IB exams have been cancelled for UAE students, with results now awarded through a non-exam route – here’s what it means for families
In a major development for families across the UAE, Grade 12 students will not sit IB examinations for the May 2026 session.
Instead, students will receive their results through what the International Baccalaureate calls the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM), a system designed for exceptional circumstances when exams cannot take place.
This follows ongoing disruption across the region and comes alongside the extension of distance learning in UAE schools until mid-April.
What is the NECM, and why it matters
The Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) is not new.
It is a formal IB process used when students are unable to sit exams, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under NECM, final grades are not based on written exams, but instead on a combination of:
- Internal assessments (coursework)
- Teacher-predicted grades
- School-submitted evidence
- IB moderation and statistical standardisation
The aim is to ensure that results remain fair, consistent and globally comparable, even without final exams.
Why has this decision been taken?
The IB has stated it is continuing to monitor disruption across the Middle East and has already introduced a range of support measures for affected schools.
These include:
- Coursework deadline extensions (from 15 March to 15 April)
- Access arrangements for affected students
- Options to defer or transfer exam sessions
These measures apply across the region, including the UAE.
The move to NECM reflects the IB’s wider responsibility to ensure student safety, wellbeing and fairness.
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What this means for your child
For students, this is a significant shift, but not an unfamiliar one.
The IB used the same approach during the pandemic, allowing students worldwide to progress to university using calculated grades.
Key points for parents:
- Your child will still receive a full IB Diploma result
- Universities recognise NECM-based grades
- Coursework and internal assessments now carry greater weight
- Schools will play a central role in evidence submission
A system designed for exactly this
For many students (and parents), this might feel like a shock.
After months, even years, of preparation, the sudden removal of final exams can feel unsettling, frustrating, and, for some, deeply disappointing.
But it is important to understand that all is not lost.
The IB’s Non-Exam Contingency Measure exists precisely for moments like this. It is a structured, well-established process designed to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control, while maintaining the integrity of IB results globally.
Grades will still be awarded. Universities will still recognise them. And students will still be able to move forward.
This is a safety net built into the system, activated to protect students when it matters most.
What parents should do now
This is a moment where clarity and communication matter most.
- Stay in close contact with your school
- Understand how your child’s internal assessments will be used
- Attend school briefings or webinars where possible
- Reassure your child that the system is structured and recognised
A final word
This is a fast-moving situation, and families will understandably have questions.
At the time of writing:
- IB exams in the UAE will not take place
- Results will be awarded through the NECM
- Further details are expected from schools and the IB
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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