Exam boards including Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel have cancelled some scheduled exam sittings in the United Arab Emirates and will use alternative grading procedures for affected cohorts, according to regional reporting from Khaleej Times, The Times of India and others. The move follows local disruptions and logistical challenges and has prompted UAE regulators and schools to publish guidance for students. Cambridge International has also published its 2026 results-day guidance, which students should review to understand timing and access to results.
This development matters to students in Jordan and the wider Middle East because many apply to universities abroad on Cambridge, Edexcel or IGCSE/A‑Level grades. Universities and admissions systems often accept teacher-predicted grades, moderated centre-assessed grades, or the official certificated marks that exam boards issue in lieu of a sitting. Students whose exams were cancelled need written confirmation from their school about which grading route will be used and how the grade was calculated, since this affects appeals, verification and transcript requests.
Practical steps students should take now: (1) Contact your school or exam centre immediately to get written confirmation of the cancellation and the grading method; (2) Log in to your exam-board portals (Cambridge/Edexcel) and check the results release dates and appeals windows for 2026; (3) If you have university deadlines (domestic or international), inform admissions offices about the situation and ask whether they will accept provisional/predicted grades or a centre statement; (4) Consider registering for the next available exam series or an alternative testing centre if you need a certified sitting for scholarship or visa purposes.
Deadlines matter. Exam boards normally publish specific appeals and administrative review windows within days or weeks of results release — missing those windows can limit your right to an appeal. Likewise, UCAS, US colleges and many Gulf universities have firm documentation deadlines; submit communications from your school and the exam board to admissions offices to avoid conditional-offer withdrawals. If you plan to resit, start arranging registration now because test centres and seats can fill quickly.
Schools and regulators in the UAE — including KHDA in Dubai — have said they will support affected students with counselling and alternative arrangements. For students in Jordan, Shatnawi For College Admissions And Academic Consultations can help you collect required documentation, liaise with exam centres, and prepare university communications or appeal submissions. Our advisers can also evaluate whether a resit or acceptance of moderated grades is the best route for your specific application timeline.
If you need personalised guidance, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com. Keep all official emails and letters, note key dates from your school and the exam board, and act quickly to protect your university plans.