Over 21,000 Mauritius Students Begin Cambridge Exams in 2025

The 2025 Cambridge examination season officially kicked off in Mauritius on Thursday, 17 September, with thousands of students beginning what is one of the most significant academic milestones of their lives. In total, more than 21,000 candidates are registered to sit exams running through to 13 November. Of these, 8,235 are sitting the Higher School Certificate (HSC) — the equivalent of A-levels, taken after two years of sixth form — while approximately 13,500 are registered for the School Certificate (SC), the O-level equivalent taken at the end of secondary school. Around 800 of those candidates are based on Rodrigues, Mauritius's semi-autonomous sister island. The first paper on Thursday was Food Studies Planning at the HSC level. The SC examinations begin on Friday, 18 September. Also notable this session: new subsidiary-level papers in Kreol Morisien (Mauritian Creole) at the HSC will be held on 1, 5, and 27 October — a continued step in formalising the island's native language within the academic system. **A Historic and Closely Watched Session** This year's HSC sitting carries unusual significance. For the first time, a cohort of students who were admitted to sixth form (HSC level) with only three or four credits at SC level — rather than the traditional five or more — are sitting their final exams. Education authorities are monitoring this group's performance carefully to assess the impact of the relaxed entry requirement. Officials have also flagged persistent weaknesses in three core subjects: Mathematics, English, and French. In response, the Ministry of Education has stepped up targeted support at around 15 underperforming schools. The Quality Assurance Department — the ministry's school inspection and standards body — has intensified visits since the start of the third school term to assist rectors (headteachers) and heads of department. **Exam Rules to Know** The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES), the official body responsible for organising and administering national and Cambridge examinations in Mauritius, has reminded all candidates that watches, mobile phones, and any electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside examination halls. Students are advised to arrive at their examination centres at least 15 minutes before their scheduled start time. **What This Means** For families and students across Mauritius and Rodrigues, the Cambridge season is a defining period. HSC results largely determine university entry, while SC results shape access to sixth form or vocational pathways. The lowered HSC entry threshold means more students have had the chance to reach this stage — but it also puts pressure on schools and the education system to deliver results for a broader range of learners. How this cohort performs may influence future admissions policy. Source: ION News