Thousands of students in the UAE face uncertainty as major international examination boards, including IB, Cambridge, Pearson, and OxfordAQA, have cancelled traditional in-person written exams for the May/June 2026 series. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai is advising families to seek reassurance from schools, drawing parallels to COVID-19 pandemic protocols. Alternative assessment methods, such as portfolios of evidence and utilizing previously achieved results, will be implemented by the boards, with Pearson finalizing arrangements for affected countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon. School leaders are focusing on student well-being and academic integrity, preparing students for both exam continuation and contingency plans to ensure accurate and fair outcomes for university admissions.