UAE Universities to Get Easier Application Process After EmSAT Cancellation - News

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Following the discontinuation of the EmSAT exam, universities in the UAE are prioritizing the development of alternative admission criteria, with the aim of simplifying the application process and making admissions more efficient.

The changes come after the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the immediate cancellation of the EmSAT for Grade 12 students, in addition to a shift to revised university admission standards.

The EmSAT will no longer be part of the admission requirements for twelfth graders entering higher education.

Instead, each university will set its own criteria based on the academic specialization the student wishes to pursue. This decision aims to facilitate a smoother transition to higher education, allowing students to follow their ambitions and giving universities more flexibility in setting their admissions criteria.

For medical and engineering programs, more priority will now be given to students’ grades in science subjects rather than their overall scores in admissions.

Comprehensive approach

Dr. Yousef M. Al Assaf, President Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai said: “The new eligibility criteria will largely reflect our current approach. We will continue with our own placement tests in Physics, Mathematics and English, in addition to the standard IELTS and TOEFL requirements.

“Additionally, we will meet both the Department’s requirements for high school students and RIT NY’s established eligibility criteria. Certain placement tests will determine the appropriate level for each student, such as placement in Physics 100 or Physics 102.”

Varsities emphasized that they remain open to considering international assessments such as the SAT or ACT, if they align with admissions standards.

Nahid Afshan, Head of Admissions, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus said: “Abolishing the EmSAT exam will simplify the university application process and make the admission process smoother. It will relieve students of additional pressure, allowing them to focus on their high school grades and showcase their strengths and abilities.

“Our admission criteria will be based on the student’s total aggregate marks in the secondary school examination with minimum marks requirement in relevant subjects, based on the preferred specialization. For English language proficiency, in absence, we will look at alternative exams such as IELTS from EmSAT,” he added to it.

Additionally, this shift would allow institutions to take a more comprehensive approach to evaluating candidates, considering a broader range of skills and achievements, such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and other personalized criteria.

Sara Sleem, Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions, American University in Dubai (AUD) said: “Our admissions requirements demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity by accommodating applicants from different countries and education systems. For English and Maths skills we offer flexible testing options including EMSAT (so far) and other internationally accepted alternatives. Students can meet English proficiency with IELTS, TOEFL, or EMSAT, while math requirements can be met through SAT, EMSAT (earlier), or the AUD Math Placement Test. With recent updates to the EMSAT requirements by the Ministry of Education, our consistent use of alternative options continues to provide students with a more accessible and flexible admissions process.”

Focusing on specialized areas, skills

However, the details will depend on individual student profiles and the programs students apply to.

Academics emphasized that this would help train skilled professionals in specialized areas, who can adapt to the changing needs of the labor market.

Prof. Manda Venkatraman, Vice Chancellor Academics and Dean, College of Medicine at Gulf Medical University, said: “Following the discontinuation of EmSAT, our university will now focus on alternative criteria for admission including the College Board Proficiency Test, Grade 12 marks, and the GMU admissions test scores. We will also take into account specific requirements in each of the science subjects to ensure that candidates meet the necessary competencies for medical education. These benchmarks will apply to both Emirati and non-Emirati students, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of each candidate’s potential.”

University heads explained that removing the EmSAT requirement and broadening admissions criteria for medical universities will allow for better assessment of applicants, focusing on scientific grades and skills rather than overall scores.

In the long term, the strategy is expected to increase the quality of medical education and healthcare in the UAE, likely leading to better outcomes.

“Our university already has robust admissions procedures in place, including an entrance test and a personal interview to better gauge the readiness of candidates for medical school. Although EMSAT has been discontinued, continuation of EMSAT English alone would have been preferable,” said Venkatraman.

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Nandini Sircar

Nandini Sircar has a penchant for education, space and women’s stories. She views the world through a learning prism: whether it concerns the earthly pursuit of wisdom or the unearthly mysteries of space. In her written universe, women and children are central.