Pearson Edexcel has announced the cancellation of in-person GCSE exams across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon for the May/June 2026 series, marking a significant disruption in international education.

All international GCSE, A-level, and iPLS qualifications will be affected by this decision, which comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. A spokesperson for Pearson stated, “Our exam series runs for the longest period, which means we are operating at scale to support learners and schools in this exceptionally difficult situation.”

In addition to Pearson Edexcel, OxfordAQA has also cancelled its IGCSE and International A Level exams in the UAE for Summer 2026. The decision was made after consultations with the Ministry of Education and other international exam boards, emphasizing the collaborative effort to navigate these challenges.

Cambridge International has followed suit, cancelling its exams in the UAE and opting for an assessment based on a portfolio of evidence instead. This approach will apply to Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, and Cambridge IPQ. Schools will not conduct traditional exams; rather, they are required to submit students’ portfolios for marking and grading.

The International Baccalaureate has also cancelled final exams in the UAE for May and June 2026, further complicating the academic landscape for students. The cancellations specifically include IGCSE English as a Second Language and other subjects assessed by OxfordAQA.

As schools in the UAE prepare for alternatives, the principal of Woodlem British School, Natalia Svetenok, remarked, “Our priority is calm, clarity, and continuity.” Meanwhile, Giles Pruett, Executive Principal of Arcadia British School, noted, “If exams in the UAE are disrupted, we would move to a robust evidence-based evaluation model.”

The backdrop of these cancellations is a climate of uncertainty that has loomed over the exam season at numerous international schools in the Gulf, driven by geopolitical tensions.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how students will be assessed in place of written exams, leaving educators and families awaiting further guidance.

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