Candidate Confidentiality Policy

Last updated: February 2026

• A Candidate Confidentiality Policy operates for all SQE assessments. Every candidate who is sitting an SQE assessment will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement prior to starting the assessment.
• Guidance about the Candidate Confidentiality Policy, and what constitutes behaviour that would not be a breach and behaviour that would constitute a breach, is detailed on the SQE website: Guidance about Candidate Confidentiality Policy 
• The Confidentiality Agreement applies to all SQE assessments. Every candidate is required to sign a declaration or confirm electronically that they have read, understood and agree to abide by the provisions of the SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy; they agree they will not remove any materials from the test centre; they will not copy any materials from the assessment; they will not discuss or share information about the specific content of the assessment questions with any other party; and they understand that the content of this assessment is confidential. This agreement is reproduced below.
• Candidates will not be allowed to commence the assessment unless they have signed a Confidentiality Agreement.
• It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they follow the terms of the signed Confidentiality Agreement before, during and after the assessment.
• Any activity carried out by a candidate (whether or not done intentionally) which could result in either the candidate or a fellow candidate obtaining an unfair and/or undue advantage in connection with the SQE will be investigated as a potential breach of Assessment Regulation 13. Failure to abide by the Confidentiality Agreement is a breach of the Assessment Regulations. Full details are given in section 13 of the SQE Assessment Regulations; Malpractice and Improper Conduct.

Confidentiality agreement

Assessment date

I confirm that:

• I have read, understood and agree to abide by the provisions of the SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy;
• I will not remove any materials from the test centre or reproduce any materials from the assessment;
• I will not discuss or share information about the specific content of the assessment questions with any other party; and
• I acknowledge that the content of this assessment is confidential.

I understand that candidates are not permitted to leave or disconnect from any sessions of the assessment until given permission by the Test Centre Administrator/proctor.

Guidance as to what behaviour would, and would not, constitute a breach of the SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy can be found on the SQE website.

Yes, I accept the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.

SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy - applicable for assessments from 16 November 2024 to 22 February 2026 (PDF 71KB)

SQE Candidate Confidentiality Policy - applicable for assessments from June 2022 to 15 November 2024 (PDF 52KB)

Guidance on confidentiality

This guidance provides information on the approach to confidentiality and fairness and why we have these policies in place. It includes guidance on what behaviour is permitted by candidates and what would constitute a breach.

Learn more about candidate confidentiality