Poland sees sharp rise in invalidated high school exams due to cheating

Central Examination Board (CKE) data reveals a sharp increase in invalidated high school graduation exams in Poland for 2026, with 416 cases compared to 244 the previous year. Overall, 81.1% of students passed the maturity exams, while 12.3% qualified for a retake in August, and 6.6% failed. Foreign languages saw the highest pass rates, with English at 95%, French at 97%, and Spanish at 96%. Mathematics proved the most challenging, with an 86% pass rate, while Polish language exams were passed by 94% of students.

The surge in invalidated exams is a major concern. The most common reason, accounting for over a third of invalidations (148 cases), was students submitting unoriginal work, a dramatic rise from just 13 cases the previous year and 35 two years prior. This indicates a growing problem with academic integrity among students.

Another significant factor contributing to exam invalidations was the presence of electronic devices in exam rooms. In 92 instances, students were caught bringing such devices, with mobile phones being the most frequent culprits. This trend has been escalating annually, with 72 invalidations for this reason in the previous year, compared to 48 in 2023 and 2022. The CKE noted that students sometimes photograph exam papers and upload them online, leading to rapid dissemination of answers.

In response to these widespread leaks, the Ministry of National Education (MEN) acknowledges the need for systemic solutions. Deputy Minister of Education Katarzyna Lubnauer suggested the future implementation of examination centers with no internet access as a potential measure to combat the problem.