan till the following morning to inform candidates that the email was sent it error.

One candidate said “Has anyone just had an email saying their written exams have been cancelled? I have not cancelled them myself …”

Another candidate said “Just got the email saying it was an error etc also spoke to Kaplan … this is so stressful.”

The road is a newly qualified solicitor is an at least two year journey that takes a toll on candidates mental health. In a highly competitive field, candidates lives revolve around studying, finding ways to gain their qualifying work experience, such emails can cause extreme discomfort.

Kaplan did apologize the next morning, however, this is not the first time something like this has happened.

In 2023, some SQE2 sittings were delayed or cancelled mid-exam due to IT issues, causing further chaos and stress.

Also, in 2023, students received emails stating their exam slot had been cancelled—even though Kaplan later confirmed the exams would go ahead.

Then, in 2024, Kaplan incorrectly informed 175 candidates that they wrongly failed their SQE. Kaplan did offer £250 as a goodwill payment. However, candidates feared losing their jobs, funding being taken away, and in general a very stressful time.

The SQE was introduced to make the legal profession more accessible. These types of errors are very damaging for candidates. Those entrusted with making the legal profession more accessible need to do a better job to maintain the integrity of the exam and the candidate experience.

Trust takes time to build.