Cambridge reschedules postponed A-Level mathematics paper for June 8

ISLAMABAD: Cambridge International Education has announced that the postponed A Level Mathematics Paper 32 will now be held on June 8 during the June 2026 examination series, while assessed marks will be used for all candidates of A Level Mathematics Paper 52 and AS Level Computer Science Paper 12.

According to a statement issued by Cambridge on Wednesday, the release date for Cambridge International AS & A Level results will remain August 11. The British Council would soon provide detailed information about how the rescheduled examination would be conducted.

The latest development comes after a series of disruptions in the ongoing examination session. On May 7, Cambridge had announced the cancellation of the AS Level Mathematics 9709/12 exam for students in administrative zones 3 and 4 after the paper was leaked. Nearly a week later, it also confirmed that AS Level Mathematics Paper 52 had been circulated online before the examination. In the same period, A Level Mathematics Paper 32 was postponed.

Assessed marks for two papers

Cambridge said AS Level Computer Science Paper 12, coded 9618/12 and taken on May 12, had also been affected. The examination body said the paper was shared before the exam in Pakistan in violation of its regulations.

In its statement, Cambridge said the broader circulation of leaked material in Pakistan did not necessarily mean the breach originated in the country, and added that investigations into the source were continuing.

Referring to its response, Cambridge said:

Our priority is to make sure we are fair to students who did not cheat, which is the vast majority

This was intended to ensure that candidates who engaged in cheating did not gain any benefit and that students applying to universities would compete on equal terms.

The examination body said it would apply its established assessed marks method to all candidates for AS & A Level Mathematics Paper 52 in zones 3 and 4, and to all candidates for AS Level Computer Science Paper 12 in Pakistan. It described assessed marks as a method also used by other UK-based examination boards and in cases where students miss an exam for accepted reasons such as illness or injury.

Cambridge explained the process in these words:

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

This approach removes any possible unfair advantage and treats all candidates equally. The statement added that the method cancels out the effect of an easy or difficult paper, reflects differences in difficulty, and still allows candidates to achieve full marks.

Investigation and security measures

Cambridge said students were facing the issue at an important stage in their education as leaks involving Cambridge International AS & A Level papers had been confirmed.

On exam security, the body said it had faced sustained and focused attempts to steal papers during the June 2026 examination series and was responding actively. The theft of this and other papers remained under detailed investigation, while legal action was being pursued in coordination with law enforcement authorities and social media platforms.

Cambridge also warned:

We will apply sanctions to those who share or misuse confidential exam materials, including permanent disqualification from our qualifications and operations

Exam security challenges were not limited to one board and that protocols covering the production, handling, storage and distribution of papers were being updated continuously in response to changing threats. Students were also advised to remain alert to scams, misinformation and malpractice.

The issue of Cambridge paper leaks has been reported previously, including last year, but the current May-June session has seen multiple incidents as A and O Level examinations continue across Pakistan. The papers were leaked online, and several students said they had begun circulating before the examinations.

The repeated incidents prompted the federal government to take notice. Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had expressed concern over the recurring leaks and said:

Hardworking students cannot be allowed to suffer because of such incidents

The minister also said similar cases had surfaced last year and that Cambridge should further strengthen its examination system. He directed the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen to immediately hold a meeting with Cambridge authorities and take urgent steps to protect students’ interests.