What a bunch of cheats: Number of pupils caught cheating in GCSE and A-level exams hit record high this summer – with nearly half nabbed while using their PHONES

The number of students caught cheating in GCSE and A-level exams has reached a record high this summer – with many caught using mobile phones.

The figures show that in 2023, 4,895 cases of abuse involving students were proven and punished, up from 4,105 in 2022.

Almost half (44.5%) related to mobile phones and other communication devices, according to Ofqual’s annual statistics.

Chris McGovern, Margaret Thatcher’s former education policy adviser, said the rise in cases “sounds like a warning”.

The figures show that in 2023, 4,895 cases of abuse involving students were proven and punished, up from 4,105 in 2022.

He said: “This is just the tip of the iceberg. What’s worrying is that young people will receive grades they don’t really deserve. In the long run, this is dangerous for everyone.

“This sounds a warning that online exams are likely to be more prone to cheating than written exams. The fact that there is fraud now is a warning about the need to promote online assessment of children.”

The most common type of penalty issued in 2023 was loss of marks, with the number of cases in which this type of penalty was awarded increasing to 2,215 from 2,005 in 2022.

Almost half (44.5%) used mobile phones and other communication devices, according to Ofqual’s annual statistics.

Almost all student malpractice cases (98.5%) involved only one student, the same as in 2022 (98.0%).

There were 50 cases of abuse reported at the school or college level in 2023, up from 55 in 2022.

An Ofqual spokesman said: “We take this issue very seriously and students found to be cheating face serious sanctions, including loss of grades or even disqualification. It is encouraging to see that processes to protect the integrity of qualifications are effective.”