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Original poster

Cheating in GCSE exams

157 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:
CrikeyMajikey · 14/04/2026 05:13

Please do report it to the Exams Officer or Head of Year. Also, burner phones are very common in county lines, some of these kids may be involved in something they can’t get out of.

exammadness · 14/04/2026 08:09

Invigilators don’t make independent decisions on whether a pupil will be reported / disqualified. I’m employed by the schools I work for on a zero hours contract. If anything happens during an exam - sudden illness , cheating etc- I have to make a statement. The exams officer will contact the relevant board and it’s the board who decides what to do. The school doesn’t decide. The school in theory could not report the malpractice but that would be a whole bigger issue and could have serious consequences.

DeftWasp · 14/04/2026 08:50

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.

When I was at school me and a mate wrote lots of formulae and facts on the inside of the toilet cistern lid, then kept asking to go to the loo on the pretext of a icky tummy.

That scraped me through Physics GCSE, just as well because I ended up doing my degree in Physics and spending 18 years as a Physics teacher!

My only advice, as with any skulduggery the trick is not to get caught!

Onthesamepage · 14/04/2026 10:35

CookingFatCat · 14/04/2026 00:33

It’s very risky but possible, if you need the toilet you could possibly stash a phone in it.
Invigilators will be waiting outside.

Realistically very little time to get enough information to cheat in a way that will hugely change the outcome.
Smart glasses and hearing aids would be checked surely?

It all sounds harder work than actually studying for the exam 🤷‍♀️

Spirallingdownwards · 14/04/2026 10:36

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.

If you are going to report it you absolutely should mention names.

mumsneedwine · 19/04/2026 10:37

DeftWasp · 14/04/2026 08:50

When I was at school me and a mate wrote lots of formulae and facts on the inside of the toilet cistern lid, then kept asking to go to the loo on the pretext of a icky tummy.

That scraped me through Physics GCSE, just as well because I ended up doing my degree in Physics and spending 18 years as a Physics teacher!

My only advice, as with any skulduggery the trick is not to get caught!

Show quote history

Toilets are checked before and after exams 😊

DeftWasp · 19/04/2026 11:48

mumsneedwine · 19/04/2026 10:37

Toilets are checked before and after exams 😊

Show quote history

Darn, invigilators are suspicious basterds!!😁

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