**What happened and why it matters**
The UAE has cancelled the May 2026 IB examinations for students in the country, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IB) has announced an alternative grading arrangement for affected candidates. Reports link the cancellations to ongoing regional security tensions; the IB and UAE schools say this step is to protect student safety and ensure fairness in awarding credentials.
**How students in Jordan and the region are affected**
Although the cancellation directly affects students sitting exams in UAE schools, the consequences extend across the region. Universities in the UK, US, Canada and regional institutions routinely use IB final grades for admissions and scholarships. An alternative grade profile — likely based on teacher predictions, internal assessments (IAs), coursework and historical school data — can change final scores, scholarship eligibility, and conditional offers. Students from Jordan who study in UAE schools, or who planned to sit elsewhere but rely on comparative rankings, should prepare for adjustments in offer outcomes.
**Practical steps students should take now**
1. Contact your school’s IB coordinator immediately to request: official predicted grades, internal assessment marks, and a copy of any school-submitted evidence used for the IB’s alternative grades.
2. Verify the status of conditional offers with every university and scholarship body you applied to — do not assume offers remain unchanged. Ask admissions offices what evidence they will accept (predicted grades, school reports, IA marks, or alternative exams).
3. Consider registering for the November 2026 IB session or preparing alternate credentials (SAT/ACT or subject tests) as backup; check deadlines now, because registration windows can close months before exams.
**Deadlines and appeals**
The IB will publish processes and timelines for appeals and for the final release of grades; schools typically receive guidance first and then inform students. Keep an eye on official IB communications and your school’s notices. If you disagree with an awarded grade, ask your school about the internal review and IB appeals timelines — these are time-sensitive.
**How Shatnawi can help**
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations (شطناوي للخدمات الجامعية والاستشارات الاكاديمية) can help Jordanian students interpret alternative IB grades, contact universities, and present additional evidence to admissions offices. Our advisers can also support contingency planning: registering for November exams, scheduling SAT/ACT tests, or preparing supplementary documents for scholarship panels.
For guidance, contact Shatnawi on WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for one-on-one support and up-to-date checklists tailored to your applications.