Polish Matura 2026 faces exam paper leaks and strict phone bans
On 4 May 2026 the Polish high‑school graduation exams (Matura) began with the compulsory Polish language test. Within minutes of the test starting, photographs of portions of the exam sheet appeared on social media. The Centralna Komisja Egzaminacyjna (CKE) labelled the act “exam cheating” and warned that any student found using a communicating device would have the exam invalidated and could be referred to prosecutors. The same day, images of the mathematics paper were also posted online, prompting CKE director Robert Zakrzewski to note that with about 350 000 candidates, isolated incidents may occur but the material remained confidential until 9 a.m.
Polish regulations forbid bringing any telecommunications device—phones, smartwatches, etc.—into the exam room; violation leads to automatic nullification of the subject, especially for mandatory exams. In 2025, 244 Matura exams were annulled, 72 of them for phone use. Schools issued detailed guidance on permitted items and stressed early arrival. Several media pieces quoted students’ reactions, describing stress, expectations about exam content, and personal anecdotes, while a celebrity interview highlighted difficulties with the mathematics portion.
The CKE announced that any suspected breach would be investigated and possibly reported to the prosecutor’s office, underscoring the authority’s commitment to preserving exam integrity.