Exam boards OxfordAQA, Cambridge and Pearson announced that they would cancel the exams for children living in the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain over regional tensions 

Dubai, Apr 4, 2026: Two major UK examination boards have confirmed the cancellation of IGCSE and International A-Level exams scheduled for Summer 2026 across parts of the Middle East, as regional disruptions continue. 

OxfordAQA and Cambridge Assessment International Education are among the first to formally announce the suspension of exams in the UAE, while other UK boards, including Pearson Edexcel and AQA, are yet to confirm their plans for the current academic cycle. 

The decision follows earlier cancellations affecting students under systems such as International Baccalaureate (IB) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), whose examinations have already been called off due to ongoing instability. 

In a communication to schools, OxfordAQA said the move came after “close consultation” with the Ministry of Education, academic institutions and other international boards, ultimately concluding that exams could not proceed under current conditions. 

Meanwhile, Cambridge International Education confirmed it would adopt an alternative assessment model in coordination with authorities. 

Under the “portfolio of evidence” approach, students will be evaluated based on coursework and prior academic performance, allowing them to receive certification without sitting formal examinations. 

The alternative pathway will apply across a wide range of qualifications, including Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, International AS & A Level, and the Cambridge International Project Qualification (IPQ).