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Important update on Secure Download Service (SDS)

15 December 2025
Dear colleague,

Important update on Secure Download Service (SDS)

We’ve made some important key changes to the Secure Download Service (SDS) that will significantly improve your experience when using this service. These changes will be launched for the BTEC Tech Award January 2026 exam series. 
Accessing materials on SDS 

When accessing audio files or electronic copies of question papers (e.g. for printing on coloured paper), you will benefit from the following key changes:
  • Direct access to SDS via Edexcel Online - which means you will no longer need to follow the 2-email process
  • Secure materials will be available to download for late entries – a service that was previously unavailable if entries were made within 7 days of the exam
  • If your centre has more than one site - you will be able to access question papers for all subsites linked to your main centre number
  • If your centre is on a despatch block - you will now be able to self-serve and access materials via SDS.
For detailed instructions on using SDS, please refer to our Support Article, available from the Edexcel Online homepage. 
Who can access materials via SDS? 

If you already have access to SDS, you don’t need to request it again, however the same requirements for accessing SDS apply as previously. Only users with the following (primary) roles are permitted to have SDS added to their profile:
  • British Council Centre Administrator
  • Centre Co-ordinator/Administrator
  • Examinations Assistant
  • Examinations Manager
  • Examinations Officer
  • Head of Centre
  • Deputy Head of Centre
  • Vice Principal
  • MAT Admin
  • MAT CEO
Our recommendation is that a minimum of two members of centre staff have SDS included in their Edexcel Online profile.

If your exam staff do not already have SDS added to their Edexcel Online profile, they will need to contact us and be available to receive a secure call-back from our Customer Services Specialist on your centre's main telephone number. Once this call has been performed successfully, access to the SDS platform will be added to their account.
Other BTEC qualifications 

Only BTEC Tech Award (2022) qualifications are available on the Secure Download Service (SDS). If you require electronic copies of BTEC level 2 First and level 3 Nationals question papers during the January series, they can be accessed from the BTEC and T Level assessment download page. 

If you need any pre-release material which is accessed as a digital download only, please use the secure tests web page.
If you need any help, you can contact us via our Customer Support Portal and we’ll be happy to help.

With best wishes,

Megan Williams
Head of Customer Planning and Logistics

Pearson Customer Services

The Lighthouse, Manchester, M50 3BF

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