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BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection — Information & Free Practice

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Exam Review

About BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection

BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection · US

Key exam facts

Provider
BCS; Pearson VUE is an authorized delivery channel.
Format
Supervised closed-book multiple-choice examination; digital or paper based in the v9.9 syllabus, with digital delivery advertised on the public certificate page.
Exam questions
Total questions: 40.
Time limit
90 minutes; adjustments or additional time may be requested under BCS policy.
Passing score
65% (26/40).

Topics covered

  • Context of data protection legislation (7.5%)

    • Concepts of data protection and privacy
    • History of data protection in the UK
    • Territorial scope and jurisdiction of GDPR
    • When a representative of the controller is needed

  • Principles of data protection and applicable terminology (5%)

    • Key terminology
    • UK GDPR principles regulating personal-data processing

  • Lawful bases for processing personal data (5%)

    • Article 6 lawful bases
    • Conditions for processing special category data
    • Rules for processing criminal offence data

  • Accountability principle (15%)

    • Accountability and data governance obligations
    • Purpose of DPIAs and prior consultation
    • Conducting a DPIA
    • Records of processing activity
    • Privacy notices
    • Data protection by design and by default
    • Appropriate information security measures
    • Designation, position and tasks of the DPO
    • DPO monitoring, privacy management and risk

  • Obligations of controllers, joint controllers and data processors (10%)

    • Controller and processor obligations
    • Joint controllers
    • Processing under the authority of a controller or processor
    • Contracts with processors

  • International data transfers under EU and UK GDPR (2.5%)

    • Third-country transfers and their mechanisms

  • Data subject rights (5%)

    • Key individual rights requiring detailed knowledge
    • Additional rights requiring awareness
    • Restrictions and exemptions affecting rights
    • Fundamental rights of information requests

  • The role of independent supervisory authorities and the ICO (7.5%)

    • Role and independence of ISAs
    • Role of the Information Commissioner's Office

  • Breaches, enforcement and liability (12.5%)

    • Personal data breaches and reporting information
    • Obligations to report breaches
    • Handling data protection complaints
    • Sanctions for breaches or complaints
    • Liabilities
    • Tribunals and judicial courts

  • Processing of personal data in relation to children (2.5%)

    • Application of data protection legislation to children

  • Specific provisions in data protection legislation of particular relevance to public authorities (7.5%)

    • Public authorities, public bodies and lawful basis
    • DPOs for public authorities
    • Awareness of exemptions for health, social work and education

  • Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations (PECR) 2003 and amendments subsequent to 2021 (5%)

    • Relationship between PECR and GDPR

  • Application of data protection legislation in key areas of industry (10%)

    • ICO Employment Practices Guidance
    • Video surveillance and CCTV
    • Cookies and digital technologies
    • Data sharing practices and the ICO Code of Practice

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the processing of personal data (5%)

    • Benefits and risks of AI
    • DPIAs where AI is used
    • AI impacts on data protection principles and concepts

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Supervised closed-book multiple-choice examination; digital or paper based in the v9.9 syllabus, with digital delivery advertised on the public certificate page.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 40.

How long is the exam?

90 minutes; adjustments or additional time may be requested under BCS policy.

What is the passing score?

65% (26/40).

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.