18 June 2025
The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge), is today providing information from its investigation into alleged question paper leaks from the June 2025 exam series. We have now concluded our investigations into the allegations of leaked questions, and we are making sure that all students will receive fair results.
Cambridge runs over two million exams each year in thousands of schools and centres in 160 countries and we take the security of these exams extremely seriously. We also partner with over 25 governments around the world to improve the quality of education systems so that all students have the skills they need to achieve their goals and be ready for the world.
It is very rare for any of our exams to be compromised, but if we find compelling evidence that it has, we act quickly using well-established remedies to minimise any impact and ensure each candidate receives a fair grade. We take appropriate sanctions against centres and candidates where we have evidence of malpractice. While leaks are theft of our property and cause us significant difficulty, they hurt young people the most.
Our approach to exam security
Built on more than a century of experience, the administration of Cambridge exams is tightly controlled, especially in respect of question paper security. To keep papers secure, every centre that operates our exams must comply with our registration quality standards. These standards require that exam centres have secure, supervised storage facilities in accordance with the regulations set out in the Cambridge Handbook (PDF, 4MB). We conduct regular inspections to ensure standards are being strictly followed. Before every exam series, we review our exam security arrangements.
If we receive allegations that exam paper security has been breached, our dedicated Exam Security Team investigates thoroughly to determine the veracity of the alleged leak, the source, and whether remedial action must be taken. It is our policy not to comment publicly on alleged breaches of exam papers until an exam series is complete. We believe this is in the best interests of candidates because such issues are a distraction, and we want to allow candidates to focus their attention on their examinations. This policy also avoids jeopardising active investigations.
Allegations of leaks in the June 2025 series
Our Exam Security Team investigated every allegation and every concern that was shared with us regarding exam paper security breaches in the June 2025 series. Many of the reports of question paper leaks turned out to be false, and it is clear that there were malicious attempts to undermine the exams and to disturb and upset candidates. It is also clear that there were attempts to scam money from candidates in exchange for fake papers.
However, our investigations found some credible evidence of malpractice. Parts of three exam papers were shared shortly before the exam was taken:
- AS&A Level Mathematics Paper 12, where one question was leaked before the exam was taken
- AS&A Level Mathematics Paper 42, where parts of two questions were leaked before the exam was taken
- AS&A Level Computer Science Paper 22, where parts of one question were leaked before the exam was taken
In all three cases, we found no evidence that the whole paper had been circulated in advance.
Ensuring fair results, neutralising cheating
In all three cases, Cambridge will mark the papers as usual but will discount the questions shared in advance. We will give full marks to all candidates for those questions. This approach will tend to push candidates’ total marks upwards and this will be considered when grading.
With this remedy, we are confident that any advantage gained by candidates who saw the leaked questions is removed, and that the remaining marks ensure the grades we award will be accurate and reliable. This remedy also avoids the potential anxiety associated with candidates having to resit exams and waiting longer for results.
In all three cases our investigations uncovered the source of the leak and we are already taking action against those who stole the papers. As usual, we will review and plan security arrangements before the next exam series.
Uzma Yousuf, Country Director, Pakistan, said: “Cambridge shares the anger, frustration and disappointment felt by many that these leaks have occurred. Dishonest people have stolen our question papers, and the main victims of this theft are young people who suffered considerable anxiety and distress at an important time. We are very grateful to schools, students and families for their patience in allowing Cambridge to carry out a thorough investigation and with this remedy, students, families, schools and universities can remain confident in Cambridge’s qualifications.”
Dr Anthony Dawson, Director of Assessment Standards, said: “Our priority is to make sure we are fair to students who did not attempt to see papers before the exam, which is the vast majority, and this is why we applied this remedy.”
Cambridge has shared this approach with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) in Pakistan, and relevant officials.
Response to speculation on exams in Pakistan
4 June 2025
In response to media and social media claims around Cambridge exams in Pakistan, we would like to reassure candidates.
Students can be confident in the fairness and integrity of results for the Cambridge June 2025 exams.
Cambridge runs over two million exams each year in 160 countries. It is very rare for any exam to be compromised, but if we find compelling evidence that it has, we act quickly to minimise any impact and ensure each candidate receives a fair grade, using well established processes.
We also have measures in place to prevent any efforts to cheat or gain an unfair advantage in the current exam series.
We take appropriate sanctions against centres and candidates where we have evidence of malpractice.
We have seen a significant amount of fake information this year, including scams circulating on social media. We urge candidates not to engage with anyone claiming to have access to question papers, and that doing so can be malpractice.
