The latest changes from the UAE Ministry of Education mean that some subjects taught through distance learning will no longer be assessed in Term Three, while others will continue with projects, assignments, and class activities.
Importantly, the Ministry has confirmed that these changes will not reduce or negatively affect your final results. Instead, grades for selected “B Group” subjects will now depend on your performance in Terms One and Two, creating a more flexible and fair system during remote learning.
Key takeaways include:
- Some B Group subjects will not have Term Three assessments
- Final marks for those subjects will come from Terms One and Two
- Other subjects will continue through projects and assignments
- Schools must record all work through approved learning systems
- The Ministry says final grades will remain unchanged and fair
Why Did the UAE Ministry of Education Change the Assessment Rules?
The Ministry changed the rules because many students across the United Arab Emirates are still studying remotely after schools moved online due to regional conditions and safety concerns. Officials wanted to make sure students were not disadvantaged simply because they could not attend lessons in person.
Distance learning can make some subjects harder to assess fairly, especially those that normally depend on classroom participation, practical activities, or direct teacher supervision. By adjusting the assessment process, the Ministry believes students can continue learning without extra stress.
The main reasons behind the change include:
- Reducing pressure on students during extended online learning
- Making assessment fairer for subjects that are difficult to evaluate remotely
- Protecting students from losing marks because of disrupted teaching
- Keeping the school system running without lowering academic standards
- Giving teachers more flexibility in how they measure progress
As one Ministry update explained,
“The move aligns with efforts to support students and ensure continuity in education without disadvantaging learners during remote study periods.”
That statement reflects the overall message behind the new policy: learning should continue, but students should not be penalized because of circumstances outside their control.
Which Subjects Will No Longer Be Assessed in Term Three?
The biggest part of the new UAE Ministry of Education assessment changes affects the subjects that will no longer receive Term Three assessments. These subjects are part of what the Ministry calls the “B Group” within the remote learning framework. Rather than asking students to complete more online tests, the Ministry has decided to use earlier grades to calculate final results.
This change only applies to selected subjects. Core subjects that continue to require regular monitoring will still follow the normal assessment process.
What Does the Ministry Mean by ‘B Group’ Subjects?
The Ministry has not yet released a complete public list of every B Group subject, but it has confirmed that these are subjects considered less dependent on end-of-term testing during remote learning. In many schools, B Group subjects often include enrichment or supporting subjects rather than the main academic courses.
Depending on your school, these subjects may include areas such as:
- Arts and creative activities
- Physical education
- Music
- Life skills
- Elective subjects
These are usually subjects where schools can already judge student performance from earlier work completed during the year. Since students have already been assessed in Terms One and Two, the Ministry believes there is enough information to calculate a fair final mark.
A parent interviewed after the announcement said,
“In short, there’s no need to worry. The Ministry has stressed that these adjustments will not negatively impact final results.”
The parent added that the changes made the situation feel “much more manageable” for families trying to balance remote learning at home.
The Ministry also said that these subjects are being excluded from third-term assessments because the suspension of in-person teaching has made the usual methods less practical and less reliable.
How Will Final Grades Be Calculated for These Subjects?
For B Group subjects, your final grade will now come entirely from your performance in the first two academic terms. That means schools will review the marks, coursework, and teacher evaluations you already completed before Term Three began.
The process will generally work like this:
- Term One marks remain part of your final result
- Term Two marks remain part of your final result
- No new Term Three tests will be added
- Schools will combine earlier scores to produce a final grade
For example, imagine you received strong marks in art and physical education during the first two terms. Under the new rules, those marks will carry forward into your final result even if you do not complete another assessment in Term Three.
The Ministry believes this approach is more accurate than asking students to complete last-minute online assessments in subjects that are difficult to measure remotely.
Officials also repeated that students will not lose marks because of the change. As the Ministry stated,
“The revised mechanism applies to subjects classified under the ‘B group’ within the remote learning framework” and the new approach is intended to “ensure fair evaluation while maintaining academic standards.”
