Exams are happening, your child is protected, and the safety net is stronger than you think. Here’s what every UAE family needs to know
It has been an unsettling few weeks. An early Spring break, a shift to remote learning, and now confirmation that Term 3 will begin online from 23 March, with a return to classrooms expected from early April, subject to review.
For families with children in exam years, one question is dominating every conversation:
Are the exams still happening, and will my child be okay?
At the time of writing, yes – exams are still scheduled to go ahead, and there are formal safeguards if serious disruption affects a student.
Exams are still on; key dates for UAE families
At present, GCSE, A-Level and IB exams are scheduled to go ahead as planned.
According to Ofqual, the official UK exam window runs from 7 May to 23 June 2026, with a contingency day set aside.
For UAE families, key timelines include:
- Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level: Late April to June 2026 (varies by subject)
- Pearson Edexcel IGCSE/IAL: Early May to June 2026
- IB Diploma Programme: 24 April – 20 May 2026
- IB results: 6 July 2026
- A-Level results: 13 August 2026
- GCSE results: 20 August 2026
Unless exam boards announce otherwise, schools are expected to continue preparing students for these dates.
What’s changed, and what hasn’t
Some adjustments are already being made to support schools, but importantly, not all exam systems are affected in the same way.
Indian Curriculum – significant changes
- CBSE (India) has issued multiple updates across the Middle East, including cancellations and postponements of board exams. Parents should check directly with their school for the latest confirmed updates
- CISCE (ICSE/ISC) has cancelled all ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) exams for UAE-based students, with results expected to be determined through an alternative assessment method
Cambridge International – minor adjustments
Coursework deadlines for some Middle East schools have been extended by 10 calendar days in response to the disruption caused by the regional situation, while written exam timetables remain unchanged.
British Curriculum & IB – no change
For GCSE, A-Level and IB students, no exams have been cancelled or postponed. Exams are expected to go ahead as scheduled.
What if something goes wrong?
For many parents, the biggest concern is not the timetable but what happens if something goes wrong during exams.
Heather Harries, education consultant and founder of Heather Harries Education Hub, says understanding this framework can help reassure families.
“Parents often assume that if something serious happens during exams, their child will simply lose the opportunity,” says Harries. “In reality, the exam system includes safeguards designed to ensure fairness.”
GCSE & A-Level: The safety net explained
The rules governing GCSE and A-Level exams are set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and applied across exam boards including AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, under the oversight of Ofqual.
Many UAE schools follow Cambridge International or Pearson Edexcel pathways, which operate on the same core principle: students should not be unfairly penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
This is delivered through a formal process known as Special Consideration.
It applies when a student has prepared fully and has completed their course, but is affected at the time of the exam by:
- temporary illness
- bereavement
- domestic crisis arising at the time of assessment
- serious disturbance during the exam itself
In these cases, exam boards may apply a small mark adjustment, typically up to around 5% of the marks for the affected component.
Fairness – not favouritism
This system is carefully controlled.
It is not designed to inflate grades, but to ensure that students are assessed as fairly as possible when unexpected factors affect performance.
As Harries explains: “The precedent for how well these mechanisms can work already exists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, exam boards adapted, provisions were applied at scale, and students progressed.”
“The system, when properly engaged, is designed to protect young people from being penalised for circumstances outside their control.”
Important: What does not count
It is important for parents to understand that in the British curriculum, remote learning, school closures, or general disruption do not qualify for special consideration.
The process applies only to events affecting a student at the time of the exam, not to broader disruptions in teaching.
Parents also cannot apply directly; all requests must go through the school.
If an exam is missed
If a student is unable to sit an exam due to exceptional circumstances, there are still options.
For example:
- Pearson Edexcel International: A mark may be calculated if at least 15% of the qualification has been completed
- Cambridge International: Schools may submit a range of evidence, including coursework, mock exams and internal assessments, to support a grade decision in exceptional cases
In all cases, the school’s exams officer manages the process.
IB Diploma: built-in flexibility for disruption
The IB’s Adverse Circumstances policy supports students affected by serious, unforeseen events in the lead-up to exams, as well as during the assessment period.
The IB has already introduced additional support for schools across the Middle East, including the UAE:
- Coursework deadline extended from 15 March to 15 April 2026 – applied automatically, no action needed
- Students can transfer to another IB World School, defer to a later session, or withdraw with a full refund
- Inclusive Access Arrangements available for students whose learning or performance has been affected
These measures are designed to reduce pressure on students and ensure they can continue their educational pathways despite disruptions.
Students and parents should check directly with their IB school for the specific options available.
If disruption does happen – act fast
If something affects your child during exams, timing matters.
“The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone,” says Harries. “Applications are submitted through the school’s exams officer on the student’s behalf, and there are established processes designed to support students.”
What parents should do:
- Contact the school immediately; the process cannot begin without them
- Ask for the exams officer, as they manage all applications
- Gather evidence quickly; medical or written confirmation may be needed
- Act promptly. Applications are usually submitted within a short window after the exam
- Stay in close communication with the school
The bottom line for parents
The framework governing GCSE, A-Level and IB exams is designed with one goal: to ensure students are not unfairly penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
If your child is in an exam year, the most important step is simple: stay in close contact with your school and act quickly if anything changes.
A final word
The exams are still on.
The system is in place.
And support is available if needed.
Share this with any parent who needs reassurance right now.
*Policy information is drawn from official JCQ Special Consideration guidance, published September 2025.
For further information on Heather Harries, see [email protected]
Follow Yalla for all the latest news
