The UAE government has cancelled the May sitting of International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for students based in the country and the IB organization has announced an alternative grading arrangement for affected candidates, citing continuing regional security concerns. Reports also indicate that other international exam boards — including Pearson, OxfordAQA and Cambridge — have cancelled or changed exam arrangements in parts of the Middle East. Schools in the UAE are moving back to extended remote learning while exam centres and boards finalise contingency processes.
For students in Jordan and across the region the immediate consequence is uncertainty in documentation used for university admissions: awarded grades, predicted grades and internal assessment records become the primary evidence in place of written exam scripts. Admissions offices in the UK, US, Europe and regional universities have previously accepted awarded/estimated grades when official exams were disrupted, but each institution’s policy and documentation requirements differ — meaning affected applicants must act quickly to avoid missing offers, scholarships or visa timelines.
Practical steps students should take now: first, contact your school’s IB coordinator or exam officer and request written confirmation of any “awarded” or “predicted” grades, plus copies of Internal Assessment (IA) marks and coursework. Second, notify the universities you have applied to (using the admissions portal or email) to confirm whether they will accept the IB’s alternative grading and what additional documentation they require. Third, if you are applying to Jordanian universities or plan to seek equivalency, prepare your records for the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (معادلة الشهادات) — obtain official school statements and secure authenticated copies.
Consider contingency options: many students will be eligible to sit the next available IB session (often November) or retake specific subjects; examine registration windows and fees with your exam centre now. If offers are at risk, explore deferral options with your chosen universities and review scholarship or funding deadlines that may be affected. For pupils registered for Pearson, OxfordAQA or Cambridge exams, contact the school exam centre or the British Council in Jordan to clarify the status of A-levels, IGCSEs or vocational qualifications and to set retake or appeal plans.
Shatnawi For College Admissions And Academic Consultations can help Jordanian students and families navigate these steps: we can liaise with school coordinators, compile documentation for university admissions and for equivalency at وزارة التعليم العالي، ونرشد الطلاب إلى أفضل خيارات إعادة الجلوس أو الإحالة. If you need support writing to universities, preparing appeals, or planning a gap year while waiting for a retake, contact our advisors.
For prompt guidance, message Shatnawi on WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com — document your communications, keep copies of school confirmations, and act quickly to protect offers and scholarship opportunities.