UAE students receive A-level results following exam cancellations

Students in the United Arab Emirates have received their 2026 A-level results following an unprecedented examination cycle. Due to safety concerns stemming from the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, major British exam boards including Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, and OxfordAQA cancelled all in-person IGCSE and A-level written examinations for the May/June 2026 series.

In place of traditional exams, students were assessed via a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) system. This method utilized a collection of coursework, internal assessments, and academic work gathered throughout the year to determine final grades. While some educators have praised the PoE process as a robust and fair alternative that reflects demonstrated performance, some parents have expressed dissatisfaction on social media, describing certain grades as “shocking” or “unjustifiably strict.”

The exam cancellations were not limited to the UAE; Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA also suspended examinations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon. At institutions such as GEMS Wellington Academy, schools reported high pass rates despite the unusual assessment circumstances.