Students Warned Over Fake Exam Paper Scams as State Exams Approach

With the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle exams just weeks away, digital security company ESET Ireland is urging students and parents across the country to be on guard against a growing wave of fake exam paper scams, fraudulent study resources, and malicious links circulating through social media and messaging apps.

More than 140,000 candidates sat the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle papers across Ireland last year, and a similar cohort is preparing for the 2026 exams. ESET Ireland says cybercriminals are actively targeting that audience.

The warning follows a series of confirmed and ongoing exam paper leaks internationally. Cambridge International Education is currently investigating a reported leak of an AS Level Mathematics paper ahead of the June 2026 exam series, following confirmed partial leaks in both 2024 and 2025. In each case, exam material was shared through social media and encrypted messaging platforms before students sat the papers. ESET Ireland says similar tactics are now being used to target Irish students.

George Foley, ESET Ireland, said:

"Exam season creates exactly the kind of pressure cybercriminals exploit. Students are tired, anxious, and looking for last-minute help. That makes fake exam papers, scam study notes, and suspicious download links far more believable than they would be at any other time of year."

He added:

"Even where a so-called leaked paper is completely fake, the risk is still real. Students may be handing over passwords, payment details or personal information, or downloading malware onto a family device."

ESET Ireland is warning students and parents to be cautious of messages or websites claiming to offer leaked Leaving Certificate or Junior Cycle papers, guaranteed exam questions, or insider access. The company is also flagging unofficial Google Drive links, fake study websites requesting card details or account logins, and a growing number of scam AI study tools charging for fraudulent content.

Students should be particularly cautious around unofficial WhatsApp groups, TikTok accounts, Snapchat groups, Discord servers, and Telegram channels claiming to have advance access to exam material.

George Foley said:

"Many of these scams spread quickly because they arrive through platforms young people already use and trust. If one student shares a link into a class WhatsApp group, it can travel across an entire year group within minutes.

This is not just about academic integrity. It is about protecting young people from fraud, malware, and identity theft at a time when they are already under pressure."

ESET Ireland is encouraging parents to have calm, practical conversations with teenagers about online scams during exam season, rather than framing the issue only around cheating or discipline. Students should be reminded they will not be in trouble for flagging a suspicious message with a parent or teacher.

The company's core advice is straightforward: never download exam papers from unofficial links, shared drives, or messaging apps; never pay anyone online claiming to sell leaked papers or guaranteed questions; avoid entering passwords or card details into websites promoted through social media; use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on student accounts; and check information only through official school or State Examinations Commission channels.

George Foley concluded:

"The safest rule is simple. If a message claims to have leaked exam papers or guaranteed questions, treat it as a scam. Do not click, do not pay and do not share it on."

Further information is available at www.eset.com/ie/.