Senior school leaders from Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Raha International School and NAS Abu Dhabi share clear guidance for families navigating next steps
For thousands of families across the UAE, the sudden cancellation of summer 2026 external exams has triggered a wave of anxiety, confusion and urgent questions.
Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge and OxfordAQA have cancelled IGCSE and International A-Level exams in the UAE, while the International Baccalaureate (IB) has confirmed its non-exam contingency route will apply.
For parents, the immediate concerns are obvious: what happens to grades? Should students keep studying? Will university offers still stand? And why are schools responding differently?
To move beyond speculation and provide clarity, Yalla spoke to senior leaders from Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Raha International School, Khalifa City Campus (RIS KCC), and Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi (NAS Abu Dhabi).
Here’s what you need to know.
Why schools will respond differently
One of the most important realities is that there will be no single, uniform response.
“No school will look the same, and comparing and contrasting schools doesn’t necessarily help your own school,” says Damien Ward, Head of School and Head of Senior School at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.
“Schools are working through multiple qualification pathways – GCSEs, IGCSEs, A Levels and International A Levels – each with different structures, assessment models and evidence requirements.”
As Ward points out, for some students, there may already be sufficient evidence in place. For others, additional assessment or work may still be needed. That complexity means schools are not simply reacting; they are carefully calibrating what is fair, accurate and appropriate for their own cohorts.
A faster answer is not necessarily a better one. In many cases, a measured response is the one that protects students most effectively.
What should students do right now?
Amid the uncertainty, one message is clear: students should keep going.
“The advice for our school community right now is to not panic,” says Adam Ryder, Head of Secondary at NAS Abu Dhabi.
“Maintain doing your online lessons as normal and complete all of the work set by your teachers, as this can be used as evidence to support the overall grades awarded.”
This matters because the work students are producing now may still form part of the evidence used to determine final outcomes. Coursework, classwork and teacher-assessed contributions remain highly relevant.
Ward is also direct: “Stopping and disengaging now puts the kids in a worse position regardless of what the contingency plans are.”
The structure of exams may have shifted, but the importance of learning and momentum has not.
You might also like: UAE extends distance learning for all schools until 17 April
How grades will be decided
For IB families, there is already a clearer framework in place.
“The IB’s early decision has enabled schools to adopt the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM),” explains Peter Taylor, Principal of RIS KCC. “It is a well-established and trusted process designed to ensure fairness, accuracy and parity for all students.”
“The primary aim is to reassure our grade 12 students and ensure their educational journey continues unhindered. By implementing NECM, we can maintain the integrity of assessments and provide a reliable framework for evaluating student performance.”
Across other curricula, while the details are still emerging, the direction is similar.
Ryder notes: “We have been working closely with our examination and awarding bodies to ensure that every student’s efforts are fully recognised, and that their future progression remains secure during this period of uncertainty.”
What this means for university pathways
For many families, the biggest concern sits just beyond school: what happens next? Will offers still stand? Will students be disadvantaged?
Here, school leaders are notably aligned.
“These measures are designed to continue to support our students… with the skills and qualifications necessary for their future pathways and ambitions,” says Taylor.
Ryder echoes this perspective: “We recognise that many of our students will feel a deep sense of disappointment at not being able to sit their examinations after years of hard work, commitment, and preparation. But this moment does not define our students’ futures; it is simply one step along their journey. They are resilient, capable, and ambitious young people who will go on to achieve remarkable success.”
While this disruption is significant, it does not undo years of work, nor does it close off future opportunities. Universities are familiar with contingency processes and will assess students within that context.
Why parents may need to wait a little longer
In a situation moving this quickly, it is natural to want immediate clarity. But schools are still working through critical details behind the scenes.
“What we now need from parents and students is a little bit of patience,” says Ward.
“Schools are not only interpreting guidance from exam boards, but they are also ensuring that whatever decisions are made are robust, fair and workable in practice. That includes aligning evidence, ensuring consistency and, in some cases, designing entirely new internal processes.”
The result is that timelines will vary. Some schools may be able to move quickly; others may need more time to ensure accuracy.
For families, the most reliable source of information remains the school itself, not comparison, not speculation.
What parents should focus on now
In the days ahead, more details will follow. But currently, UAE schools are clear: do not panic, stay engaged with school, and keep students focused on their work and routines while contingency pathways are finalised.
- Stay calm and avoid reacting to speculation or comparison
- Keep students engaged in lessons and completing assigned work
- Communicate through your school, rather than directly with exam boards
- Expect more detailed guidance over the coming days
- Maintain routines, structure and a sense of normality at home
We will continue to update this story as further guidance is confirmed.
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