Cambridge International Education (CIE) confirmed that an AS Level Computer Science examination paper was leaked in Pakistan, adding another subject to a long list that has already forced the cancellation and postponement of two mathematics papers during the ongoing May-June session.
In a statement, the board disclosed that AS Level Computer Science Paper 12 (9618/12) that took place on May 12, had been shared ahead of time in Pakistan in violation of its regulations, along with A Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709/52).
Cambridge told reporters that neither paper would be retaken. Affected candidates would instead receive “assessed marks” drawn from their performance in other completed components of the same subject.
“Using assessed marks means we will disregard the mark for the paper and instead calculate a mark for each student based on their performance in the other components in the syllabus for which they are entered and completed work,” the board noted.
Cambridge added that the method was standard practice among UK examination boards and was designed to ensure students who may have accessed leaked material did not gain an edge over those who had not.
“Our priority is to make sure we are fair to students who did not cheat, which is the vast majority,” the board remarked, adding that students applying to universities would compete on equal footing regardless.
The board clarified that the wider circulation of leaked papers in Pakistan did not point to the country as the origin of the breach, and confirmed investigations remained ongoing.
“The theft of this and other exam papers remains the subject of a detailed investigation,” Cambridge stated, adding that it was pursuing legal action against those responsible in coordination with law enforcement agencies and social media platforms.
The board warned that candidates found sharing or misusing confidential material could face permanent disqualification from Cambridge qualifications.
Cambridge acknowledged it had faced “sustained and focused efforts” to steal papers during the June 2026 series and confirmed it was continuously updating security protocols around the production, storage and distribution of question papers.
It also announced that the replacement exam for postponed A Level Mathematics Paper 32 would be held on June 8, and that the August 11 results date would remain unchanged.
The controversy surfaced earlier this month when Cambridge scrapped the AS Level Mathematics (9709/12) paper for students in administrative zones 3 and 4 after the question paper circulated before the exam. Days later, Paper 52 was also reported to have spread online ahead of schedule.
Students had taken to social media to flag that papers were appearing online before their scheduled timings, prompting government intervention.
