The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has confirmed that the mathematics exam paper for the recent high school diploma examinations (Bac II), held two weeks ago, was not leaked prior to the test. Although some suspected exam papers which circulated online resembled the actual mathematics exam, the ACU stated they were only shared afterwards.
Following more than a week of investigation into suspicions of a mathematics exam leak, the ACU issued their findings on September 7.
“Every mathematics exam paper posted online — whether 80 per cent identical (re-typed) or 100 per cent identical (original paper, with heavy folding marks) — was uploaded only after the exam time,” it said.
As for other online posts, such as supposed answer keys to the mathematics exam, ACU said the timing and credibility remain unverified.
ACU clarified that a teaching video solving mathematics exam questions (from a retyped version) was posted on August 29, at 8.40pm — which was after the exam had finished. The teaching material used in that video had been uploaded on August 28 at 5.04pm, and the teaching video itself was recorded at 6.46pm on August 28.
“These posts were made after the exam. Two other dates could be prepared in advance. We found no basis to conclude that the teaching content — such as questions involving Roman numerals, exponents and algebraic functions — was different from the official exam questions. That is why ACU finds it difficult to believe claims of a prior leak,” it explained.
The ACU did, however, acknowledge suspicions that small-scale leaks could occur during certain stages of the process — such as drafting, printing, photocopying, packaging, transporting or storing exam papers — but stressed that these phases are conducted with strict secrecy and caution.
Once the mathematics exam finished (and even if candidates finished early, they were not allowed to leave the room), all exam papers were collected. With more than 140,000 candidates, the ACU conceded that it was possible that a candidate could secretly fold and keep a copy. For example, last year in two provinces, two cases were recorded where one candidate’s paper went missing in each exam centre.
This year, all mathematics papers that surfaced online appeared only after the exam. The images that were 100 per cent identical to the real paper showed sheets already folded into quarters — meaning they could only have been photographed after the exam ended.
ACU appealed to the public to have confidence in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. It emphasised that all students who passed the Bac II did so based on their genuine ability — whether they received an “A” grade or an “E”. Their results, to be officially announced 20 September, will reflect their true performance.
