PHNOM PENH, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 117,061 Cambodian applicants on Monday took the national high school graduation exam, which is a prerequisite for the students to pursue their studies at university levels.
The candidates will sit for the test in the subjects of geography, history, biology, foreign language, Khmer literature, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and moral-civic education over the course of two days, according to an Education Ministry's statement.
There are 195 exam centers with 4,716 rooms across the country.
Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron said crib sheets, cell phones, smart phones, and other electronic devices would not be allowed to be taken into exam rooms, and anyone found cheated would be automatically failed.
"There is a change in the behavior of students and teachers, and from one year to another, the exam has proceeded better and better," he told reporters while visiting an exam center in Phnom Penh.
"Today, we do not see any students bring cheat sheets or electronic devices into the exam classes. If compared to five years ago, it was completely different," he said.
According to the minister, the ministry spent about 5 million U.S. dollars to prepare for the examination.
To prevent cheating and bribery during the exam, the ministry has cooperated with the Anti-Corruption Unit to deploy more than 5,000 anti-corruption officials and volunteers at all exam centers.
Dressed in a school uniform -- a white shirt with black skirt, an exam-taker Touch Somonea, 18, said she had brought into the exam room only pens and rulers.
"I think the regulations are good with strict discipline, and cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed to be taken into the classes," she told Xinhua. "I think I will pass the exam. Surely, I can do."
The results of the exam will be announced on Sept. 12 and 13.
Cambodia strengthened high school quality since 2014 through cleaning up cheat and bribery during the Grade 12 high school exam.
In last year's test, 63,668, or 63.84 percent, of the total 99,728 candidates passed the annual exam.
