If you are a parent in the Gulf with a child sitting IGCSE, International A-Level, or IB exams this season, the news you have been dreading is now confirmed: exams are officially cancelled across several Gulf countries. UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Lebanon have confirmed cancellations; Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan are in the IB-affected zone with more announcements expected.

This is not speculation any more. This is the new reality — and the most important thing we can tell you right now is: your child will still receive their qualification.

This guide brings together everything parents need to know about how grades will be awarded, what the COVID-19 precedent tells us, and the practical steps you can take today to protect your child’s results.

Free tool: Use Tutopiya’s Free Portfolio of Evidence Builder to keep evidence organised across subjects and export a CSV/PDF index for your school (mocks, coursework/NEA, class tests, authenticated tasks).

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At a Glance: Confirmed Status Per Exam Board (April 2026)

Exam Board	Exam Status	Alternative Grading Method	Countries Confirmed
Cambridge International	❌ Cancelled	Portfolio of Evidence — mock exams, coursework, class assessments (authenticated by school)	UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon
Pearson Edexcel	❌ Cancelled	Contingency process — mock results + teacher evidence; transfers and deferrals available	UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon
OxfordAQA	❌ Cancelled	Prior component results + school evidence portfolio	UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon
International Baccalaureate (IB)	❌ Cancelled	Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) — internal assessments + predicted grades + statistical modelling	UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon + SA, Qatar, Oman, Jordan (more expected)

More announcements are expected for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan. We will update this guide as news emerges.

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Cambridge International (IGCSE & International A-Level)

What Has Been Confirmed

Cambridge International has officially confirmed that May/June 2026 examinations cannot proceed in UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Lebanon. The board has moved to its Portfolio of Evidence process — a well-established alternative grading mechanism that Cambridge has used before, most notably during COVID-19.

What Is a Portfolio of Evidence?

A Cambridge Portfolio of Evidence is a collection of authenticated school-based work submitted by a student’s school on their behalf. It typically includes:

• Mock examination results — ideally sat under supervised, exam-style conditions
• Coursework — any internally assessed components already submitted or in progress
• Class assessments — tests, assignments, and class work completed over the course, authenticated by teachers
• School authentication — the school certifies the evidence and confirms it represents the student’s genuine performance

Cambridge’s examiners and moderators then use this evidence to award a grade using the same marking criteria applied to formal exams. The process is robust, established, and — crucially — internationally recognised.

What This Means for Your Child

Your child’s school is already compiling evidence. The grade they receive will be based on what they have already achieved — every mock exam, every class test, every piece of coursework. This is exactly why schools have been encouraging students to take mocks seriously, and why continuing to engage with study and assessments right now still matters.

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Pearson Edexcel (International GCSE & International A-Level)

What Has Been Confirmed

Pearson Edexcel has activated its International Contingency process for affected Gulf countries. Exams cannot proceed and Pearson has communicated directly with registered centres to explain the alternative grading pathway.

How the Contingency Process Works

Pearson’s contingency process gathers evidence from schools in lieu of formal examinations:

• Mock exam results — results from mocks sat in exam conditions, ideally with papers marked by teachers according to mark schemes
• Teacher evidence — teacher-assessed grades supported by documented evidence of student performance
• School submission — the registered centre submits all evidence through official Pearson channels

Pearson has also confirmed:

• Transfers: Students who have moved — or can move — to a country where exams are proceeding may be transferred to another centre to sit their exams in person.
• Deferrals: Where transfer is not possible, students may be able to defer their exams to a later session.
• Students and parents should contact their registered centre for details on individual circumstances.

What Parents Should Do

Ask your child’s school whether Pearson has provided specific evidence submission guidance, and confirm whether any mock exam scripts or marked assessments are being kept on file.

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OxfordAQA (International GCSE & International AS/A-Level)

What Has Been Confirmed

OxfordAQA has confirmed exam cancellations for affected Gulf countries and will rely on its evidence portfolio process to award grades.

How OxfordAQA Grades Without Exams

OxfordAQA’s contingency approach draws on:

• Prior component results — any components already completed (coursework, practicals, controlled assessments, earlier examination papers)
• School evidence portfolio — teacher-assessed grades and school-authenticated records of student performance
• Moderation — OxfordAQA reviews school submissions against their standards to ensure consistency

OxfordAQA has used this approach in previous regional disruptions and has established systems for maintaining grade integrity without formal examinations.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

What Has Been Confirmed

The IB has confirmed exam cancellations for UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Lebanon, and is closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan — where more announcements are expected in the coming days.

The IB is applying its Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) — the same approach used globally during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

What Is the IB NECM?

The IB’s Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) determines grades using:

1. Internal Assessments (IAs) — already completed or near-completion work submitted by students as part of their course
2. Predicted grades — school-generated predictions based on each student’s performance over the full two-year programme
3. Statistical modelling — the IB applies sophisticated statistical analysis to ensure consistency and fairness across schools globally

This is the same methodology applied in 2020 when the IB cancelled the May 2020 session worldwide. The grades produced were accepted by universities in every country — including Oxbridge, the Ivy League, and top universities across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Asia.

For TOK, Extended Essay, and CAS

Internal components such as the Theory of Knowledge essay, Extended Essay, and CAS records remain important. Students who have not yet submitted these should continue to do so, as they contribute to the assessed evidence portfolio.

