Student arrested for using AI to cheat on Istanbul university entrance exam
A 20-year-old student brought a mobile phone into the AYT (university entrance exam) test session in Istanbul on 21 June 2026, photographed exam questions, and attempted to use an AI application to find answers. Invigilators detected the attempt, confiscated the phone, and the student was arrested and remanded in custody.
What happened
On 21 June 2026, during the AYT (Alan Yeterlilik Testi/Field Proficiency Test) session of Turkey's university entrance exam in Istanbul's Çekmeköy district, 20-year-old Mustafa Eren K. brought a mobile phone into the exam hall concealed in his shorts. He photographed pages 37 and 39 of the science section exam paper and attempted to use a ChatGPT AI application to find answers to the questions.
Invigilators detected the attempt and confiscated the phone as the student exited the exam hall. According to his statement to police, the student said he brought the phone because he had nowhere to leave it, and the idea to photograph questions and search for answers using the AI application came to him suddenly during the exam.
Reported impact
The student was taken into custody and charged under laws relating to the organization and duties of ÖSYM (the measurement and selection agency). He was remanded in custody by the court.
Governance controls
Exam invigilators detected the use of the phone and removed the student before answers could be submitted or the exam compromised.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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