The UAE government and schools have cancelled the May 2026 International Baccalaureate (IB) examination session for students within the country, citing continuing regional security concerns. The IB Organization has confirmed it will implement an alternative grading approach and provide support measures for affected candidates, while many schools have moved learning online for the short term (source: The National; WhichSchoolAdvisor). This decision follows rapidly changing circumstances in the region and mirrors similar moves reported elsewhere in the Middle East.
For students, the immediate practical consequence is that final subject scores are likely to be derived from a combination of school evidence, internal assessments and teacher-predicted grades rather than in-person exams. WhichSchoolAdvisor and the IB have both emphasised that schools will receive guidance on acceptable evidence and moderation processes. Affected students should immediately contact their school’s IB coordinator or exams officer to request written confirmation of the alternative assessment method, keep copies of Internal Assessments (IAs), coursework, mock exam results and any teacher feedback, and ask for deadlines to submit outstanding work.
The cancellation also has direct implications for university admissions. Applicants to UK, US, European and Jordanian institutions should notify universities of the situation, check whether offers will be honoured based on predicted or awarded grades, and enquire about deferral options if they prefer to sit future sessions. Key application deadlines that students should verify now include: Oxbridge and competitive courses (often mid-October for UCAS early deadlines), UCAS main deadline (usually mid-January), US Early Action/Decision windows (typically Nov 1–15) and US Regular Decision (commonly Jan 1–15). Jordanian applicants must also check Tawjihi equivalency procedures with the Ministry of Education and individual universities — equivalency rules for alternative IB award methods can vary and may require additional documentation.
What students should do now: (1) Ask your school in writing how grades will be awarded and when final marks will be submitted to universities; (2) Preserve all assessment evidence (files, submission receipts, teacher emails); (3) Contact universities where you applied to confirm how they will treat alternative IB results and whether deadlines or requirements change; (4) Consider whether to register for a future IB session (November or next May) if your school and IB permit re-sitting — check registration deadlines immediately with your school; (5) If you are applying to Jordanian public or private universities, contact admissions offices and the Ministry of Education about equivalency steps.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help Jordanian and regional students interpret school communications, prepare documentation for university admissions or equivalency, and advise on whether to accept offers, request deferrals or register for later sittings. For urgent guidance, contact Shatnawi by WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for consultation and step‑by‑step support.