Candidates line up for the Grade 12 national examinations, in Phnom Penh on August 29. - Education ministry via PPP/ANN
PHNOM PENH: A preliminary investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) into suspected leaks of the Grade 12 mathematics exam on August 29 has determined that the leaked documents were 80 to 100 per cent identical to the actual test.
The ACU announced on Monday, September 1, that its officials are continuing their investigation, which includes meetings, evaluations and an examination of information related to the suspected leak.
“Initial results show that all forms of the exam documents posted online — whether typed copies, blurred images or clear scans with or without the minister’s signature — were found to be the same as the official Grade 12 science-stream mathematics exam administered on August 29 from 2pm to 4.30pm, with a similarity rate of 80% to 100%,” the ACU stated.
The investigation followed posts on several social media accounts that raised suspicions of exam leaks. These accounts urged the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to investigate and clarify the matter to ensure fairness for all students.
The ACU task force conducted forensic analysis of all the alleged leaked exam images. It found that the posted test papers were re-typed versions of the original exam, with nearly identical content, though the order of Roman numerals (I, II, III) differed and two questions carried different point values.
The ACU said its objective and those of the ministry align with that of the concerned social media users, so they should work together to resolve the issue quickly and ensure justice for students. The ACU expressed gratitude to online users who helped bring timely information forward.
After the August 29 national exams, the ministry collected and transported all test papers to Phnom Penh. Marking has been underway since August 31 and will continue until September 6. The computer scoring and cross-checking process will run from September 7 to 18, with the printing of official results scheduled for September 19.
The education ministry has set September 20 as the official date for the nationwide release of results at exam centres in all 25 provinces and the capital. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
