The high school thanaweya amma exams began on Saturday, MENA reported, with 615,348 students taking part.

According to the state-run agency, the first exam, the Arabic language test, went “smoothly,” without any disturbances.

Students in their final school year are taking the exams, which cover a range of subjects, at 1,817 examination centres nationwide.

According to education ministry officials, a number of attempts to cheat using mobile phones were detected in several governorates, with necessary legal measures being taken after the students were identified.

Egypt has been trying to tackle online leaks of exam papers in recent years, toughening the penalties for cheating and other violations, including publishing exam papers and having mobile phones or other devices in examination rooms.

Test scores determine which university students will be able to study at, and which subject.