The Rise of Cheating and Exam Violations
A direct and unfortunate consequence of tying high school GPA definitively to university admissions has been a surge in cheating and academic dishonesty. The final exams in Iranian schools — which contribute significantly to GPA — have become rife with malpractice. In 1402 AH, the Deputy Minister of Secondary Education reported 2,806 documented cases of cheating in high school final exams, including:
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1,672 cases of direct cheating
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359 cases involving cheating devices
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13 cases of unauthorized question disclosure
Such figures highlight systemic vulnerabilities within the Iranian education system. The increase in academic dishonesty is not only a breach of educational integrity but also threatens the credibility of both school diplomas and the national entrance exam.
Institutional Concerns and Official Warnings
The Center for Strategic Studies of the Presidential Institution released a critical report on July 25, 1402, identifying seven major objections to the definitive impact of GPA on the Konkor. Among these concerns, the most alarming was the increased incentive for cheating in school final exams — a phenomenon that, if left unchecked, could undermine the entire higher education admission process in Iran.
Despite repeated expert warnings and strong opposition from various sectors of society, the policy has remained in place, further fueling dissatisfaction among students and educators.