Students take legal action over exam fraud in Flanders

At least 28 students are taking legal action over alleged fraud regarding the entrance exam for medical studies in Flanders.

Several students suspect other participants of cheating using ChatGPT to answer questions on the medical school entrance exam, which was held in early July in Flanders.

The pass rate was exceptionally high this year, reaching 47%.

Flemish minister for education Zuhal Demir has announced the opening of an investigation, but it is not yet known when this will be completed.

Demir advised "those considering costly legal proceedings to wait a while" and announced that she would have all laptops used during the exam examined for possible AI-related fraud.

But according to lawyer Christophe Vangeel, the 28 students he is representing in the lawsuit do not want to wait for the results of a potentially long investigation led by educational authorities.

They want an independent expert to be appointed to shed light on the issue and hope that this will give them another chance to start their studies to become doctors, vets or dentists.

The university academic year in Flanders begins on 22 September.