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Amid furore on social media, Cambridge says 'aware' of reports about question paper leak

Cambridge International Education (CIE) has confirmed that an AS-level Mathematics paper was shared prematurely, affecting multiple regions including Pakistan. The board has cancelled the exam and scheduled a replacement for June 9, while also postponing another Mathematics paper scheduled for May 15.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 7 articles Version 1 Coverage Apr 29 – May 13, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

Cambridge International Education (CIE) has confirmed that an AS-level Mathematics paper was 'shared prematurely' against its regulations, prompting the cancellation of the exam and the scheduling of a replacement for affected regions. The leak, which has sparked outrage on social media, is the latest in a series of examination security breaches that have troubled the board in recent years.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Dawn, a leading Pakistani English-language daily, have chronicled the events as they unfolded. On Wednesday, CIE acknowledged being 'aware of news about a reported paper leak' after students and parents took to social media to express their concerns. By Thursday, the board confirmed that the AS-level Mathematics Paper 12 (9709) had been compromised and announced that a new version of the exam would be administered on June 9 for all candidates in the affected regions. A separate report indicated that the leak also affected Paper 52 (9709) taken in administrative zones 3 and 4, leading to the postponement of another Mathematics paper scheduled for May 15.

All coverage has been sourced from Dawn, with no conflicting accounts from other outlets in the available material.

Key Claims

CIE confirmed that its AS-level Mathematics paper (9709/12) was shared prematurely against its regulations, affecting Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan, and South Asia regions.
The board cancelled the leaked exam and will conduct a new version on June 9, as part of the June series timetable, with no additional charges for candidates or schools. The result date of August 11 remains unchanged.
The replacement exam is intended to 'ensure fair outcomes for students and deliver grades that are trusted by universities and other stakeholders.'
A separate leak of AS-level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709) affected administrative zones 3 and 4, leading to the postponement of Mathematics Paper 32 (9709) scheduled for May 15 in Pakistan. A new exam paper and date are expected by May 22.
Students who sat an AS-level Mathematics paper on Tuesday claimed the paper was identical to a solved paper they had seen on social media the day before.
In June 2025, question papers for three AS and A Level examinations were partially leaked in Pakistan, prompting CIE to offer free resits in November 2025.
In 2024, an A-Level Mathematics paper was leaked, and CIE awarded 'assessed marks' to affected students after confirming the leak.

Perspectives

CIE has emphasized its commitment to investigating the incidents thoroughly and taking all possible measures to protect the integrity of its exams. In a statement, Cambridge's Country Director for Pakistan, Uzma Yousuf, described the nature of the exam paper theft as 'unprecedented' and assured that decisions are made by senior professionals 'in possession of all the facts.'

Students and parents, however, have expressed frustration and disappointment, pointing to the high exam fees and a pattern of recurring leaks. The Inter-Board of Coordination Commission (IBCC) in Pakistan has also sought a report from Cambridge, reflecting broader concerns about the transparency of the examination system.

CIE has acknowledged the emotional impact on students, saying, 'Students work incredibly hard to prepare for and take exams, and we value the trust placed in us to deliver fair results.' The board has urged the public to trust only official statements and avoid adding to misinformation.