GCSE Exams Cancelled in UAE for May/June 2026 Series

GCSE exams have been cancelled across the UAE for the May/June 2026 series, impacting thousands of students. Pearson Edexcel announced the cancellation of in-person exams not only in the UAE but also in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon.

All international GCSE, A-level, and iPLS qualifications are affected, with Pearson Edexcel stating, “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.” This decision follows similar actions by other examination boards.

OxfordAQA has also cancelled its IGCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE for Summer 2026, confirming that the decision was made after consulting closely with the Ministry of Education and other international exam boards. The cancellations specifically include IGCSE English as a Second Language, along with other subjects assessed by OxfordAQA.

Cambridge International has announced that schools will not conduct exams; instead, they are required to submit students’ portfolios for marking and grading. This portfolio of evidence route will apply to Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, and Cambridge IPQ. A spokesperson for Cambridge stated, “Our priority is calm, clarity, and continuity.”

Additionally, the International Baccalaureate final exams have been cancelled in the UAE for May and June 2026, further complicating the educational landscape.

The cancellation of exams follows ongoing disruptions in the region due to geopolitical tensions, which have created uncertainty for students and schools alike. Schools in the UAE are preparing for alternatives if disruption continues, with Giles Pruett, Executive Principal of Arcadia British School, noting, “If exams in the UAE are disrupted, we would move to a robust evidence-based evaluation model.”

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how students will be assessed in place of written exams, leaving many in the education sector awaiting further guidance.