Students claim exam paper circulated online before test; IBCC also confirms the development

The federal government took notice on Tuesday after reports that another Cambridge International Education (CIE) Mathematics exam was allegedly leaked.

A and O Level examinations under the Cambridge system are currently being held across the country for the May-June session. Just days after the cancellation of an A-Level Mathematics paper over a leak, another CIE Mathematics exam was allegedly leaked.

The paper was reportedly leaked on Monday, with several students claiming that it had already begun circulating online before the examination.

Read: Cambridge cancels AS Level Mathematics paper after leak, announces new date

“We investigate all allegations of leaks and we do not comment on individual reports of paper leaks,” CIE Country Director Uzma Yousuf told The Express Tribune.

She said that in the rare event of a genuine issue, schools were updated at the appropriate time and provided with recommended next steps. “We ask people only to trust official statements from Cambridge and not add to misinformation which is very unhelpful for students,” she added.

Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui took notice of the alleged Cambridge paper leaks and expressed concern over the repeated incidents.

“Hardworking students cannot be allowed to suffer because of such incidents,” the minister said, adding that similar cases had also surfaced last year and Cambridge should further strengthen its examination system.

He said the repeated reports of paper leaks had caused severe mental stress for students and parents alike.

Also Read: Cambridge confirms AS Level Mathematics paper leak

The minister directed the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen to immediately convene a meeting with Cambridge authorities and take urgent measures to safeguard students’ interests.

“There will be no compromise on a transparent examination system and merit,” he said.

The Ministry of Education also called for a complete investigation into the incident and demanded that all facts be brought to light.

“Restoring students’ confidence remains the top priority,” Dr Siddiqui added.

According to students, the Mathematics paper scheduled for the afternoon of May 12 had already begun circulating on social media hours before the examination commenced. Candidates claimed that upon entering the examination hall, they were handed the same paper that had earlier appeared online.

Earlier, a Cambridge A-Level Mathematics paper conducted on April 29 had also been leaked, prompting authorities to announce a retake examination.

Following the incident, CIE announced the cancellation of the AS Level Mathematics (9709/12) exam for students in administrative zones 3 and 4 after the question paper was leaked. The breach of examination regulations led to the decision not to use the paper for final assessment results.

During the ongoing examination session, some other papers were also reported to have been partially leaked.