Cambridge to retake ‘prematurely shared’ AS-level mathematics exam on June 9

Published
0
This image shows students taking Cambridge International Examinations. — British Council Pakistan Twitter
This image shows students taking Cambridge International Examinations. — British Council Pakistan Twitter

Cambridge International Education (CIE) on Thursday cancelled the “prematurely shared” mathematics exam, announcing that it will conduct a new version of the exam for affected regions on June 9.

On April 30, CIE confirmed that its AS-level mathematics paper was “shared prematurely” against its regulations. It said that the exam paper was for the Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan and South Asia regions.

CIE, in a statement, said that “Cambridge’s senior assessment experts have decided that a new version of the Mathematics (9709/12) exam paper will be sat by all candidates in the affected regions”.

CIE noted that the previous exam paper could not be used to award final exam results and “will not be used to generate results through calculated assessment”.

As per the statement, the replacement exam will “ensure fair outcomes for students and deliver grades that are trusted by universities and other stakeholders”.

CIE announced that the new exam will take place on June 9 (Tuesday), “as part of the June series timetable”.

“This approach aligns with the views of many school leaders we have consulted,” the statement said.

“We are committed to making the replacement examination process as straightforward as possible,” added CIE.

The UK-based examination board further stated that there will be no additional charge for the candidates or the school, and the result date — August 11 — remained unchanged.

“We will share detailed information with you about when and how you will receive question papers by May 15, and the steps you must follow to run the replacement question paper, as well as frequently asked questions,” the statement said.

“This will include information on withdrawals from June 2026 and entries for November 2026.”

The examination body also acknowledged how “frustrating and disappointing” the development has been for students and their families.

“Students work incredibly hard to prepare for and take exams, and we value the trust placed in us to deliver fair results at the end of the exam process,” CIE said.

It further said that Cambridge International was conducting an “active investigation” into the matter.

“We are working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies and other partners to identify those responsible,” the statement said.

Cambridge imposes strict sanctions on anyone found to have shared or misused confidential exam materials, including permanent disqualification from Cambridge qualifications and exams, said the statement.

The examination body added that they “regularly” receive false news of reports of paper leaks; however, it added that “the majority of them are false”.

The examination board elaborated that it routinely monitored “social media and other online channels for posts offering to share or sell question papers”.

It added that CIE worked with social media platforms to “identify and remove such content”.

“Our legal and compliance teams investigate every credible report, and we take robust legal action against those involved in the illegal sharing,” CIE said, stressing that it is not the policy to “comment on individual reports of paper leaks” and that it instead updates schools.

“Our priority is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by the wilful malpractice of a few,” CIE said, encouraging students to focus on their remaining examinations.

Opinion

Editorial

Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...
Terror and politics
Updated 29 Sep, 2026

Terror and politics

There is an urgent need to tone down the rhetoric and tackle terrorism as a collective challenge for both the affected provinces and the federation.
Watching the glaciers
29 Sep, 2026

Watching the glaciers

THE latest signs from Pakistan’s mountains are worrying. Suparco says the number of unfrozen glacial lakes it...
Dangerous agenda
29 Sep, 2026

Dangerous agenda

AS the world remains fixated on the US-Iran conflict, elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is consolidating its grip...