Understanding Scaled Scoring

Instead of a simple percentage, high-stakes exams like the SQE use a method called "scaled scoring." Your raw score (the number of questions you got right) is converted onto a consistent scale—in this case, from 0 to 500.

This ensures that scores are comparable across different versions of an exam, even if one version is slightly harder or easier than another. A scaled score of 350, for example, represents the same level of competence regardless of which specific exam you took.

On your results page, you'll see two different pass marks to give you a complete picture of your performance:

• Standard Pass Mark (300): This is a fixed pass mark set at 300 out of 500, which is equivalent to a 60% raw score. It's a consistent benchmark to aim for.
• Scaled Scoring Pass Mark: This is a dynamic pass mark calculated based on the specific difficulty of the questions in the exam you just took. It's determined using a methodology similar to the Angoff method, where each question is assigned a difficulty rating. This mark shows you what the pass mark would be if it were adjusted for the exam's unique difficulty.