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Original poster

Cheating in GCSE exams

158 replies

examworries2026 · 07/04/2026 21:36

Name changed for this. I wanted to explore the likelihood of this happening and see if anyone has experience of this, either from what their DC have said or if you’re a teacher or work in a school.

My DS16 is taking his GCSEs in a few weeks. He said that during their mocks they obviously aren’t allowed their phones (his school use those pouches anyway so technically they’re not supposed to have them during the day) but he said a few people have burner phones in their pockets.

During the exams they ask to go to the toilet and then spend a few minutes looking up answers etc.

I have no reason to doubt my DS but I can’t understand how this can be allowed to happen. Found it really shocking. Has anyone heard of this or similar? How common is this? Any invigilators on here who could shed some light on the likelihood of this happening?

Probably irrelevant but this is a highly rated traditional boys’ private school.

OP posts:
BlueCanaryInTheAlleyByTheLightswitch · 07/04/2026 22:03

examworries2026 · 07/04/2026 21:55

Also, do people think I should mention it to the school? Am obviously reluctant to do so as it’s a serious allegation (although I wouldn’t mention any names) but I’m shocked and concerned that pupils would even attempt this and it makes me mad tbh.

100% I would mention it to the school.

I’ve a friend who has worked on a number of projects to do with how public exams are run. She said cheating is surprisingly common (though she didn’t quantify it) and is getting more sophisticated. Eg people have been caught using technology including hearing aids, with someone remotely giving them the answers, and also with smart glasses technology again so the test paper can be transmitted to someone outside the exam so they can feed answers back. She said it’s very difficult effectively to detect and tackle.

She also said that certain cultures don’t regard there with being anything wrong with encouraging and supporting your kids to cheat in exams. To the contrary, a “good parent” is seen as someone who would give every possible advantage to their child, including helping them cheat. And that they’re almost baffled by the suggestion that a parent wouldn’t do this or that it’s morally wrong. 🤷‍♀️

If that sounds racist all I can say is she’s really not a racist (she’s actually pretty left wing liberal), but this was what they found on the projects she worked on.

FruAashild · 07/04/2026 21:56

My DC go to a state school and the child who attempted this in DDs year was caught and did not get their GCSEs. It is much stricter than when I was doing exams in the 80s. They are all reminded they cannot take phones or anything with text on it into the exams just before they go in. It shouldn't be common.

Original poster
examworries2026 · 07/04/2026 21:56

RedToothBrush · 07/04/2026 21:53

I've heard of people getting done for cheating twice in the last two years.

They had all their exams with that board cancelled.

Is that people you know or because you work in that sector?

OP posts:
Original poster
examworries2026 · 07/04/2026 21:55

Also, do people think I should mention it to the school? Am obviously reluctant to do so as it’s a serious allegation (although I wouldn’t mention any names) but I’m shocked and concerned that pupils would even attempt this and it makes me mad tbh.

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 07/04/2026 21:53

I've heard of people getting done for cheating twice in the last two years.

They had all their exams with that board cancelled.

Beamur · 07/04/2026 21:50

I don't think it's common.

Original poster
examworries2026 · 07/04/2026 21:48

Sure, I get that the stakes are high. I’m interested in how common this actually is.

i thought this as well - referring to your last point - surely it’s far more stressful and time consuming!

OP posts:
Hippee · 07/04/2026 21:44

If they are caught they can be disqualified from all of their exams. If the school does not declare when they have caught students cheating, they can lose their license to host exams. The stakes are high. Cheating will happen, but the school should be looking out for suspicious behaviour. And it will waste time in the exam - realistically, will they be able to look up enough to make a massive difference to their results? Not sure.