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UAE announces immediate cancellation of EmSAT exam for Grade 12 students

The ministry also announced the implementation of revised university admission criteria

UAE authorities have announced the immediate cancellation of EmSAT for Grade 12 students and the implementation of revised university admission criteria.

The authority said that admission to medical and engineering programmes will now prioritise students' science subject grades over overall percentage scores.

The move will give universities additional flexibility in setting admission criteria which will provide diverse academic pathways for students.

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The move is designed to facilitate a seamless transition to higher education, enabling students to pursue their future ambitions throughout both their academic and career paths, the ministry added.

Universities can attract students who have not met the English language requirement by enrolling them in courses that qualify them to reach the required proficiency. Higher institutions will also be able to accept students and enrol them in specialised remedial courses if they do not obtain the required grade in the subjects required to study the specialisation, he added.

In line with the cancellation of the EmSAT entrance test, the admission requirements for medical and engineering specialisations will focus more on the grades of scientific subjects related to the specialisation rather than focusing on the overall percentage of the twelfth grade.

The ministries called on students and parents to be aware of the university admission requirements for each university and academic specialisation that the student wishes to study, through direct communication with the relevant higher education institutions.

MOE also updated the certificate equivalency requirements for private schools, now requiring academic records from the last three years. Additionally, Arab students must study Arabic, and Muslim students must study Islamic Studies for the same period. This step aligns with the UAE's commitment to strengthening the role of the Arabic language and promoting values of religious tolerance. MOE stressed the need for private school students to review equivalency requirements according to their specific curricula.

The decision was announced by the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) on Sunday, following the approval of the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council.

"The flexibility of our educational policies stems from our absolute concern for the interests of our students," said Sarah Al Amiri, UAE's Minister of Education.

She added: "The decision is in line with our efforts to develop policies to evaluate students’ performance during their academic stages and support them to achieve their future ambitions during their academic and professional careers in a manner that is consistent with the needs of the labour market and society."

The vision of MOHESR is aimed at increasing students’ access to higher education, so that every twelfth-grade graduate can join bachelor’s, higher diploma, diploma or skills certificate programs, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, stressed.

MOE also updated the certificate equivalency requirements for private schools, now requiring academic records from the last three years. Additionally, Arab students must study Arabic, and Muslim students must study Islamic Studies for the same period. This step aligns with the UAE's commitment to strengthening the role of the Arabic language and promoting values of religious tolerance. MOE stressed the need for private school students to review equivalency requirements according to their specific curricula.

What is EmSAT?

The Emirates Standardised Test is designed to assess student skills across different educational levels in the country. The test was previously a university admission requirement in the country, and for scholarships.

In 2023, MOE relaxed rules, with EmSAT results becoming an optional criterion for university admissions. Institutions were allowed to use other tests and determine minimum scores. The decision was implemented from academic year 2023-2024.

EmSAT also served to help students identify their educational pathways, and to evaluate knowledge during transitional stages, after completion of general education, and move to higher education.

Grade 12 students were required to self-register via the official website of the Emirates Standard Test using UAE PASS.

The test was free of cost for the first attempt for UAE nationals in Grade 12 for four mandatory subjects (English, Arabic, Math and Physics) with a Dh100 cost per other subject.

For Grade 12 non-UAE nationals, the fee was Dh300 for the four mandatory subjects, and Dh100 per each other subject. For all Grade 12 candidates, the re-test attempt fees were Dh100 per subject.

Non-Grade 12 candidates had to pay Dh250 per subject, and could retake the test only one time, for Dh100 per subject.

(With inputs from WAM)

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