Exams Begin for Technical Diplomas as Ministry Enforces Anti-Cheating Laws

On Saturday, the written exams for technical diplomas for the academic year 2025-2026 commenced across various specializations, including agricultural, industrial, commercial, hospitality, and applied technology schools.

The Ministry of Education and Technical Education has instructed all officials involved in the examination process to ensure smooth conduct of the exams, which approximately 821,000 students are taking nationwide. Students have been warned against traditional cheating methods or using any electronic means to cheat to avoid severe penalties.

The Ministry emphasized the implementation of the Anti-Cheating Law enacted in 2020 and Ministerial Decision No. 34 of 2018, which governs the cancellation of exams or prohibition from taking them.

Here are the key provisions from the law and ministerial decision regarding cheating:.

I. Anti-Cheating Law

In August 2020, Egypt’s Parliament approved Law No. 205 of 2020 concerning anti-examination violations. The President ratified it, and it was published in the official gazette on December 14, 2020. The law includes:.

– Penalties for Publishing Exam Questions

According to Article One of the law, anyone who prints, publishes, broadcasts, or promotes exam questions or answers by any means with the intent to cheat or disrupt public order during examinations shall face imprisonment for a term not less than two years and not exceeding seven years, along with a fine ranging from EGP 100,000 to EGP 200,000. This is without prejudice to the Child Law No. 12 of 1996 or any harsher penalties stipulated in other laws.

– Attempted Cheating Penalty

Those attempting any acts mentioned in the first paragraph will be punished with imprisonment for at least one year and a fine between EGP 10,000 and EGP 50,000 or one of these penalties.

– Exam Prohibition

A student found cheating or attempting to cheat will be banned from taking that exam and the subsequent one within the same academic year and will be considered failed in all subjects. In case of international equivalent examinations conducted by international schools, students will be barred from taking necessary subjects for equivalency according to Egyptian regulations for two consecutive examination sessions.

In all cases, items seized in connection with the crime will be confiscated.

– Possession of Cheating Tools

The law states that anyone found possessing mobile phones or other communication devices during examinations with intent to cheat will face fines ranging from EGP 5,000 to EGP 10,000. The court will also confiscate these devices.

II. Ministerial Decision No. 34 of 2018

In 2018, the Ministry issued Ministerial Decision No. 34 concerning conditions under which exams may be canceled or students may be prohibited from sitting for them. This decision applies to students participating in general and local examinations overseen by the Ministry within Egypt and abroad.

The decision outlines conditions under which a student’s exam may be canceled:.

– Cancellation of an Exam in One Subject

A student’s exam in a specific subject will be canceled if they commit one of the following violations:.

• Possessing a mobile phone or any technological devices that aid cheating during an exam.
• Including identifying information in their answers that implies mockery or contempt.
• Tearing up answer sheets or attempting to hide them.

– Cancellation of All Subjects’ Exams

A student’s exams will be canceled entirely if they commit any of the following actions:.

• Photographing, printing, publishing, or promoting exam questions or answers before or during exams with intent to cheat.
• Cheating or attempting to benefit from cheating during an exam.
• Disrupting examination order by any means.
• Verbally or physically assaulting examination officials or inciting such behavior during exams.
• Using mobile phones or other technologies that lead to committing acts outlined above.
• Assisting another person in taking an exam on their behalf.
• Hiding their answer sheets or attempting to flee with them.

The head of the examination committee must document violations immediately upon occurrence through a report and initiate an investigation with relevant authorities. A student’s refusal to participate in an investigation is considered a waiver of their right to defend themselves and an implicit acknowledgment of their violation.

– Cancellation of Second Round Exams

If a student’s first-round exam is canceled across all subjects due to violations outlined above, they are barred from taking second-round exams that academic year. If their second-round exam is canceled instead, only that round is affected.

The academic year during which a student faces cancellation due to violations counts as a failure year towards their allowed attempts at examinations. Cancellation in one subject counts as failure in that subject and applies rules governing second-round attempts accordingly.

Technical Diploma Exams for 2026

The technical diploma examinations are scheduled to continue until Thursday, June 18, 2026. According to the Ministry of Education, around 821,000 students are registered for these exams across various types (industrial – agricultural – commercial – hospitality) within 2,506 examination committees nationwide.

This total includes approximately 334,500 students enrolled in developed programs based on professional competencies required by labor markets.

The final (skills) assessments are set to begin on Monday, June 8, 2026. Grade evaluations will commence on Saturday, June 13 according to each type’s specifications.

The Ministry confirmed that all written exams for first-round technical diplomas for 2026 will follow a “booklet” system except for certain subjects requiring separate answer sheets aimed at facilitating processes while ensuring transparency and accuracy in examinations and grading.