Answered by Mufti Yusuf Mullan
In a exam someone I know used past exam papers to help them revise, which were handed down to them from family members in higher years. These papers are normally not given to students because sometimes they are used again. And that’s what happened! The same exam paper was given to them. Would this be classed as cheating?
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. May his abundant blessings be showered on his beloved prophet, the best of creation.
No, this will not be classed as cheating, for revising past exam papers is a standard method of preparation. There is nothing wrong with this. However, reusing past papers without any changes does go against established practice. The administration of the school should have avoided this.
And Allah knows best.
Yusuf