Cambridge International Education (CIE) has reversed its earlier decision regarding the leaked AS- and A-level mathematics (9709/52) examination paper, and announced that following an extensive investigation and data analysis, candidates in Pakistan would now receive grades based on their original scripts.
In a communication sent to schools, the CIE said that it had initially informed centres on May 20 that the mathematics paper, administered in administrative zones 3 and 4, had been shared prematurely in breach of exam regulations. At that time, it had announced that the paper would be cancelled and candidates would instead receive assessed marks.
However, the exam board said that subsequent investigations and detailed analysis of candidates’ performance had established that the leaked paper had not had significant visibility in Pakistan, and so it had no measurable impact on candidates’ performance in the country. Consequently, the CIE has decided to award grades using candidates’ original responses rather than assessed marks.
In contrast, the CIE said the AS-level computer science (9618/12) paper had been widely circulated in Pakistan before the exam, making it unnecessary to conduct further statistical analysis. As a result, assessed marks will continue to be used for that paper, as previously announced in May.
The board said that the assessed marks methodology is designed to eliminate any unfair advantage gained through cheating while protecting the interests of the overwhelming majority of candidates who had taken the exam honestly. It described the system as a well-established and research-based approach that is widely used by exam boards and recognised by universities.
The CIE also acknowledged that the June 2026 exam series had been affected by a surge in fake leaked papers and misinformation circulating on social media, creating anxiety among students, schools and families.
To support the affected candidates, the CIE announced that students receiving assessed marks would be allowed to retake the same exam in the November 2026 session free of charge, and they would be able to choose which result they wish to carry forward, subject to the board’s existing 13-month rule.
The CIE also clarified that candidates would not be able to access exam scripts for subjects where the assessed marks had been applied because those script marks have not contributed to the final grade, and the integrity of the responses cannot be guaranteed where the question papers had been compromised before the exam.
