Cookie Policy
Effective Date: July 26, 2026 · Compliant with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how ExamKracker uses them on our platform, the categories of cookies we deploy, their purposes, and the choices available to you regarding cookies. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and our Terms & Conditions.
By continuing to browse or use ExamKracker, you agree that we can store and access cookies and similar technologies on your device in accordance with this Policy, unless you have opted out through your browser controls as described below.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, mobile phone, tablet, or other device by websites that you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the website's owners. Cookies cannot be used to identify you personally unless you have provided personally-identifying information in another context (e.g., by logging in). Cookies do not carry viruses and cannot install programs on your device.
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as local storage (HTML5), session storage, pixel tags / web beacons embedded in emails or ad slots, and embedded script tags served by third parties (e.g., Google AdSense, Google Sign-In). This Policy applies equally to all such similar tracking technologies.
2. Categories of Cookies We Use
Cookies are classified by their purpose and by how long they remain on your device. ExamKracker uses the following categories:
| Cookie / Category | Type | Duration | Purpose & Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
| sessionid | Necessary | Session | Core Django session cookie. Authenticates your login status across pages, ensures secure transmission of CSRF tokens, and preserves quiz-session state between HTTP requests. Required for the platform to function if you log in or start a quiz. |
| csrftoken | Necessary | ~1 year | Cross-Site Request Forgery protection token. Prevents malicious third-party sites from forging authenticated requests on your behalf. Required for platform security. |
| messages framework cookie | Necessary | Session | Carries one-time user-feedback notifications ("success", "error" banners) between redirects, e.g., after a payment, quiz completion, or contact-form submission. |
| google-signin state cookie | Functional | Session | Set by Google Identity Services (GIS) SDK if you use "Sign in with Google". Stores OAuth 2.0 state nonces to prevent cross-site request forgery during the sign-in flow. |
| device / UI preferences | Functional | Session / up to 30 days | Optional cookies set by the quiz UI: remembers last-selected difficulty, tab choice (Notes / PYQ), theme preferences if added later. All set locally via localStorage and never transmitted back to servers. |
| _ga, _gid, _dc_gtm_* | Analytics | 2 years / 24 hours | Google Analytics 4 cookies (if SEOSettings.google_analytics is populated by the Site Administrator). Used to collect anonymized, aggregated information about how visitors interact with the platform (pages visited, traffic sources, average session duration). IP addresses are anonymized via anonymize_ip. |
| adsbygoogle, pagead2, _gads, _gpi | Advertising | Variable (up to 2 years) | Set by Google AdSense / Google Ads if promotional AdSense slots are enabled on the platform. Used for frequency-capping, ad-slot personalization / remarketing (if user consent exists), measuring ad performance, and detecting invalid traffic. ExamKracker does not control the exact cookie list served by Google — see Google's Types of Cookies Used page for the latest authoritative list. |
3. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
- First-party cookies are set directly by ExamKracker (e.g.,
sessionid,csrftoken). They are essential for core platform functionality and only readable by ExamKracker. - Third-party cookies are set by our trusted partners: Google Identity Services, Google Analytics (if enabled by the administrator), and Google AdSense (if the administrator configures an AdSense publisher ID in the base template or ad slots). These cookies are subject to the privacy and cookie policies of their respective providers.
4. Managing, Disabling & Deleting Cookies
You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish — for details, see aboutcookies.org. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer, and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed. If you do this, however, you may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit a site and some services and functionalities may not work.
4.1 Browser-Specific Instructions
- Google Chrome & Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera): Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data → "Block third-party cookies" or "See all site data and permissions" → search for the site name.
- Mozilla Firefox: Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Browser Privacy → Custom → check "Cookies" and/or use the "Manage Data…" dialog to delete per-site cookies.
- Apple Safari (macOS & iOS): Safari → Settings → Privacy → "Block all cookies" or "Manage Website Data…" → search for ExamKracker and remove entries.
- Android browsers: In Chrome, use the same instructions as desktop Chrome; other browsers generally provide equivalent controls in Settings → Privacy.
4.2 Consequences of Disabling Cookies
Please be aware that if you disable or reject cookies:
- Necessary cookies: Blocking
sessionidandcsrftokenwill prevent you from logging in, starting quiz sessions, making payments, or submitting any form on the site. - Functional cookies: Your UI preferences (remembered difficulty, last tab, remembered progress) will reset on every page reload.
- Analytics cookies: De-identifying GA cookies has no impact on functionality; the site works identically.
- Advertising cookies: Blocking third-party advertising cookies reduces the personalization of AdSense ads but does not prevent ads from appearing. You may see the same ad more frequently, or generic non-personalized ads.
5. Google AdSense & Personalized Advertising
If the Site Administrator has activated Google AdSense on ExamKracker, you may see personalized advertisements served by Google. These may use cookies, device identifiers, and ad-activity signals to select ads more relevant to your interests. You have the following choices regarding personalized advertising:
- Opt out of Google's personalized ad settings at Google Ad Settings.
- Opt out of many third-party vendor ad networks simultaneously via the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool (US) or EDAA Your Online Choices (EU).
- Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser settings (note: most ad systems, including AdSense, do not honor DNT headers). For a reliable opt-out, use the official Google Ad Settings links above.
6. Cookie Banner & Consent Management
Where required by applicable law, ExamKracker provides a cookie-consent banner at first visit allowing you to accept/reject non-essential categories of cookies. Even where no banner is displayed (e.g., when the administrator has not yet enabled a consent-management solution), your right to disable cookies via browser controls at any time remains fully preserved. Modifying your browser settings effectively overrides any prior consent signal.
7. Cookies for Minors
ExamKracker does not intentionally set targeting or advertising cookies on devices that are used by users we know to be under 13 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child is using ExamKracker without your consent, please contact us via the Contact page and we will take steps to delete any stored personal information and reset any associated session cookies.
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or the third-party partners we work with. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date. We encourage you to review this page periodically for the latest information on our cookie practices.
9. Further Information & Contact
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, similar technologies, or wish to make a subject-access request related to cookies we store about you, please contact our Grievance Officer / Data Protection representative through the Contact Us page and include the phrase "Cookie Policy Query" in the subject line of your message.