Individual rights requests

This page provides guidance and a form for making individual rights requests relating to personal data. It clarifies the scope of information that can be disclosed, including mark breakdowns, while outlining information that is typically exempt, such as copies of exam questions and answers. Candidates should review this information before deciding whether to make a request.


Timing

We take our obligations under the GDPR and equivalent legislation seriously and, if necessary, will complete a thorough search in response to requests. Searches often return a high volume of records or analysis. Files are reviewed to exclude duplicate data, third party data (i.e. personal data which is not of the data subject requested) and non-personal data. For this reason, it is not uncommon for requests to take up to 30 days to be processed. If you are concerned about this timeframe with respect to a Mitigating Circumstance or Appeal please note this in your request and contact the Quality Team on equality.quality@sqe.sra.org.uk to discuss management of the deadline.


SQE1 related requests

SQE1 mark breakdown requests

Your SQE1 results page shows information including your raw score, scaled score and a breakdown of performance by practice area. Whilst candidates are entitled to request a mark breakdown after results are published, the file will not provide any further insights about the topics or content of the questions. The mark breakdown includes the raw results from your exam with columns consisting of the following data:

Registration ID: a Pearson VUE generated identifier confirming that you registered for and subsequently booked the examination

Candidate ID: your SQE candidate number

Item name: exam question number. This starts with 1 and there will be 180 for each FLK.

Score: each mark of 1 in the column headed ‘Score’ indicates a correct answer. 0 indicates an incorrect answer or if no answer was provided. The ‘Status’ column will have an entry of “0” for the assessment questions.

Highlighted Rows: these two rows record information about two administrative elements of the assessment. These are the ‘fit to sit’ and confidentiality agreement.

Screen shot of mark breakdown

Example of SQE1 mark breakdown provided in an Individual Right Request

Candidates will also see three further highlighted rows after question 90 (not shown in the example). These entries record that session 1 of the FLK assessment has ended, the break between session 1 and session 2 has taken place and that the ‘fit to sit’ declaration (required for for session 2) has been completed.

Candidates will also see a final yellow row after question 180 (not shown in the example) which records the end of session 2 for each FLK.

SQE1 markers comments, annotations or other feedback

The SQE1 is a computer based exam, objectively machine marked against the correct answer. There is no exam script, as such, to disclose. The marks for each candidate pass through quality assurance and standard setting to arrive at the final scaled score and the pass/fail outcome. Because there is no human marker there is no opportunity for comments to be recorded. Your performance by practice area is shown on the results page of your SQE account.


SQE2 related requests

SQE2 mark breakdown requests

Your SQE2 results page includes all the information that would be included in a mark breakdown. The marks for each criterion are broken down. These marks can be read alongside the SQE2 Assessment Specification which includes for a clear explanation of the criteria for each assessment.

SQE2 markers comments, annotations or other feedback

The SQE2 is marked by assessors (for oral assessments) and markers (for written assessments). For the majority of candidates there will be no comments of any type recorded. It is not usual practice for notes to be made by assessors, markers or reviewers for the purpose of feedback. Scripts and mark sheets are not annotated.

For the purpose of standard setting the marker will record an overall impression There are four possible standard setting grades which can be awarded: Pass (P), Marginal Pass (MP), Marginal Fail (MF) and Fail (F). These grades do not appear on your results page because they do not contribute to your marks. They are part of the process by which the pass mark is set. For further details see the SQE Marking and Standard Setting Policy.

In exceptional cases, if an incident occurs within an examination, we will keep a log. A tracker is also kept at each assessment to record administrative issues or anomalies raised by markers. These records, and any other records showing comments about marking are disclosable and require an electronic search. Searches are completed in accordance with ICO guidance, and are usually completed within 30 days.

SQE2 requests for copies of your answers

In most cases, copies of your SQE2 answers and information recorded by you during the assessment are exempt from the right of access under the data protection legislation and so will not be provided. The relevant exemption under the Data Protection Act 2018 is set out in Sch 2, para 25(4), as provided for by Article 23 of the UK GDPR. Further information on this exemption is also set out on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website.

In a very small number of cases, this exemption does not apply in other international jurisdictions so requests are considered on a case by case basis. When disclosures are required scripts are redacted to remove any information that could reveal the content of the question.


Other requests

Seeking visibility of the marking criteria or marking guidance

Information about setting the pass mark and the outline marking criteria is contained in our Marking and Standard Setting Policy. We have also produced a video explaining how the passmark for SQE1 is set.

Detailed information about the make up of each assessment is set out in the SQE1 Assessment Specification and SQE2 Assessment Specification. Information about the marking criteria for SQE2 is also set out in the SQE2 Assessment Specification.

Guidance is available to help you understand your results

Copies of questions

Copies of questions will not be provided under an individual rights request because the questions are not personal data.

We do not release past papers. The questions must remain confidential in order to maintain the security and integrity of the assessments and ensure that future candidates are not in a position to gain an unfair advantage. This approach is in line with the objective of the Candidate Confidentiality Policy which applies to all SQE assessments.

A copy of the incident log raised by my invigilator or assessor

If you have received a case reference number and want to request the contents of the case recorded we can extract this directly from our logs and provide it shortly after the request.

If your request also includes a request for other information, such as “all comments, correspondence and information related to my assessment attempt or any technical issues” a full search will be required. A full search often returns a high volume of records or analysis. Files are reviewed to exclude duplicate data, third party data (ie personal data which is not of the data subject requested); and non-personal data. For this reason, it is not uncommon for requests to take up to 30 days to be processed.

Requests relating to previous mitigating circumstances, appeals or complaints

If you choose to make a personal data request and are concerned about meeting the deadline for a mitigating circumstance claim or appeal please note this in your request and contact the Quality Team on equality.quality@sqe.sra.org.uk to discuss management of the deadline.

If you are seeking access to an investigation report, evidence presented to the relevant panel or a record of the outcome from a mitigating circumstance claim, appeal or complaint these can be provided shortly after the request and will not require a wider search.

If your request also includes a request for other information, such as “all comments, correspondence and information related to my assessment or claim” a full search will be required. A full search often returns a high volume of records or analysis. Files are reviewed to exclude duplicate data, third party data (i.e. personal data which is not of the data subject requested); and non-personal data. For this reason, it is not uncommon for requests to take up to 30 days to be processed.

If you require part of your information sooner than 30 days, please include this in your request so that we can consider whether it is reasonable for parts of your data request to be prioritised.


How to make an individual rights request

Use the form below to make an individual rights request.

Individual rights request form

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Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more about Have you passed the SQE?