UAE Abolishes EmSAT for Grade 12, Gives Universities Admission Flexibility

Post by: Omar Nasser

The UAE Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has officially announced the cancellation of the EmSAT (Emirates Standardized Test) requirement for grade 12 students, effective immediately. This significant decision allows UAE universities greater flexibility to set their own admission criteria, giving them the freedom to attract students whose academic goals align with the institutions’ programs. The policy change was approved by the Education, Human Development, and Community Council, furthering the UAE's commitment to continually enhancing its educational system to meet both national needs and global standards.

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This policy shift aligns with broader efforts to advance the UAE’s education system, enabling smoother transitions into higher education and better preparing students for the evolving demands of the job market. With the elimination of the EmSAT, the Ministry aims to tailor higher education pathways to individual students, providing a more adaptive framework that supports each student’s educational journey.

Her Excellency Sara Al Amiri, Minister of Education, emphasized that this decision underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering a flexible, high-quality education system that evolves to meet student needs. She noted that the Ministry is continuously working to improve educational policies that support students at all levels, from general education to higher education. The Ministry remains focused on cultivating diverse skills among students and assessing them through an updated evaluation system that provides accurate skill measurement and enhances student growth.

Under the new policy, grade 12 students will no longer need to pass the EmSAT as a prerequisite for university admissions. Instead, individual universities will set admission requirements based on their own standards, providing a streamlined and personalized approach for each institution. Her Excellency highlighted that this change will ease the transition to higher education, helping students pursue their academic and career aspirations while aligning with the labor market's evolving needs.

Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, reiterated the Ministry’s vision of expanding access to higher education. This approach opens up multiple educational pathways, from bachelor’s and diploma programs to skill certification tracks that support career readiness. Dr. Al Awar pointed out that universities now have the flexibility to accept students who may not initially meet specific language requirements, offering remedial courses to help these students achieve the necessary proficiency.

In certain fields such as medicine and engineering, admission criteria will focus more on subject-specific grades rather than overall grade 12 scores, supporting a balanced and relevant approach to skill assessment. This flexibility is expected to meet labor market demands and provide students with a variety of academic paths that cater to their individual strengths and interests.

The Ministries are actively engaging universities to implement these updates, encouraging a smooth shift to the new admissions framework. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to universities directly to understand specific requirements for each chosen field of study.

To reflect these changes, the Ministry of Education has also updated certificate equivalency requirements for private school students following the EmSAT cancellation. New guidelines now require academic records from the last three years, Arabic language courses for Arab students, and Islamic studies for Muslim students in private schools during their final three years. Students following the American curriculum will continue to take alternative standardized tests, such as the SAT for Mathematics and TOEFL for English, to fulfill admissions criteria.

This decision aligns with the UAE’s vision to position education as a cornerstone of national development, transforming challenges into opportunities and equipping students with the skills and competencies needed for future success. Through a strengthened educational framework and a focus on individual strengths, the UAE aims to empower generations of graduates who will contribute to the country’s progress on the global stage.

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