UAE: Students await new university admission criteria as EmSAT exams canceled - News

Students in the UAE are awaiting details of revised university admission criteria as the country’s education authorities have canceled Emirates Standardized Tests (EmSAT) for Grade 12 students. While some students are celebrating the relief of pressure, others are seeking clarity on the new procedures.

EmSAT was previously a requirement for admission to universities in the country and scholarships. According to the Ministry of Education, canceling them will give universities flexibility in setting admissions criteria.

Reacting to the announcement, Yousef Hussam Yassin, a 17-year-old student at a school in Sharjah, expressed relief at the reduced stress levels and the new opportunities this change offers. “I feel like the pressure on me as a senior has decreased and I now have more options.”

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He was still considering his options for taking the EmSAT tests when the news broke. “It depends on the university’s requirements and admission requirements, but maybe I’ll take the tests to improve my skills.”

Sixteen-year-old Jana Aburady said the cancellation brought her a sense of relief. “I’m honestly relieved that the EmSAT test requirement has been canceled. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she admitted.

Although Jana had invested time studying for the test, she now plans to shift her focus. “I’ll definitely be switching my focus to studying for other important exams, like the SATs, and preparing for college applications. I could also use the extra time to work on my IELTS preparation,” she said.

Jana noted that many of her classmates were happy with the decision and considered it a stress reliever.

However, Omar Ahmed El-Shabasy, also 17, from another private school, said EmSAT can test students equally.

After spending a lot of time preparing for the exams and getting all the scores he needed for college, he is now reconsidering his options. “First I will look at the new requirements that the university sets, then I will try to work harder than the first time, because we don’t have much time left.”

According to Omar, the reactions in his senior group chat were mixed. “One group is angry because they have done the most tests, while another group is happy because they have not started yet. Some students were not worried because they were going to pursue higher education abroad.”

Ghala Alhajeri, a 16-year-old Emirati student, shared a mix of relief and uncertainty. “Relieved, but a little confused about what new rules will be in place,” she said. Although she had not invested much time in preparing for EmSAT, she had completed a number of practice tests and remains committed to her academic goals. “With this free time, I will definitely focus on various preparations,” she added.

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