The Ministry of Education has announced strict new guidelines for students sitting for national certificate exams, aiming to uphold transparency and discipline in the testing process.
The National Examination Centre issued a statement on Tuesday requiring students to arrive at least 15 minutes before exams begin. Late arrivals—more than 10 minutes after the start—will not be allowed into exam halls. Students must also verify that their names and seat numbers are correctly printed on both question and answer sheets.
Mobile phones, notes, or any materials that could aid cheating are strictly prohibited. The centre warned that even having a switched-off phone inside the exam hall is considered a serious offense, resulting in the cancellation of the exam for the subject involved.
Students are also required to bring their exam admission cards and use only HB pencils to shade answer sheets. The use of ballpoint pens for this purpose is not allowed.
In a firm warning, the ministry banned the photographing or online sharing of exam papers during testing hours. Any breach of this rule could lead to disqualification.
