Ofqual warns over test paper scams
Exams regulator Ofqual has warned that there is an increasing number of scams taking place in schools by individuals posing as exams officers in order to obtain unseen test papers.
In a letter to schools, Ofqual has advised schools to be especially ‘vigilant’ about the security of this year’s GCSE and A-level exam papers, warning that results were expected to fluctuate.
The watchdog said: “Increasingly we are being made aware of attempts by individuals to obtain copies of secure question papers.”
“Exam boards will not ask you to email copies of secure material to anyone, nor will they ask you to confirm your secure login details by email or over the phone. If you are in any doubt about a request, please check with the exam board concerned.”
The news comes after numerous reports from schools where they were approached by fraudulent companies.
In an interview with TES magazine an AQA spokeswoman said the exams board ‘would never send anyone unannounced to a school like this’ and was ‘really grateful’ to the school for alerting others to the scam.
Read moreLatest News
14/04/2026 - 10:11
New research suggests that eight out of 10 people (80%) back banning cars in streets around schools to encourage children to travel by healthier alternatives.
14/04/2026 - 09:47
The government is proposing that schools appoint a lead governor with designated responsibility for school food, as part of its reforms to school food standards.
13/04/2026 - 09:39
The government has set out plans to reform School Food Standards - the first time in over a decade - and is launching a nine-week consultation on the changes.
10/04/2026 - 11:16
The government is launching a new programme to support schools in areas of high knife crime and improve pupils’ safety on their way to and from school.
09/04/2026 - 10:27
A school food improvement programme is set to launch in Birmingham in 2026, working with schools to improve the quality and culture of food throughout the school day for children and young people across the city.
