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UAE ministry lists 7 valid exam absence reasons: What every parent should know
Students must submit valid excuses within two working days to avoid being marked absent without justification (Representational Image)
With final exams for the 2024–2025 academic year currently underway across UAE public and private schools following the national curriculum, the Ministry of Education has outlined seven officially recognized reasons that allow students to miss exams without penalty.
The exams, which began on June 10 and will run through June 19, cover grades 3 through 12 and are taking place under a tightened framework of academic discipline, preparedness, and student support.
The Ministry made it clear that any absence from exams must be justified using one of the seven approved reasons listed on an official form issued by the Student Performance Assessment Department. Critically, students must submit the original excuse within two working days of the exam date to the head of the school's exam committee, while also retaining a copy for their own records.
Any delay or failure to submit the documentation will result in the absence being recorded as 'unjustified.
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The Seven Acceptable Reasons for Missing an Exam
According to the Ministry of Education, the following are the only valid grounds for being excused from an exam:
Non-Muslim students may be exempted from
Islamic Education
exams.
Medical reasons, supported by an accredited medical report.
Bereavement
involving a first or second-degree relative.
An official summons by a government authority, provided formal documentation is submitted.
Emergency travel due to unforeseen circumstances.
Unexplained absence, which may be accepted subject to review.
Any other clearly stated reason provided by the student or guardian.
For Grade 12 students, these excuse forms must be sent to the centralised Exam Results and Evaluation Center. For grades 3 to 11, the forms are to be retained within the school. All decisions on whether an excuse is accepted or rejected must be signed off by the head of the evaluation center (for Grade 12) or the school principal (for all lower grades).
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Any failure to meet these requirements or missing the deadline for submission results in the absence being labeled as 'unjustified' in the Ministry's electronic platform, Al Manhal. Such designations can negatively impact the student's final academic results, in line with the UAE Ministry of Education's official regulations.
'These measures aim to uphold discipline and transparency during the examination period, while also considering humanitarian and exceptional circumstances that may prevent students from attending exams as scheduled,' the Ministry stated in its official announcement.
7-Point Directive for Schools: Ensuring Exam-Readiness and Student Well-Being
In parallel with the exams, the Ministry of Education has launched an extensive readiness campaign to ensure that both public and private schools are fully prepared, not only logistically but also in terms of student mental well-being.
As part of this initiative, the School Operations Sector has issued seven directives to all administrative and teaching staff across the country. These aim to foster an academically conducive environment and reduce stress for students during this critical period:
Teachers are asked to model professional behaviour and emotional stability, helping students remain calm under pressure.
Schools are tasked with creating a supportive and orderly exam environment, with access to emotional and psychological care to reinforce student confidence. Exam venues and materials must be fully prepared and verified. Regulations must be enforced strictly but fairly. Educators are reminded to communicate the importance of exams as a part of both academic and character development.
Finally, staff are encouraged to reflect on their core mission: shaping the future of the nation through the delivery of education.
The Ministry emphasized that emotional stability is a key factor in academic success and that the school staff's role extends beyond content delivery, they are essential in cultivating a climate of discipline, motivation, and responsibility.
Motivating Students: Ministry Shares Study and Wellness Tips via Social Media
In addition to procedural guidelines, the Ministry has rolled out a student-focused awareness campaign through its official social media platforms. As part of this effort, a motivational video was shared featuring a high school student offering peers practical advice on how to manage stress and prepare effectively for exams.
The video highlights four strategies to support academic and emotional balance:
Students are encouraged to build flexible yet clear daily study schedules that balance learning with rest. They are advised to reduce distractions such as mobile phones, social media, and television, and to study in quiet spaces. Adequate sleep is emphasized as essential, especially the night before an exam. Finally, students are reminded to engage in activities they enjoy, such as walking, sports, listening to music, or hobbies, to maintain their mental well-being throughout the exam period.
Exam Timeline and Summer Break Dates
As of today, June 13, students across the UAE are midway through their final examinations. Grade 12 students are following three main streams , General, Advanced, and Elite, while an Applied track also runs in parallel.
Grade 12 Exam Schedule:
June 10: Physics
June 11: English
June 12: Islamic Education
June 13: Chemistry (today's paper)
June 16: Mathematics
June 17: Arabic
June 18: Social Studies
June 19: Biology
Applied Track Schedule:
June 10: Applied Sciences
June 11: English
June 12: Islamic Education
June 16: Applied Mathematics
June 17: Arabic
June 18: Social Studies
For Grades 3 through 9, exams began with Science, while students in Grade 9 (Advanced Track) and up to Grade 11 started with Physics.
The Ministry has scheduled the announcement of results between June 30 and July 2. Make-up exams for students with valid excuses will take place from July 4 to 10. Final results will be released on July 14.
The summer break for students officially begins on June 30, while teachers and administrative staff will begin their vacation on July 14, coinciding with the close of the academic calendar.
