If you are looking for the latest IGCSE exams cancelled UAE 2026 confirmation, here is the clearest picture available from UAE media and board communications: for the May/June summer series, major UK awarding bodies have told schools that traditional exam hall sittings will not go ahead for learners in the United Arab Emirates, with alternative assessment routes (such as portfolios of evidence) taking priority instead. This matters for thousands of families preparing for Cambridge International, OxfordAQA and Pearson Edexcel qualifications. Below we summarise what has been reported, which qualifications are affected, and practical steps for students and parents—always alongside your school’s own instructions.

Sources & caveat: Exam boards communicate final rules to schools and exam officers first. This article draws on reporting from Khaleej Times and Gulf News, plus official contingency pages from Cambridge International and Pearson. Treat your centre’s letters as the source of truth for your child.

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UAE exam cancellation news students and parents are seeing

Across early April 2026, UAE outlets reported that schools had received formal notices: summer session assessments for several UK boards would not follow the usual timetable of centre-based written papers for candidates in the UAE. Reasons cited in public reporting include coordination with the UAE Ministry of Education and concern for student and staff safety amid ongoing regional disruption (see Khaleej Times coverage linked above).

What to do immediately: Read every email from your child’s school, note deadlines for evidence submission, and book a meeting if anything is unclear—especially for university applicants who rely on predicted grades or certificated results this series.

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Cambridge exams cancelled UAE: what Cambridge International has outlined

According to Khaleej Times, Cambridge International Education informed schools that Cambridge International Schools in the UAE would follow a portfolio of evidence route for the June 2026 series rather than standard exams. The same reporting states this approach is intended to allow learners to receive certification and continue progression without sitting formal exam papers.

Cambridge’s own Portfolio of Evidence hub for the June 2026 series lists syllabus-level guidance for schools and exam officers (June 2026 portfolio page). Qualifications referenced in public reporting include Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, and the Cambridge International Project Qualification (IPQ)—confirm with your school which entries apply to your child.

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A Level exams cancelled UAE 2026: which qualifications are affected?

The shift for International A Level and related qualifications in the UAE is not limited to one board. Reporting and board statements point to a coordinated change for UK international awarding bodies operating in UAE schools:

Board	What UAE-focused reporting highlights (May/June 2026)
Cambridge International	Portfolio of evidence route for UAE; covers International AS & A Level among other Cambridge qualifications (per Khaleej Times).
OxfordAQA	Email to schools confirming cancellation in the UAE after consultation with the Ministry of Education and other boards (Khaleej Times).
Pearson Edexcel	Cancellation of International GCSE, International A Level and iPLS in the UAE (and certain other countries), with contingency grading to follow (Gulf News).

Other curriculums (for example IB or CBSE) have faced separate announcements; your school will advise if your child sits those programmes instead of UK international qualifications.

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OxfordAQA: IGCSE and International A-Level in the UAE

Khaleej Times quoted an OxfordAQA email to UAE schools: the board cancelled exams after consulting the Ministry of Education, schools, and other international exam boards. The article noted cancellations included IGCSE English as a Second Language and other OxfordAQA-assessed subjects—your centre will list subject-by-subject actions.

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Pearson Edexcel: International GCSE and International A Level

Gulf News reported that Pearson Edexcel confirmed cancellation of International GCSE, International A Level and iPLS examinations in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon for May/June 2026, with Emma Whale, Vice President of International Schools, citing decisions taken with local authorities and other awarding bodies, prioritising safety.

Pearson’s public arrangements page explains contingency principles—including International Contingency Grading and portfolio-style evidence where learners cannot certificate via normal exams (Pearson arrangements). Schools should follow direct centre communications for evidence timelines.

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What “portfolio of evidence” usually means (high level)

While each board publishes its own rules, the pattern described in UAE media is:

• Schools do not run standard exam hall papers for the affected series in the UAE.
• Centres compile substantial evidence of each learner’s performance (for example timed tasks, coursework, internal assessments—exact requirements come from the board).
• External validation still applies so students receive recognised certification where the process is completed correctly.

