KARACHI: Cambridge International Education has confirmed that a computer science examination paper was leaked in Pakistan, intensifying an ongoing controversy surrounding the May-June 2026 examination session and raising fresh concerns among thousands of students and parents nationwide.
In an official statement, the examination board said AS Level Computer Science Paper 12 (9618/12), conducted on May 12, had been “shared prematurely in Pakistan against our strict regulations.” The board also confirmed irregularities involving A Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709/52), which had reportedly circulated online before the scheduled exam.
Cambridge announced that neither of the compromised papers would be retaken. Instead, students affected by the leaks would receive “assessed marks” calculated from their performance in other completed components of the same subject.
According to the board, the assessed marks system is commonly used by UK examination authorities to ensure fairness when examination integrity is compromised. Cambridge said the approach would prevent students who may have accessed leaked material from gaining an unfair advantage over others.
“Our priority is to make sure we are fair to students who did not cheat, which is the vast majority,” the statement said, emphasizing that university admissions would not be negatively affected for honest candidates.
The board clarified that although leaked papers had circulated widely in Pakistan, investigations were still underway to determine the actual source of the breach. Cambridge said the theft of examination papers remained the subject of a “detailed investigation” involving law enforcement agencies and social media platforms.
The examination authority warned that candidates found sharing or misusing confidential papers could face permanent disqualification from Cambridge qualifications and future examinations.
Cambridge further revealed that the June 2026 examination series had faced “sustained and focused efforts” aimed at stealing question papers. The board said it was strengthening security protocols governing the production, storage and distribution of examination materials.
The replacement examination for postponed A Level Mathematics Paper 32 will now be held on June 8, while the release date for AS and A Level results on August 11 will remain unchanged, according to the board.
The controversy first erupted earlier this month when Cambridge cancelled AS Level Mathematics Paper 12 for students in administrative zones 3 and 4 after reports emerged that the paper had leaked before the examination began. Days later, another mathematics paper was also allegedly circulated online ahead of the test.
The latest developments have triggered anxiety among students and parents across Pakistan as ongoing Cambridge O and A Level examinations continue under heightened scrutiny.
Several students had earlier claimed on social media that examination papers were being shared online before scheduled timings, prompting authorities to intervene and seek urgent explanations from Cambridge officials.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had previously expressed concern over the repeated leaks, stating that hardworking students should not suffer because of malpractice. He also directed the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen to hold urgent discussions with Cambridge representatives and develop measures to protect students’ interests.
Cambridge acknowledged the uncertainty students were facing during a critical stage of their academic journey and advised candidates to remain cautious about scams, misinformation and malpractice linked to leaked papers.
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