Tengrinews.kz — University applicants in Kazakhstan continue to display remarkable ingenuity in their attempts to smuggle cheat sheets and prohibited items into the Unified National Testing (UNT). Nauzhan Didarbekova, Deputy Director of the National Testing Center, shared some of the most unusual incidents.
According to her, specialists encounter new stratagems from graduates every year.
"Every year brings a new wave of applicants and, so to speak, new approaches to smuggling prohibited items. This year, one such instance involved an attempt to bring in smart glasses," Didarbekova stated during a Central Communications Service briefing.
Inspectors also noted a peculiar case involving footwear.
"There was a recorded case where a petite girl arrived wearing size 43 shoes, in which a smartphone was hidden," said the deputy head of the National Testing Center.
Beyond oversized shoes and high-tech eyewear, graduates have tried using more "classic" hiding spots.
For instance, one female test-taker tried to hide a mobile phone in her hair tie, while another applicant attempted to smuggle a paper cheat sheet in a similar fashion.
The National Testing Center reminded candidates that the use of any concealed gadgets or paper materials is strictly prohibited. Those who violate academic integrity rules are barred from the exam, and their results are annulled.
In total, 715 rule violations were identified during the seven weeks of the main UNT-2026. Hundreds of applicants were disqualified from taking the test or had their scores invalidated.