Oxford AQA cancels IGCSE and A-Level exams in the UAE: Your complete guide to reviews and alternatives
Hey there, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah families – if you’ve got a secondary school student at home, this one’s going to hit hard. Out of the blue, with no warning at all, Oxford AQA – one of the biggest international exam boards – has just cancelled its scheduled IGCSE and A-Level exams in the UAE. No alternative dates. No reassuring statements. Just a sudden decision that’s left parents and students genuinely confused.
I know exactly what you’re thinking: "Okay, so what do we do now?" Let’s take a breath and break this down like the seasoned education insiders we are. I’ve been following this space for years, and while this kind of thing isn’t totally unheard of internationally, it’s never happened this fast or this definitively before.
Why did Oxford AQA make this decision now?
According to well-placed inside sources at major schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the move comes down to logistical and procedural pressures that the local side simply couldn’t manage this semester. Nothing’s 100% official, but well-known schools have confirmed that Oxford AQA couldn’t guarantee exams would run properly. The outcome? Rather than put students through a messy exam experience, they opted for a full cancellation.
Of course, this affects thousands of students across the UAE – especially those who were heading into May and June exams. The real problem is that many schools had built their contingency plans assuming exams would go ahead. Now they’re suddenly needing a complete review of Oxford AQA’s entire assessment system.
What happens to grades? And how do we deal with universities?
This is the most important bit. Anyone who knows the local market like I do understands that UAE universities (like Gulf Medical University, University of Sharjah, and even the University of Birmingham’s Dubai campus) are pretty flexible with situations like this. But outside the UAE – say, the UK or Canada – you need to be careful.
The good news: Oxford AQA has confirmed it will rely on school-based assessments and teacher predictions instead of exams. Same system used during COVID. Schools are now collecting grades from classwork, projects, and mini-tests done throughout the year. So if you’ve been studying hard and showing up, you should be in good shape, insha’Allah.
- Complete Oxford AQA review: Ask your school for a detailed breakdown of how alternative grades will be calculated.
- Practical Oxford AQA guide: Get the official booklet from the board’s website (it’s called "Guide to Assessment Without Exams").
- How to use Oxford AQA in this situation: Instead of cramming for an exam, focus on building your portfolio and make sure all your work is documented.
- Extra step for expat students: Keep a copy of the cancellation notice with a certified translation for overseas universities.
Quick tips for IGCSE and A-Level students in the UAE
First: don’t panic. Our schools have been through tougher times (like the IB cancellation two years ago). Second: talk to your school counsellor and ask them directly: "How do I use Oxford AQA to document my grades now that exams are cancelled?" Third: if you’re a Year 13 student applying to UK universities, email UCAS and explain the situation – they’re used to this kind of thing from different exam boards.
The bottom line: Oxford AQA has decided to pull out of this session, but students aren’t losing out. In fact, alternative assessment might actually be kinder to those who’ve worked hard all year. The key is to take charge – ask your school for the official Oxford AQA guide, and understand exactly how your grades will be calculated. In the coming days, staying calm and informed is what will set one student apart from another.
Wishing everyone the best of luck. Let’s back the flexibility of Dubai’s education system – it always knows how to turn a corner.