Double and Triple Papers in One Day: A Growing Concern
Parents, students, and school associations across Pakistan are urgently calling on Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) to revise its current examination schedule, as multiple reports have emerged highlighting the physical and mental exhaustion faced by students during the ongoing session.
Students enrolled in O Level, IGCSE, and A Level programs under the Cambridge system have reported being required to appear in two or even three papers on the same day. While the CAIE system has long been recognized for its academic rigor and international credibility, stakeholders in Pakistan are raising serious concerns about the sustainability and fairness of the current timetabling system.
“We’re paying lacs for these exams. The least Cambridge can do is give students a fair chance by avoiding same-day paper clashes,” said a frustrated parent outside a Karachi exam centre.
This concern resonates across major cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, where students are not only under academic pressure but also dealing with unfavorable exam environments—including heat, traffic delays, and long waiting hours between papers.
The Human Toll: Sore Hands, Burnout, and Anxiety
Reports from multiple schools and academies highlight how students are suffering from sore hands, burnout, and psychological stress due to prolonged writing hours and minimal breaks. Many students have voiced that they are unable to perform at their best due to mental fatigue, especially during the second or third exam of the date
Teachers have also noticed a decline in focus and energy among students who sit for multiple papers in a single day, raising questions about the validity of assessment outcomes under such conditions.
Parents Left Waiting Outside Centers for Hours
The problem doesn’t affect students alone. Parents, too, are being impacted. With centers enforcing strict security and not allowing guardians inside, many parents spend entire days waiting outside in scorching weat
This has prompted school associations and parent-teacher groups to advocate for more student-centric planning and better scheduling transparency.
Demands from Stakeholders: What Needs to Change
Stakeholders are urging Cambridge International to consider the following immediate actions:
- Avoid scheduling more than one major paper per day.
- Ensure adequate break time between exams (minimum 3-4 hours if same-day papers are unavoidable).
- Engage local school associations in the scheduling process.
- Provide advance notifications in case of rescheduled or delayed exams.
- Allow buffer days for recovery or revision between major subjects.
Educational leaders have also suggested that regional scheduling customization could help mitigate such issues. “The current one-size-fits-all global schedule does not work in countries like Pakistan where temperatures, traffic, and other logistics are major factors,” said an administrator at a private academy in Lahore.
Cambridge International’s Response
As of now, Cambridge International has yet to release an official response to the growing complaints. However, internal sources indicate that the organization is “aware of the concerns raised by Pakistan-based stakeholders” and is in talks with regional British Council representatives.
Conclusion: Time for Reform
While Cambridge exams are globally recognized and prestigious, the need for reform in scheduling and logistics is becoming critical in Pakistan. With students’ mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being at stake, parents and educators alike are urging CAIE to act swiftly.
A balanced, student-friendly approach to scheduling could not only improve academic outcomes but also reinforce Cambridge’s reputation as a responsible and empathetic global education provider.