There is no evidence of extensive fraud in the recent medical entrance exam, and a re-examination will not be necessary, according to Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA).
Concerns over potential cheating through the use of ChatGPT sparked a wave of controversy in recent weeks. Legal challenges were launched, the chair of the examination committee resigned, and Minister Demir promptly initiated an investigation into the allegations.
A report on the findings, published today (Wednesday), concludes that data analyses conducted by external partners show “no indications of widespread fraud,” according to the examination committee.
However, the report does not specify how many individual cases of possible fraud were detected. “The next step is to provide the examination committee with a detailed description of the observed patterns and to identify participants whose behaviours raise suspicions,” it states.
In addition to data analyses, investigators also performed random checks on the laptops used during the exam. These checks reportedly found that “very little usable data remained on the devices at the examination sites, and whatever data was retrieved was highly fragmented.”
Minister Demir affirmed that while some candidates were caught cheating, the scale of the problem does not warrant organising a new exam. “The fact that fraud was possible is shameful,” she said, reiterating her commitment to overhauling the current examination system.
Candidates identified as acting dishonestly will be summoned to appear before the examination committee, which will determine whether they should be formally excluded from the process, Demir added.
As for candidates who narrowly missed admission due to the detected fraud, their cases will be reassessed. The examination committee is expected to decide soon how these individuals will be accommodated, ensuring they can still begin their studies.
