Fresh concerns over the security of international examinations have emerged after Cambridge International Education confirmed that a mathematics exam paper had been shared online before the official test time in multiple regions around the world, affecting students in Vietnam and several other countries.

Cambridge International Education said the AS Level Mathematics Paper 12 (code 9709) in the June 2026 examination series had been distributed early in violation of regulations across parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.

In an official statement, Cambridge said it was urgently investigating the scale of the incident and considering follow-up measures to ensure fairness for all candidates.

“Our top priority is ensuring students are not disadvantaged by this situation,” a Cambridge representative said, adding that measures remain in place to protect the integrity of the international examination system.

Earlier, many students reported seeing the AS Level Mathematics paper circulating on social media before the exam began. Some images appeared online alongside worked solutions and answer keys.

Reports suggested the exam had been shared through Reddit, WhatsApp, and other online platforms just hours before candidates entered the examination room.

More allegations emerge

The concerns have not been limited to Paper 12.

In recent days, further complaints have surfaced regarding AS Level Mathematics 9709/52 (Statistics and Probability), with some candidates claiming the questions they received matched documents previously circulating online.

International media reports said the latest controversy prompted education authorities in Pakistan to respond publicly.

Pakistan’s education minister reportedly expressed concern over repeated allegations of exam leaks, warning that such incidents place enormous psychological pressure on students and parents.

Authorities there have also requested discussions with Cambridge representatives to review the situation and protect candidates’ interests.

Cambridge stated that all allegations of exam leaks are being investigated thoroughly.

The organization also urged students and parents to rely only on official announcements and avoid spreading unverified information that could create panic.

Vietnamese students affected

Following an earlier investigation into allegations surrounding AS Level Mathematics 9709/12 held on April 29, Cambridge concluded there were sufficient grounds to believe the concerns were credible and decided to organize a retake examination on June 9.

Cambridge currently administers more than two million examinations annually across around 160 countries and territories.

Its qualifications are widely used at international and bilingual schools worldwide, including in Vietnam.

According to Tien Phong newspaper, Vietnam currently has nearly 100 schools recognized by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), with more than 50 schools offering upper secondary Cambridge programs.

Speaking with VietNamNet on the evening of May 13, Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, principal of Nguyen Sieu Secondary and High School, said students in the affected countries would now be required to sit the examination again.

Thuy said AS Level Mathematics is taken by nearly all students enrolled in the school’s A-Level program, meaning virtually every candidate would have to retake the test.

The school estimates that at least 100 of its students have been affected.

“This is also one of the core subjects for Vietnamese students,” Thuy said.

According to Thuy, the retest will disrupt schedules and create additional organizational pressure for schools, even if the impact is relatively limited.

“It affects our summer planning and makes schools somewhat less prepared,” she said.

Hoang Linh - Thanh Hung