The 2026 Cambridge School Certificate (SC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations have commenced in Mauritius and Rodrigues, with over 21,000 candidates participating. The examinations, which began on September 17, will run for nearly two months. According to the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES), 8,235 candidates are registered for the HSC and 13,500 for the SC. The examinations involve a complex logistical operation, with question papers prepared by Cambridge, shipped under strict security, and distributed to school centres by the MES.
The examination process involves a tightly controlled logistical chain, from securing question papers to seating candidates and enforcing examination protocols. All written papers are prepared by Cambridge, while practical examinations, such as Food Studies, Art and Design, and various science and technical subjects, are processed locally by trained teachers. Recent measures have been implemented to tighten security, including restrictions on electronic devices and a ban on watches, following malpractice cases recorded during the 2025 sessions.
The examinations are a significant stress test of a school's governance capacity, requiring leadership, organisation, and resilience. Rectors must administer international examinations with zero procedural error while ensuring internal assessments without disruption. They must coordinate with MES supervisors to provide secure storage of papers and convert classrooms into examination venues, while ensuring discipline among candidates.
The stakes are high for candidates sitting in examination halls, with the Cambridge SC and HSC sessions representing a crucial milestone in their academic journey. At SC level, results determine whether students can progress to Grade 12 and continue towards the HSC, or consider alternative academic, technical, or vocational pathways. The criteria for progression have evolved, with students now eligible for Grade 12 with a minimum of three credits instead of five.
For HSC candidates, the examinations shape access to higher education in Mauritius and abroad, while determining eligibility for State Scholarships and Laureate status. The broad curriculum is reflected in a timetable covering multiple subjects, including European and Asian languages. The Kreol Morisien (KM) subject, introduced at SC level in 2023, has expanded to AS Level and reached A Level status in 2026, with first examinations scheduled for 2027.
As the examinations continue, families are offering a parallel support system, organising transport, ensuring timetables are correct, and helping maintain healthy routines. Students have shifted to individual study schedules, past papers, and final reviews, with revision leave having replaced their daily routine. The examination hall is only the visible end point of months of preparation.
The MES and schools are working together to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations, with Quality Assurance teams adding further scrutiny. The presence of invigilators and supervisors is ensuring that the examinations are conducted in a fair and secure environment. With the examinations nearing completion, candidates will soon be able to look forward to their results and the next stage of their academic journey.
Key points
- Over 21,000 candidates are participating in the Cambridge SC and HSC examinations in Mauritius and Rodrigues.
- The examinations involve a complex logistical operation, with question papers prepared by Cambridge and distributed by the MES.
- The stakes are high for candidates, with results determining access to higher education and eligibility for State Scholarships and Laureate status.
