Breaking News: UAE Approves First-Term Final Exam Schedule 2025–26 for All Schools
The UAE Approves First-Term Final Exam Schedule 2025–26, applying to both public and private schools that follow the national curriculum. This decision marks a key milestone in the country’s continuous efforts to maintain fairness, transparency, and quality education across all Emirates.
According to the ministry’s statement, final exams for Group A subjects — which include core academic disciplines such as mathematics, science, English, and Arabic — will begin on Thursday, November 20, and continue until Thursday, December 4, 2025. The comprehensive schedule aims to ensure smooth assessment procedures and uniform examination practices across all educational institutions.
Eid Al Etihad Break Included
The UAE’s Ministry of Education confirmed that there will be an official Eid Al Etihad break during the exam period. This break has been strategically placed to ensure students can celebrate the national event with their families without disrupting the overall academic calendar. Schools are expected to resume exams immediately after the national holiday.
Additionally, schools must complete the assessment records for Group B subjects—which include non-core subjects such as art, music, and physical education—by November 14, 2025, before the start of written exams. This ensures that teachers can fully focus on the major written and electronic assessments during the exam period.
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UAE Exam Schedule Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Term | First Academic Term 2025–26 |
| Applicable Grades | Grades 3 to 12 |
| Exam Start Date | November 20, 2025 |
| Exam End Date | December 4, 2025 |
| Eid Break | During Eid Al Etihad celebrations |
| Group B Record Deadline | November 14, 2025 |
| Supervising Body | UAE Ministry of Education (School Operations Department) |
Paper-Based and Electronic Exams by Grade
The ministry has divided the examination system into paper-based and electronic formats, depending on grade levels and subject categories:
- Grades 3–4: Students will take paper-based exams in person at their respective schools.
- Grade 5: All students, regardless of academic track, will also appear for paper-based tests.
- Grades 6–12: Exams will be either paper-based or electronic, depending on each subject and academic stream.
For grade twelve students, particularly those in general and advanced tracks, English exams will be conducted electronically. Students are required to bring their own laptops for all online exams to ensure readiness and uniform testing standards.
Exam Centers and Supervision
In a new policy to ensure fairness and consistency, grade twelve students in private schools will take their exams in public school facilities, under the supervision of the School Operations Department. This step is designed to maintain exam integrity, minimize discrepancies, and standardize invigilation across the country.
The ministry emphasized that all schools must strictly adhere to official exam guidelines and that no changes to the schedule or procedures will be permitted without prior authorization.
Calculator Rules and Restrictions
The Ministry of Education has provided clear, detailed rules regarding calculator use during exams, depending on the subject and academic track.
Science Subjects
Students in grades 6 to 12 may use scientific calculators in all science subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology, and health sciences.
Mathematics Subjects
Calculator permissions vary by track:
| Academic Track | Calculator Policy |
|---|---|
| General & Advanced Track (Grades 6–9) | Calculators not allowed |
| General & Advanced Track (Grades 10–12) | Calculators allowed |
| Elite Track | Scientific and graphical calculators both allowed |
| Applied Track | Only graphical calculators permitted |
During the chemistry exam, schools must provide printed copies of the periodic table for students. However, elite track students will use the electronic periodic table available through the Swift Assess platform on the Ministry’s Education Media Portal.
Guidelines for Teachers and Invigilators
To maintain academic fairness, the ministry issued strict rules regarding teacher involvement during exams:
- Teachers cannot read exam questions aloud, except in grade three, where they may read the questions without revealing answers.
- All exam papers and digital assessments will be supervised by the School Operations Department.
- Smart devices are banned unless officially approved for academic use.
- Schools must enforce strict security and privacy rules to prevent leaks or misconduct.
The ministry has also advised schools to train invigilators on electronic exam protocols and ensure that backup devices are available in case of technical issues.
Grade 12 Exam Details
Grade twelve students will begin their final term exams on November 20. The Ministry of Education has issued a detailed subject-wise schedule for all streams—general, advanced, elite, and applied.
Key Exam Dates for Grade 12
| Date | Subject | Applicable Track |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 | Physics / Applied Science | All Tracks |
| Nov 21 | Chemistry / Applied Mathematics | All Tracks |
| Nov 24 | Mathematics | General, Advanced, Elite |
| Nov 25 | English Language | All Tracks |
| Nov 27 | Arabic Language | All Tracks |
| Nov 29 | Islamic Education | All Tracks |
| Dec 2–3 | Biology / Health Sciences | All Tracks |
| Dec 4 | Social Studies | All Tracks |
This detailed schedule ensures that all students across various educational tracks complete their exams before the winter break.
Electronic Exam Platform and Security
The ministry reaffirmed that all electronic exams will be conducted through the Swift Assess platform, an official and secure portal designed to prevent cheating and ensure standardized evaluation.
Each school is responsible for providing:
- Reliable internet connectivity
- IT support during exam sessions
- Secure logins for students
- Backup systems in case of technical disruptions
The Swift Assess system will automatically record, store, and secure student responses for evaluation by the Ministry’s central servers. This ensures that no tampering or manual interference can occur.
Focus on Fairness and Equal Opportunity
The Ministry of Education’s spokesperson stated that this year’s updated schedule reflects the government’s commitment to equal opportunities for all students, regardless of the school’s location or status.
By introducing standardized exam supervision, controlled calculator usage, and clear digital procedures, the ministry hopes to strengthen academic integrity and reduce irregularities.
Furthermore, the emphasis on electronic exams reflects the UAE’s digital transformation strategy in education, aligning with the country’s long-term Vision 2031.
Student and Parent Responsibilities
Parents are encouraged to:
- Ensure their children have fully functional laptops and chargers.
- Check that all required exam materials (such as stationery, calculators, and ID cards) are ready before exam days.
- Avoid sending unapproved electronic devices with their children.
Students should:
- Revise early and familiarize themselves with electronic exam interfaces.
- Reach the exam venue at least 30 minutes early.
- Follow all exam-day protocols strictly.
Exam Integrity and Discipline
The ministry has warned that any violation of rules—including cheating, unauthorized device use, or misconduct—will result in immediate disciplinary action, including exam disqualification.
All schools are required to report incidents directly to the School Operations Department. Officials will monitor compliance through random visits and online supervision.
Conclusion – UAE Approves First-Term Final Exam Schedule 2025–26
The UAE first-term final exam schedule for 2025–26 reinforces the Ministry of Education’s mission to create a transparent, disciplined, and globally competitive academic environment. By balancing modern technology with traditional examination standards, the UAE continues to lead educational excellence in the region.
Students, parents, and schools are advised to check official ministry channels regularly for any updates related to examination procedures or post-result evaluations.
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FAQs – UAE First Term Exam Schedule 2025–26:
Q1: When will the first-term exams begin in UAE schools?
Exams will start on November 20, 2025, and end on December 4, 2025.
Q2: Which grades are included in this schedule?
The schedule applies to grades 3 to 12 in all public and private schools under the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum.
Q3: Are calculators allowed during exams?
Yes, but only under certain conditions depending on the track and subject.
Q4: What is the last date to complete Group B subject records?
Schools must complete all Group B subject assessments by November 14, 2025.
Q5: Will there be an Eid break during exams?
Yes, a short Eid Al Etihad break will take place during the exam period.
Q6: Can grade three teachers read exam questions aloud?
Yes, but they can only read the questions—not the answers.
Q7: What exam platform will be used for electronic exams?
The Swift Assess platform will be used for all electronic exams.
Q8: Are private school students sitting in public facilities for exams?
Yes, grade 12 private school students will take exams in public school centers under ministry supervision.
