Enhance exam search widget: improve filter handling and parsing in JavaScript

generic/views.py

@@ -6761,11 +6761,19 @@ def exam_search_widget(request):
 
 
     # Apply optional filters from GET params to the per-model queryset
+    # Only include filters that were supplied in GET _and_ where the model
+    # actually exposes the field. This prevents models without a given
+    # attribute from being accidentally excluded when a default filter
+    # value is always sent by the widget JS.
     extra_filters = {}
     for pname in ("archive", "open_access", "exam_mode", "candidates_only"):
         val = _get_bool_param(pname)
-        if val is not None:
-            extra_filters[pname] = val
+        if val is None:
+            continue
+        # Only include the filter if the model defines the field
+        if not _field_exists(model, pname):
+            continue
+        extra_filters[pname] = val
 
     results = []
     logger.error(f"Exam search widget: model={model}, q='{q}', extra_filters={extra_filters}, initial_count={qs.count() if qs is not None else 'N/A'}")