ABU DHABI, 3rd November, 2024 (WAM) -- The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) have announced the immediate cancellation of the Emirates Standardised Test (EmSAT) for Grade 12 students seeking admission to higher education institutions.
Universities now have greater flexibility to set their own admission criteria, allowing them to attract students in line with their academic and career goals.
Approved by the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, this decision is part of the efforts to develop and advance the national education system in line with best practices, preparing students for higher education and the labour market, and ensuring they meet future aspirations.
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, emphasised that MoE continues to streamline and enhance its policies in collaboration with MOHESR to support students throughout the different stages of their educational journey, ensuring the quality, flexibility, and global competitiveness of the national education system.
She also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to accurately evaluating students’ skills across various academic subjects through the recently updated performance assessment system, which relies on a comprehensive methodology to assess and upskill students.
Sarah Al Amiri emphasised the critical need for close coordination and streamlined processes among all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the new decision. She highlighted that the new policy will facilitate a smooth transition to higher education, empowering students to attain their academic and career aspirations in line with the evolving demands of the labour market and society.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, presented MOHESR’s vision for enhancing student admission standards at higher education institutions across the country.
He highlighted that the ministry aims to increase access to higher education, ensuring that every 12th-grade graduate has the opportunity to enrol in bachelor’s degree, higher diploma, diploma, or skill certificate programmes, thereby equipping them appropriately for the job market.
Dr. Al Awar clarified that the new vision will give universities more responsibility and flexibility in setting admission criteria. This will enable them to attract students who might not meet the English language proficiency requirements by enrolling them in courses designed to bridge this gap.
Universities will also be able to admit students and enrol them in specialised remedial courses if they do not meet the required grades in specific subjects.
Dr. Al Awar pointed out that admission requirements for medical and engineering programmes will place a stronger emphasis on grades in science-related subjects relevant to the specialisation, rather than focusing on the overall Grade 12 percentage.
He noted that the proposed enhancements to university admission standards aim to provide diverse academic pathways that align with students' abilities while simultaneously addressing the needs of the job market, ultimately producing generations of qualified specialists and professionals capable of competing effectively in both the public and private sectors.
MoE and MOHESR advised students and parents to review the university admission requirements based on the student’s desired major by directly contacting the relevant institutions. They clarified that cancelling the EmSAT will not affect certificate equivalency requirements for most private school curricula, except for the American curriculum, which requires students to take alternative standardised tests, like SAT (Math) and TOEFL (English).
MoE also updated the certificate equivalency requirements for private schools, now requiring academic records from the last three years. Additionally, Arab students must study Arabic, and Muslim students must study Islamic Studies for the same period. This step aligns with the UAE's commitment to strengthening the role of the Arabic language and promoting values of religious tolerance. MoE stressed the need for private school students to review equivalency requirements according to their specific curricula.
MoE and MOHESR emphasised that these changes reflect the UAE leadership’s vision and society’s aspirations for an education system that turns challenges into opportunities, equipping students with the skills that will enable them to contribute to the nation's bright future.