The US-Israel-Iran conflict has forced cancellations of key school exams across the country
The ongoing geopolitical tensions as a result of the US-Israel-Iran conflict have forced several high-stakes international and Indian curriculum examinations in the UAE to be cancelled.
Schools and boards across the region have had to adapt quickly, prioritizing student safety while ensuring continuity in academic progress.
These decisions affect a wide spectrum of curricula, including UK-based IGCSEs and A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, and Indian boards such as CBSE and CISCE.
For many students, these exams are pivotal for university admissions and scholarship opportunities, and the cancellations have triggered alternative assessment measures.
Almost all boards are adopting non-exam routes, leveraging teacher assessments, school-based evaluations, and portfolio submissions to certify students’ learning and progress. The situation is unprecedented, and schools are working closely with examination authorities to implement these contingency plans.
Balancing fairness with safety amid ongoing regional uncertainties, here’s a breakdown of how this approach varies by board and curriculum:
Status: Summer 2026 IGCSE and International A-Level exams in the UAE have been cancelled.
Assessment Method: Schools will work with OxfordAQA to submit portfolios of students’ work. These portfolios will be used for marking and grading, ensuring students receive certification for their efforts without sitting formal exams.
Will students lose a year due to these cancellations?
No, the portfolio assessment allows students to progress academically while receiving formal certification.
Who determines the final grades?
OxfordAQA examiners will assess the ‘evidence of student performance’ in line with standard grading criteria, with more details emerging.
Are there alternative exams later in the year?
Currently, no make-up exams are planned; the portfolio of evidence replaces the exams for Summer 2026.
Status: Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge AS & A Level, and Cambridge IPQ exams in the UAE will not be conducted in June 2026.
Assessment Method: The board will implement a portfolio of evidence route. Schools will compile students’ coursework and internal assessments for submission. Cambridge will then grade students based on these portfolios, eliminating the need for formal examinations. Further details will be communicated to schools in due course.
What is included in the portfolio?
Each portfolio will consist of three substantial pieces of evidence per subject, which schools will be submitted to Cambridge International Education for external marking and grading.
Will this affect university applications?
Students will receive official Cambridge certification, which is recognized by universities worldwide, ensuring smooth admissions.
Status: All May 2026 IB final examinations in the UAE have been cancelled due to safety concerns.
Assessment Method: The IB will use the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM), relying on externally assessed coursework, teacher-predicted grades, and other internal performance metrics. The IB organization will oversee moderation to maintain quality and fairness.
What does NECM involve?
NECM evaluates students using coursework, projects, and teacher predictions instead of traditional exams.
Are grades still internationally valid?
Yes, the NECM follows IB quality standards, ensuring results are recognized globally.
Will there be support for students and schools?
IB will provide guidance to schools and local IB associations to ensure smooth implementation of NECM. In addition, the IB is directly communicating with higher education institutions to ensure that results are clearly understood and recognised.
Status: CISCE has cancelled Class 10 (ICSE) and Class 12 (ISC) examinations in the UAE, originally postponed from March to April 2026.
Assessment Method: Students’ results will be determined through an alternative assessment mechanism. Candidates dissatisfied with their results may appear for a Year 2026 improvement examination.
What is the alternative assessment system?
Grades will be determined based on internal school performance, previous tests, and project work, with final results declared by the Council.
Can students request a re-exam?
Yes, candidates unsatisfied with their marks will have the opportunity to appear for a 2026 Improvement Examination after the results are declared.
Are the results valid for higher education applications?
Yes, CISCE certification will be recognized by universities and institutions as usual.
Status: CBSE board examinations for Grade 12 in UAE were cancelled mid-way due to ongoing regional conflict. Class 10 exams in parts of the Middle East were also cancelled.
Assessment Method: CBSE will combine available board exam scores with school-based internal assessments. For subjects not attempted, schools will submit class test, pre-board, and internal assessment data. For students who did not sit any exam, results will be entirely school-based. High-performing internal assessments will be prioritized for subjects with higher theory weightings.
How will grades be determined for incomplete exams?
For Grade 12, the board said that for higher-weightage subjects (80 or 70 marks), the best scores from quarterly, half-yearly, or pre-board exams would be used, while for lower-weightage subjects (60, 50, or 30 marks), final or earlier pre-board scores would apply. It added that practical and internal marks would remain unchanged, with the usual theory–practical ratios maintained.
What happens to students who missed all exams?
Their results will be fully based on school performance, following CBSE guidelines.
Will this affect university admissions?
CBSE-certified results are valid for university admissions, and the board’s alternative assessment measures ensure fairness.
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