**UAE cancels IB exams for May 2026 as organisers move to alternative grading.** Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have cancelled May 2026 International Baccalaureate (IB) final exams amid regional instability, and the IB Organisation (IBO) has announced an alternative grading arrangement and student support measures, according to reports from The Times of India and other outlets. The IBO said it will work with schools to award grades using available internal assessment data and other evidence rather than administering the written examinations in the UAE.
This development mainly affects students who study in UAE schools — including many Jordanian expatriates and regional families — but it also has knock-on effects for IB candidates across the Middle East who face uncertainty about assessment and university admissions. Historically, the IB has relied on a combination of internal assessment, coursework, teacher-predicted grades and statistical moderation during exceptional cancellations; students should expect a similar evidence-based approach but watch for official IB guidance detailing exactly which records and timelines will be used.
What should students do now? First, request written confirmation from your school of any predicted grades, internal assessment marks (IAs), extended essay and TOK substantiation, and teacher comments. Make digital copies of your coursework, assessment rubrics, and any school reports. Contact university admissions offices (local and international) immediately to inform them of the situation and to ask whether offers conditioned on final IB scores will be adjusted or honoured based on alternative grades. For students applying through systems with fixed deadlines — for example Common App, UCAS, or local Jordanian admissions cycles — confirm whether you need to submit additional documentation or apply for deadline extensions.
Jordan-specific implications: students who plan to use IB results for admission to Jordanian public universities or for Tawjihi equivalency should contact the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research or their university admissions offices to confirm documentary requirements. Private universities in Jordan and regional institutions (e.g., AUB, UoJ, JUST) have already shown flexibility in past disruptions, but policies vary. Scholarship applicants must also check with sponsors on whether alternative grades will be accepted or whether additional interviews or assessments will be required.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help candidates compile evidence packages, communicate with schools and universities, and prepare appeal cases if provisional grades do not reflect expected performance. We can also advise on deferral, gap-year planning, and alternative admission routes if final grades are delayed or lower than needed.
For immediate assistance or to review your documentation and next steps, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for guidance tailored to Jordanian and regional students. Stay alert for official IB updates and school notifications over the coming days; act quickly to secure written records and communicate with prospective universities.