Strict ministry guidelines for UAE students starting final exams this week

Al Etihad

3 hours ago

8 June 2025 23:53
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)With Eid Al-Adha celebrations now over, students across the UAE are set to put their knowledge to the test during the upcoming final exam session from June 10 until June 19. Targeting Grade 3-12 students, the centralised end-of-term assessments for the Academic Year 2024-2025 will be held at all public and private schools that follow the standard national curriculum issued by the Ministry of Education.According to the ministry, the final assessment results will be announced between June 30 and July 2, coinciding with the start of the summer break. Students who do not achieve passing grades will be eligible for a resit session from July 4 to 10, the results of which will be announced on July 14.
Exam Guidelines The Ministry of Education has put forth a set of legally binding guidelines to ensure the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the exam process, urging students, parents and educators to abide by its instructions and directives.According to the guidelines, the exams for Grade 3 and 4 students will be paper-based, with mandatory in-person attendance at designated test venues. Grade 5-12 students will undergo both electronic and paper-based exams, depending on the subject and academic track, with physical attendance also required.Students are required to bring their personal laptops to complete the electronic portion of the exam. If a student doesn't have their own device or faces technical difficulties during the assessment, they can either complete their exams using school-provided devices (if available) or request an offline option.While remote exams are generally not allowed, the ministry listed a series of exemptions, all of which have to be approved by the school administration prior to the assessment day. This includes people of determination who cannot sit for the exam physically; students who are receiving medical treatment outside or inside the country; students who are outside the country with a justified reason; and students in juvenile detention.The Ministry of Education has made it clear that teachers are not permitted to read central exam questions aloud to students, with the exception of those in Grade 3. In these instances, teachers may read the questions verbatim but are strictly prohibited from offering any explanation or hints to maintain fairness and ensure exam integrity.
Exam Schedule Grade 12 students in the General, Advanced, and Elite streams will kick off their exams with Physics on June 10. English follows on June 11, then Islamic Education on June 12, Chemistry on June 13, Mathematics on June 16, Arabic on June 17, Social Studies on June 18, and Biology on June 19. Meanwhile, students in the Applied stream will start with Applied Science on June 10 and wrap up with Social Studies on June 18. For students in Grades 3 to 9, Science will be the first subject on their schedule, while Grade 9-11 students in the Advanced stream will begin with Physics.The Grade 12 English exam will take place electronically in a timed writing format on a secure platform. Chemistry exams come with additional resources: students in the General and Advanced streams will be provided with printed periodic tables, while those in the Elite stream will access a digital version through the SwiftAssess platform.Students are expected to arrive at the designated test venues at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam to collect their entry cards. Those who arrive more than 15 minutes late will be barred from entering the examination hall.Public schools across the Emirates have also reminded parents to follow dismissal rules during the end-of-year exams, requiring students who leave in private vehicles to carry an official exit permit each day.Parents need to print and sign the pre-approved permit form provided by the school and attach a recent passport photo of their child. Without this permit, students may face delays or be unable to leave the premises.
Cheating and Disciplinary Measures Cheating in any form, whether through digital tools, social media, unauthorised materials, or traditional methods, is strictly prohibited under the Ministry of Education's latest examination guidelines. Any attempt to leak exam questions, use unauthorised devices, or communicate during exams is considered a serious violation. These rules apply not only to students but also to school staff and anyone else involved in breaching exam protocol.The consequences for students start with behavioural score deductions and may escalate to a zero grade in one or more subjects for repeated offences. In more serious cases, students may be referred to behavioural assessment programmes, and schools may summon parents or guardians for formal discussions. Examination staff found violating regulations face disciplinary actions ranging from official warnings and pay deductions to dismissal or referral to legal authorities.The ministry has also issued strict warnings against bringing electronic devices into exam halls, sharing information via social media, or using signals or gestures to communicate with peers. The use of printed or digital cheat materials is explicitly banned.To support enforcement, the ministry has urged students, staff, and parents to report violations through dedicated official channels, including a toll-free number, e-mail address, and an online reporting link.These measures are reinforced by Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2023, which outlines legal penalties for individuals other than students who tamper with exams or assist in cheating. Offenders may face fines of up to Dh200,000, potential closure of involved businesses, confiscation of equipment, and even court-ordered community service. The law also requires all educational institutions to implement strict conduct regulations and disciplinary frameworks, with clear procedures for investigations and appeals.
Resits and Appeals For Grades 3-11, all final scores are entered into the gradebook out of 100, while Grade 12 results are presented in letter grades and percentages. Subjects are divided into two groups - A (core subjects) and B (non-core). For Group A subjects, students must achieve at least 60 marks to achieve a passing grade, while Group B subjects are not included in the student's final total.Students who do not meet the pass mark in any Group A subject are eligible for a resit exam, which covers only core subjects. For Grade 12, this includes Arabic, Islamic Education, Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.Only one resit attempt is allowed, and failure to pass results in repeating the academic year. Students may also submit grade review requests for up to three Group A subjects, but only for the paper-based portion of the final exam.Resit scores are also marked out of 100, but final results are capped — 50 for Grade 4 and Cycle 2 students, and 60 for Cycle 3 — so that students with strong year-round performance maintain a distinction. The capped score becomes the student's final annual score in that subject.
Exam Preparation Guidelines for Schools The Ministry of Education has instructed public schools to implement a comprehensive, five-stage plan to prepare for end-of-term examinations for the 2024–2025 academic year.The plan calls for comfortable and properly equipped exam rooms with good lighting, working air conditioning, and seating that gives students enough privacy. There's also a strong focus on offering psychological support, especially for students of determination and those dealing with anxiety. In terms of logistics, the process includes downloading exam papers from central platforms, checking that technical systems and student data are accurate, and training teachers in electronic invigilation and marking. Schools are also expected to have contingency plans ready in case any technical issues or unexpected problems come up.
To keep everything running smoothly, each school is forming specialist teams to handle different aspects of the exams. These include technical support staff, data handlers, exam coordinators, committee supervisors, and safety officers. Separate teams will also manage the printing and verification of papers for exceptional cases.