The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a special assessment scheme for Class 10 students in the region after several exams were cancelled due to the ongoing regional conflict.

If you’re a student or parent wondering how results will now be calculated, here’s a simple breakdown.

Why were exams cancelled?

CBSE cancelled the remaining Class 10 board exams on March 5, 2026, after reviewing the situation across several countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Iran.

However, exams held between February 17 and 28 were completed successfully.

How will marks be calculated?

Your result depends on how many exams you were able to take:

If you appeared for all exams

• Your result will be based on your actual marks

If you appeared for 4 exams

• Missing subjects = average of your best 3 subjects

If you appeared for 3 exams

• Missing subjects = average of your best 2 subjects

If you appeared for only 2 exams

• All remaining subjects = average of those 2 subjects

What about internal assessment?

• Internal assessment marks (already submitted by schools) will remain unchanged
• These will be included in your final result as usual

If you changed your exam centre

• If you moved to another country and took exams there
  Your result will be based on your actual performance

Can students improve their marks?

• Yes. You will get a chance to improve your scores by appearing in the second board exams
• This will follow CBSE’s regular improvement policy

When will results be announced?

• Results for Middle East students will be declared along with all CBSE students

Points to remember

• This assessment scheme is final
• No special exams will be held outside CBSE’s policy
• CBSE’s decision will be final and binding

What about Class 12 students?

• CBSE has said that the Class 12 assessment plan will be announced separately

CBSE is using a fair average-based system to ensure students are not disadvantaged due to missed exams. If you wrote more papers, your result reflects more of your actual performance. If you wrote fewer, averages are used to fill the gaps, while still giving you a chance to improve later.

In a proactive move to support student well-being and ensure uninterrupted education, the UAE has announced a two-week extension of distance learning across nurseries, schools, and higher education institutions.

The decision, led by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, reflects a balanced approach, prioritising safety while maintaining academic continuity for students nationwide.

All public and private institutions will continue remote learning, with the situation subject to weekly review. Officials stressed that updates will be communicated through official channels, ensuring transparency and clarity for families.

To accommodate varying institutional needs, a flexible mechanism will allow private schools and universities to apply for a return to in-person learning when necessary, based on operational and academic requirements.

Supporting families further, flexible remote work arrangements will be introduced for federal government employees who are caregivers of children from nursery through Grade 8—reinforcing the UAE’s broader commitment to family wellbeing.

Schools outline clear learning roadmaps

As the extended distance learning period begins, GEMS Education has provided parents with a detailed roadmap outlining how learning will continue across its network.

In a communication, the group confirmed staggered timelines based on curricula and emirate-specific regulations:

• International curriculum schools will shift to online learning from March 23
• Indian curriculum schools (CBSE, ICSE, ISC):
  • In Sharjah (SPEA) and Abu Dhabi (ADEK): online learning from March 30 to April 6
• Dubai schools under the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will begin the new academic year on April 6

All GEMS schools are expected to return to in-person learning from April 6, in line with regulatory guidance.

Seamless learning experience

During the remote learning period:

• Students will follow regular timetables
• Attendance and engagement will continue as normal
• Assessments and academic progress will remain on track

Schools will share detailed schedules and access instructions directly with families.

With strong coordination between authorities, schools, and families, the UAE continues to demonstrate a forward-thinking, resilient approach, ensuring education remains uninterrupted while prioritising safety and wellbeing.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has officially cancelled the 2026 ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) board examinations for all centres in the UAE, according to a circular sent to school principals on Thursday.

The announcement follows earlier notices issued on March 1, March 3, and March 6, 2026, which had already postponed the exams scheduled between March 2 and March 14 for CISCE-affiliated schools across the UAE.

After conducting a thorough review of the situation, CISCE said the decision was made in consultation with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. The board confirmed that both the previously postponed exams and all remaining papers scheduled from March 16 to April 6 have now been cancelled.

Authorities stated that the move was taken due to the security situation in the region, prioritising the safety and well-being of students, exam staff, and school communities.

For students in the UAE, results will now be prepared using an alternative assessment mechanism. CISCE said detailed guidelines on how marks will be calculated will be announced soon.

The board also clarified that students who are not satisfied with their marks under the alternative assessment system will have the option to appear for a 2026 Improvement Examination after results are declared.

School principals across the UAE have been instructed to inform students, parents, and staff about the exam cancellation and the upcoming assessment process.