**What happened**
The UAE has cancelled May 2026 International Baccalaureate (IB) final examinations amid continuing regional instability, and the IB organisation has announced an alternative grading system and dedicated student support. Multiple news outlets report the move came as the Middle East conflict affected safe, on-site testing across the country.
**Why this matters for students in Jordan and the region**
Many universities — locally and abroad — base offers on final IB exam results or conditional offers that require those scores. Cancellation and alternative grading mean universities will rely more on predicted grades, internal assessments, coursework and IB moderation data. Applicants from Jordan and neighboring states should expect admissions teams to seek extra documentation or to re-evaluate conditional offers.
**Practical steps students should take now**
- Contact your school’s IB coordinator immediately to obtain predicted grades, internal assessment records, and any IB moderation or teacher-evidence documents. These are now primary evidence for admissions decisions.
- Notify universities where you hold offers (Jordanian, European, UK, US, and other destinations) and ask how they will treat IB alternative grades; request written confirmation of any change to offer conditions.
- If you planned to sit IB for May entry, prepare backup plans: check transfer or deferred entry deadlines, consider alternative pathways (for example, Georgian medical/dental programs that accept varied credentials), and ensure documents are ready for fast submission.
- Preserve all assessment work and electronic records; scanned copies of internal assessments, portfolios and teacher comments can be decisive in appeals or fast-track reviews.
**Options and services to consider**
Students seeking alternative options should review universities and routes that accept predicted or alternative assessments. For students applying domestically through Shatnawi for partner universities: Applied Science Private University offers a 10% registration discount for Shatnawi students, University of Jordan a 20% discount, and Jordan University of Science & Technology a 25% discount — useful if you move to national options. For medical and dental applicants, Georgia (Batumi & Tbilisi) remains a common alternative with WHO/EU-recognised, English-medium programmes (from roughly $4,000/year). Shatnawi for College Admissions & Academic Consultations can help with urgent admissions guidance, scholarship matching, and exam-prep services (IELTS, SAT, IB) to strengthen applications.
**Timing and next steps**
Act quickly: contact your school and chosen universities within days to clarify status and deadlines. If you need document equivalency for transfer or alternative applications, Shatnawi provides equivalency processing (service fee noted in our services). If you are reassessing destinations or need coaching for appeal letters, predicted-grade dossiers, or alternative-entry exams, consult admissions advisors now to avoid missing rolling or fixed deadlines.
For personalised guidance, contact Shatnawi for College Admissions & Academic Consultations in Amman via WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com. We can help verify offers, prepare documentation, and explore alternate university placements and scholarships.