The UAE has announced the cancellation of the May 2026 International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations and said an alternative grading system will be used for affected candidates, after authorities extended remote learning amid regional security and operational concerns. The IB organization has publicly reassured students and said it will work with schools to implement robust, fair assessment processes and offer student support ahead of the results release.
For students in the UAE — and for IB candidates in neighbouring countries who may be directly affected by transfers, retakes, or application comparisons — the immediate impact is on final grades, university offers and timelines. Universities typically expect either exam scripts or an IB-issued predicted/final grade. With exams cancelled, schools and the IB will rely on teacher assessments, coursework (internal assessments), mock exam data and centrally moderated moderation to produce final grades. That means students should secure documented evidence of internal assessments, mock scores, teacher predictions and any correspondence from their school or the IB.
What students should do now: first, check official communications from your school and the IB Candidate Portal frequently. Ask your school for a written statement explaining the alternative grading method they will use and request formal documentation of teacher predicted grades and internal assessment marks. Second, contact any universities that have offered you a place — or to which you have applied — and explain the situation; request confirmation of whether your offer is conditional on exam results or can be honoured with alternative evidence. Third, prepare contingency plans: investigate November 2026 IB session dates, retake logistics, or deferral policies at your target universities.
Students in Jordan should also contact the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the equivalency department to clarify how alternative IB grades will be treated for national admissions and scholarship calculations. If you applied to universities that require fast verification (UK UCAS, US Common App, Australia, etc.), notify admissions offices immediately — many institutions introduced flexible policies during recent disruptions and may accept alternative evidence or allow deferrals.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help students collect and present the documentation universities require, liaise with admissions offices, and prepare backup plans — from retake registration to arranging translations and equivalency documents for Jordanian institutions. The IB has said it will publish timelines and appeals/review procedures; students should keep records of all school communications to support any future review.
For personalised guidance and fast support, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com. Our advisers can review your offers, help request deferrals, prepare supporting evidence for admissions teams, and guide you through equivalency and retake options.