Options for IB Students

The IB continues to offer:

• Transfer — registration transfer to an IB World School in a country where exams are proceeding
• Deferral — postponement of the session at no additional cost
• Withdrawal — full refund for the May 2026 session

Contact your school’s IB coordinator for guidance specific to your child’s situation.

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The COVID-19 Precedent: This Has Worked Before

The single most reassuring fact for Gulf families right now is that we have been here before — and it worked.

In 2020, exam boards cancelled examinations worldwide. Every major board deployed alternative grading systems. Here is what happened:

How Grades Were Awarded in 2020

Cambridge International (2020): Cambridge awarded grades based on school-provided evidence across its entire global candidature. Schools submitted predicted grades and supporting evidence; Cambridge moderated them to ensure fairness. Results were released on schedule. Students received internationally recognised qualifications.

Pearson Edexcel (2020): Pearson used teacher-assessed grades moderated centrally. Most students received results comparable to their performance expectations. Transfer and deferral options were available for those who wished to sit formal exams later.

IB (2020): The IB implemented the NECM for the first time globally, using IAs and predicted grades moderated statistically. The IB Class of 2020 received their diplomas, and universities worldwide — including those that had historically required exam results — accepted the grades.

What Happened to University Admissions

University admissions in 2020 proceeded. UCAS in the UK issued guidance that teacher-assessed grades and alternative qualifications would be accepted. US universities, Australian institutions, and universities across Asia accepted the results without issue.

In 2021, when Cambridge cancelled IGCSE and A-Level exams for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and the UAE cancelled its own exam season — the same processes operated successfully. Students received qualifications. University applications were not derailed.

The Bottom Line

Alternative assessment is not a second-rate substitute. It is a proven, internationally recognised process that major exam boards and the world’s leading universities understand and accept. The Class of 2026 in the Gulf will receive their qualifications.

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How Will My Child Receive Their Results?

Based on confirmed board processes and precedent:

1. Evidence submission — your child’s school submits the evidence portfolio to the exam board on your child’s behalf. This is school-driven; parents and students do not submit directly.
2. Board review and grading — the board awards grades using the submitted evidence and its established alternative grading criteria.
3. Results release — results will be released through the same channels as a normal year. Physical certificates may follow slightly later; boards can provide proof-of-qualification letters to universities as needed.
4. Appeals — all boards maintain appeals processes. If you believe a grade does not reflect your child’s performance, the school can initiate an appeal.

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What You Should Do RIGHT NOW

For All Parents

1. Contact your child’s school — confirm what evidence the school is collecting and whether there is anything you can help gather (mock exam papers, marked assignments, etc.)
2. Keep every piece of assessed work — mock exam scripts, class tests, coursework drafts, teacher feedback, and any work completed under supervised conditions. Do not discard anything.
3. Continue revision and study — the evidence portfolio rewards what students know. Tutors, revision sessions, and continued engagement with the material all contribute to the quality of assessed work.
4. Ask about transfers or deferrals — if your family is in a position to travel and your child could sit exams in another country, speak to the school about transfer options. Pearson and Cambridge both facilitate this.
5. Monitor official channels — board-specific announcements are made through schools; your child’s school exam officer is your primary source.

Mock Results and Coursework Matter More Than Ever

If there is one practical message to take from all of this: the work your child has already done is now their qualification. Mock exams taken seriously. Coursework completed carefully. Class assessments engaged with genuinely. These are no longer just practice — they are the record on which grades will be based.

Mock results and coursework matter more than ever — get expert support now. Tutopiya offers online tuition, practice assessments, and the world’s largest IGCSE and A-Level online resource bank. Whether your child needs to strengthen their understanding for upcoming mock sessions, complete coursework to a higher standard, or simply maintain momentum during an anxious time, our tutors are ready.

Get expert tutor support now →

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Official Sources to Monitor

Board	Resource	What to Check
Cambridge International	cambridgeinternational.org/news	Confirmed cancellations and portfolio guidance
Pearson Edexcel	qualifications.pearson.com	Contingency process updates
OxfordAQA	oxfordaqa.com	Regional updates and evidence portfolio guidance
IB	ibo.org/news	NECM updates and affected country list

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Summary

• Exams are officially cancelled across UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Lebanon. More announcements expected for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan.
• All four boards have confirmed alternative grading processes. Cambridge: Portfolio of Evidence. Pearson: Contingency process. OxfordAQA: Evidence portfolio. IB: Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM).
• This has worked before. COVID-19 2020 set the precedent — all boards delivered results, all universities accepted them.
• Your child will receive their qualification. The process is established, internationally recognised, and designed for exactly this situation.
• Mock results and coursework are now the most important things your child has. Treat ongoing study and upcoming assessments as the direct evidence for grades.
• Your child’s school is your main point of contact. All submissions happen through schools; stay in close communication with the exam officer.

We will continue to update this guide as further announcements emerge. Tutopiya supports students through online tutoring, access to the world’s largest IGCSE and A-Level resource bank, and now — critically — the ability to generate assessment records and performance reports through the learning portal that can serve as part of a student’s evidence base.

Find a tutor for expert support →

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Last updated: April 2026. Based on announcements from Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, OxfordAQA, and the International Baccalaureate as of April 2026. Always confirm the latest guidance with your child’s school and the relevant exam board.

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