Another teacher explained the change clearly by saying,
“Expect schools to share further details on how individual subjects will be handled – but for now, the message is clear: learning continues, just with a slightly different approach.”
That reflects what many schools are now communicating to students and parents across the UAE.
Which Subjects Will Continue to Be Assessed During Distance Learning?
Not every subject is changing under the new UAE Ministry of Education assessment rules. Many subjects will continue to be assessed during distance learning because teachers can still evaluate them effectively through online work.
These are usually the subjects that require continuous progress and regular academic monitoring. Schools are expected to continue assessing them through normal online methods.
Subjects likely to continue as normal include:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Arabic
- English
- Social studies
- Other core academic subjects
For these subjects, there will be no major changes to the existing process. Students will still complete assignments, online activities, class participation tasks, and project work throughout the term.
The Ministry believes that these subjects can still be assessed fairly through distance learning because teachers can monitor progress regularly and review completed work through school systems.
Instead of relying on one final test, schools will continue to build a complete picture of each student’s performance over time.
This approach also supports the wider shift in UAE education toward continuous assessment rather than depending only on final examinations.
How Will Students Be Evaluated in Subjects That Still Require Assessment?
For subjects that continue during distance learning, schools will still evaluate your work throughout the term. However, instead of depending heavily on traditional exams, teachers will use a more flexible system that focuses on ongoing participation and completed work.
The Ministry wants schools to continue measuring learning in a way that reflects what students can realistically achieve from home. That means regular interaction, submitted work, and teacher observation will become more important than one final online test.
Will Teachers Use Projects, Activities, and Assignments?
Yes. Teachers will continue using projects, assignments, activities, and classroom participation as the main ways to measure progress during Term Three.
These methods allow schools to track how well students understand the material while also giving students more flexibility.
You may be asked to:
- Complete short projects at home
- Submit written assignments online
- Join class discussions or virtual activities
- Take part in quizzes through the school platform
- Show progress through presentations or practical tasks
For example, instead of sitting for a formal online science exam, you might complete a project, answer discussion questions, or submit a short report. In English or Arabic, your teacher may assess you through reading tasks, writing assignments, and class participation.
One school leader described the new system by saying,
“Students will be evaluated through ongoing activities, projects and assignments conducted flexibly by teachers and recorded through approved learning management systems.”
Schools believe this method gives a more realistic picture of what students have learned during remote education.
Because different schools may organize work differently, you should still check your school’s online platform regularly for specific instructions and deadlines.
How Will Schools Record and Track Student Performance?
Schools will use approved learning management systems to record and track all student work during the distance learning period. These systems allow teachers to store assignment marks, attendance, participation, project scores, and feedback in one place.
Most schools across the UAE already use online platforms that can:
- Record assignment submissions
- Track attendance in live classes
- Save project grades and teacher comments
- Monitor whether students join lessons on time
- Create a final performance record for each subject
This is especially important because schools need evidence to support final grades if there are no formal end-of-term examinations. Teachers will rely on the work you complete throughout the term to build your final result.
Recent guidance in Abu Dhabi also introduced stricter attendance and tracking requirements during online learning. Schools have been told to monitor live participation more carefully and keep detailed records of student engagement.
In practical terms, that means your attendance, submitted work, and regular effort may matter more than before. If you miss lessons or forget to upload assignments, it could affect the subjects that are still being assessed.
For parents, this means it is helpful to keep checking school messages, online portals, and assignment deadlines. For students, the best approach is simple: stay involved, complete your work, and keep communicating with your teachers.
Will the UAE Ministry of Education Assessment Changes Affect Final Results?
The Ministry has repeatedly said that the new assessment changes will not negatively affect your final result.
Even though some subjects will no longer have Term Three assessments, schools will still calculate your overall marks using the grades you already earned earlier in the year.
For B Group subjects, your marks from Terms One and Two will replace the missing third-term assessment. For subjects that continue as normal, teachers will still evaluate your work through assignments, projects, and activities.
