Cambridge confirms leak of AS-level Mathematics paper, postpones upcoming exam as 'precautionary step'

Cambridge International Education (CIE) on Wednesday confirmed the leak of an AS-level Mathematics exam paper held on May 12, and announced the postponement of another Mathematics paper scheduled for Friday, May 15.

Amid recent reports of Cambridge exam paper leaks, students who appeared for an AS-level Mathematics paper on Tuesday made fresh claims that the paper they received was identical to a solved paper they had come across on social media just a day earlier.

“We can confirm that Cambridge International AS-Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709), taken in our administrative zones 3 and 4 on May 12, was shared prematurely against our strict regulations,” said a statement issued by the board on Wednesday.

“We investigate such incidents promptly and thoroughly and we are now working to understand the extent of the leak and determine next steps.”

The statement said that “as an additional security and identification measure”, and upon discussions with “key stakeholders” in the country, the board was postponing the exam for Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709), due to be sat in Pakistan on Friday (May 15).

“We will replace this with a new exam paper and communicate a new exam date within the June series by Friday May 22,” the statement said.

Cambridge’s Country Director of Pakistan Uzma Yousuf commented, “Our priority is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by this incident, and we continue to take all possible measures to protect the integrity of our exams.”

She added that the board’s decisions were taken by senior and experienced professionals “in possession of all the facts”, stressing that its principles were to ensure the fairness and reliability of the grades awarded, “so that universities and other users of the grades can continue to trust them”.

“The nature of the exam paper theft we are seeing in this exam series is unprecedented,” Yousuf said. “We believe it is the work of criminals seeking to undermine examinations and the futures of the students who depend on them.”

She added, “We are pursuing several legal routes to stop and punish those responsible.”

Yousuf noted that while Cambridge did not comment on individual reports of paper leaks, it investigated all allegations. She stressed that leaks remained rare, and that schools were updated and provided recommended next steps in the event of a genuine issue — “this example notwithstanding”.

She also requested the public to only trust official statements from Cambridge and not to add to misinformation, “which is very unhelpful for students”.

Yousuf thanked all our students and schools for their patience and asked them to await further updates.

The CIE, part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, offers internationally recognised exams to schools in over 160 countries. In Pakistan, O Levels (grades 10–11) cover a broad range of subjects, while A and AS Levels (grades 12–13) are more specialised and advanced, providing pathways to higher education in Pakistan and abroad.

Last month, the AS Level Mathematics exam (9709/12), conducted on April 29, was also subject to similar claims. After conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, CIE said it had reason to believe the claims were not unfounded. A replacement examination for the paper has therefore been scheduled for June 9.

In June last year, question papers of three AS and A Level examinations were partially leaked across Pakistan in 2025.