Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 2026 — Version 2.0
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites work correctly, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners about how their site is used. Cookies may be “session” cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent” cookies (stored on your device for a set period).
Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, and web beacons. This policy covers all such technologies (“cookies” collectively).
2. Our Approach to Cookies
We use the minimum number of cookies necessary to operate our platform effectively. We do not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or third-party ad network cookies of any kind. We do not sell or share cookie data with data brokers or advertising platforms.
3. Categories of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Platform to function. They cannot be disabled. They include:
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
editingtests_session |
Laravel session cookie. Maintains your logged-in state and stores temporary form data (CSRF protection, flash messages). Required for account authentication and all secure operations. | Session (deleted on browser close) |
XSRF-TOKEN |
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection token. Prevents malicious sites from submitting unauthorised requests on your behalf. Set by our Laravel framework on every page load. | Session |
remember_web_… |
Set only if you select “Remember me” at login. Keeps you logged in across browser sessions. The name ends in a fixed identifier generated by our authentication framework. | 5 years (or until you log out) |
et_consent |
Records that you have seen and dismissed our cookie notice, so it is not shown to you on every page. Stores a single value and nothing about you. Set by us, read only by us. | 1 year |
| Test session cookies | During an active assessment, cookies maintain session state, timing data and anti-cheat monitoring. These are essential to deliver a valid, uninterrupted test experience. | Assessment duration |
Legal basis: Legitimate interest / technically essential — these cookies are required for the service to function. No consent is required under UK/EU ePrivacy law for strictly necessary cookies.
3.2 First-Party Chat Widget
Our site offers a first-party live-chat widget so you can talk to us during business hours. The widget does not load any third-party service such as Crisp, Intercom or Zendesk; messages you send are stored only on our own servers and are visible only to our support team. The widget itself does not set any cookies, and you can ignore it without any impact on your use of the site.
3.3 Analytics Cookies
We do not currently use any analytics cookies. We do not load Matomo, Google Analytics, or any other third-party analytics platform on this site.
Basic usage information (pages visited, referring URL, browser type, truncated IP address) is captured by our web server's access logs for operational and security purposes only. Access logs are retained for 90 days and are not linked to your account.
3.4 Payment Processing
When you make a purchase, you are redirected to Stripe Checkout, which operates under its own cookie policy. Stripe may set cookies to prevent fraud and process your payment securely. These cookies are set by Stripe’s domain, not ours, and are subject to Stripe’s Privacy Policy.
4. Cookies We Do Not Use
EditingTests.com does not use:
- Google Analytics or any Google advertising products
- Facebook Pixel or Meta tracking
- LinkedIn Insight Tag
- Any advertising or retargeting cookies
- Any social media tracking cookies
- Any third-party data broker integrations
- Heat-mapping or session recording tools (e.g. Hotjar, FullStory)
5. Your Cookie Choices
5.1 Cookie Banner
On your first visit to our site, you will be shown a cookie consent banner acknowledging the strictly necessary cookies that make the site work. No consent choice is required because we do not use any non-essential cookies.
5.2 Browser Controls
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View what cookies have been set
- Delete cookies individually or all at once
- Block cookies from specific sites or all sites
- Be notified when cookies are set
Guidance for common browsers:
Note: disabling strictly necessary cookies may prevent you from logging in or taking assessments.
6. Do Not Track
Some browsers transmit a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal to websites. Because we do not run any non-essential analytics or tracking on the site, a DNT signal has no additional effect here — there is nothing for us to disable in response to it.
7. Legal Basis and Compliance
Our use of cookies is governed by:
- The UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) as amended
- The EU ePrivacy Directive 2009/136/EC
- The UK and EU General Data Protection Regulation
We obtain consent before setting non-essential cookies, provide clear information about each cookie, and make it as easy to withdraw consent as it was to give it.
8. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we add or remove cookies or when legal requirements change. Updates will be reflected in the “Last updated” date above. Where changes are material, we will reset the cookie consent banner to allow you to review and reconfirm your preferences.
9. Contact
For any questions about our use of cookies:
Email: [email protected]
For complaints about our use of cookies in the UK: Information Commissioner’s Office