Because of this, students are not expected to lose marks simply because learning is taking place online. The Ministry has designed the system to keep final grades fair and balanced across all schools.
This is why officials continue to reassure parents and students that there is no reason to panic. The policy changes are not intended to make subjects easier or harder. Instead, they are meant to make sure your results still reflect your real performance during the school year.
Are UAE Schools Expected to Reopen After April 17?
At the moment, there is still no final confirmation about whether schools across the United Arab Emirates will reopen immediately after April 17. The Ministry has confirmed only that the current distance learning period remains in place until that date.
Officials have also rejected online rumors claiming that remote learning will automatically continue until May 1. The Ministry described those reports as inaccurate and said families should wait for updates through official channels only.
Recent announcements suggest that a phased return to classrooms may be possible, especially for nurseries and some educational institutions. However, authorities are still reviewing the situation before making a final decision.
For now, students and parents should prepare for either possibility: a return to school, continued distance learning, or a mix of both. More detailed guidance is expected through official Ministry announcements.
What Should UAE Parents and Students Do Right Now?
Right now, the most important thing is to continue following your school’s instructions and avoid relying on social media rumours. The Ministry has made it clear that only official school messages and Ministry announcements should be trusted.
As a parent or student, you should:
- Continue attending online lessons
- Complete assignments and projects on time
- Keep checking the school platform for updates
- Save copies of completed work and grades
- Prepare for both online learning and possible school reopening
If your school has not yet explained which subjects fall under the B Group category, contact the school directly and ask for clarification. Every school may apply the Ministry’s guidance slightly differently depending on its curriculum.
Although the situation may feel uncertain, the new UAE Ministry of Education assessment changes are designed to reduce stress, not increase it. Staying organized and informed is the best way to protect your final results.
Conclusion: What Do the UAE Ministry of Education Assessment Changes Mean for You?
The UAE Ministry of Education assessment changes are intended to make distance learning fairer and less stressful for students across the country. Some B Group subjects will no longer be assessed in Term Three, while other subjects will continue through projects, assignments, and teacher evaluation.
Most importantly, the Ministry has confirmed that these changes will not damage your final grades. Instead, schools will use earlier marks and continuous assessment to make sure your results still reflect your actual performance.
While there is still uncertainty about whether schools will reopen after April 17, the overall message from the Ministry is clear: your education will continue, and your final results will remain protected.
For now, focus on staying engaged, completing your work, and following official school updates.
FAQs
Can schools create their own assessment rules during distance learning?
No, schools must follow the assessment framework approved by the UAE Ministry of Education. However, individual schools may decide how to deliver projects, assignments, and class activities within those official rules.
Will university admissions be affected by the UAE assessment changes?
The Ministry has said that the new assessment changes will not negatively affect final student results. Because final grades will still be officially calculated and recorded, university admissions should not be affected.
Are private schools and public schools following the same assessment system?
Most UAE schools are expected to follow the Ministry’s overall guidance, especially for distance learning and student assessment. However, private schools may also follow additional rules set by their curriculum provider or local education authority.
What happens if a student cannot complete an online assignment?
Students should contact their teacher or school as soon as possible if they are unable to complete an assignment. Most schools are offering flexible deadlines and alternative tasks during the distance learning period.
Will term one and term two grades now become more important?
Yes, Term One and Term Two grades are now more important for subjects that will not be assessed in Term Three. Those earlier marks will be used to calculate the final result for selected B Group subjects.
Can parents request a review of a student’s final grade?
Yes, parents can usually contact the school and ask for a review if they believe there is an error in the final grade. Schools are expected to keep detailed records of assignments, projects, and assessment results to support any review request.
When will the UAE Ministry of Education announce the next update?
The Ministry is expected to provide another update close to April 17, when the current distance learning period is scheduled to end. Parents and students should continue checking official Ministry and school channels for the latest information.
