The UAE’s Grade 12 students are no longer required to sit for Emsat

Image used for illustrative purposes.

Golf today, Staff reporter

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research have announced the cancellation of the Emirates Standardized Test (Emsat) for grade 12 students, with immediate effect.

This decision has been made to give universities more flexibility in setting admissions criteria, so that they can attract students based on their academic and professional ambitions. This new policy has been approved by the Council for Education, Human and Community Development.

The decision is part of a broader effort to develop the national education system and prepare students for university education and the labor market. This is done in accordance with current best practices and standards, and in a manner consistent with society’s needs and future ambitions.

Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stated that the Ministry continuously strives to align and develop its policies in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in a manner that enhances the educational activities of students in different study phases facilitated, whether at general or higher education level.

This is achieved through the implementation of decisions capable of addressing all procedures that guarantee the quality and flexibility of the output of the national education system, thus promoting its progress and leadership at the global level.

In this context, she highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to promoting and nurturing students’ competencies across a range of academic disciplines. To this end, the ministry recently updated its student performance measurement system, which is designed to accurately measure and improve students’ capabilities. This updated system will enable the Ministry to determine the true extent of students’ capabilities and tailor their development based on a carefully researched methodology that allows for comprehensive assessment and optimal refinement of their skills.

She explained that, in accordance with the resolution and in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the EmSat will no longer be a prerequisite for the admission of twelfth grade students to higher education. It will be sufficient to meet the requirements of higher education institutions and the conditions they impose on the admission of students to those institutions.

Furthermore, she stressed the need to align policies among all relevant parties to facilitate a seamless transition for students to higher education and provide them with the necessary support to achieve their future ambitions in a manner that is consistent with the demands of the labor market and society.

In his remarks, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the ministry’s objective to improve students’ access to higher education. This initiative aims to ensure that every Grade 12 graduate has the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree, higher diploma, diploma or skills certificate program, thereby equipping him/her with the skills required for the job market.

He further noted that the new vision will provide universities with greater flexibility in determining admission criteria, allowing them to attract students who do not meet the English language requirement by enrolling them in courses that qualify them to achieve the required proficiency. In addition, universities will be allowed to enroll students in specialized remedial courses if they fail to obtain the required grade in the subjects required to pursue the specialization.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar also pointed out that the admission criteria for medical and engineering specializations will place more emphasis on the marks obtained in scientific subjects relevant to the specialization, rather than the overall percentage in the twelfth grade. He further noted that the proposals to develop criteria for accepting students into universities are intended to provide diverse academic pathways that match the capabilities of students and meet the needs of the labor market. The aim is to produce generations of specialists and professionals equipped to compete effectively in the labor market in both the public and private sectors, he added.