In a landmark overhaul of student evaluation practices, the UAE Ministry of Education has announced the cancellation of centralised second-semester exams across all academic levels, replacing them with a continuous assessment model. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance learning outcomes, reduce academic pressure, and modernise the education system in time for the start of the 2025–26 academic year.
A shift in assessment: Exams out, continuous evaluation in
The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has officially cancelled all centralised second-semester exams for students across the country. Instead, schools will implement a new performance measurement framework based on continuous, school-based assessments tailored to individual progress and learning needs. Announced during a media briefing held at the Zayed Educational Complex in Dubai, the new policy forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to modernise assessment tools, accommodate diverse learning styles, and foster critical thinking among students. This change affects all academic levels, with clear guidelines for different grade groups:
- Grades 1 to 4 will be evaluated through continuous assessment, focusing on tracking individual academic progress. This system allows teachers to provide regular, personalised feedback and adjust teaching methods to support each student’s development.
- Grades 5 to 12 will no longer have centralised exams in the second semester. Instead, these students will undergo school-based summative assessments. However, centralised exams will continue to be held during the first and third semesters.
According to Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, this shift is designed to provide stronger academic support while allowing students to explore talents and participate more actively in extracurricular activities. Speaking to Gulf News, he stated, “The reason for this change is to provide more academic support and focus on students’ talents and extracurricular activities.” The ministry emphasised that these changes aim to optimise school days, improve learning quality, and adjust semester weightage in alignment with the updated assessment policy. Additionally, the reforms are intended to enhance student well-being by easing academic pressure.
Infrastructure and readiness for the new academic year
Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri confirmed the country’s full readiness for the 2025–26 school year, with over one million students expected to return to classrooms starting Monday, August 25. In preparation, the ministry has undertaken substantial infrastructure development and logistics planning:
- Nine new public schools have been built across various emirates to support population growth and offer modern, innovative learning environments.
- These new schools will accommodate over 25,000 students.
- 465 existing schools across the UAE have undergone comprehensive maintenance to ensure safety and readiness.
- A total of 830 new educational staff, covering all specialties, have been recruited to support academic delivery.
- The ministry has distributed 46,888 laptops to students, reinforcing its commitment to digital education and skill development.
- Over 10 million textbooks have been printed and delivered to schools ahead of the academic year.
- 5,560 school buses have been deployed to ensure seamless transportation for students.
These developments align with the ministry’s broader vision of creating a “stimulating learning environment capable of meeting the needs of new generations and preparing them for the demands of the future.”
Policy reform rooted in educational evolution
This exam reform and infrastructural expansion are part of the Ministry of Education’s integrated strategy to elevate the UAE’s education system. By updating performance evaluation tools and eliminating traditional semester-end exams in favor of more holistic, ongoing assessments, the ministry aims to build a more flexible and inclusive academic environment. “The central exams at the end of the second semester have been removed and replaced with school-based summative assessments,” the ministry stated during the press briefing. Officials clarified that this approach will not only diversify student evaluation methods but also enhance teaching quality by promoting adaptive, student-centered instruction. The focus will now be on measuring long-term learning outcomes rather than high-pressure exam performance.