For Cambridge’s June 2026 portfolio materials, schools use the official subject lists and instructions on Cambridge’s site; Pearson outlines contingency grading and evidence expectations for centres on its support pages.

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Regional scope: not only the UAE

Khaleej Times and Gulf News note that some decisions extend beyond the UAE (for example Pearson also named Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon). If you are considering moving or transferring centres, ask your school about transferred candidate rules and whether sitting in another country is viable—Pearson’s published guidance still treats transfer as the preferred option when safe and possible.

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Practical checklist for families

1. Confirm board and entries – Identify whether your child is entered with Cambridge, OxfordAQA, Pearson Edexcel or another provider.
2. Read school comms in full – Deadlines for evidence often move quickly once contingency starts.
3. Support wellbeing – Uncertainty is stressful; maintain routines and ask pastoral staff for help if anxiety spikes.
4. University and progression – If your child needs certificated results this year, ask the careers counsellor how evidence-based grades will be communicated to universities.
5. Bookmark official hubs – Cambridge news, Pearson Middle East support, and your school portal.

For broader context on how boards handle disruption, you may also find our guides helpful: exam board updates and official channels and exams during regional unrest.

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Frequently asked questions

Are IGCSE exams cancelled in the UAE for the summer 2026 series?

UK international boards named in UAE media—including Cambridge International and OxfordAQA—have communicated cancellations or non-exam routes for the UAE for the May/June session. Your school’s letter is definitive for your child’s entries.

Does the same apply to International A Level as to IGCSE?

Reporting describes a parallel impact on International A Level routes for the affected boards in the UAE for that series. Pearson explicitly includes International A Level alongside International GCSE in its UAE cancellation notice (Gulf News).

What did Cambridge International say to UAE schools?

Khaleej Times reported a circular stating UAE Cambridge schools would use a portfolio of evidence route for June 2026 for qualifications including Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, International AS & A Level and IPQ.

Has Pearson Edexcel cancelled exams in the UAE?

Yes—Gulf News (2 April 2026) reported Pearson’s confirmation that International GCSE, International A Level and iPLS exams are cancelled in the UAE for May/June 2026, with alternative arrangements being finalised.

Will students still get real certificates?

Boards design contingency routes so learners can still certificate when requirements are met. Final details depend on the board and how your school submits evidence.

How many pieces of evidence are required?

Public reporting refers to three substantial pieces per subject in some Cambridge messaging to schools; Pearson’s guidance describes portfolio and past paper style evidence for contingency grading. Your teachers will specify what counts for each subject.

When will results be released?

Exact result days are set by each board once marking is complete. Ask your exams officer for the provisional results calendar for the portfolio or contingency route.

Can my child sit exams in another country instead?

Some boards prioritise transfer to another centre where feasible. This depends on availability, visas, entries and board rules—your school must advise.

What about OxfordAQA English and other subjects?

Khaleej Times noted IGCSE English as a Second Language among subjects affected; other subjects follow OxfordAQA’s subject-specific instructions to centres.

Who orders a cancellation—the board or the UAE Ministry of Education?

Reporting consistently references joint consultation between boards, schools and the UAE Ministry of Education. The legal and operational detail appears in board–school communications rather than public exam timetables alone.

Where can I read official updates?

Use your school first, then: Cambridge International Portfolio of Evidence – June 2026, Pearson arrangements for May/June 2026, and reputable UAE outlets such as Khaleej Times and Gulf News for breaking national context.

My child is anxious—what should we prioritise?

Clear communication with teachers, a stable study routine focused on evidence-ready work, and pastoral support from school. Many UAE schools have publicly emphasised calm, structured updates to families (as quoted in Khaleej Times from school leadership).

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Last reviewed: 3 April 2026. Information reflects media reporting and publicly linked board resources available at that time; policies can change. Always rely on your school and the relevant awarding body for your child’s specific entries.

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