Understanding the Crisis: Exam Cancellations Amid Regional Tensions
In the United Arab Emirates, home to one of the world's largest Indian expatriate communities, a sudden wave of exam cancellations has left thousands of high school students in limbo. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) have called off Class 10 and Class 12 board exams due to escalating security concerns stemming from the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. This disruption, affecting over 10,000 CBSE Class 12 students alone in the UAE, has profound implications for higher education aspirations, particularly for entry into universities and colleges across the UAE and beyond.
The UAE boasts more than 105 CBSE-affiliated schools and a handful of CISCE institutions, catering to the educational needs of Indian families who form the backbone of the nation's diverse workforce. These board exams—equivalent to high-stakes final assessments—are pivotal for determining eligibility for undergraduate programs. With exams scheduled from March 16 to April 10 cancelled for CBSE and all remaining ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) papers scrapped for CISCE, students face an uncertain path to their university dreams.
Timeline of Disruptions: From Postponements to Full Cancellation
The saga began in early March 2026 when initial postponements were announced. CBSE issued multiple circulars—on March 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9—delaying Class 12 exams amid missile interceptions, drone incidents, and aviation disruptions. Class 10 exams faced similar delays. By March 13, CISCE followed suit with postponements, but the situation worsened, leading to outright cancellations by mid-March.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 1-9, 2026 | CBSE postpones multiple Class 12 dates; Class 10 partially cancelled |
| March 13, 2026 | CISCE postpones ICSE/ISC exams |
| March 15, 2026 | CBSE Circular 6: All Class 12 from March 16-April 10 cancelled |
| March 13-17 | CISCE cancels all remaining UAE exams |
This step-by-step escalation reflects the gravity of the regional security situation, prioritizing student safety over academic timelines.
Affected Demographics: Scale of the Impact
Approximately 10,198 CBSE Class 12 students and 13,669 Class 10 students in the UAE are directly impacted, according to registration data. CISCE affects hundreds more across four schools. Indian students constitute a significant portion of UAE's school population, with CBSE being the most popular curriculum due to its alignment with Indian university admissions.
Many of these students hail from professional families in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, aspiring to programs in engineering, medicine, business, and IT at UAE institutions like Khalifa University, Zayed University, or NYU Abu Dhabi. The cancellation disrupts not only marks but also preparation for entrance tests like EmSAT (Emirates Standardized Test), required for UAE public university admissions.
CBSE's Response: Promised Alternative Assessment
CBSE has pledged a "student-centred evaluation policy," drawing parallels to its COVID-19 approach. During the pandemic, marks were calculated using a 40:30:30 formula—40% from Class 12 internal assessments and pre-boards, 30% from Class 11, and 30% from Class 10 boards. Expect similar weightage here, incorporating unit tests, projects, practicals, and consistent performance to ensure fairness and parity with students who completed exams elsewhere.
Schools have already submitted predicted scores based on year-long performance. An improvement exam option may be offered post-results, allowing students to boost scores for competitive admissions.
CISCE's Strategy: Alternative Mechanisms for ICSE/ISC
CISCE mirrors CBSE, promising results via internal assessments, pre-boards, coursework, and extracurriculars. For ISC Class 12, a July exam option exists for those dissatisfied, plus 2026 improvement opportunities. This ensures no academic year is lost, maintaining equivalence for university applications.
Coordination with UAE's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) assures that Grade 12 pathways to local colleges remain secure.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Student Voices: Anxiety and Resilience
- "The 12th grade score is really important because colleges have minimum requirements. The college you get into shapes your life," says Srinithi Senthil, 17, Dubai.
- "I studied hard, but safety comes first. I hope the assessment is fair," shares Anushka Tripathi.
- Aarish Banerjee, ISC student: "Disappointed, but understand the bigger picture."
Mixed emotions prevail—relief from stress amid conflict, disappointment over lost opportunities to showcase peak preparation.
School and Parental Perspectives: Reassurance Amid Uncertainty
Principals like Rashmi Nandkeolyar (Delhi Private School Dubai) emphasize resilience: "CBSE will use past performance; no harm will come." Counseling sessions help manage anxiety. Parents worry about aggregate ambiguity but trust boards' precedents. Schools predict minimal long-term impact, citing predicted grades' acceptance abroad.
For detailed CBSE insights, refer to Gulf News coverage.
Navigating UAE University Admissions: EmSAT and Beyond
UAE universities require Class 12 marks (typically 75-90% minimum) plus EmSAT scores (e.g., 1500+ Math for engineering). Institutions like American University in Dubai, University of Sharjah, and Heriot-Watt accept CBSE/ICSE predicted marks during disruptions, as seen in COVID. Private unis often prioritize holistic profiles—SAT/ACT, interviews, portfolios.
Indian students, comprising 42% of Dubai's international higher ed enrollment, benefit from flexible policies. Zayed University and Khalifa emphasize EmSAT, mitigating board mark reliance.
Broader Implications: Competitive Exams and Global Pathways
Aspirations for Indian IITs (via JEE), medical colleges (NEET), UK unis (conditional offers), and US (SAT postponed to March 28) hang in balance. Parity concerns arise for Indian admissions, but boards assure equivalence. UAE's higher ed sector, with 70+ universities, offers robust alternatives like local programs.
Explore career advice at AcademicJobs.com.
Actionable Advice for Affected Students
- Monitor CBSE/CISCE websites for policy updates.
- Prepare for EmSAT—register via UAE PASS.
- Leverage predicted grades for provisional uni apps.
- Consider gap year options or improvement exams.
- Build portfolios with projects, internships.
- Seek counseling for mental health.
Focus on EmSAT mastery: step-by-step, practice online mocks for Math (130 questions, 120 min), English (110 questions, 60 min).
Photo by MicheleAroundTheWorld on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Resilience in UAE Higher Education
UAE's higher ed ecosystem, blending global branches (NYUAD, Middlesex) and locals (UAEU), adapts swiftly. Past disruptions built digital infrastructure—online assessments, flexible admissions. Indian students' strong performance history bodes well. As conflict eases, expect normalized timelines by 2026-27.
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