The Solicitors Regulation Authority and exam provider Kaplan have apologised to candidates who waited hours to sit an SQE exam on Thursday - before being told it was cancelled. 

Under the new route to qualifying as a solicitor, candidates must pass two sets of assessments – SQE1 and SQE2 – and complete two years of qualifying work experience.

Under SQE1, a computer-based single best answer multiple choice test, candidates have to complete two ‘functioning legal knowledge’ papers, known as FLK1 and FLK2. The first assessment took place on Thursday. The second assessment will take place next week.

The Gazette was told that candidates due to take FLK1 at a test centre in West London had to arrive by 8.30am. At around lunchtime, they received an email to say the exam had not begun due to an IT issue. Shortly after 3pm an invigilator informed them that the exam had been cancelled. 'It was the biggest farce of my life,' one candidate told the Gazette. 

A spokesperson for the SRA told the Gazette: ‘We are aware of the situation, and we are very sorry for the stress this has caused candidates at the Hammersmith test centre. It is important candidates have clarity as soon as possible. We are liaising with Kaplan to understand the issues and what next steps need to be taken.’

Shortly afterwards, a spokesperson for Kaplan confirmed that 'a number of candidates' were unable to take the exam today due to an 'IT issue' at the Hammersmith test centre and apologised for the stress caused.

The spokesperson added: 'We are continuing to investigate the issue and are communicating directly with affected candidates. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.'

The statement continued: 'There were IT problems at the Hammersmith test centre that prevented a number of candidates from sitting the SQE1 exam today. The IT connectivity problems were limited to the Hammersmith centre. Some of the candidates were able to sit the exam, but a number were not.

'We are currently evaluating options for those unable to sit the exam and will communicate that information to the candidates once we have concluded that evaluation. We are working to ensure that affected candidates will not be disadvantaged as a result of this IT issue.'

The Gazette has asked Kaplan to confirm the cause of the IT issue, whether candidates unable to sit yesterday's exam will be required to sit the FLK2 exam next week, whether they will receive any form of refund or compensation, and whether the FLK1 questions will be changed for the re-sit.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, the SRA tweeted a scam alert. A user replied: ‘Shame you cannot run your own internal exams with such efficiency. How would you feel stuck in a room for 5+ hours waiting to start an exam with no idea when or even if it will start. Is that the ideal preparation?’

The SRA replied: ‘We’re aware of the situation and are very sorry that you have had this experience. Kaplan’s SQE candidate service team are getting in touch and will provide updates on next steps.’

 

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