In a significant development, Pearson Edexcel has cancelled in-person GCSE exams across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon for the May/June 2026 series. This decision affects all international GCSE, A-level, and iPLS qualifications, leaving students and schools scrambling for alternatives.
OxfordAQA has also announced the cancellation of its IGCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE for Summer 2026. Similarly, Cambridge International exams have been called off, with schools now required to assess students based on a portfolio of evidence instead of traditional examinations.
The cancellations are a direct response to ongoing disruptions in the region due to geopolitical tensions, which have created uncertainty for students and educators alike. A Pearson spokesperson noted, “Our exam series runs for the longest period, which means we are operating at scale to support learners and schools in this exceptionally difficult situation.”
Schools in the UAE are now preparing for alternative assessment methods if these disruptions continue. OxfordAQA stated, “After consulting closely with the Ministry of Education, schools, and other international exam boards, we have made the decision to cancel OxfordAQA exams in your country.” This collaborative approach highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Cambridge International has confirmed that the portfolio of evidence route will apply to various qualifications, including Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level. Schools will not conduct exams; instead, they are required to submit students’ portfolios for marking and grading.
The International Baccalaureate final exams have also been cancelled in the UAE for May and June 2026, further complicating the academic landscape for students. Specific subjects, including IGCSE English as a Second Language, are among those affected by the cancellations.
As schools adjust to these changes, educators are focused on maintaining a sense of stability. Natalia Svetenok, Principal of Woodlem British School, emphasized, “Our priority is calm, clarity, and continuity.” Meanwhile, Giles Pruett, Executive Principal of Arcadia British School, remarked, “If exams in the UAE are disrupted, we would move to a robust evidence-based evaluation model.”
Uncertainty has been hanging over the exam season at scores of international schools in the Gulf due to geopolitical tensions. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how students will be assessed in place of written exams, leaving many anxious about their academic futures.
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