Cambridge confirms 2nd leak of A-level Mathematics paper, postpones May 15 exam

Cambridge International Education (CIE) on Wednesday confirmed the leak of a second A-Level mathematics paper that was reportedly circulated online before the examination, saying it was working to determine the extent of the breach and decide the next steps.

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 on Monday, a day before the examination scheduled for Tuesday.

“We can confirm that Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709) taken in our administrative zones 3 and 4 on May 12, was shared prematurely against our strict regulations,” CIE said in a statement.

Read: Govt takes notice after another Cambridge Maths paper allegedly leaks

It said it investigated such incidents “promptly and thoroughly” and was now working to understand the extent of the leak and determine the next steps.

“We will share detailed information with schools about the approach to be taken following this leak by Friday, 22 May,” it added.

CIE further said that following discussions with key stakeholders in Pakistan, and as an additional security and identification measure, it had decided to postpone the Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709), which was due to be held in Pakistan on Friday.

“We will replace this with a new exam paper and communicate a new exam date within the June series by Friday, May 22,” it said, adding that the Cambridge International AS & A Level results release date of August 11 would remain unchanged.

“Our priority is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by this incident, and we continue to take all possible measures to protect the integrity of our exams,” said Cambridge Country Director Pakistan Uzma Yousuf.

She added that “the decisions about the next steps are taken by senior and experienced professionals who have all the facts”.

“Our principles are: Ensuring the fairness and reliability of the grades that we award, so that universities and other users of the grades can continue to trust them,” Yousuf said.

Calling the nature of the theft “unprecedented”, CIE said criminals were seeking to undermine examinations and the futures of students who depended on them.

“We are pursuing several legal routes to stop and punish those responsible,” it added.

“While we do not comment on individual reports of paper leaks, we investigate all allegations. This example notwithstanding, leaks of papers remain rare and where there is a genuine issue, we update schools at the right time and provide recommended next steps.

“We ask people only to trust official statements from Cambridge and not add to misinformation which is very unhelpful for students. We thank all our students and schools for their patience and ask them to await further updates,” the statement said.

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

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.

The federal government also took notice of the incident, with Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressing concern over the repeated paper leaks.

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

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.