UAE: Students who have not completed EmSAT can re-apply to universities

The ministry clarified that higher education institutions can provide opportunities to students who were previously unable to enroll due to non-approval of EmSAT, allowing them to participate in academic programs based on institutional capacity, available pathways and other organizational criteria.

Federal agencies will prioritize funding for current academic year graduates and male students who have completed their national service requirements within two semesters.

Recently, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research officially announced the cancellation of EmSAT for grade 12 students. This decision gives universities more flexibility to attract students based on their academic and professional ambitions.

In response to frequently asked questions about the cancellation of EmSAT, the ministry reaffirmed that the decision is in line with broader efforts to improve the national education system and expand higher education opportunities. The decision to cancel EmSAT was made after extensive assessments of student needs, institutional requirements and labor market expectations to develop the education sector and improve its outcomes.

The ministry has announced updates to the equivalency system for Grade 12 students in private schools that follow the US curriculum. With the cancellation of EmSAT, students must now achieve a minimum score of 61 on the TOEFL and a minimum of 450 on the SAT 1 Math Reasoning Test. However, students who took EmSAT before November 3, 2024 may use their test results to meet equivalency requirements under the approved standards.

Students who previously failed to obtain their high school certificate equivalency due to EmSAT requirements can now reapply through the ministry’s official website.

The ministry works with universities to improve the quality and efficiency of higher education. This includes developing new evaluation criteria that focus on institutional outcomes rather than relying on a single standardized test for admission. Universities now have the power to determine their entry requirements and play an active role in preparing students for the job market. The response from higher education institutions was positive and appreciated the greater flexibility and shared responsibility in admissions, the ministry said.

With the cancellation of EmSAT, universities now have greater autonomy to set their admission criteria based on academic and professional requirements. Students and parents are encouraged to consult universities directly to understand their specific requirements. For students who have previously taken EmSAT and are already enrolled in universities, there are no new testing requirements to continue their studies.

The ministry confirmed that cancellation of EmSAT will not affect students’ eligibility for scholarships. Scholarship criteria remain determined by individual universities, and students are advised to refer to their desired institutions for specific requirements. Universities are also mandated to publish their admission and scholarship criteria on their websites to ensure transparency.

The cancellation of EmSAT will not affect admission criteria for international universities as students can rely on globally recognized standardized tests. This decision is in line with the UAE government’s vision to simplify university admission processes and expand educational opportunities for students.

This allows all Grade 12 graduates to pursue higher education, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas or skills certification programs. Universities will play a key role in increasing students’ skills and employability, by offering remedial courses where necessary to address gaps in subject-specific or language skills.